Drive the Outer Banks at your own pace with a location‑aware audio guide. Cover lighthouses, life‑saving stations, Wright Brothers history and wild beaches on a flexible 2–3 hour route you can use for a year.
More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
The sea wind leans into the car as you pull out of the Whalebone Junction lot and point south on NC‑12 — an instant sense of travel arrives. The audio guide begins: a narrator’s voice, a map cue, and the road unfurling past salt flats and dunes. Waves seem to dare you to slow down; inlet currents push restless water through narrow bridges while shorebirds wheel above.
Difficulty
easy
Duration
2–3 hours
Fitness Level
Minimal fitness required — mostly driving with short walks at viewpoints and visitor centers
Wildlife
History
The Outer Banks’ barrier islands were repeatedly reshaped by hurricanes; the chain’s treacherous shoals created a high concentration of shipwrecks and led to the establishment of life‑saving stations in the 19th century.
Conservation
Much of the route crosses protected areas — stick to marked access points, respect nesting seasons, and pack out trash to limit erosion and disturbance to wildlife.
Reserve your spot on the Outer Banks Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour today and enjoy a trusted, highly rated experience designed to help you make the most of your adventure.
Download the app before you go
Install the Action Tour Guide app and enter your password on Wi‑Fi; the tour must be downloaded ahead to work offline.
Check ferry schedules and closures
Hatteras–Ocracoke ferry times vary by season; also monitor National Park alerts for beach or road closures during storms.
Share one purchase per car
Buy one tour per vehicle — everyone in the car can listen without extra tickets, which is cheaper than per‑person audio tours.
Pack sun and hydration essentials
Coastal sun and wind dehydrate quickly; bring sunscreen, water, and a power bank for phones and GPS.
Smartphone with Action Tour Guide app
Required to download and play the audio tour and offline maps.
Portable phone charger / car adapter
Keeps your device powered during the 2–3 hour drive and any side stops.
Sunglasses & sunhat
Protects from glare on beaches and long exposures while stopping for photos.
summer
Light windproof jacket
Coastal winds can be chilly even in shoulder seasons; a slim shell is handy.
fall