A total of seven Outer Banks locales — Kill Devil Hills, Carova, Corolla, Duck, Nags Head, Ocracoke, and Kitty Hawk — have been nominated for Best Beach in North Carolina as part of USA TODAY’s 10Best Readers Choice Awards.
A household name publication, USA TODAY offers the following summaries of the surrounding areas:
Kill Devil Hills
Best known as the location where the Wright Brothers made their revolutionary flights, Kill Devil Hills is a must-visit for any Tarheel State history buffs. After a visit to the Wright Brothers National Memorial, guests can head east for a relaxing afternoon spent lounging along the sandy shoreline.
Carova
The northernmost point in the Outer Banks, Carova Beach is home to vast swaths of pristine shoreline and a diverse array of native wildlife. While the community is home to its fair share of human residents, it’s also popular thanks to its Banker horses that wander the area. Take note that this location is only accessible via unpaved beach and four-wheel drive vehicles.
Corolla
The Outer Banks community of Corolla hosts just a few hundred residents during the off-season, with thousands of visitors convening along its shores during peak season. While cozy restaurants and secluded, windswept beaches are a major draw for tourists, the region also boasts its own herd of free-roaming Banker horses.
Duck
Situated in Dare County is the scenic town of Duck, a relatively new addition to the Outer Banks that was incorporated in 2002. The community’s sandy beaches are loaded with tourists during the summer months, who enjoy swimming in lifeguard-monitored waters, fishing, surfing, kayaking, and just lounging on the sand.
Nags Head
The Nags Head public beach has plenty to offer the sun-loving vacationer: three public fishing piers and more than 12 miles of well-maintained oceanfront. Beachgoers also enjoy swimming safely in lifeguard-monitored waters and being able to grab a quick bite to eat just off the sand after working up an appetite.
Ocracoke
A prominent destination on North Carolina’s Ocracoke Island, Ocracoke Beach is well worth the ferry ride needed to access the area. Upon arrival, beachgoers enjoy swimming, surfing, and body-boarding in the lifeguard-monitored waves, as well as lounging on the pristine sands.
Kitty Hawk
Native Tarheel State flora and fauna abound across Kitty Hawk, an Outer Banks town that’s perched just beyond the mainland. Gorgeous beaches can be found lining the eastern edge of the community, while the west plays host to otters, raccoons, and a wealth of other local mammals within Kitty Hawk Woods Coastal Reserve.
According to USA TODAY, nominees are submitted by a panel of experts. 10Best editors narrow the field to select the final set of nominees for the Readers’ Choice Awards.
Readers can vote once per category, per day, until the ballots close on Monday, May 20.