The Outer Banks of North Carolina are a string of barrier islands stretching from the Virginia border southward to Cape Hatteras and then southwestward, across Hatteras Inlet, to Ocracoke Island. Having long attracted explorers, innovators, and treasure seekers, these narrow ribbons of sand are known for their iconic lighthouses, charming towns, storied sand dunes and beaches, and ties to history. 

Photographs showcase

• well-known towns and destinations, including Corolla, Duck, Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills, Nags Head, Manteo, and Wanchese;
• iconic OBX beaches and coastlines, including the long stretches of undeveloped shoreline of Cape Hatteras National Seashore and the massive sand dunes of Jockey's Ridge State Park; 
• must-see attractions, including lighthouses, the Elizabethan Gardens, and monuments to the Wright brothers' discovery of flight; and
• wildlife, including seasonal waterfowl and the remnants of a herd of wild Spanish mustangs that can be seen roaming the northern beaches.

This photographic tour of the nature and attractions of the islands shows why OBX is one of the prime vacation spots on the Eastern Seaboard.