Cape Hatteras National Seashore Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour

4.5(10)2 hours - 3 hoursEnglishOuter Banks, United States

From

$15

Embark on a captivating drive along the Cape Hatteras National Seashore with this self-guided tour of North Carolina's Outer Banks. Dive into a rich tapestry of history, from tales of the Lost Colony to the legendary pirate Blackbeard as you marvel at stunning oceanside scenery. Visit the majestic Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, encounter the unique marine wonders of the Pamlico Sound, and so much more. This tour ends at the Hatteras Ferry in case you want to keep the adventure going on the remote island of Ocracoke. The barrier islands await!

After booking, check your email/text to download the separate Audio Tour Guide App by Action while connected to WiFi or mobile data. Enter the password, download the tour, and enjoy it offline. Follow the audio instructions and route from the designated starting point.

New, Lifetime access, no expiry. Use it anytime, on any trip, as many times as you want.

This isn't an entrance ticket. Check opening hours before your visit.

Included

Just bring your car and phone; the app guides your tour.
Support is available via chat, email, or phone if you need help.
Planning tools, route maps, scenic stops, and area previews included.
Private tour experience for your family, in your own car.
Lifetime access: use the tour anytime and keep it for future trips.
Works offline with GPS route guidance and automatic audio stories.
One purchase covers everyone in your car, not per person.
Flexible tour: start, stop, and pause anytime during your trip.
Access your tour in our separate audio tour app after booking.
Hidden gems and local stories included along the route.

Not included

No live guide. Entrance fees, parking, food, and car rental are separate.

What you'll do

Begin your journey at this convenient visitor center, the official starting poin
t for the Cape Hatteras National Seashore audio tour.
5 min
Bodie Island Lighthouse
8210 Bodie Island Lighthouse Road, Nags Head, United States
Discover one of the Outer Banks’ most recognizable historic lighthouses. The present lighthouse dates to the 1870s and has guided sailors through these dangerous coastal waters for generations.
5 minAdmission not included
Coquina Beach
off Rte. 12, 8 mi south of U.S. 158, North Carolina, United States
Enjoy a beautiful stretch of Outer Banks shoreline known for its coquina clams and the remains of the shipwrecked schooner Laura Barnes.
5 min
See the natural waterway connecting Pamlico Sound with the Atlantic Ocean
The inlet was created by a powerful hurricane in 1846 and has continued shifting over time.
5 min
Cross the impressive bridge spanning Oregon Inlet while taking in broad views of
the surrounding water and barrier islands. It is an important link along the scenic NC-12 route.
5 min
Oregon Inlet Life Saving Station
North Carolina Hwy 12, Rodanthe, United States
See a historic life-saving station dating to the 1800s, when rescue crews watched these dangerous shores and responded to frequent shipwrecks.
5 min
Travel beside one of the region’s great estuaries, home to blue crabs, striped b
ass, birds, and many other species that thrive where fresh and salt water meet.
5 min
Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge
14500 NC Highway 12, Rodanthe, United States
Drive through miles of protected coastal habitat famous for migratory birds and beautiful natural scenery. The refuge is an important stop along the Atlantic Flyway.
5 min
Take a break at this spacious beach for sweeping coastal views and a chance to s
pot local wildlife, including loggerhead sea turtles.
5 min
Cross this modern bridge built to carry NC-12 above areas vulnerable to flooding
erosion, and shifting sand along the Outer Banks.
5 min
Rodanthe
Rodanthe, United States
Pass through this small seaside community made famous by Nights in Rodanthe. The surrounding landscape showcases the changing nature of the Outer Banks.
5 min
Explore a historic rescue station where surfmen once lived, trained, and used sp
ecialized equipment to save sailors from shipwrecks.
5 minAdmission not included
Stop by this small local gift shop featuring handmade crafts, jewelry, fishing i
tems, and a touch of Hatteras Island history and nostalgia.
5 min
Cape Hatteras National Seashore
North Carolina Highway 12, North Carolina, United States
Experience a protected stretch of the Outer Banks known for historic lighthouses, beaches, wildlife, and remarkably undeveloped coastal landscapes.
5 min
Visit a popular waterfront spot where strong coastal winds make ideal conditions for kitesurfing and windsurfing
It is also a great place to watch riders in action.
5 min
Buxton
Buxton, United States
Travel through this small Hatteras Island community near some of Cape Hatteras’ best-known natural and historic attractions.
5 min
Cape Hatteras Lighthouse
46379 Lighthouse Rd, Buxton, United States
See the iconic black-and-white spiral lighthouse built to help sailors navigate the dangerous waters around Cape Hatteras. The historic structure was famously moved inland in 1999 to protect it from erosion.
5 min
Visit the dramatic eastern tip of Cape Hatteras, where powerful ocean currents meet and constantly reshape the coastline
The area is especially popular with anglers and adventure seekers.
5 min
Learn about the dangerous underwater sandbars extending offshore from Cape Hatteras
These hidden shoals contributed to countless shipwrecks and the region’s reputation as the “Graveyard of the Atlantic.
5 min
Visit a quiet memorial site honoring British sailors who lost their lives while
fighting German U-boats off the North Carolina coast during World War II.
5 min
Explore a small historic community at the southern end of Hatteras Island with d
eep connections to Civil War history, fishing, and Outer Banks culture.
5 min
Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum
59200 Museum Dr, North Carolina, United States
Discover the rich maritime history of the Outer Banks, including stories of shipwrecks, sailors, warfare, and the historic Hotel De Afrique.
5 min
See this waterfront marina named after Edward Teach, better known as the legendary pirate Blackbeard
It sits near the southern end of the tour route.
5 min
Reach the southern endpoint of the driving tour and the ferry gateway to Ocracoke Island
Travelers can continue their Outer Banks adventure from here.
5 min
Continue by ferry to this historic island known for its Banker horses, maritime
heritage, and strong connections to the legends of Blackbeard.
5 min

Meeting and pickup

9 locations

Pickup details

Start at the Whalebone Junction Information Center lot on Cape Hatteras National Park Rd, Nags Head, NC 27959, heading south on NC-12 toward Hatteras. Suggested start; we’re not affiliated and staff won’t have tour info. Audio auto-starts—check email/text for setup and download.

Good to know

Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Easy to use: GPS-triggered audio plays automatically along the route for a hands-free experience.
Private tour: Explore in your own vehicle without crowded buses or large tour groups.
At your own pace: Start anytime and pause for hikes, picnics, photos, or scenic stops.
Works offline: Once downloaded, the tour works using GPS without Wi-Fi or cellular service.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

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Cape Hatteras National Seashore Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour

Overview

What's included

Included

Not included

Itinerary

What you'll do

Begin your journey at this convenient visitor center, the official starting poin

Bodie Island Lighthouse

Coquina Beach

See the natural waterway connecting Pamlico Sound with the Atlantic Ocean

Cross the impressive bridge spanning Oregon Inlet while taking in broad views of

Oregon Inlet Life Saving Station

Travel beside one of the region’s great estuaries, home to blue crabs, striped b

Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge

Take a break at this spacious beach for sweeping coastal views and a chance to s

Cross this modern bridge built to carry NC-12 above areas vulnerable to flooding

Rodanthe

Explore a historic rescue station where surfmen once lived, trained, and used sp

Stop by this small local gift shop featuring handmade crafts, jewelry, fishing i