A Hidden Gem on the Outer Banks: Dolphins, Waves, and Flavor

Encompassing 200 miles of North Carolina coastline, the family of barrier islands known as the Outer Banks have fascinated and delighted visitors since the early 1800s. However, even after 200 years of welcoming tourists, the destination somehow manages to maintain its authentic coastal character, with quiet stretches of shoreline, excellent local restaurants, and comfortable but humble accommodations. The town of Buxton is a perfect example. It’s located at the elbow and the widest portion of Hatteras Island, and despite being the island’s largest community, its year-round population hovers around just 1,200. Plan a week or long weekend to explore this quiet beach town, and you’ll be living like a local in no time at all.

The Best Things To Do In Buxton

Spot A Dolphin

The Outer Banks may be best known for their colony of rare wild horses, but the wildlife to spot in Buxton is dolphins. According to a new study from BoatBooker that utilized data on bottlenose dolphins sightings from OBIS-SEAMAP, a peer-reviewed database maintained by Duke University’s Marine Geospatial Ecology Lab in partnership with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Buxton is the best place in the country to see the species. Of 243,809 documented sightings across 365 coastal destinations, Buxton accounted for 20,128 sightings. That’s pretty great odds, so keep your eyes peeled when you’re at the beach or boating on the water.

Try A Water Sport

The Outer Banks are known for having some of the best and largest waves on the East Coast, which makes Buxton a magnet for surfers from surrounding states. Pick a nearby surf school and commit to hanging ten. If surfing doesn’t seem your speed, this area is also a hot spot for windsurfing and kiteboarding. Fox Watersports can set you up with equipment for all three sports and even offer lessons and rentals.

See The Hatteras Island Lighthouse

The Cape Hatteras Light Station protects one of the most hazardous sections of the Atlantic Coast, a 12-mile-long sandbar called Diamond Shoals created by the collision of Gulf Stream and the Virginia Drift. The black-and-white spiraled lighthouse is the tallest brick lighthouse in the United States. Currently the lighthouse is undergoing an extensive renovation to renew it to its original 1870 glory, so visitors will get the unique opportunity to see the landmark unpainted and under scaffolding.

Hike Through Buxton Woods Reserve

The beauty of this area lies in its ecological diversity. See a different side of Buxton on this easy forest walk located just behind the lighthouse. The 0.75-mile Buxton Woods Trail takes visitors through one of the largest maritime forests in the Outer Banks, where they’ll climb low ridges under a peaceful canopy of loblolly pines, live oaks, and bayberry. Be sure to look out for wildlife like owls, foxes, and deer, especially as you pass Jennette’s Sedge, a freshwater pond along the path.

Hit The Beach

Beach nourishment is a big part of life in the Outer Banks. Buxton is the latest town to take on the project. Starting at the end of July 2026 and expected to last around 95 days, the beaches in the main part of the town will be closed. However, you can still find a stretch of sandy shoreline at the Buxton Lifeguarded Beach, also called Lighthouse Beach or Old Lighthouse Beach. The beach is known for clear water, great surfing, and excellent shelling.

Visit The Graveyard Of The Atlantic Museum

Learn about the state’s most dramatic shipwreck stories at the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum. Just steps from the beach, you can explore a world of shifting shoals, WWII U-boat attacks, and pirate raids that account for more than 2,000 vessels lost.

The Best Places To Eat In Buxton

Have Dinner At Café Pamlico

You can’t beat the views at Café Pamlico, a relaxed fine dining restaurant located at The Inn on Pamlico Sound. The Pamlico Sound is displayed in full glory through the indoor dining room’s giant picture windows, or you can opt for a seat on the deck and feel breeze coming off the water. The menu showcases the best local seafood with several menu items including the tuna, shrimp and grits, and fish special all utilizing regional catch.

Enjoy A Slice At Angelo’s Pizza

There’s nothing like a hot slice of ‘za after a long day at the beach. Get you fix at Angelo’s Pizza, a Buxton staple since 1994 that specializes in pies and calzones but also has wings, burgers, and subs on the menu. Order carryout or dine in and spend time in the arcade while you wait for dinner.

Get Breakfast At Orange Blossom Bakery & Café

Peruse the well-stocked pastry displays at this homegrown bakery for a laundry list of treats including sticky buns, cinnamon rolls, Danishes, donuts, muffins, and specialty breads. Folks who prefer savory to sweet can order a breakfast sandwich on a homemade biscuit or Italian bread, but everyone has to add at least one Apple Ugly to their order. Akin to an apple fritter, the deep-fried balls of donut dough, apple, and cinnamon spice are especially irregularly shaped (ugly if you will) and taste all the better for it.

Gather Picnic Essentials At Conner’s Market

Locals and return visitors know that if you need something, you’re likely to find it at Conner’s. Run by the same family since 1959, this grocery store, market, and beach outfitter, has everything you need for a perfect day on the coast. From fishing lures and towels to locally coffee and chocolate-covered peanuts, there’s nothing you won’t find. Stop in before lunch and pick up goodies for a picnic from pre-cut fruit to sandwiches, cold salads, fresh-made pimento cheese, and bakery treats.

The Best Places To Stay In Buxton

Stay At A Local Inn

We’ll take a homey inn over a cookie-cutter hotel any day. Luckily, Hatteras Island has no shortage of classic, locally-owned stays. The Inn on Pamlico Sound offers well-appointed rooms with sweeping soundfront views, plus a fabulous onsite restaurant, in a location that’s organically grown in size and offerings since its early days as a humble five-bedroom B&B in 2004.

Opt For A Retro Accommodation

The Cape Pines Motel has old-school charm and modern amenities in the style of a classic motor court. Offering 28 rooms and suites (several of which are pet-friendly) plus a seasonal outdoor pool, it’s the perfect spot for families. Located in the heart of Buxton, this is an ideal spot to call home base.

Book A Rental

A house with a view isn’t hard to find in Buxton. A number of property management companies rent vacation homes that are located right on the water, whether that be the ocean or the sound. Surf or Sound Realty has properties across Hatteras Island, with lots of options in Buxton.