What to Do in the Outer Banks in July

Long Live Summer

The Outer Banks in July is what summer dreams are made of. The ocean water temperature in July is 79° on average, and the weather is perfect for the beach. With an average high of 86°, long days are spent on the beach, eating watermelon and basking in the hot sun. Hot, humid evenings, with an average low of 73°, are made for grilling out with family and friends before taking a bike ride to watch a gorgeous sunset on the sound. The cool sand beneath your feet and the sound of the waves lapping the shore make night beach walks extra special. Watch ghost crabs scurry along the beach or look up for some of the best stargazing on the entire East Coast. There’s plenty to do on the OBX in July – we’re in full swing and celebrating the summer season that we love so dearly.

4th of July Farmers Markets Pier Fishing Live Music Build a Sandcastle

4th of July on the OBX

We may be biased, but we think the Outer Banks is the ideal place to celebrate Independence Day. Whether you’re looking for an epic fireworks show, a small-town parade, a beer run, or live music, you’ll have an amazing 4th of July on the Outer Banks.

Dowdy Park Farmers Market Outer Banks in July

Visit a Local Farmers Market

Outer Banks Farmers Markets are an eclectic collection of vendors, from eastern NC fruits and veggies to locally handcrafted jewelry and everything in between. Summer’s bounty is available at multiple locations throughout the Outer Banks in July. Support local NC agriculture and score some amazing edible goodies to enjoy during your vacation. Take home a one-of-a-kind souvenir created by a hardworking OBX local.

Go Pier Fishing on the Outer Banks in July

Outer Banks piers each offer something different depending on what type of experience you’re looking for. There is a fantastic collection of great fishing piers on the OBX. Pier fishing is a family-friendly activity and a great way to introduce kids to fishing. Each pier offers its own local flavor and amenities. Jennette’s Pier offers a family fishing class that includes instruction, equipment, bait, and the fishing fee for those who are new to pier fishing. Grab a beer at the bar at Avalon Pier and play video games or head outside to the top deck and listen to live music. FishHeads Bar & Grill, located at the base of the Outer Banks Fishing Pier in South Nags Head, is another great place to grab a beer and listen to live music after a day of fishing. The Pier House Restaurant on Nags Head Fishing Pier offers an amazing breakfast with an ocean view for you to fuel up before your day of fishing.

Groove to Live Music on the Outer Banks in July

If live music is something that you enjoy, the Outer Banks in summer is the place to be. Live music can be found almost every evening, from Corolla to Ocracoke. Free live music can be found at many local restaurants, bars, and, on some evenings, at town parks. VusicOBX presents ticketed music events that feature bigger-name musicians at Roanoke Island Festival Park in Manteo, all with the laid-back beach town vibe that you’re used to on the Outer Banks.

Build An Epic Sandcastle

Building sandcastles isn’t just for the kids! We’ve seen some pretty amazing sand creations. The best part about making sandcastles is that very little equipment is needed. Grab a sand pail or two and use your imagination to create something special. We have a few tips for successful sandcastle-ing:

Build your sandcastle near the high tide mark. The sand in this area is generally more hard-packed and contains more moisture than the finer sand closer to the dune line.
Fill your bucket with water to use for details as needed. Or put some sand into that bucket of water and see how tall of a drip castle you can make.
Get the entire family involved for a little healthy competition, complete with champion sandcastle bragging rights.
Fill all holes in before leaving the beach for the day. This is very important, as sand holes can be hazards for emergency vehicles, nesting sea turtles, and beach walkers.
NEVER crawl through a sand tunnel. Sand is unstable by nature and sand tunnels will collapse as sand under the surface dries.