What to Do in the Outer Banks in March

Have Fun — Rain or Shine!

Blog / OBX Guides
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With spring on the horizon, we are finally seeing the light at the end of a chilly tunnel. March is an exciting time of transition here on the Outer Banks. The weather in March has an average high temperature of 62° and an average low temperature of 44°. The days are getting longer, the weather is growing warmer, and many businesses are reopening from their winter hibernation. Local OBX events also start to kick off for the year in March. While all signs point to beautiful beach days, we still see the occasional crisp and stormy day. The good news is, there is so much to do and see on the Outer Banks in March — rain or shine!

 

Rain or Shine Activity Guide

☀️ Best to do on a sunny day!

🌧️ Great during spring showers!

Celebrate Women’s History Month Taste of the Beach Board Games St. Patrick’s Day NC Aquarium Head to the Beach
Baum with Jockey’s Ridge in the background, circa 1973 (photo courtesy of North Carolina Parks and Recreation).

Celebrate Women’s History Month at Jockey’s Ridge ☀️

Hosting a record number of visitors since 2020, Jockey’s Ridge continues to be one of the most popular attractions on the Outer Banks. And for good reason! Being the tallest living sand dune on the Atlantic coast, this monumental landscape offers breathtaking views of both the sound and the sea. However, Jockey’s Ridge was not always revered as such. In 1973, the dune was scheduled to accommodate a residential development at its base. To the horror of Nags Head resident Carolista Baum, she quite literally jumped into action. Baum planted herself in front of the bulldozer and forced the operation to pause. From that point forward, Baum worked tirelessly to “Save Our Sand Dune.” On July 25, 1974, Jockey’s Ridge was officially approved as a National Natural Landmark. Thanks to Baum’s incredible pursuit, the dune’s ancient presence continues to remind us of the wonders of the natural world.

food board

Find Your Inner Foodie At Taste of the Beach ☀️🌧️

Who else has ever felt that OBX has so much amazing food, but there is never enough time to taste it all? Even we year-round residents regularly feel this sentiment. That is why we love Taste of the Beach. Presented by the Outer Banks Restaurant Association, this annual culinary event, occurring March 13-15, 2026, showcases food and drinks from over 50 OBX restaurants, including some of our favorites like Red Sky Cafe and NC Coast. The food festival includes wine tastings, cooking classes, brewery tours, cook-offs, culinary samplings, special multi-course menus, and much more.

what to do in the outer banks in march - scrabble

Bond Over Board Games 🌧️

Rainy days give way to some of our favorite family vacation memories. Gathering around the dining room table with a stack of board games, the topic of lousy weather soon washes away. From chess to checkers and Catan to Candy Land, the list of games is endless and so are the hours of fun. For an added twist, we suggest playing a themed game of Scrabble using only OBX-related words! Many Twiddy homes are fully equipped with games for you and your family. But if you find yourself wanting one that is not provided, check out Island Bookstore, located in Duck and Corolla, and Toy-Riffic in Duck for new and fun options.

what to do in the outer banks in march - st. patrick's day

Experience An OBX St. Patrick’s Day ☀️

St. Patrick’s Day is a month-long celebration on the Outer Banks. Dress in your greenest gear and run a 10K or 5K in the Running of the Leprechauns the morning of Saturday, March 15, 2025. For those who like to sleep in, a Leprechaun-themed beer mile is happening on the afternoon of Saturday, March 15, 2025 at the Outer Banks Brewing Station. Or bring the kids down to Nags Head’s annual St. Patrick’s Day parade on Sunday, March 16, 2025 for some family-friendly fun!

Visit the NC Aquarium on Roanoke Island 🌧️

Looking to take a walk and explore the coast but the clouds aren’t cooperating? Take the fun inside! In Manteo, the North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island offers the opportunity to discover more about the Atlantic coastline. Learn about sea turtle conservation in a real sea turtle facility, the STAR Center (Sea Turtle Assistance and Rehabilitation). Hang out in the Wild Wetlands exhibit as the otters entertain you and the alligators lounge nearby. Watch sharks and other fish swim around in the Graveyard of the Atlantic exhibit. 

Beat The Beach Crowds ☀️

Of course, a trip to OBX wouldn’t be complete without a beach day! While March may not be the first month that comes to mind when planning a coastal vacation, it certainly is one of our favorites. These early spring days have yet to see the crowds, reminding us of the solitude we love during winter. But March’s climbing temperatures give us an early taste of summer. Lay out on a 70º day or scoop the best beachcombing finds after a storm. Uncrowded March on the Outer Banks is truly great!

Courtney Wisecarver

Courtney Wisecarver

 
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