Stargazing on the Outer Banks

Stargazing on the OBX

The Outer Banks is one of the best places for stargazing on the entire east coast. The narrow strip of land offers a unique opportunity to view the natural night sky. With the naked eye, the Milky Way and thousands of stars and even some planets can be seen on any given clear night. 

It’s not uncommon to observe a shooting star, or meteor, from the Outer Banks as well. Seeing a shooting star requires patience, as you may have to spend some time staring up at the sky at the appropriate place and moment. 

If clear skies are in the forecast during a meteor shower, stargazers on the Outer Banks are in for a treat. Most annual meteor shower peak dates for the Outer Banks are during the Fall, Winter, and Spring. However, the Perseids, which peaks in mid-August over the OBX, are one of the brighter meteor showers of the year. 

Watch the Moon Rise on the OBX

Watching the full moon rise over the Outer Banks is a gorgeous sight to behold. Head down to the beach to watch the moon rise over the ocean with the cool sand under your feet. The moon seems to shine even brighter in the dark night sky over the ocean. 

Check our tide chart for the moonrise time during your OBX vacation, and a calendar of the moon phases by date and location can be found here. Each month’s full moon also has a name, which is rooted in Native American, Colonial American, and other North American traditions dating back generations. Although moon names are not commonly used nowadays, they’re a fun way to keep track of the moon throughout the seasons of the year.