What to Do on the Outer Banks in August

Summer Sunshine and Salty Breezes

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Summer is in full swing on the Outer Banks in August. The days are hot and full of sunshine, and the evenings are humid and full of excitement. The weather on the OBX in August is very warm, with an average high temperature of 87° and an average low of 74°. August is the month with the warmest average ocean temperature on the Outer Banks, normally in the 80° range. If you’re looking for things to do on the OBX in August, you’re in the right place. There is plenty to do and see all around the Outer Banks during the summer months. In addition to the activities below, be sure to check out what to do on the Outer Banks in June and July for more fun things to do.

Visit an OBX Brewery Try Local Seafood Enjoy a Good Book Learn to Surf Local Events

Visit an OBX Brewery

There are plenty of fun places to enjoy a cold one on the Outer Banks, no matter which town you’re staying in. Each local OBX brewery offers its own unique beverages and atmosphere. Whether you’re looking for a fun activity on a rainy day or just want grab a flight one afternoon after leaving the beach, there’s a bar nearby serving up beers brewed right here on the OBX. Swells’a Brewing’s Duck Dive Bar is a laid-back place to try locally brewed beer, conveniently located in Duck Village. 

If cocktails are more your speed, mix up some delicious drinks at your vacation home. Take happy hour to a new level with an OBX themed cocktail. The Outer Banks’ own Kill Devil Rum even makes an appearance in the Duck & Stormy recipe.

swells'a brewing beer flight

Try Outer Banks Seafood

It’s August and the fish are biting! We highly recommend taking advantage of the time of year and enjoy some local seafood. Grill some fresh tuna at your vacation home and pair it with rice and mango salsa. If you’d rather leave the cooking to someone else, consider a local seafood restaurant or arrange to have a seafood boil from Outer Banks Boil Company. They show up and cook all of the food and fixins, and they clean up before they leave.

obx beach reads

Get Lost in a Good Book

Lounging on the beach all afternoon with a good book is a favorite vacation activity for many who visit the OBX each summer. Pop by a local bookstore and pick up a book about the Outer Banks. Books about the OBX or by Outer Banks authors span many different genres, there are even children’s books to entertain the littlest readers in your group. Your next beach read is waiting.

surf outer banks in august

Learn to Surf

Surfing is a favorite activity on the OBX for both locals and visitors alike. If you’ve never surfed before, there is a learning curve and we recommend scheduling a surf lesson with one of our talented locals. Surf lessons are offered in every town on the Outer Banks, and many instructors will meet you at a beach access or your oceanfront vacation home. Learn tips and tricks directly from the experts.

boy surfing corolla
KHK watermelon festival

Local Events

There are plenty of events happening throughout the Outer Banks in August. Stop by a local farmers market for some goodies and unique souvenirs crafted by OBX locals.

Corolla Cork & Craft is an exciting event happening on Wednesday, August 5th, 2026, from 12:00 pm to 8:00 pm, at Historic Corolla Park. Enjoy local wine, beer, cocktails, and crafts featuring local artisans. Live music and local food will also be available.

If you enjoy live music, you can find a show almost every evening of the week. The town of Duck hosts a variety of activities in August, including a magic show, live music, family movies, and free yoga classes.

Kitty Hawk Kites’ Annual Outer Banks Watermelon Festival will be held on Thursday, August 6, 2026, from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm at Kitty Hawk Kites’ Nags Head location, across the street from Jockey’s Ridge. 

Duck Town Park Music

Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays in August, the town of Duck offers a variety of free family-friendly activities. For the morning people in your group, dynamic flow classes are offered at the Duck Town Park green. Family-friendly events are scheduled mid-morning and have included a magic show, a variety show, story time, and the opportunity to meet a rescued Corolla Wild Horse. On Thursday evenings, head back to the park for a live music concert on the green. See the town of Duck’s event calendar for specific event dates and times.

OBX 5K

Go out for a run! The OBX Running Company hosts weekly races in Corolla, Nags Head, Hatteras, and special races throughout the summer, such as the H2OBX Dash & Splash. Races are typically 5K or 1-mile in distance. Get your cardio in and take home a unique medal and t-shirt as vacation souvenirs.

Jackie Koenig Painting Workhop

Fine-tune your creative side at a Painting Workshop with local OBX artist Jackie Koenig. Workshops are held on select Wednesday evenings at The Duck Gallery in the heart of Duck Village. The Duck Gallery in the Scarborough Lane Shoppes has all the details on how to sign up.

Long live summer! Looking for a last-minute getaway before school starts? There are plenty of free things to do on the Outer Banks, as well as many things to do with kids!

Planning to visit the Outer Banks in August of next year? 

August is a very popular month to vacation on the Outer Banks. We accept advance reservations 51 weeks in advance and even earlier for some homes. Plan now to score the ideal vacation home for August of next year.

Courtney Wisecarver

Courtney Wisecarver

 
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