Exploring THE NORTHERN OUTER BANKS WITH ALEX PERRY
Alex Perry
Northern Outer Banks Tourism Department
Marketing and Communications Director
From its vast stretches of undeveloped shoreline where wildlife freely roam to its windswept dunes and maritime forests, the Northern Outer Banks — also known as the Currituck Outer Banks — offers a coastal experience that’s totally distinct to North Carolina.
Here, you can watch the area’s iconic wild horses cut paths through the sand right on the beach, or take a walk with your birding binoculars through the estuarine ecosystems of Mackay Island National Wildlife Refuge or the Audubon Pine Island Sanctuary. No matter which of the area’s landscapes you’re exploring, you’ll find that this is a place where natural rhythms take the lead — and where every outdoor experience comes with an opportunity to tread lightly and protect what makes this pristine stretch of coast so special.
As Marketing and Communications Director for the Northern Outer Banks Tourism Department, Alex Perry is part of a community-wide effort to help guests experience the vibrant, delicate natural world here with care. We asked him to share which natural spaces inspire him most and how guests can help safeguard the wild beauty of Currituck County for generations to come.
exploring the northern outer banks
What inspires you to do what you do?
I am inspired to go to work everyday to tell guests about our beautiful destination and the wonderful things you can do not only in our community, but in this wonderful state we get to call home.
What makes the outdoor experiences you love on the Northern Outer Banks unique?
The Northern Outer Banks — which includes the villages of Corolla and Carova and the Currituck Mainland — provides outdoor experiences like nowhere else. The Northern Outer Banks is completely surrounded by water, and no matter where you are or what you’re doing, you are bound to see a body of water. That’s true whether you’re walking a trail, driving a 4×4 down designated beaches, taking a wildlife tour to see our wild horses or just relaxing in one of our many accommodations.
If you had a day to spend outdoors on the Northern Outer Banks, what must-see landmarks or attractions would you visit? What would your ideal day look like?
I would first make sure I see the beaches, whether that means exploring by foot or driving a 4×4 onto Corolla’s 4WD beaches or over to Carova, which is accessible only by 4×4 or boat. After playing on the beach and enjoying the ocean, I’d bring a picnic lunch to Historic Corolla Park and see the Currituck Beach Lighthouse or hike through the Currituck Banks Reserve, which is part of the National Estuarine Research Reserve. Finally, I’d head over to the Currituck Sound to either rent a kayak and paddle past maritime forests and through undisturbed marshlands or watch the sunset from the shore. At all of these locations, you’ll find picturesque views and local wildlife.
Currituck Beach Lighthouse
Are there any lesser-known trails, parks, or outdoor activities that you would recommend?
As much as I love the boardwalk and trail at the Currituck Banks Reserve, some guests may have never seen our Banker horses before. They’re descended from Spanish mustangs brought to the Americas more than 500 years ago, and seeing these majestic animals in the wild is always a highlight, whether you’ve seen them many times or it’s your first encounter.
Do you have any local food or dining recommendations that complement a day of outdoor adventure?
I’d check out the Northern Outer Banks Tourism Department’s website for local restaurant recommendations, or find these on our Currituck Outer Banks app, available in the App Store and on Google Play. This will give you all of the shopping and dining options on the Northern Outer Banks.
What tips do you have for guests to ensure they have a safe and enjoyable outdoor adventure here?
We ask guests to Join the Movement to preserve the Northern Outer Banks’ natural world by familiarizing yourself with the Outdoor NC Leave No Trace principles. All seven can help us be better stewards, but observing the Keep Wildlife Wild and Trash Your Trash principles is especially important to protecting our population of wild horses. Following local rules on not feeding the wildlife, including our law against feeding and touching wild horses, keeps horses’ natural behavior from being altered, which could be dangerous to them and you.
Enjoying sunset in the northern outer banks.
People who are passionate about the outdoors like yourself are typically equally passionate about stewardship. Can you share an interesting fact about stewardship on the Northern Outer Banks that many might not know?
I mentioned this above, but one of the many ways we can take care of our natural world and its inhabitants is by reminding our guests not to feed and to stay at least 50 feet away from the wild horses. Feeding them can hurt or even kill the horses because of their very specific diet and the risk of digestive issues and illness outside of that diet. And keeping your distance not only allows them the space to be wild — it also protects you from possibly being injured. Getting too close can make the horses feel threatened or cornered, which causes them stress and puts you at risk. Instead, by giving these incredible species space, you can help keep them safe.
Can you give us some background on how you approach stewardship and responsible recreation?
Leaving nature as you found it requires everyone to do a little bit of clean-up and follow the rules while out enjoying our natural landscapes. Tourism staff may not be out on every trail to monitor our natural settings and make sure people know the rules, but we’re determined to get the information out to as many of our guests as possible so that they know we can’t do this alone. It takes our guests and residents alike to help us with this initiative, so that everyone can enjoy the beauty of the Northern Outer Banks and its wildlife in the future.
How do you see the Northern Outer Banks Tourism Department contributing to stewardship of the outdoors?
Our primary role is to communicate the importance of keeping our natural areas as you find them and keeping our wildlife wild.
Wild horses roam free in Corolla and Carova, NC.
How does the local culture and community influence the outdoor experiences on the Northern Outer Banks?
In terms of advocating for our wild horses in particular, we have not only residents who are passionate about the horses, but our Corolla wild horse tour companies and the Corolla Wild Horse Fund. Both are very involved at communicating the message to all guests how important these horses are and why it’s vital to follow the rules to protect them. It truly is a community endeavor.
Can you share any local festivals or events that highlight the connection between the community, stewardship and the outdoors?
We’ve had the Corolla Wild Horse Fund and the Outer Banks Center for Wildlife Education come out to local events, including our Corolla Cork and Craft events and other summer programs, to share with guests and give them a firsthand look at local wildlife and the importance of protecting it. In the past, the Outer Banks Center for Wildlife Education has offered an “Outdoors Day” in the spring to share with residents and guests our opportunities for outdoor adventure in the area and how to enjoy them while showing respect to nature and wildlife.
What final advice or message would you like to share with guests coming to explore the Northern Outer Banks?
Come experience all the natural beauty the Northern Outer Banks has to offer — and help us preserve it by exploring with care. When we respect these special places, we ensure they stay wild and welcoming for future visits and for others to come enjoy them, too.
How can people stay in the loop about seasonal outdoor experiences, upcoming events or stewardship initiatives in the Northern Outer Banks?
Sign up for program updates and take the pledge on MakeItYourNatureOBX.com.
*Published 7/1/2025
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