Summer is right around the corner and as many Loudoun County Residents plan their Summer vacation, many to the Outerbanks, here is a guide to local fishing piers in the area.
We’ll catch you there!
Basking in the warm sun, watching the waves crash at the shore; visitors and locals alike can agree that fishing is one of the most relaxing and gratifying pastimes to enjoy here on the Outer Banks. Known for the fresh, local seafood caught in the Atlantic right off our beautiful beaches, the Outer Banks’ coastal waters and accompanying piers are the perfect spot to reel in a fresh catch. Even if you’re not into fishing, several of the piers of the Outer Banks offer food and drinks, live music, and arcade games, attracting beachgoers as well.
Check out this list of piers of the Outer Banks to plan where you’ll be spending time during your next visit!Avon Pier41001 NC 12, Avon
The Avon Fishing Pier opened its doors in 1963. The 600’ pier is world famous with its many record catches, especially with the giant Red Drum that frequent these waters. Fishing is also made easy, as anglers are not required to purchase a fishing license. Everything you need for a day of fishing can be found at the Avon Pier.
A day pass is $14 for adults, $12 for seniors, and $8 for children. A 3-day pass is $39 for adults and $33 for seniors. A season pass is $350, and a sightseeing pass is $2. Find more information at www.koruvillage.com/pages/avonpier.
Local’s tip: Walk on over to Pangea Tavern and order the tuna poke nachos. Life changing!Rodanthe Pier2451 Atlantic Drive, Rodanthe
This pier, built in the 1960s, stretches about 500’ into the Atlantic, and offers bait and tackle, refreshments, a game room, and more.
Daily fishing passes are $12 for adults, $7 for children 10 and under, and $2 for sightseeing. Weekly passes are $60 for fishing, $10 for sightseeing, and $180 for a family of 4. Season passes are $200 for individuals, $300 for couples, and $400 for a family of up to 6.
The Rodanthe Pier is generally open the weekend before Easter and closes the weekend after Thanksgiving. Pier hours are 7 am until dark from April through May, 6 am until midnight from June through mid-September, and 7 am until midnight thereafter.
Find more information at www.rodanthepierllc.com. Bonner Bridge PierNC 12, Rodanthe
Opened on October 1, 2021, this 1,046’ remnant section of the Bonner Bridge is located next to the south end of the Basnight Bridge on Hatteras Island. A great place to stretch your legs and sightsee, the Bonner Bridge Pier is free and open 24 hours a day, with parking for approximately 70 vehicles and portable restrooms. Managed by the Cape Hatteras National Seashore, all anglers must have a coastal NC fishing license to fish from the pier. All state length catch restrictions must be adhered to.
More information can be found at www.nps.gov/caha/planyourvisit/bonner-bridge-pier.htm.Outer Banks Pier7665 South Virginia Dare Trail, South Nags Head (Milepost 18.5)
This 600’ fishing pier, originally constructed in 1959 and rebuilt after the Ash Wednesday storm in 1962, is well-known for its great fishing and family atmosphere. The pier house offers a fully stocked tackle shop, video games, and rental rods and reels. Lighted and open 24 hours a day, no fishing license is required. Daily fishing passes are $12, 3-day passes are $30, weekly passes are $70, and seasonal passes are $250 a person or $400 for a couple. Site seeing passes are $2, and senior citizens discounts are also available. Find more information at www.fishheadsobx.com/obx-fishing-pier.html.
The Outer Banks Pier’s accompanying oceanfront restaurant, Fishheads Bar & Grill, offers 40 different beers on tap, as well as great food, fun, and live music in season! Open for lunch and dinner from April until November. Find more information at www.fishheadsobx.com.
Local’s Tip: Order the frozen strawberry Larry’s Lemonade. YUM!Jennette’s Pier7223 South Virginia Dare Trail, Nags Head (Milepost 16.5)
Originally built in 1939, this pier was eventually sold in 2003 to the North Carolina Aquarium Society so that it might be developed into an educational outpost. In May 2011, Jennette’s Pier officially became the fourth facility in the NC Aquariums division of the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources. The 1,000’ long, all-concrete, educational ocean pier offers world-class fishing, youth adventure camps, and an exceptional banquet facility, as well as clean, wide beaches, a public bathhouse, and free parking. Inside the pier house, come face to face with native fish species while peering into one of the several large aquariums, and explore interactive science exhibits to learn about renewable energy and conservation efforts.
Jennette’s Pier and Pier Shop are open year-round. Daily rates for fishing are $14 for adults and $7 for children. Walk-on charges are $2 for adults and $1 for children. Jennette’s Pier has a blanket license to cover all anglers fishing from the Pier. In addition, North Carolina fishing and hunting licenses can be purchased at the main registers with a valid driver’s license and payment.
More information and hours of operation can be found here: www.ncaquariums.com/jennettes-pier.Nags Head Pier3335 South Virginia Dare Trail, Nags Head (Milepost 11.5)
Built in 1947, this popular 750’ fishing pier offers a full-service bait and tackle shop ready to rent you rods and reels, with employees ready to share fishing tricks of their own.
The Pier House Restaurant is well-known for its Carolina-style cooking and breakfast, lunch, and dinner with a view.
Captain Andy’s Oceanfront Tiki Bar is the perfect spot to sit back with a cold cocktail and a pound of peel and eat shrimp to enjoy some live music after a long day on the beach!
A day pass is $14, a 3-day pass is $39, a 7-day pass is $84, and a season pass is $350/$$475 for a couple. For kids under the age of 12, a day pass is $7.50. In season, the pier is open 24 hours a day. The pier closes in December and opens in the spring, with the opening date depending on the fishing. For more information, visit www.nagsheadpier.com.Avalon Pier2111 North Virginia Dare Trail, Kill Devil Hills (Milepost 6)
Built in 1958, this 696’ pier is the last wooden fishing pier and is centrally located between Kitty Hawk and Nags Head in the heart of Kill Devil Hills.
Inside, the pier house offers arcade games, a bait and tackle shop, and a large bar offering food and refreshments, including draft beer. Step outside for more seating or head upstairs to hang out at the second, open-air bar with outdoor seating overlooking the Atlantic. Live music in the summer makes this laid-back hangout a local favorite.
The daily rate for fishing on the pier is $12 for adults and $6 for children ages 12 and under. A 3-day pass is $33, a week pass is $69, and a season pass is $300. Avalon Pier has a blanket license to cover all anglers fishing from the Pier.
The pier is open from 5:00 am – 2:00 am during the summer months, and from 6:00 am until around 10:00 pm in the spring and fall. Find more information at www.avalonpier.com.Kitty Hawk Pier5353 N Virginia Dare Trail, Kitty Hawk (Milepost 1)
Originally constructed in 1953, the Kitty Hawk Pier was devastated by Hurricane Isabel in 2003. After being purchased in 2006 by the Hilton Garden Inn, the pier was renovated and reopened in 2008 to serve as a unique setting for wedding receptions and other social events.
The pier itself remains open to the public for fishing. Fishing passes can be purchased at the front desk at the Hilton Garden Inn for $20, or $3 to sightsee. The hours are 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
The Kitty Hawk Pier has a blanket license to cover all anglers fishing from the pier.
Please note that prices and hours of operation at each location may vary.
Which of these piers is your favorite? We love to see our guests having a reel good time – be sure to tag us on social media in your photos of you and your family enjoying the OBX!