With all the pirate activity off the coast of North Carolina and the fact that the Outer Banks is the Graveyard of the Atlantic, it’s no wonder that this area is said to be haunted. A tour with OBX Ghost Tours is the perfect way to learn more about this part of NC history!
The Outer Banks is a group of barrier islands on the northern coast of North Carolina. From Corolla in the north down to Ocracoke Island you’ll find popular vacation spots like Duck, Kitty Hawk, Nags Head, and Hatteras Island. With great vacation rentals from north to south, you won’t have trouble finding the perfect place to spend your holiday.
The geography of the ocean floor and island chains made this a particularly dangerous place for ships which is why there have been so many shipwrecks off the coast of the Outer Banks and therefore has been deemed the “Graveyard of the Atlantic.”
So many stories of Outer Banks’ hauntings come from these shipwrecks.
These days, many people visit for the gorgeous beaches, good seafood, and family-friendly atmosphere. This ghost tour is a great addition to any vacation, though!
Whether you’re a ghost enthusiast or just looking for a unique way to spend an evening, this is the perfect option. You’ll get to explore more of downtown Manteo while learning all about local legends.
What to Expect On Your OBX Ghost Tour
To begin your ghost tour, you’ll meet your tour guide at Duck’s Cottage Downtown Books located at 105 Sir Walter Raleigh Street in Manteo.
The guides with OBX Ghost Tours really set this experience apart – everyone raves about how entertaining and knowledgeable they are!
Speaking of the guides, gratuities aren’t included in the ticket price so if you enjoy the tour then bring along some cash for a tip.
You’ll hear spooky stories and historical tales that are educational for the whole family. Learn about the haunted beaches of the Outer Banks and creepy cemeteries as you walk through downtown Manteo at night.
Plan on walking for about a mile through the streets downtown so comfortable shoes and a bottle of water are recommended. Note that some of the sidewalks can be uneven, especially if they are old brick ones.
Tours usually last around an hour and fifteen minutes and they begin at 7:30 pm. The stories will come from the local history of Manteo as well as ghosts from other areas in the Outer Banks. Expect more historical and educational stories than scary ones.
OBX Ghost Tours actually get you involved in the tour by letting you use an EMF detector – also known as a ghost detector!
Who Should Go
This tour is made for adults and kids of all ages and on their FAQ page, they even rate the tour as PG, so while it might give you chill bumps, don’t expect a horrifying experience. This tour isn’t known to be very scary so you don’t have to worry about younger kids getting spooked though.
Kids will love the entertaining ghost stories and parents will love the historical aspects of the tour so it’s a win-win. Many parents recommend that kids be old enough to understand and enjoy the stories.
Families aren’t the only ones who will enjoy a ghost tour! They’re fun for couples or groups of friends looking for some excitement. You never know what you might see.
If you’ve brought your furry friend on vacation with you make sure to leave them back at your rental. Pets are not allowed on these tours.
Why Take an Outer Banks Ghost Tour
If you’re looking for something different to do on your Outer Banks vacation then this is the perfect thing.
After spending the day on one of the stunning beaches of the Outer Banks, it’s a treat to come into Manteo, have dinner, and then be entertained with tales of the town.
The Outer Banks is a great place for a ghost tour because – whether you believe them or not – there are truly some great stories.
In 1718 Blackbeard was killed off of Ocracoke Island and it’s said that people occasionally see him searching for his severed head. And did you know that Manteo is on Roanoke Island? This was the location of the lost colony which was the colony from England that settled here in 1587 but disappeared by 1590.
A whole colony that disappears leaves behind lots of ghosts!
When is the Best Time to Go
Spring and fall are typically when the weather is great but there aren’t as many crowds since kids are still in school.
Of course, taking a ghost tour in fall, especially in September or October is always interesting with Halloween just around the corner.
Typically nights are still pretty cool in spring and fall even if the days are hot. Summer brings heat and humidity but the evenings can be cool if there’s a breeze. You may want to bring extra water in the summer if it’s an incredibly balmy night.
You’ll find the Outer Banks most crowded in the summer but the crowds aren’t unbearable by any means. Of course, weekends will be more crowded than weekdays so take that into consideration when planning as well.
Winter is the off-season here so you’ll find that many companies close for the season.
Basically, you can’t go wrong in spring, summer, or fall!
Wrap Up: The Top OBX Ghost Tour
There is one other haunted experience you can take, though it’s a tour of a specific building and not a walking ghost tour.
At The Whalehead Club in Corolla, you can take their Daylight Ghost Tour or Moonlight Legends, Lore, and Ghosts Tour where you learn about who could be haunting the building and findings from a paranormal investigation.
However, if you want a walking tour that focuses on the Outer Banks as a whole then the OBX Ghost Tour is exactly what you’re looking for!
It’s one of the best ways to spend an evening in Manteo, learn more about its history, and hear some ghost tales.