Haunted Outer Banks

1. The Black Pelican’s Haunted Past

Today, the Black Pelican in Kitty Hawk is famous for great seafood and ocean views. But long before it was a restaurant, it served as a U.S. Life-Saving Station. In 1884, a deadly dispute ended in tragedy when a captain allegedly shot one of his crew. Locals say that surfman never truly left. Staff and diners alike have reported strange footsteps, unexplained noises, and doors that seem to move on their own. Next time you stop in for dinner, keep an ear out…

2. Blackbeard’s Ghost at Teach’s Hole

Ocracoke Island was the final battleground of the notorious pirate Blackbeard. After a bloody fight with the Royal Navy in 1718, he was killed — legend says his headless body swam three times around the ship before sinking. To this day, boaters claim the cove known as Teach’s Hole carries a restless energy. Some even swear they’ve seen eerie lights dancing on the water, as if the old pirate still hunts for his missing head.

3. The White Doe of Roanoke

The mystery of the Lost Colony is one of America’s oldest unsolved stories — and at its center is Virginia Dare, the first English child born in the New World. According to legend, she was cursed by a jealous shaman and transformed into a ghostly white doe that still roams the forests of Roanoke Island. Travelers have long shared stories of spotting a pale deer slipping quietly between the trees at dusk.

4. Phantom Ships of the Graveyard of the Atlantic

With more than 2,000 shipwrecks off its coast, the Outer Banks earned its title as the “Graveyard of the Atlantic.” Divers explore wrecks every year, but some visitors don’t need scuba gear to feel the history. Fishermen and beachgoers have reported glowing ship masts in the distance, ghostly cries carried on the wind, and a sudden chill even on warm nights.

5. The Postmaster of Roanoke Island Inn

The charming Roanoke Island Inn is known for its porches and southern hospitality — but some guests leave with more than vacation memories. The inn is said to be haunted by Roscoe, a former postmaster with a grudge. Visitors describe radios turning on by themselves, footsteps echoing in empty halls, and even sightings of a man in uniform. The owners say he means no harm, but he certainly makes his presence known.

6. The Gray Man of Hatteras

Locals speak of a shadowy figure who appears on the beach before big storms — a warning to take cover. Known as the Gray Man, he has been spotted from Hatteras to Avalon Pier, most recently before Hurricane Florence. Residents who saw him say his presence saved them, as their homes were spared the worst of the storm. Whether protector or omen, the Gray Man is one of the OBX’s most enduring mysteries.

7. Mose at Wash Woods

The ruins of Wash Woods, a once-thriving coastal community, are a quiet reminder of OBX history. But quiet doesn’t mean empty. Stories persist of “Mose,” a former surfman whose spirit lingers near the old Coast Guard station. Visitors who wander too close at night say they’ve felt a presence watching — and sometimes hear faint whispers in the wind.

8. The Ghost Ship Carroll A. Deering

In 1921, the massive schooner Carroll A. Deering was found grounded on Diamond Shoals with no crew in sight. Lifeboats and logs were missing, but the ship itself was intact. No trace of the men was ever found. To this day, theories range from mutiny to piracy to supernatural forces — but no one knows for sure what happened on the doomed voyage.

Experience the Outer Banks After Dark

From pirate legends to phantom ships, the Outer Banks has a haunted history as rich as its beaches are beautiful. Whether you’re a ghost hunter or just love a good story, these tales add a little mystery to your OBX getaway.

👻 Spooky Stops on the Outer Banks

Want to add a little thrill to your OBX vacation? Here are a few real places tied to these ghostly tales: