Vacation rentals in Avon

A dreamy seaside village ensconced on a sandy barrier island within North Carolina’s Outer Banks, Avon is beloved for its tranquil beaches, historic fishing pier, and laid-back lifestyle. The small town is also the epicenter of Hatteras Island and bookended by Cape Hatteras National Seashore, placing it close to the park’s top-notch surf-fishing, windsurfing, crabbing, shell collecting, and lighthouse-hopping experiences. Wildlife (particularly birdlife) abounds along this coastline, with oystercatchers wading in the lagoons, loggerhead turtles kicking up sand, and bottlenose dolphins gliding through the sea.

Fewer than 1,000 people live in Avon full-time, and you may notice that they tend to refer to the place as “Kinnakeet.” That’s a reference to the Algonquin people who inhabited the area centuries ago, before European fishermen and lumber farmers arrived. Some of the architecture dates back to Victorian times, with cottage foundations built from wood reclaimed from shipwrecks. Local amenities include a grocery store, tasty seafood restaurants, gift shops, and mini-golf.

With 210 sunny days a year, Avon weather is lovely and temperate year-round: the blazing sun keeps things from getting too chilly, while cool breezes off the water keep it from getting too hot. The wind picks up considerably in the fall, luring kiteboarders and windsurfers, and winters cool off just a bit, which results in a drop in visitors and the closures of some businesses. Summertime is the busiest season for rentals in Avon, with the warmest weather lasting from May through October, but beach activities are suitable year-round. Seasonal events of note include an Independence Day fireworks display, surf-fishing tournaments in the fall and spring, and a summertime concert series at the Koru Beach Klub.

Avon Fishing Pier

One of the last wooden piers remaining in North Carolina is a significant draw to Avon, as its thick planks jut hundreds of feet into the ocean. Go for a stroll on it, or try your luck at casting a reel into the surf. Fun fact: a world record-breaking channel bass (94 pounds!) was caught off this pier in 1984.

Kinnakeet Village

On Avon’s south side, this adorable village is defined by its thriving coastal gardens and domiciles constructed from salvaged shipwreck planks dragged hundreds of yards from the beach. The oldest residences date back to the Victorian era.

Cape Hatteras National Seashore

As the first-ever national seashore in the United States, these 70 miles of coastline were set aside for protection due to their enchanting beauty and abundant wildlife, and no visit to the Outer Banks is complete without them. Seven villages dot the park, which runs between Oregon Inlet and Ocracoke Inlet, and this is where you’ll find the region’s best birdwatching, shelling, fishing, surfing, kayaking, windsurfing, snorkeling, crabbing, swimming, and stargazing.