Without a doubt, the most appealling aspect of the Outer Banks is the Atalntic Ocean and the views that go along with it. A true oceanfront house should have unobstructed views of the ocean. However, depending on the location of the house the views might be limited. The higher the house is the better the views will be.

The best view has a wide open 180 degree panoramic view of the waves crashing on the beach out to the horizon. This means that when you look to your left or your right all you see is beach and ocean. This is one of the rarest views because most houses are sharing the view with the neighbors next door.

The average ocean front view is 90-120 degrees of views with the ocean waves crashing on the beach. This is an excellant view and you won't be disapointed.

A 1 story oceanfront house sitting behind a dune will not have any view. Add a 2nd floor and you might have a view of the horizon looking over the top of the dune. It all depends on the height of the dune out front. Typically, the best views are from the third level. This puts the viewer above the dune offering the best views.

In some area such as in the village of Avon on Hatteras Island the National Park Service owns the oceanfront land and the sand dunes in-between the oceanfront and the actual oceanfront houses. This extended distance and the sand dunes tend to cut off much of the ocean view.

A Tunnel View happens in situations with flag lots. A 'Flag Lot' gets its name because it looks like a flag on a pole. Take 2 flags on poles, turn one upside down a fit the 2 together. The pole part of the lot is a thin strip of land whichs provides direct oceanfront access between 2 oceanfront houses to the building portion of the lot which is located behing the oceanfront houses and is a large rectangle attached to the pole.

6. Peek-A-Boo views are the ocean views that properties 2 and 3 back off the oceanfront hope for.