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Facilities

Established Camping

Ocean Waves Campground

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Ocean Waves Campground, near Waves, North Carolina, is a cozy spot that brings you right to the heart of the Outer Banks experience. With direct access to the beach, it’s a prime location for those who want to soak up the sun and enjoy the ocean breeze.

This campground offers a mix of tent and RV sites, complete with picnic tables and concrete pads for RVs. Visitors often rave about the short walk over the dunes to the beach, making it easy to spend your days lounging by the water. One camper noted, “The treasure is a trail over the dunes to the ocean at the back of the campground,” highlighting the easy beach access.

Amenities include clean restrooms and hot showers, which are essential after a day of outdoor fun. Some guests appreciate the smaller size of the campground, noting that it creates a more intimate and family-friendly atmosphere. As one reviewer put it, “Ocean Waves is smaller than most of the other campgrounds on the Island, but they are not small on service!”

If you’re looking to explore, you’re just a stone’s throw from local attractions and the stunning natural beauty of the Outer Banks. Whether you’re here for a weekend or a longer stay, Ocean Waves Campground offers a laid-back vibe that’s perfect for making memories by the sea.

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Location

Ocean Waves Campground is located in North Carolina

Detail location of campground

Directions

From Central NC: Utilize Rt-64 from Raleigh, through Rocky Mount and Williamston. You'll cross the Croatan Sound onto Manteo then another bridge to the outerbanks. Within a mile you'll come to the junction of NC-12 at the town of Whalebone. Follow Rt-12 south into the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. Continue south on Rt-12 crossing over Oregon Inlet on the Bonner Bridge. Eventually you'll come upon the triple villages of Rodanthe, Waves, and Salvo. Look for Ocean Waves Campground on the left approx 1/4 mile past the KOA.

Address

25313 N Highway 12
Waves, NC 27982

Coordinates

35.52257306 N
75.46725499 W

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Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site

Stay Connected

  • WiFi
    Available
  • Verizon
    Available
  • AT&T
    Available
  • T-Mobile
    Available

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)

Features

For Campers

  • ADA Access
  • Trash
  • Picnic Table
  • Phone Service
  • Reservable
  • WiFi
  • Showers
  • Drinking Water
  • Electric Hookups
  • Toilets
  • Alcohol
  • Pets

For Vehicles

  • Sewer Hookups
  • Water Hookups
  • 50 Amp Hookups
  • Big Rig Friendly

Reviews

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45%
23%
23%
0%
12%

4.0

out of 5

9 Reviews

Reviewed Aug. 7, 2023

Amazing beach camping

We have been here two times and cannot wait to return! Direct access to the beach and perfect location in Outer Banks!

Site43
Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Ocean Waves Campground by Malinda B., August 7, 2023
  • Review photo of Ocean Waves Campground by Malinda B., August 7, 2023
  • Review photo of Ocean Waves Campground by Malinda B., August 7, 2023
Reviewed Jul. 18, 2023

Great Beach But Eh

There are four tent-specific sites and I got the best one, right by the berm that separates the campground from the beach. The beach is the very best aspect of Ocean Waves, but the campground itself is jam-packed with RVs parked cheek to jowl, the bathrooms are serviceable but muggy and worn, and the staff aren’t particularly friendly. The neighboring 3-story houses towering over the campground keep their outdoor lights on late. There’s a little swimming pool and pool room and washer/dryer, none of which I made use of. One more thing: Ocean Waves is located on the south end of the OBX which is great if you’re like me and you prefer a less touristy area.

Site49
Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Ocean Waves Campground by Andee A., July 18, 2023
  • Review photo of Ocean Waves Campground by Andee A., July 18, 2023
  • Review photo of Ocean Waves Campground by Andee A., July 18, 2023
  • (6) View All
Reviewed Dec. 27, 2021

Path to the Ocean

$67.00 per night full hookups 30-50 amps $50.00 tent 

Wifi, pool, cable tv, paved roads, concrete pads with single and double width, picnic table, swimming pool, flush toilet, hot shower (3 bath houses), shade and open sites, and even a game room. 

The treasure is a trail over the dunes to the ocean at the back of the campground. The stay here is like a family reunion, cozy and fun. 

No wood campfires, pets leashed and cleaned up after, speed limit of 5 MPH, no firearms or fireworks. 

LNT 

BTYFI 

Travel safe

Month of VisitDecember
  • Review photo of Ocean Waves Campground by N I., December 27, 2021
  • Review photo of Ocean Waves Campground by N I., December 27, 2021
  • Review photo of Ocean Waves Campground by N I., December 27, 2021
  • (14) View All
Reviewed Oct. 11, 2020

Nice beach access

Smaller campground which we liked, on the beach. Restrooms older but clean. Quiet at night, ocean breezes. Owner allowed us to change check in date with no penalty. Sunrise at Cape Hatteras the highlight!

  • Review photo of Ocean Waves Campground by Diane E., October 11, 2020
  • Review photo of Ocean Waves Campground by Diane E., October 11, 2020
Reviewed Sep. 27, 2020

Extremely cramped & unsafe

We rolled in today for a four night stay at Ocean waves Campground. Based on the reviews we thought it would be great place. Everything went fine in check in. However when drove in, it was the tightest, most crowded campsite we’d ever seen. When we got to our site we saw that it was incredibly cramped and was a 90° back in with too many cars at adjacent sides to make it even possible to make the turn.

Additionally, our site (that was to accommodate our trailer and a tent) was a small concrete pad surrounded by grass that was under several inches of water. The electrical hook up post was in a huge puddle unsafe to navigate.

While the adjacent campers in full Trump regalia looked on, I booked a site at the adjacent KOA. Staff was grouchy at my insistence that the site would not do and was unsafe, but did refund all but one nights stay.

  • Review photo of Ocean Waves Campground by Molly F., September 27, 2020
  • Review photo of Ocean Waves Campground by Molly F., September 27, 2020
Reviewed Jun. 29, 2019

Ocean Waves Campground

Best campground on highway 12. Concrete pad for rev and nice grassy area to relax. Short walk over the dune to beautiful beach. Dog area to let you pets run. All the amenities that you could want. Can’t wait to go back next year.

  • Review photo of Ocean Waves Campground by Linda S., June 29, 2019
  • Review photo of Ocean Waves Campground by Linda S., June 29, 2019
  • Review photo of Ocean Waves Campground by Linda S., June 29, 2019
  • (4) View All
Reviewed Jun. 24, 2019

Outer bank, NC

Great place to visit. Can walk to beach. First time camping on beach, what to go back. The only thing is the sand Spurs.

  • Review photo of Ocean Waves Campground by Diana H., June 24, 2019
  • Review photo of Ocean Waves Campground by Diana H., June 24, 2019
  • Review photo of Ocean Waves Campground by Diana H., June 24, 2019
  • (6) View All
Reviewed Jun. 15, 2019

Close to the beach, smaller, family friendly campground!

Ocean Waves Campground is located on the Outer Banks of NC.   The campsites are slightly larger than some of the other sites we looked at around the area - and this campground is smaller, and family run, which we liked better!  

Ocean Waves has some nice shady spots and picnic tables at each site.  There is a small swimming pool, a bathhouse with hot showers (exposed plumbing, but it worked all the same!) and a camp store on site.  

There is also a small gated dog run, which is nice, because we haven't seen another one while being at the Outer Banks!!  There is also a swingset - perfect for younger kids - to be able to play on just a walk away from our site!  

I would recommend one of the perimeter spots for sure - they seem a bit shadier and quieter.  They back up to houses immediately behind, but for the beach - this campground will do perfectly!

Month of VisitApril
  • Review photo of Ocean Waves Campground by Kirsten J., June 15, 2019
  • Review photo of Ocean Waves Campground by Kirsten J., June 15, 2019
  • Review photo of Ocean Waves Campground by Kirsten J., June 15, 2019
  • (7) View All
Reviewed Aug. 7, 2018

Best campground on the Island...

Ocean Waves is smaller than most of the other campgrounds on the Island, but they are not small on service! They offer everything the bigger campgrounds offer, but at about half the nightly fee. FHU sites include cable TV and free WiFi, 89 total campsites, 3 bath houses, and they even have a few sites with shade tree's (a difficult commodity for anyplace on the outerbanks), Family run, so you'll get some very personalized service too!! I've been coming to this campground for years, won't stay anywhere else on OBX.

Month of VisitMay
  • Review photo of Ocean Waves Campground by Cliff M., August 7, 2018
  • Review photo of Ocean Waves Campground by Cliff M., August 7, 2018
  • Review photo of Ocean Waves Campground by Cliff M., August 7, 2018
  • (4) View All

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How much does it cost to camp at Ocean Waves Campground?

    Camping at Ocean Waves Campground can cost between $55.00 and $67.00 depending on the site.

  • Does Ocean Waves Campground have RV hookups?

    According to TheDyrt.com, Ocean Waves Campground has 50 amp electric hookups, water hookups and sewer hookups.

  • What is the max vehicle length at Ocean Waves Campground?

    Ocean Waves Campground allows vehicles up to 65 feet.

  • Does Ocean Waves Campground have wifi?

    Yes, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, Ocean Waves Campground does have wifi.

  • Is there cell phone reception at Ocean Waves Campground?

    According to campers on TheDyrt.com, Verizon signal is available, AT&T is available, and T-Mobile is available.