Bask in the sun at Dolphin Oceanfront Motel, where beachfront living meets laid-back vibes. Enjoy surfing and fishing right outside your door, or take a break from the action with a refreshing dip in the seasonal outdoor pool and relax on the terrace. Stay connected with WiFi, fire up your grill for an evening barbecue and park your car conveniently. The helpful staff has left a lasting impression on previous guests.
Manteo, NC (MEO-Dare County Regional) - 11 min drive
Norfolk, VA (ORF-Norfolk Intl.) - 109 min drive
Greenville, NC (PGV-Pitt-Greenville) - 130 min drive
Restaurants
Blue Moon Beach Grill - 6 min drive
KFC - 5 min walk
Fish Heads Bar & Grill - 4 min drive
Sonic Drive-In - 4 min drive
Miller's Waterfront Restaurant - 18 min walk
About this property
Dolphin Oceanfront Motel
Dolphin Oceanfront Motel puts you a short five-minute drive from Outer Banks Beaches and Jennette's Pier. Guests can enjoy the seasonal outdoor pool, along with on-site surfing/body boarding. Also, this hotel is within a short drive of Cape Hatteras National Seashore. Fellow travellers say great things about the helpful staff.
At a glance
DONE
Hotel size
43 rooms
Arranged over 1 level
DONE
Arriving/Leaving
Check-in start time: 4:00 PM; check-in end time: 8:00 PM
Contactless check-in and check-out are available
Express check-out available
Minimum check-in age – 21
Check-out time is 11 AM
Contactless check-out
DONE
Special check-in instructions
The front desk is open daily from 9:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Front desk staffed during limited hours
DONE
Required at check-in
Credit card, debit card or cash deposit required for incidental charges
Government-issued photo ID may be required
Minimum check-in age is 21
DONE
Children
Children (18 years old and younger) stay free when occupying the parent or guardian's room using existing bedding
No cots (infant beds)
DONE
Pets
Pets allowed (2 total)*
Service animals welcome
Restrictions apply*
WIFI
Internet
Free WiFi in public areas
Free WiFi in rooms
LOCAL_PARKING
Parking
Free uncovered on-site self-parking
On-site parking includes off-street options
DONE
Other information
Designated smoking areas
Property amenities
Food and drink
Barbecue grills
Travelling with children
Children stay for free (see details)
What to do
On the beach
Surfing/body boarding
Fishing
Ecotours nearby
Golfing nearby
Hiking/biking trails nearby
Horse riding nearby
Kayaking nearby
Scuba-diving nearby
Services
Front desk (limited hours)
Pool umbrellas
Facilities
1 building/tower
Built in 1952
Picnic area
Terrace
Seasonal outdoor pool
Accessibility
No lift (single-level property)
Room amenities
Be entertained
43-inch TV
Cable TV channels
Streaming services
Home comfort
Air conditioning (climate-controlled) and heating
Coffee/tea maker
Sleep well
Bed sheets provided
What to enjoy
Porch or lanai
Garden
Freshen up
Private bathroom
Shower only
Free toiletries
Towels
Stay connected
Free WiFi
Food and drink
Fridge
Freezer
Microwave
Here's the breakdown, no surprises
Pets
Service animals exempt from fees
Pet deposit: USD 10 per night
Pets are allowed for an extra charge of USD 10 per pet, per day
Pool, spa, & gym (if applicable)
The seasonal pool is open from May to October
Policies
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios and terraces, which may not be suitable for children. If you have any concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm that they can accommodate you in a suitable room.
Only registered guests are allowed in the guestrooms.
This property does not have lifts.
This property accepts credit cards. Cash is not accepted.
Credit cards accepted: Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover
Also known as
Dolphin Oceanfront Motel Nags Head
Dolphin Oceanfront Motel
Dolphin Oceanfront Nags Head
Dolphin Oceanfront
Dolphin Oceanfront Hotel Nags Head
Dolphin Oceanfront Motel Hotel
Dolphin Oceanfront Motel Nags Head
Dolphin Oceanfront Motel Hotel Nags Head
Frequently asked questions
Is there a pool at Dolphin Oceanfront Motel?
Yes, there's a seasonal outdoor pool.
Are pets allowed at Dolphin Oceanfront Motel?
Yes, pets are welcome, with a limit of 2 total. There's a charge of USD 10 per pet, per day, and there's also a deposit of USD 10 per night. Service animals are exempt from fees. Some restrictions may apply, so please contact the property for more details.
Is parking offered on site at Dolphin Oceanfront Motel?
Yes, there's free self parking.
What are the check-in and check-out times at Dolphin Oceanfront Motel?
Check-in start time: 4:00 PM; check-in end time: 8:00 PM. Check-out time is 11 AM. Express check-out and contactless social distancing and check-out are available.
What is there to do at Dolphin Oceanfront Motel and nearby?
Have fun with on-site activities such as fishing and surfing. Additional recreation nearby includes ecotours. Enjoy amenities such as a seasonal outdoor pool and a picnic area.
Does Dolphin Oceanfront Motel have any outdoor private spaces?
Yes, every room features a porch or lanai and a garden.
What's the area around Dolphin Oceanfront Motel like?
Dolphin Oceanfront Motel is located on the waterfront in South Nags Head, a short 12-minute walk from Outlets Nags Head and 3 minutes' walk from Outer Banks Beaches.
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Dolphin Oceanfront Motel Reviews
Reviews
8.4
Very good
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travellers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.More informationOpens in a new window
8.6/10
Cleanliness
9.0/10
Staff & service
8.2/10
Amenities
8.0/10
Property conditions & facilities
8.6/10
Eco-friendliness
Popular mentions
Beach
Service staff
Room
Location
Ocean
Parking
Family friendly
Shower
Bed
Restaurant
What guests liked
The beach area was wonderful, with many guests enjoying the location and access to the ocean. (55 reviews)
From real guest reviews summarized by AI.
Reviews
10/10 Exceptional
1 Sept 2025
Good times … very family home feel vibes.
Ocean access is good and
Rafael
Rafael, 3-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
9 Aug 2025
Great pet friendly stay on the beach
We had a great stay olace was clean and great for pets. The pool was very clean and well kept.
Abigail
Abigail, 1-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
21 Aug 2025
Great location.
We loved the location as we wanted to explore the entire OBX region north and south. We extended our stay a couple more days. Jim was helpful in printing our beach pass for us and accommodated our needs.
Danielle
Danielle, 2-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
14 Jul 2025
All you need to enjoy the beach !
Wonderful location, basic beach accommodations, pleasant Manager and staff. Inexpensive and unpretentious.
Bob
Bob, 1-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
14 May 2025
Nice place and right on the beach.
Holly
Holly, 2-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
14 Jun 2025
The rooms were spotless and clean!!
Paige
Paige, 3-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
4 Jun 2025
As always beautiful views and great for a short stay. Great customer service and can’t wait for the next time
Hollie
Hollie, 2-night trip
8/10 Very good
3 Aug 2025
Great place but needs comforters on their beds
Great little place with nice ocean view and beach acces. Convient and close to all the stores, bars and restaurant. Bed were pretty comfortable but the comforters were missing. I wish they were at least some blankets in a room.
Alexandra
Alexandra, 2-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
18 Jun 2025
An absolutely wonderful stay. Needed
Robert
Robert, 4-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
13 May 2025
Outer Banks getaway
Excellent location, service, beach access, comfort and cleanliness. Front desk staff as well as service staff were top notch. Great fishing near by and quick access to lots of food.
Steven
Steven, 5-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
27 May 2025
Nice cute property
Denise
Denise, 2-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
4 May 2025
Weekend Get Away
Great place for a weekend getaway, good beach access, good location, friendly staff. The hotel is older, but very well maintained. We will stay here again
Thomas
Thomas, 2-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
23 May 2025
I would highly recommend this property for a stay at the beach. The staff were friendly, helpful, and very professional.
The rooms were clean, comfortable, and well supplied. Access to the the beach was very convenient and points of interest for us were close.
Erick
Erick, 4-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
22 Apr 2025
Updated rooms and clean, right on the beach. Very good value.
John
John, 1-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
5 Jun 2025
Great manager
william
william, 1-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
27 Apr 2025
The receptionist was very welcoming and check in was swift. Excited about the stay at this location. It’s so cute and cozy
Amesha
Amesha, 1-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
30 Mar 2025
Great for Weekend Getaway
Older hotel, but well taken care of. All of the staff we encountered were extremely courteous and helpful. Great location near everything we wanted to do.
Thomas
Thomas, 2-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
27 Apr 2025
Very enjoyable
David
David, 1-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
4 May 2025
We stayed here before. Great location, right on the beach. Close to the pier. Food places close. We brought our pet, he loves the beach. Do recommend❤️❤️
Wendy
Wendy, 4-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
16 Dec 2024
Excellent stay for the price. Will definitely book here again.
Tyler
Tyler, 3-night trip
6/10 Good
19 Apr 2025
Dolphin Oceanfront Motel
Ocean front for a few - most room were not
Robert
Robert, 1-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
15 Jun 2025
We had a wonderful time here. The room was clean, bathroom clean. I loved that the refrigerator was big enough for our drinks and food, plus the freezer size! Even got ice cream to throw up there. The pool was so nice after a hot day. Staff was great. The walk to the beach is awesome, damn near next to the room. This is our new spot. Already planning out next trip here.
Extra side note: they do have a couple charcoal grills with lids here. We’ll be grilling next time.
Robyn
Robyn, 2-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
27 Aug 2024
Staff is fantastic, better than a big chain, and the beach access is great!
Robert
Robert, 2-night trip
8/10 Very good
5 May 2025
I liked that the property was close to the beach. The water pressure was not the greatest in the shower.