I usually go to Manteo/Nags Head and find a room at a hotel (now that the camp ground has closed down). I have never seen large drift wood chunks along the shoreline out that way but there might be some somewhere. Shells can be kinda hit-or-miss, I find the best ones down at Pea Island. Park at the visitor center/bird watching area and walk across the street and over the dunes out onto the beach.

Usually there's lots of shells around both Oregon Inlet(Coquina Beach access) and the Ocracoke ferry dock. If it's stormy on your trip, chances there will be lots of conch shells up in the Ocean Sands/Corolla area.

Check the soundside areas for driftwood... especially on the North end of Roanoke Island near the old Mann's Harbor Bridge.

Thanks for the great info.

The beaches on the north end of Okracoke are usually pretty deserted this time of year. If you really want to be alone, charter a ride over to Portsmouth Island from Okracoke. They'll carry you over and pick you up whenever you want them to. It's a really neat trip (about 20 minutes over), but be prepared fo biting flies and mosquitoes on the village side, and take food and water.

Here is a link that might be useful: Visiting Portsmouth Island