Bodie Island (correctly pronounced "body" but often pronounced with a long "o" by those unfamiliar with the correct pronunciation) is a long, narrow
barrier peninsula that forms the northernmost portion of the
Outer Banks. The land that is most commonly referred to as Bodie Island was at one time a true
island, however the
inlet separating it from the
Currituck Banks peninsula in the north closed. As a result, the Currituck Banks and Bodie Island are now one contiguous peninsula, joined together at the
Nags Head area, where the inlet once flowed. Today, either name can be used to refer to peninsula as a whole, but both portions colloquially retain their historical names.