Warning: Contains SPOILERS for Outer Banks season 3!
The Pogues' latest adventure to El Dorado concludes with a giant treasure hunt and major deaths, as the Outer Banks season 3 ending wraps up huge storylines and sets up the future. After nearly two years, Outer Banks returned to Netflix on February 23, 2023 to build on season 2's ending. The Pogues' attempt to return home after a botched attempt to get the Cross of Santo Domingo leads them directly into the search for the legendary city of El Dorado. It's a complicated journey that includes the reunion between John B and Big John, blossoming romances among the Pogues, and the Camerons fighting for legacy.
The Outer Banks season 3 ending is set primarily in South America as storylines build and everyone converges around the presumed site of El Dorado. This does not come without another classic Ward Cameron betrayal, while new villain Carlos Singh dies in pursuit of the gold riches. The tragedies continue as Outer Banks season 3 ends the main quest, one that momentarily looks to be the show's conclusion. But with season 4 already confirmed, the Outer Banks season 3 ending brings closure with irreversible deaths while the final scene directly sets up the Pogues' next treasure hunt.
John B & Sarah Find El Dorado In Outer Banks Season 3
The entire treasure-hunting journey for John B, Sarah Cameron, and the Pogues pays off with the discovery that El Dorado is real in the Outer Banks season 3 ending. While Big John helps his son and Sarah understand the Gnomon of Solana and finds the cave entrance to the city, the two teenagers take charge from there to locate the actual legendary site. This is only done after deciphering the clues, and marks the first true victory for the Pogues in their treasure-hunting quest. While they found the Royal Merchant, Denmark Tanny's gold, and the Cross of Santo Domingo, they lost out on the riches each could bring.
It is only through the Outer Banks season 3 finale's events that the Pogues are able to keep some of the newfound treasure this time. After returning from El Dorado with a bag full of its gold, John B and Sarah find Carlos Singh waiting for them. Thankfully, Big John intervenes and lights a stick of dynamite to blow up the entrance to El Dorado, and it kills Singh in the process of covering up the entrance. While Ward Cameron makes one more play for the gold and one of Singh's henchmen follows suit shortly thereafter, the Pogues finally get a victory and hold onto the treasure they've found.
With their new riches in hand, the Pogues return to the Outer Banks and are honored for their discovery 18 months later. Outer Banks season 3 jumps forward a year and a half to show the opening of an exhibit that has the Gnomon of Solana on display, as well as other findings that connect the Royal Merchant, Denmark Tanny, the Cross of Santo Domingo, and El Dorado together. John B, Sarah, Pope, Cleo, Kiara, and JJ all appear to have at least partially made the transition to living the Kooks lifestyle and are now celebrated members of the Outer Banks, having united the Figure Eight and The Cut sides.
Big John & Ward Cameron Die in Outer Banks Season 3 (For Real This Time)
The Outer Banks season 3 ending includes several deaths, but the most notable are Big John and Ward Cameron. Big John dies as a result of too much blood loss after one of Singh's bullets hits him in the side. He stayed alive long enough to help John B and Sarah find El Dorado and even see some of the gold for himself, but he died on the boat ride away from Orinoco. Ward Cameron dies in Outer Banks season 3 after one of Singh's men threatens to kill Sarah. He charges the man and is shot multiple times in the chest as he tackles him off the edge of a cliff.
This is not the first time that Outer Banks has appeared to kill Big John or Ward Cameron. Big John being alive was the big twist in the Outer Banks season 2 ending, while Ward Cameron faked his death midway through the last season, but both of their Outer Banks season 3 deaths appear to be ones that will stick. Big John is eventually given a tombstone in a tree by the Pogues after he dies in their arms. Meanwhile, it would be inconceivable for Ward to survive the gunshot wounds and fall to still be alive in future seasons.
Outer Banks Season 3 Ending: Everything That Happened During The Time Jump
One of the surprises to come in the Outer Banks season 3 ending was the time jump that took the story 18 months into the future. It marks the single biggest passage of time in the series by a wide margin, as it appeared the entirety of Outer Banks seasons 1-3 took place over the span of a few months. The show only offers a few teases of what has happened to the Pogues and other characters since they returned to the Outer Banks. Something that applies universally to the Pogues is that they have money and freedom, unlike anything they have experienced before, as they are now local heroes.
On a more individual level, the Outer Banks season 3 time jump teases a few developments for each character. It seems that Kiara is no longer in bad standing with her parents, as she is using her time to save turtles. JJ used his money to buy a charter boat, but it is not confirmed if he and Kiara are still in a relationship. It is mentioned that Pope is preparing to leave for college, confirming that he finished high school. He and Cleo are still in a relationship at this point too. Meanwhile, John B and Sarah are also still together and run a successful surf shop.
Outer Banks Season 3 Ending Sets Up The Hunt For BlackBear's Treasure In Season 4
The Pogues' celebration ends with a direct tease of the Outer Banks season 4 story revolving around the hunt for Blackbeard's mythical treasure. An elderly man approaches the group after the ceremony and asks them to look at some documents he has. They include exhibition notes and a captain's log from 1718 that belonged to Edward Teach, the name of the legendary pirate Blackbeard. The Pogues are immediately intrigued by the possibility of finding Blackbeard's legendary treasure, setting up this mission for the group in Outer Banks season 4.
The Outer Banks season 3 ending might be the first time that Blackbeard is mentioned in the series, but there are already some connections to the pirate's real life that exist. He formed a blockade around Charleston, South Carolina, which was prominently featured as a location in Outer Banks season 2. Blackbeard also died in North Carolina after a battle near Ocracoke Island, which is part of the Outer Banks, so he has a direct connection to the area. Now, the search for Blackbeard's treasure has been set up to be the main plot of Outer Banks season 4, keeping the show centrally located in North Carolina again.
Outer Banks Season 3 Ending Sets Up Rafe Cameron’s Season 4 Arc
While Rafe Cameron is missing from the Outer Banks season 3 ending, the finale does help set up his season 4 arc. He is last seen in the penultimate episode of the season after helping Ward escape the Outer Banks with the Pogues. Sheriff Shoupe arrives shortly thereafter and indicates that Rafe needs to tell an incredible story to explain his actions and reports that Ward was spotted. Since Rafe Cameron is not in the Outer Banks season 3 ending, his status is left somewhat unclear. He could be free of any charges levied against him, but there is also the possibility that Rafe was arrested.
After the time jump, Ward Cameron's death sets up Rafe's Outer Banks season 4 story. He told the Pogues to keep his father safe, so Ward's death will undoubtedly put Rafe on a mission for revenge. The eldest Cameron child finally earned Ward's respect and the keys to the empire, so losing his dad could send Rafe into a downward spiral to get even the Pogues. Setting up Rafe as the main villain could also give Outer Banks season 4 the chance to explore the backstory of Rafe and Sarah's mom. Either way, Rafe Cameron is set up to retain his villain status after the Outer Banks season 3 ending.