The Outer Banks’s environment makes for awesome and exotic activities, and many of them include watersports. Whether you need equipment, rentals, lessons or other, Outer Banks watersports stores populate the beach from Corolla through Ocracoke so it isn’t hard to find what you need. Familiar chain stores, independent surf companies and rental places often sell watersports equipment like surfboards, paddleboards, kayaks, wetsuits and fishing gear. And several Outer Banks watersports stores not only sell equipment but also rent it, so you can easily surf for a day or two without committing to buying a board. If you harbor a hankering to try a particular watersport activity but may not have the savoir-faire for it, watersports stores often offer lessons and workshops to teach you the basics for an activity. So if you’re itching to get in the water, check out the listings for nearby Outer Banks watersports stores to get you ready for an adventure.
Outer Banks Shopping by Area
Corolla | Duck & Southern Shores | Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills & Nags Head
Roanoke Island & Manteo | Hatteras Island | Ocracoke Island
Outer Banks Shopping by Category
Celebrating more than 40 years as an Outer Banks shopping mecca, Birthday Suits is a favorite for swimwear – in fact, it’s been voted Best on the Beach for swimsuits for more than 10 years in local polls. Women's swimsuits are the specialty here – the latest styles for all ages, mix-and-match separates, bra-sized swimwear and mastectomy suits – but they also sell suits for kids and men. For kids there’s everything from swim diapers and toddler suits to board shorts and competition swimwear in sizes infant to preteen. Men will find surf trunks, board shorts and briefs from sizes 28 to 4X large. Don’t forget the sun-protective rash guards for kids and adults. Birthday Suits is a clothing store, too, with designer and California surf brands, sportswear, shoes and beach-inspired accessories like sunglasses, flip flops, hats, jewelry and purses. Love the OBX logo? You’ll find original OBX brand accessories and clothing here. The flagship store is on the Bypass in Kill Devil Hills.
Celebrating more than 40 years as an Outer Banks shopping mecca, Birthday Suits is a favorite for swimwear – in fact, it’s been voted Best on the Beach for...read more
Celebrating more than 40 years as an Outer Banks shopping mecca, Birthday Suits is a...read more
Outer Banks Watersports
4324 S. Virginia Dare Trail, The Beach Road, MP 13.5, Nags Head
One of the oldest surf shops on the Outer Banks, Cavalier is a family-run operation and is known for providing great customer service in sales and rentals. You can buy or rent hard or soft-top surfboards, bodyboards and skimboards. They also offer private or group surfing lessons with a focus on safety and surfing etiquette. Lessons are a great way to get started in surfing or an opportunity for more experienced surfers to hone specific skills. Beach chairs, umbrellas and standup paddleboards are available for rental as well as purchase. In the shop you’ll find lots of surf and sports clothing, wetsuits, sunglasses, sandals, brand and logo stickers and accessories for the entire family. Cavalier Surf Shop logo t-shirts, sweatshirts and hats for all ages are legendary souvenirs for generations of visitors and are beloved by locals as well.
One of the oldest surf shops on the Outer Banks, Cavalier is a family-run operation and is known for providing great customer service in sales and rentals....read more
One of the oldest surf shops on the Outer Banks, Cavalier is a family-run operation...read more
Outer Banks Watersports
41056 N.C. Highway 12, Avon
Hatteras Island Boardsports has more than 5,000 square feet packed with swimwear, apparel and accessories for men, women and kids. Some brand names you’ll find here include Billabong, Quiksilver, Volcom, Roxy, O’Neill, Rip Curl and Katin, along with surfboards by Sharp Eye, Channel Island and Catch Surf. If you need new sunglasses, Hatteras Island Boardsports has hundreds of styles from Costa, Oakley, Electric, Ray-Ban and more. They also feature a great selection of Cape Hatteras t-shirts and gifts. Their shop rents surfboards, paddleboards, bodyboards, skimboards, kayaks and wetsuits, and delivery is available. They offer group or private surfing lessons too. Find them across the street from the Koru Beach Klub and the Avon Pier right on N.C. Highway 12.
Hatteras Island Boardsports has more than 5,000 square feet packed with swimwear, apparel and accessories for men, women and kids. Some brand names you’ll...read more
Hatteras Island Boardsports has more than 5,000 square feet packed with swimwear, apparel and accessories for...read more
Outer Banks Watersports
270 Irvin Garrish Highway, Community Square, Ocracoke
With stores all along the Outer Banks, Kitty Hawk Kites is an OBX tradition for families and adventure seekers. The Kitty Hawk Kites in Ocracoke is a family-friendly destination for kids and those who are still kids at heart. Check out their impressive offerings of kites, beach games, toys, Outer Banks apparel, wind art and more. In addition to some of the best toys and games for your vacation, you’ll find a wide selection of Outer Banks gear, beach sportswear and footwear, Life is Good apparel, sunglasses and more. Look for the KHK shop in Community Square, right in the heart of the village along Silver Lake Harbor.
With stores all along the Outer Banks, Kitty Hawk Kites is an OBX tradition for families and adventure seekers. The Kitty Hawk Kites in Ocracoke is a family...read more
With stores all along the Outer Banks, Kitty Hawk Kites is an OBX tradition for...read more
Kitty Hawk Kites has been teaching the world to fly since 1974. With 10 retail locations from Corolla to Ocracoke, Kitty Hawk Kites boasts an impressive selection of kites, flags and spinners, toys, apparel, gifts and games on the Outer Banks. Kitty Hawk Kites specializes in kites, from the single-lines for kids to high-tech stunt varieties. The stores also sell fun outdoor goodies such as flags, toys, boomerangs and games. You’ll find a wide selection of Outer Banks gear, beach sportswear and footwear from Crocs, Chaco, Hey Dude, Southern Fried and Life is Good apparel, t-shirts, sweatshirts, outdoor clothing, sunglasses and more. Kitty Hawk Kites also offers a number of adventure activities including hang gliding, kayak and SUP tours, lessons and rentals, parasailing, Jet Skis, dolphin tours, wild horse tours, historic tours and much more. The brand-new Whalebone Watersports Center on the Nags Head Causeway offers kayak fishing, Jet Skis, pontoon boat rentals and more. At Kitty Hawk Kites' Waves Village Watersports in Rodanthe, you can learn kiteboarding; buy and rent kiteboarding gear; rent a kayak, surfboard or standup paddleboard or climb the adventure tower/ropes course. Kitty Hawk Kites Hang Gliding School at Jockey's Ridge in Nags Head offers private lessons, beginner lessons, advanced lessons and training packages for hang gliding, as well as retail merchandise and sand boards available for rent.
Kitty Hawk Kites has been teaching the world to fly since 1974. With 10 retail locations from Corolla to Ocracoke, Kitty Hawk Kites boasts an impressive...read more
Kitty Hawk Kites has been teaching the world to fly since 1974. With 10 retail...read more
Ready for some action? Kitty Hawk Surf Co. has everything you need to enjoy all the Outer Banks has to offer, from the wind and waves to flat water adventures. At Kitty Hawk Surf Co., you can find a huge selection of new and used kayaks, kayaking gear and equipment, standup paddleboards, surfboards, Zap skim boards, wetsuits and more. You can also find top selections of surfwear, sportswear and footwear brands including Rip Curl, Quiksilver, Billabong, Hurley, Volcom, Roxy, Vissla, Reef, Patagonia and many others. As the only Outer Banks Hobie Kayak retailer, Kitty Hawk Surf Co. can also help you out with your kayak fishing needs, whether you need to buy or rent a kayak or pick up simple accessories for your excursion. They even offer kayak fishing charters, in which knowledgeable guides help you catch red drum, speckled trout, flounder and more.
Ready for some action? Kitty Hawk Surf Co. has everything you need to enjoy all the Outer Banks has to offer, from the wind and waves to flat water...read more
Ready for some action? Kitty Hawk Surf Co. has everything you need to enjoy all...read more
Outer Banks Watersports
39450 N.C. Highway 12, Avon
In a prime location right on Pamlico Sound, Ocean Air Sports has been making Hatteras Island watersports adventures happen since 1987. Locals and visitors of all ages and experience levels have trusted this iconic north Avon business for family-oriented outdoor fun for more than 30 years. Ocean Air rents kayaks and standup paddleboards (SUP) and offers lessons and rentals in windsurfing, kiteboarding and wing foiling. Windsurfing enthusiasts have been flocking to Hatteras Island for decades, and Ocean Air Sports is their first stop for gear, rentals and the latest island and industry scoop. Whether you’re playing on the water or watching the action from the soundfront deck, Ocean Air is the perfect place to spend the day. The shop sells all the goods and gear for the outdoor experience, from boards, kites, sails and paddles to wetsuits, sunglasses, t-shirts, sunscreen and a whole lot more.
In a prime location right on Pamlico Sound, Ocean Air Sports has been making Hatteras Island watersports adventures happen since 1987. Locals and visitors...read more
In a prime location right on Pamlico Sound, Ocean Air Sports has been making Hatteras...read more
Outer Banks Watersports
103 E. Morning View Place, The Bypass, MP 10.5, Nags Head
Outer Banks Boarding Co. is a boardrider's paradise with friendly and knowledgeable staff and a great selection of equipment for surfing, bodyboarding, skateboarding and skimboarding. They rent surfboards of all kinds that are suitable for all skill levels – from the novice soft-top longboard to the board for the seasoned pro looking for the newest in surfboard technology. OBBC also has an in-house expert shaper with more than 40 years of experience for advice on the best board for your individual needs and skill level. They pride themselves on providing great customer service. Follow them on Facebook and outerbanksthisweek.com to get their first-on-the-beach surf report every day in season. OBBC has a huge selection of name-brand surf and streetwear as well as accessories for men, women and children, and don't forget to pick up a local t-shirt or hat with the OBBC logo. Drop in and get stoked!
Outer Banks Boarding Co. is a boardrider's paradise with friendly and knowledgeable staff and a great selection of equipment for surfing, bodyboarding,...read more
Outer Banks Boarding Co. is a boardrider's paradise with friendly and knowledgeable staff and a...read more
Outer Banks Watersports
Ocracoke Civic & Business Association Contributor
486 Irvin Garrish Highway, Ocracoke
Ride The Wind Surf Shop is your ultimate destination on Ocracoke Island for all things surf and beach. Whether you’re searching for stylish swimwear, beach apparel, the perfect pair of sunglasses or comfortable footwear, they have you covered. They carry the top brands across all categories, and the full list is available online. Exciting new brands for 2024 include Florence Marine X, Critical Slide Society, Turtlebox, Blenders Eyewear, Almond Surfboards and Xtratuf. Ride the Wind is the only Ocracoke source for Neso Beach Tents and Shibumi Beach Shades. Also check out their exclusive Ocracoke-inspired clothing line, Wococon. Looking to get on the water? Visit their outdoor adventure kiosk on the harbor, directly across from the shop, for hourly, daily and weekly rentals for all your watersport rental needs. You can also stop by or call to schedule surf lessons and kayak tours. They're also very excited to announce their brand-new rental fleet of Priority bicycles. Stop by, visit the website or give them a call to book.
Ride The Wind Surf Shop is your ultimate destination on Ocracoke Island for all things surf and beach. Whether you’re searching for stylish swimwear, beach...read more
Ride The Wind Surf Shop is your ultimate destination on Ocracoke Island for all things...read more
17th Street Surf Shop opened on the Virginia Beach oceanfront in 1970 and later opened an outpost store on the Outer Banks. It offers everything you need...read more
Beach Outfitters rents bikes, beach equipment, cottage needs, baby gear and other convenience items too cumbersome to pack. Their bikes come in three...read more
Corolla Surf Shop opened in 1996. You will find all the best surf brand names in bathing suits, rash guards, surfboards,...read more
