Outer Banks Kayaking and Canoeing

Some of the best wildlife viewing and paddling on the Outer Banks takes place in the remote northern waterways of the Currituck Sound near the Virginia border. Back Country’s unique 4x4 & Kayak Safari carries small groups and families by custom open-air Safari Cruisers through 30 miles of off-road beach, dune and sand trail to paddle from the private Spanish Mustang Preserve where they have exclusive access. The waters are protected from wind and current, and the tandem kayaks are super stable. Naturalist guides, who are also your kayak instructors, will explain Outer Banks ecology and point out local wildlife. In an effort to preserve this unspoiled habitat, Back Country limits space to just 10 people. Each tour is three-plus hours and is the best of both worlds, an off-road 4x4 Safari excursion and a kayak tour. Tours are available for beginner or intermediate paddlers. Reservations are required.

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.

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' Whalebone Watersports location offers dolphin tours, kiteboarding, Jet Ski rentals and standup paddleboard rentals – some of the most sought-after Outer Banks activities. In addition, kayak eco-tours and rentals are available, including a bioluminescence tour. If you’ve never seen these glowing organisms, you owe yourself this experience!

With tons of rentals and activities, a surf boutique and great restaurant onsite, Nor’Banks offers one-stop shopping for all the best of the Outer Banks. Nor’Banks' friendly staff, professional service, modern equipment and gorgeous location make it the ideal destination for watersports. Offering Jet Ski rentals and tours, parasailing, tubing, wakeboarding, waterskiing, kayaking, paddleboarding, pontoon boats, sailboat rentals and private sailing instruction, Nor’Banks truly has something for everyone. Their gorgeous soundside facility has plenty of parking, changing rooms, restrooms and showers for your comfort and convenience. The surf shop and boutique is curated with great gear and apparel, including hard-to-find brands handpicked by the crew of outdoor living. Check out the selection of surfboards from local shapers, polarized sunglasses from Raen and Nectar and sustainably minded apparel and gear from brands like Carve, Vissla, Topo and Nomadix. Be sure to check out Surfer Girl, their new luxury 38’ Maine Cat catamaran available for private cruises for up to 15 passengers. Enjoy your favorite beverages with their highly experienced crew at the helm. Book in advance with their online reservation system to enjoy expedited checkout upon arrival, and be sure to stick around for live music and a drink at the waterfront bar.