Outer Banks Things To Do

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.

Just about every afternoon between 4 and 5 p.m., a dozen or more sport fishing boats return from the Gulf Stream to the Pirate’s Cove Marina to unload their catches of tuna, dolphin, wahoo and other deep-sea fish. If you’re interested in seeing the fish before they’re cleaned, head down to the docks and watch the mates hurl the whopping creatures onto the docks. Kids love this, and the anglers are friendly about sharing their experiences of the day.

If you’re more of a hands-on type, escape from the same old beach routine and head over to Pirate's Cove Marina and Yacht Club to experience the thrill of a lifetime fishing from one of their offshore charter boats. Your adrenaline will be pumping listening to the scream of the drag while you are reeling in your tuna, dolphin, wahoo and marlin. Or book a near-shore trip and drop deep to catch tile fish, sea bass, trigger fish and grouper, or troll for Spanish mackerel and bluefish. No matter what you choose, Pirate's Cove’s charter fleet will show you a great time. Back at the docks you can stop by the Pirates Cove Ship's Store, where you'll find a great selection of t-shirts, resort wear, gifts and one of the best selections of sunglasses on the Outer Banks. Or you can visit Mimi's Tiki Hut, a dockside bar open in the warmer months, and Blue Water Grill & Raw Bar, a full-service restaurant on the second floor overlooking the marina.  

The Pavilion at Pirate's Cove Marina is home base for three renowned summer fishing tournaments – Pirate's Cove Billfish Tournament, Alice Kelly Memorial Ladies Only Billfish Tournament and Dare County Boat Builders Foundation Tournament – as well as other events. The Pavilion is the largest venue on the Outer Banks and is available for rental, including 24-hour rental, for weddings and other events. A variety of accommodations are available on-site through Pirate's Cove Realty.

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.