A kite over the Atlantic surf between Hatteras and Frisco. — Photo: Ken Lund

Kites off the ocean beach in Cape Hatteras National Seashore. — Photo: Ken Lund

Dune grass, ocean beach and a pier, Hatteras to Frisco. — Photo: Ken Lund

United States

Mar · 83% rideable

Hatteras Island

What it's actually like

The sound is knee to waist deep across most of its width, and the Slick runs flat in a south-westerly. REAL Watersports and Ocean Air Sports both teach wing, and a foil earns its place on the strong days.

Hatteras Island is a barrier island in North Carolina’s Outer Banks, inside Cape Hatteras National Seashore, with the Pamlico Sound on one side and the Atlantic on the other. The sound is knee to waist deep across most of its width. The wind blows from nearly every direction, so you pick the sound or the ocean by the day’s wind.

November to April are the windiest, and January and March are the pick, at more than eight days in ten. Those are the cold months, though, and most shops and restaurants close for the winter. The kite season runs from about April to October. The properly hooning days are few and usually come with storms, so big kites and a foil earn their place in the quiver.

The National Park Service lists Haulover, which riders call Canadian Hole, Kite Point and the Salvo Day Use Area as kiteboarding sites, and Haulover and Salvo for windsurfing. Kite Point works in south-west and north-west winds and suits every level. REAL Watersports sends riders there first in a north-easter, when the water behind the sandy point is flat. On a windy day you park along the highway and walk your kit down.

The Slick is flat water in a south-westerly, with a slider park and kickers, and it is busiest in the evenings. Planet of the Apes is a sound-side downwinder in a south-westerly, for advanced riders only, because a long stretch of it has no exit. First-timers start at Mile Marker 46 and come out on the small beach at the Salvo Day Use Area, before the docks and houses of Salvo.

In a south-westerly, riders run the ocean side downwind from the Hatteras ferry docks to Frisco Pier, so carry a pump in case the kite drops. In a north-easter with a north-east swell, the run south from Rodanthe has long lefts. Give the houses at the north end of Rodanthe and the fishermen on Rodanthe Pier plenty of room. Ride the ocean only in side-shore, side-onshore or onshore wind, so the wind brings you back.

The Park Service tells riders to watch for overhead obstacles such as power lines near the road. Wear boots, because sharp shells lie in the water and on some beaches. There are no safety boats on the ocean side, where strong rip currents form. The sound water can be dirty, so wash cuts after a session. Sound-side launches can be gusty, and the mosquitoes come out after rain.

In summer the sound is warm enough that most days need no wetsuit, with a shorty for stormy days, while the surf side calls for a 3/2. In spring and autumn the water is much colder and riders wear a 5/4, with boots, gloves and hoods on the ocean side on cold days.

REAL Watersports at Waves teaches kite, wing, surf and foil and rents kit. Ocean Air Sports, on the sound at Avon, teaches and rents windsurf, kite and wing kit. Beginners learn on the sound, and the ocean side is for riders who can handle surf. Norfolk is the nearest airport, under three hours’ drive from Avon. A car is essential, and Avon and Nags Head have the full grocery stores.

Rules and safety. In an emergency call 911. Lifeguards staff five beaches in the Seashore from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Check the weather and the NOAA rip current forecast before going out, because ocean conditions can change from hour to hour. Follow the signs on the beaches: areas protected in the nesting season are closed to kiteboarders. Keep off the islands in the sound. Keep well clear of the power lines along the road. If you ride alone, tell someone where you are going.

When it's good

Is it for you?

LevelNot checked yet
Endless waist-deep water for beginners at Salvo, and Kite Point suits every level.
WaterMillpond to head-high
Knee to waist deep and semi-flat to small chop across the sound.
LaunchBarefoot
Flat sand on the sound side, with sharp shells in the water.
Wetsuit5/4 and booties
Sea about 15 °C in March: a 5/4 and booties, and you'll want both.
AprèsLights out at nine
No bar within 5 km, but 11 places to eat: early nights, early sessions.
CostNot checked yet

Where to launch

Conditions change. Check local rules and conditions before you ride.

Launch
Parking

Canadian Hole

Haulover to the Park Service.

For kite, windsurf. Directions: Google Maps · Apple Maps
Kite Point

Sound side, south of Avon, for every level.

For kite. Directions: Google Maps · Apple Maps
Salvo Day Use Area

Sound side with endless waist-deep water.

For kite, windsurf. Directions: Google Maps · Apple Maps

In an emergency

Emergency 911

Getting there

Nearest airportNorfolk (ORF). Fly into Norfolk International, and Avon is less than 3 hours’ drive from there.
Getting aroundCar. You need a vehicle out here, no two ways about it. The shops are strung along Highway 12.

Stay, learn and rent

Full details for every place are in the Pocket Guide.

Watermen’s Retreat

Waterfront suites, a cottage and cabanas, with a rinse and storage for your kit.

Kite Club Hatteras

Kite school guesthouse in Avon with private and shared rooms on a canal to Pamlico Sound and boat support for guests. Week-long camps bundle seven nights with three days of private lessons.

Website

High Wind Daze, Pamlico Point Condos

Top-floor two-bedroom condo over the sound and the creek, next door to Ocean Air Sports, with a pool on site. Launch at the shop across the lawn.

Pocket Guide

Hatteras Island, in your pocket

Everything you need on the beach in one PDF. Save it to your phone and it works with no signal.

01The month: wind, conditions and water02Every hazard, and the local rules03The launches, with maps04Getting there with kit05Stays, schools and kit hire06Where every score comes from

Hatteras Island

When it's good

Is it for you?

Where to launch

Canadian Hole

Kite Point

Salvo Day Use Area

In an emergency

Getting there

Stay, learn and rent

Watermen’s Retreat

Kite Club Hatteras

High Wind Daze, Pamlico Point Condos

REAL Watersports

Ocean Air Sports

Kite Club Hatteras

REAL Watersports

Ocean Air Sports

Hatteras Island, in your pocket

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