Kiteboarding Vacations on Cape Hatteras

While kiteboarding is a relatively new sport, having first surfaced on the Outer Banks about 10 years ago, it is taking Hatteras Island by storm. This high energy activity brings hundreds of kiteboarders to the sandy beaches of the Pamlico Sound and Atlantic Ocean. With kiteboarding gear and equipment in tow, they can often times drive right onto the beach, set up their kites and launch into some of the best wind and water conditions on the East Coast.

Kiteboarding Launches

What makes this vacation destination so conducive to beginner and advanced kiteboarders alike? It starts with a spectrum of varying water conditions, with hundreds of miles of open water as a playground. Canadian Hole (AKA the Haul Over), a public soundside beach in between Avon and Buxton with plenty of parking and bathhouses, is an exceptional beginners’ launching point, as is the Salvo Day Use area, with a picnic and parking area on the southern border of Salvo. Both of these kiteboarding areas offer wide sandy beaches for rigging, and shallow Pamlico Sound waters.

Kite Point, also known as ”The Cove,” is the sandy beach a quarter to a half mile south of Canadian Hole accessible by walking or 4wd. It is credited as being the birthplace of kiteboarding on Hatteras Island, and a veritable oasis for kiteboarders from around the globe. For advanced kiteboarding, the Atlantic Ocean just a couple hundred yards to the East can be a challenging platform for kiteboarders to practice their skill. These aren't the only launches on the island, though. There are many soundside launches throughout the park, some marked by a path through the trees off NC 12. Many of our rental homes offer great launch opportunities for kiteboarding vacationers. Look for a soundfront home with a sandy beach or a semi-soundfront or soundside home near a public sound access.

Kiteboarding Season

The spring and fall seasons attract the largest number of kiteboarding enthusiasts as the wind conditions are ideal, particularly in the spring when the warm southeast winds average 20 mph. Another bonus is that the geographic layout of the island offers kiteboarders a rare opportunity to do unlimited down winders. A down winder is launching from one spot, enjoying a long ride, and ending up several miles away. With 70 miles of Nation al Seashore bordering two bodies of water, kiteboarding rides can be virtually endless.

Kiteboarding Lessons

Because of these exceptional conditions, many nationally known kiteboarding camps, shops, and tournaments have selected Hatteras Island as their hub, including REAL kiteboarding, Ride Hatteras, Kitty Hawk Kites, and Windsurfing Hatteras.

All of these kiteboarding institutions offer lessons and equipment rentals. For example, Kitty Hawk Kites offers both private lessons and camps for novices and experts alike, and also hosts occasional tournaments. For people new to the sport, Kitty Hawk Kites offers an annual kiteboarding demo days with experts and representatives from all over the country showing off the latest kiteboarding gear. The area is also known for the internationally recognized Triple-S Invitational annual tournament run by REAL Kiteboarding in late spring.

If you’re new to the kiteboarding scene, renting equipment and scheduling lessons is a breeze, though you may want to call or email any of these reputable companies before your vacation to ensure availability.

Once you’ve hit the water of the calm Pamlico Sound, maneuvered through the breakers of the Atlantic, or just launched from your own backyard at a soundfront rental home, you’ll see why kiteboarding is one Outer Banks sport that’s really taking off.