Kiteboarding Vacations on Cape Hatteras
While kiteboarding is a relatively new sport, having first surfaced on the Outer Banks about 15 years ago, it is taking Hatteras Island by storm. This high energy activity brings thousands of kiteboarders to the sandy beaches of the Pamlico Sound and Atlantic Ocean each year. 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.
Quick Kiteboarding School Guide
Kiteboarding Launches
What makes this vacation destination so conducive to beginner and advanced kiteboarders alike? It starts with a spectrum of water conditions, with 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. Another 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 (beach driving permit required). 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 seashore, 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 National 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 Watersports and Kitty Hawk Kites.
All of these kiteboarding institutions offer lessons and equipment rentals for novices and experts alike. For people new to the sport, Kitty Hawk Kites offers kiteboarding demo days with experts and representatives from all over the country showing off the latest kiteboarding gear. The area is also known internationally for the Triple-S Invitational annual event run by REAL Watersports each year in June.
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.