Outer Banks Windsurfing Sites
 |
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
The area above Kitty Hawk has been mostly overlooked for windsurfing, but Duck is quite good. Further north water access is more limited and winds are lighter. Still, if you are there and it blows you know what to do.
Life styles of the rich and brainless!
Plenty of big new houses, but muddy, grassy sound water make it better for fishermen and golfers than windsurfers. Still, if you are here, bring gear, including a weed fin. Better still, sail the ocean, or drive south to Duck.
Find it on the Map
Sanderling Resort has a good protected beginner area, with lessons and rentals in the summer. Open to guests only. Rental houses north of duck through Corolla have the same kind of conditions. There are many small islands that make it a nice area for cruising, also kayaks and canoes. Not much of a high performance area, and winds tend to be a little lighter than to the south.
Find it on the Map
*
One of the most underrated spots on the Outer Banks, the Waterfront Shops in Duck offer a good launch to the Currituck with many amenities for sailors and non-sailors. This is the spot to sail if you have non-windsurfing friends. They can painlessly spend a few hours in Duck Village while you shred. Be sure to have a 'blue margarita' at the Blue Point, which also has gourmet food. North Beach Sailing is there for windsurfing accessories, and all your outdoor and camping needs. They also offer windsurfing and sailboat lessons and rentals just up the street at Barrier Island. B.I. is also good for a sunset beer, or a game of pool. Any wind direction but east works - NW and South are best. South gets good ramps.
Limited parking - please don't be a hog when rigging.
Find it on the Map
A bump & jump site / driving range / mini golf / arcade. This site has quick access to some of the biggest and best swells of the area in west and southwest winds. It also has stuff for non-windsurfers to do. It is not a beginner site under any circumstances. Beware of the bridge to the north, mud / weeds on the inside, boat traffic. Avoid it in any north or east winds. Parking is limited.
Find it on the Map
The main part of the Outer Banks in terms of population and business. Some great sound launches are found in Nags Head, and there are many other activities. Also the place for nightlife.
Kitty Hawk bay is reached via Bay Drive, which runs from Kitty Hawk to Kill Devil Hills. There are several access points, the most popular being the boat ramp at the end of Dock St. The bay has many small islands, which make for interesting cruising and sight seeing, either by sailboard, or canoe or kayak. Other than wildlife watching, the bay has little to recommend it as a windsurfing launch. It is muddy, and in the summer it is full of weeds. It can be a fun place to sail in the colder months when weeds are not a problem, because the islands cut the chop from west and northwest winds. This creates a nice speed-strip! The bay also allows access to the Albemarle sound, but it is easier to get there from the Promenade or Soundside Drive.
Find it on the Map
*
Often called 'Jockey's Ridge', but it is not Jockey's Ridge State Park.
Turn west onto Soundside Drive and continue past the big sand dune until the road turn to the left. The park is on the right. Note: The gate is locked at night - read the sign or pay.
This is one of the best bump & jump spots anywhere! Deeper water and bigger chop than Windmill point area, so better for advanced windsurfers. South through Northwest winds rock, but avoid it in any kind of easterly winds.
Warning: The sand bar to the north of the launch area is too shallow to sail over.
Also: West Danube St. is a few streets south of Soundside Dr. It has a small park at the end with access to the same water conditions. This is a good alternitive if it is too late in the day for Jockey's Ridge.
Find it on the Map
*
The two most popular launches in the Nags Head area are side by side. Kitty Hawk Water Sports is a full service windsurfing shop and school. Their site has what may be the best beginner area in the world - protected, shallow,and sandy, with clear wind in every direction except east.
Further out, past the small islands, is a large section of the sound with waist to chest deep water for miles.
Just to the north, Windmill Point has access to the same bay, and more parking.
Find it on the Map
Several small residential towns on the mainland also have access to the sounds. They are pretty much ignored by tourists, including windsurfers, but can provide soundside launches during northeast winds. Hampton Lodge campground in Coinjock is a great stop if you are driving down from the north. It is about an hour from Kitty Hawk, and a nice place to camp / fish / sail.
Manteo, the Dare county seat, has a few good launches too.
The best of the very few sound launches for east and northeast winds. The site is a small beach west of downtown Manteo. It is privately owned, so rig and park accordingly!
Find it on the Map
The Aquarium by Manteo Airport is a good, but little used spot for any southerly or westerly wind. Non-windsurfers can kill time at the Aquarium, or nearby Elizabethan Gardens. Not a beginner area due to chop, some deep areas, and a slightly tricky launch. Good for clean southwest wind, and some nice ramps to jump.
Find it on the Map
Another sound launch for east and northeast winds, located to the right as you come over the bridge leaving Roanoke Island. Head northwest into the Albemarle Sound, not toward the bridge! This is kind of a 'last resort' place to launch, but not bad once you get into the sound. This is a very popular spot with fishermen, who were here first. Be nice, and try not to act like a 'damn yankee'. Beware of pound net stakes and other crap by the shore.
Find it on the Map
Another non-launch site. There is a long sand reef extending south into the sound from Point Harbor. This is about a mile south of the mainland side of the Wright Memorial Bridge between Currituck County and Kitty Hawk. This sandbar produces breaking waves in south to west winds, and dead flat water in its lee. This is the Albemarle equivalent of the reef in the Pamlico, but not so far offshore. The problem is the lack of an easy launch. The mainland side has no public beach. The small cove between the bridge and the point is private land, and thick with weeds. The closest launch option is the Promenade at the other end of the bridge, but that means sailing almost straight up wind. A very fun option is to do a down wind cruise from Jockey's Ridge to the sandbar, than end up at the Promenade, or cross under the bridge and continue up the Currituck Sound to Duck. Be sure to check all your gear before you set off, make sure the wind is forecast to last, and always sail with a buddy. Beware of thick grass close to shore in some spots.
Find it on the Map
About 45 miles north of Kitty Hawk, get off at the Waterlilly exit. A great place to camp on your way to or from the beach, with good access to the upper Currituck sound in any easterly winds. Also excellent fishing. It is fun to launch here and sail to Corolla, across the sound. Look out for shallow water, and weeds in the summer.
Find it on the Map
Hatteras is the most popular windsurfing destination on the east coast for good reason. Mellow beginner windsurfing in the sound, and awesome waves across the street. Also surfing and fishing to die for.
*
This is a prime launch site. If only we can agree on a name...
Get Aways is the restaurant formerly know as Pescado's formerly known as Emily's, which is still the locals name for this site, which is also the new home of Hatteras Island Sail Shop which used to be down the street at what is now Hatteras Island Surf Shop. Confused yet? Don't worry, we are too. All you really need to know is that there is grassy rigging, usually enough parking (but don't be a hog ) a shallow sandy launch, and friendly people. This area has no large trees, so the wind is good from most directions, and the chop stays small until one gets way out into the sound.
Find it on the Map
*
Good winds most directions. Excellent ocean launch across the street. More than enough parking. This is an outstanding and under-used site. Bring bug repellent in the summer.
Find it on the Map
A fine spot for anything but east wind. Sand bottom, shallow except for the hole about 50 feet out from the launch. If you don't have a sound front house, this is the place to sail the sound in Avon.
Find it on the Map
Once a popular spot, but parking and beach have been lost to development. Park at Windsurfing Hatteras and walk over the bridge, or just skip it and go to the power plant, Salvo, or the Hole.
Find it on the Map
*
The Reef is not a launch site, but a destination in the Pamlico Sound where the deep and shallow water meet. This creates big ramps, and sometimes even breaking waves - great for bump & jump windsurfing! The reef runs almost parallel to Hatteras Island for most of it's length, with a few small breaks near the middle. It is over a mile from Avon, but hooks out as you go south.
This is a serious sail - several miles just to get there and back, so advanced to expert windsurfers only. From Salvo or Avon, just head west until you find the braking waves. Be sure to look at the landmarks as you go so you can find your way back. You can get there from the Hole, but it's a long way. For a special treat, do a down-winder along the reef - Avon to the Hole in a northwest is great.
Double check everything before you go, and don't leave too late in the day, or if the wind is forecast to drop. Northwest and west are especially unreliable.
The launch site that draws the biggest crowds is hard to miss. It is one of the few spots where you can see windsurfing from Hwy 12, and the only one where someone is always sailing. Other than some Porta-Potties there is really no advantage to the Hole for sound sailing - it is just a place everyone knows. It does have the option of also sailing the ocean by just walking ones gear across the street, but there are better ocean sites close by. As a sound launch it is OK for most wind directions, but not the best spot for beginners due to crowds and deep water right in front of the launch. Beware of the 'fin-eating sandbar' to the north of the launch!
Beginner's note:
Avon Power Station, Frisco woods, and all the Salvo area sound launches are highly recomended beginner sites on Hatteras Island.
There is also the Fox Watersports site, located in Buxton directly to the rear of the
Soundside Restaurant. This is a somewhat protected area that is safer than the Hole for beginners. Any winds but east or southeast are OK.
Find it on the Map
*
If heaven ain't like Frisco Woods, I'm not goin'.
A nice wooded campground with a killer sound launch. Family run, with a store, showers, swimming pool, tent and RV camping. The windsurfing launch is shallow, sandy, and good for all abilities. There are a few limitations though. South wind is offshore and may be light on the inside. There are weeds in the summer. Low areas may flood during hard northwest winds.
Frisco Woods is the home of Wind-Fest 1999
Find it on the Map
Parking area north of
Hatteras Village. West through NNE is good.
Find it on the Map
Ocracoke is not the end of the world, but you can see it from here. Quiet, almost forgotten, yet in it's own way civilized, this little island has a unique charm. It also has some of the best wave sailing anywhere, and sometimes warmer water than the northern beaches. Worth the free ferry ride!
Northeast end of the island, soundside. Great for speed runs, but beware of sandbars.
Find it on the Map
*
The main sound launch for Ocracoke, right in town. Shallow and flat inside, deeper with ramps as you go out. Careful of tides toward the point and in deeper water. A very fun spot!
Find it on the Map
Dress warmly. Triple-check your kit. Be prepared to .
They don't call this the 'Graveyard of the Atlantic' for nothing... That said, all you really need to sail the ocean is the right day and a dependable water-start. If the locals are complaining that the waves are small, you've a good chance of getting out :-)
Don't overlook the option of slalom sailing in the ocean if the surf is flat. This can be a nice option for summer sea breezes.
When the waves are big even pro sailors have to think twice about even rigging up. Use common sense, pick a site and day appropriate for your ability, and enjoy. This is who we are - join us.
Yes, people do windsurf in the ocean somewhere besides Hatteras Island. The northern beaches don't work at all in the classic northeaster - too onshore. Southwest sucks too - straight off. So what's left? Northwest is killer, south is sweet, straight north too. Watch the way fronts are setting up, and locate accordingly. Water conditions are mostly the same everywhere on the Outer Banks - side-shore current, shore-pound, too light inside, too windy outside. Have Fun!
Corolla and Ocean Sands have nice surf breaks, but don't get used much.
Try the main beach across from the lighthouse.
Find it on the Map
Ocean Sands has a nice outside bar. It is private property, so park and rig accordingly.
Find it on the Map
Yes, you can windsurf the Ocean in Nags Head and Kitty Hawk. NW and SSE are the best bets.
*
Kitty Hawk Beach is very popular for surfing. There is a decent break at most tides, nice wide beach, and a good sized parking area. Unlike most of the northern beaches, there are no houses or large buildings on the ocean side of the street. This means the wind is cleaner if it is a little side off, which here is south, or NNW. Few people windsurf here, which is a shame, since those directions are great fun. Give surfers plenty of room. They were here first. When it gets big, there is an outside break with better wind north of the launch. Turn off the bypass at the Kitty Hawk post office across from 7-11. Park in the big lot on the right and carry across the street. This site is near a restaurant formerly known as "Station Six", and this launch is sometimes called that by locals. There are some other good spots along this stretch of coast, but most have limited parking.
Find it on the Map
The area around and to the south of Avalon Pier has a little softer ( but still crunchy ) break. Stay clear of surfers and the Pier. Launch from one of the accesses from 1st to 5th St. This works in side or side-on winds, but the hotels kill the inside if it's side-off.
Find it on the Map
Locals spot for surf sailing in the Nags Head area. Stay clear of the pier itself. Best on NW and South.
Find it on the Map
Damn nice for NNW and South winds, but very under utilized. Just across from Bodie Island Lighthouse.
Find it on the Map
Turnout just north of the Bonner Bridge to Hatteras Island. NW here can rock.
Seldom sailed and a bit scary, this can be a fun wave spot, but the last year has not been good to it. The shifting and shoaling sandbars have had a bad effect on the break, and limited the area that can be windsurfed. Still, it can be an easier place to get out in the surf in some conditions. All the ocean sailing warnings go double here, plus watch out for fishermen, strong current, sharks, and boat traffic. Experts only!
Find it on the Map
There are about a zillion places to wave sail on Hatteras Island, and it is always the right direction somewhere. This is the surf capitol of the east coast - enjoy!
Keep in mind that all of the island can be windsurfed. You are by no means limited to these launches, they are just the best known, and or the ones that have parking and names. If you have 4wd you may want to let most of the air out of your tires, drive down the beach, and find your own secret spot.
*
South of Oregon Inlet, north of Rodanthe. If the wind is north-northwest, or straight south this is the default launch site for many Hatteras locals.
Find it on the Map
Just at the north end of town there is a nice break that works well in north and south winds. It is also very popular with surfers who have the right of way at all times and may hurt you if you snake their waves. Shouldn't be an issue on windy days though.
Find it on the Map
There is a slightly softer break near the pier, but also a wind shadow behind it. Don't get too close. Popular for surfing too.
Find it on the Map
*
South of town there's a hard sand road out to the beach. This is a good spot to get out in N-NE or S-SW. The shorebreak isn't too bad, and there isn't much to block the wind even if it is a little side-off.
Find it on the Map
Between Salvo and Avon - Another NE spot, or an access to start driving along the beach.
Find it on the Map
*
N-NE or S-SW launch with a good outside bar. 4WD vehicles can drive along the beach to the 'secret spot' - well, maybe not so secret.
Find it on the Map
Turnout just north of Avon, can be a
N-NE or S-SW launch. Moderate shorebreak.
Ramp 30 is usually better.
Find it on the Map
Two popular northeast or south wind ocean launches, across from Canadian Hole.
Most of this area has a weak outside bar, and moderate to nasty shorebreak. Be prepared to swim.
Other options:
1st paved turnout south of Avon and the parking lot just north of Buxton. Conditions are much the same.
Find it on the Map
*
The Wave Magnet! Hatteras Light is the tallest brick lighthouse in the US, and impossible to miss. A couple of breakwaters have been installed in a futile attempt to prevent the lighthouse from eventually being eroded into the sea. These breakwaters soften the shorebreak, wind chop, and current during a north swell, making this one of the best northeast wind launch sites. This is a very popular place to sail and surf, so the biggest caution is watch the crowds. The littoral current fills in just a bit to the south, so if you start getting washed to the point, head for the beach. The "walk of shame" was made for this spot, and everyone who has sailed here has done it - pros included. This is not a good spot for south winds due to the jetties, and not so good for north or northwest, as the lighthouse and the high dunes kill the wind on the inside if it is at all offshore. Launch farther north for these conditions - Salvo is ideal.
Not reccommended: The Pond right of the access road to the campground has been sailed, but there's no reason to do so. Leave it for the birds and turtles.
Find it on the Map
*
4WD vehicle required.
In Buxton turn east off Hwy 12 at sign for Hatteras Lighthouse. At fork, turn right and follow the
signs toward the campground. Continue past the campground entrance and take beach ramp 44. From there you have several options, depending on the wind and wave directions.
North of Cape Point is best on S, and SW winds. This is a good spot for clean conditions in these directions. North to Northeast winds can also work - similar to the lighthouse, but there's a chance of being swept past the point.
The Cove launch is a few hundred meters west of the Point. This spot has attanded legondary status for wave sailing on rare, but epic east and southeast winds. This is as good as the east coast gets, with long clean waves, but it doesn't happen often, or for long. West winds can also work here, but be carefull - it's a long way to Bermuda.
If you don't have 4WD, Ramp 45 (past 44) has a paved lot. This is another option for N-NE / S-SW but there are so many that it doesn't get used much.
Find it on the Map
*
Paved parking area Oceanside just north of Hatteras Village. Good sand
bar off shore. Sailing best on ENE, SW & W winds.
This is a fine spot for SW wave sailing on Hatteras Island. It has a good outside bar, and less shorebreak than most of the other spots. It also works for northeast that has more east and is too onshore, or closed out at the sites farther north.
Frisco Airport - Frisco Campground - Frisco Bath House
The Airport and Campground are sometimes used in westerly winds, mostly by locals.
There is also the parking lot south of Frisco Pier and the lot by Hatteras Coast Guard Station. Also good for W-SW winds.
Find it on the Map
4WD vehicle absolutly required.
Take Hwy 12 south to the end. Continue past Ocracoke ferry
landing for a couple of miles on the sand beach access road. Most wind directions can work, depending on which spot you launch. This can be a very fun area to windsurf, but all the usual warnings go double here, plus boats, shifting sandbars, and big angry fish. Experts only! Avoid it on outgoing tides.
Find it on the Map
Nice waves, clean winds, and a different orientation make for a great adventure in surf sailing.
*
A mile or so from the ferry landing there are two spots with very clean wave sailing in an NE wind - side-off with little shorebreak, and sailable when the wind is too east at most of the Hatteras spots. Worth a trip!
Find it on the Map
More shorebeak than some other part of the island, but damn good in a ENE. WSW can also work if it's not too big.
Find it on the Map
It's not the end of the world, but you can see it from here. Sometimes great, always spooky. NE-E best, West also fun, with the usual "offshore winds" warning.
Find it on the Map