2025 Activities Guide

Use an upcoming Outer Banks vacation as an opportunity to fall in love with a new sport that rules the OBX with a lesson or a full camp offered by the Outer Banks Surf School. Based in Nags Head but providing lessons throughout the central OBX region and beyond, this surf school features talented and trained instructors, multiple options for beginners to experts, and an inherent mission to share the love of Outer Banks surfing with the world.

Ready to face the great outdoors with a new and exciting challenge? Call The Outer Banks Waterfowl and Fishing Guide Service for a fishing or hunting adventure of your choice!

Located beside the Outer Banks YMCA main building, the YMCA skatepark welcomes skateboards, rollerblades, bikes and non-motorized scooters. With a cement bowl, ramps and a street section, the park, one of the largest on the Outer Banks, has posted rules for usage and is open during daylight hours. Since it’s outside, hours are subject to weather closures. Be warned that the skate park is situated in the middle of asphalt with no trees around, so there is not much shade. Refreshments are available in vending machines, but it would be a good idea to bring your own drinks and snacks.  Young people age 12 or under must have a parent present to skate, and youth age 17 and younger must wear a helmet and knee and elbow pads. Users must register inside before skating, where safety equipment is available at no extra charge. Helmets only must be worn by park users age 18 and over. Fees are available by the day or the week, and are discounted for Y members and North Carolina and Nags Head residents.

Dive into a new adventure that will propel a lifelong love of surfing with a lesson or camp provided by Outer Surf. This surfing company that specializes in offering surf camps for girls and women is changing the game when it comes to surfing along the Outer Banks, and is a great option for visitors who want to learn a new skill and fall in love with the surfing scene of the OBX coastline and miles beyond.

An old fashioned movie theater - the star in Manteo's crown! 

A full-service boating marina with onsite restaurant and ship's store. 

Get ready for the island-hopping adventure of a lifetime with this longtime favorite activity of Ocracoke Island residents and visitors alike. Portsmouth Island ATV Tours provides shuttle service and a guided tour of Portsmouth Island - a deserted but fascinating island that’s situated just south of Ocracoke.

There’s no better way to beat the heat than to enjoy a day or evening at the movies, and R/C Theaters Movies 10 Kill Devil Hills is just the place to escape. This is the theater in the Outer Banks where you can view all of the latest movies when they first hit screens. The movie theater features stadium seating with high-back rocking chairs with huge wall-to-wall curved screens. The theater is updated with the latest in digital technology, including digital projection, DOLBY digital sound and 3D digital projection for 3D feature films.

From kiteboarding rentals and equipment, to unique summer camps and some of the biggest events on Hatteras Island, there’s certainly a lot for water lovers to discover at Real Watersports. This tri-villages landmark that is world famous with the kiteboarding community has everything that newcomers and boarding pros alike could need to enjoy endless time on the miles-wide waters of the Pamlico Sound.

Listen to nature speak through the howling of the red wolves!

From surfing lessons and kayak tours to all the gear you’ll need to stay active on the Ocracoke beaches, Ride the Wind Surf Shop has everything under the sun for island visitors who want to uncover all the on-the-water fun that the Outer Banks has to offer. Featuring beach gear, watersports equipment sales and rentals, lessons, tours, and a host of other unique items for sale, this destination is miles beyond your typical surf shop, and is a must-stop for anyone who wants to enjoy an active Ocracoke vacation to the fullest.

Celebrate the origins of America with a fascinating and purely entertaining visit to the Roanoke Island Festival Park. This 25-acre historic site, an easy stroll from the downtown Manteo waterfront, is a popular summer attraction for visitors of all ages. With four distinct attractions that wind through the wooded and grassy regions bordering the Roanoke Sound and Shallowbag Bay, patrons will find acres of history to explore, and plenty of engrossing hands-on exhibits to keep everyone purely entertained.

A maritime museum with antique boats and maritime programming. 

Rock On Charters promises you the “best fishing experience you’ll have in the South.“  Rock On’s Marc Kerns, a US Coast Guard approved captain, has been fishing the Outer Banks’ waters most of his life, and he’s always trying new and old techniques to help him improve his and his clients’ angling skills. Rock On keeps it simple and affordable and yet will still cater a fishing tour to your or your family’s individual needs. Captain Kerns will take you out on a Coast Guard approved and fully equipped Center Console, loaded down with all the rods, tackle, bait and ice you’ll need.For children and beginners, Kerns provides a professional, courteous and patient approach and for seasoned anglers, he goes the extra mile to locate feeding fish, always living up to Rock On’s reputation of providing locals and vacationers with a satisfying and memorable fishing experience.Rock On is very kid and family friendly and “takes a great deal of pride” in being the only charter on the beach to offer a Kid Adventure trip with hands-on experience, teaching all the basics: bait & hook, catch & release and the thrill of catching and taking home the keepers. The family trips also double as a sightseeing tour that’s often enhanced by visits from dolphins swimming and playing beside the boat and pelicans diving for fish.Just call or use the online form any time to book your charter, and Captain Kerns will be waiting for you in the water at the Washington Baum Public Boat Ramp, where you’ll find plenty of parking and clean restrooms.

The tri-villages have a little of everything, from ice cream shops to restaurants, watersports lessons to soundfront bistros, and the northernmost town, Rodanthe, even has the distinction to being home to one of the island's only two operating piers.

Rodanthe Watersports & Campground is a hub for outdoor activities. The whole family will enjoy taking advantage of a host of lessons and rentals including jet skis, wave runners, sailboats, kayaks, body boards, surfboards, beach chairs, umbrellas, wetsuits and more. Located on the Pamlico Sound, they have a warm, shallow water area perfect for all activities.  They also offer soundfront and soundside campsites for tents and RVs under 25 feet.

Discover a new hobby that will last long after an Outer Banks vacation is over, or foster a love of quilting with unique fabrics and patterns that can’t be found anywhere else, with a visit to this colorful and charming shopping destination in the heart of the Outer Banks. Rusty Crow Quilt Shop is a fun shop to explore on-site and online, and with so many fabrics, patterns, and unique gifts to discover, everyone who loves a dose of creativity will feel right at home.

Create an on-the-water memory that you and your family won’t soon forget with an adventure that’s helmed by Safari Dolphin Tours. This local Outer Banks boat tour company offers an array of experiences and literally goes the extra mile to ensure that everyone on board has the best experience possible while capturing plenty of photographs and memories along the way.

Looking for a private sail charter? Call the folks at Sail Outer Banks. They offer a variety of year-round trips with low minimum fees to make it within reach of many folk. Dan and Katherine are your crew. Dan is a licensed U.S. Coast Guard captain maneuvering their 41 foot Gulfstar ketch, Sea ‘Scape through Roanoke and Albemarle sound waters.

Sail the Outer Banks (formerly Outer Banks Sailing Academy) offers professional sailing instruction operating under the standards of the American Sailing Association. They offer lessons in Kill Devil Hills. The Academy presents an array of classes including a youth sailing program, a teen program utilizing the Olympic Class 420s, and adult programs for sailors of all levels. The courses are designed to lend confidence, are unrushed and carefully spread over three or four days.

Sal's Pizza sells New York style pizza by the slice, whole pizza pies, hot Italian subs and hearty pasta dishes. 

Experience North Carolina wines while on the Outer Banks. Sanctuary Vineyards, located next to the Cotton Gin in both Jarvisburg and Corolla offers an opportunity for wine tasting and enjoyment. Experience local wines and beers and learn about North Carolina wine right where it’s farmed and produced. Selections include Syrah, tempranillo, Viognier, Norton and Muscadine. If you haven’t tried muscadine wine yet, this is your chance for a  truly North Carolina experience. The muscadine grapes make a sweet, fruity wine that is refreshing during the hot summer months. Music and wine is always a great combination for a fun time. During the summer months, Sanctuary Vineyards in Jarvisburg offers live music entertainment. Check the seasonal schedule for dates and times. The free special events are great for the entire family, where picnic baskets, kids and pets are welcome. Wine is available for purchase on site.

Offshore fishing the glorious Outer Bans waters!

Climb aboard one of the largest boats in Hatteras Harbor Marina for an adventure that you and your fishing crew will never forget. Sea Creature Sportfishing brings decades of fishing experience to the table with every trip, and launches from the tip of Hatteras village to explore some of the best waters for angling that the East Coast has to offer.

Sea Scape Golf Links is a course that you will not soon forget. Located one block from the ocean, this beautiful course offers great scenery that guarantees a memorable morning on the course. The course offers both Twilight (over 12 years old) and Junior (under 12 years old) rates so you can bring your daughter or son for a day of golf. The layout of the course was designed by Art Wall, a former Master’s Champion. You are sure to have a great experience on the beautiful greens of Seascape. 

Pelagic bird watching trips for the birding enthusiast. 

One of the oldest authentic surf shops on the Outer Banks, Secret Spot has been surfer-owned at the same location since the early 1980s.  Store founder Steve Hess started board shaping in 1971, and his world-renowned boards have been ridden by many of the Outer Banks’ best surfers, and by many others from Hawaii to California to Australia. With its ceiling covered with surfboards, the shop offers custom made Secret Spot Surf Boards and used boards, body boards, skim boards, as well as skate gear.  Board rentals and surf lessons are also available. A wide range of designer surfwear can be found here, including Rip Curl, Sanuk, Roxy, Rainbow, Lost, Oakley, Electric and O’Neill.  Bathing suits, hats, shoes, shorts, sunglasses, watches and T-shirts are available in a variety of sizes and styles for the entire family.  There’s even cool infant and baby clothes, and tropical gifts and surf art in stock.

If you are looking for something more exciting than sitting on the beach, why not try fishing in the world renowned waters off the Outer Banks? Sharky’s Fishing Charters offers offshore, inshore, and sound fishing for every angler, regardless of experience. Sharky’s has plenty of comfortable charter boats in our fleet.  You can choose offshore fishing for a more intense experience, inshore fishing for an excursion closer to shore, or a relaxing sound fishing trip. If you do choose to go offshore fishing expect to spot some very cool sea life in the Gulf Stream. The First Mate on every fishing charter is there to assist you in any way you need. He or she will help you be involved in the full fishing experience. You can choose between half, three-quarter, and full day fishing adventures, along with two-hour Sunset or Dolphin Watch Cruises. Sharky’s even offers overnight fishing trips if you are feeling more adventurous. Sharky’s has a full supply of any fishing equipment that you may need. From poles to bait and tackle, they have it all. Don’t forget to pick up one of their popular tee shirts while you are there. With educated and experienced captains on every boat, you are sure to have a memorable experience on one of Sharky’s fishing adventures!  

You've been wanting to do it, so you might as well take the leap! Skydive OBX operates from the Dare County Regional Airport on Roanoke Island. They have experienced skydivers and a licensed pilot to guide you through your first – or more – jumps.

Spend a day with family and friends on the beautiful Croatan Sound as Captain John Silver takes you to his backyard fishing grounds. You'll catch shrimp and crabs and create memories that will last a lifetime. Plus, you get to keep what you catch! Somerset Charters offers specialized private two, three, or four-hour inshore crabbing and shrimping charters on the Miss Somerset II, a 36-foot Evans deadrise that can accommodate up to six passengers. The boat has all USCG-required safety equipment and gear and offers a shade canopy and a Bluetooth stereo. Captain Silver provides top-of-the-line gear and all fishing licenses and welcomes families and children. A crabbing and shrimping trip should be on your list of must-do’s for your Outer Banks vacation — the scenery is amazing, it's a hands-on activity and, most importantly, it's fun!

More than 120 coastal communities oppose offshore drilling- the coast has spoken, and we are determined more than ever to protect our coast. Communities, elected leaders, and impacted businesses and residents along the Southeast spoke out strongly against drilling and for protecting our coastal communities and economies instead. The government is weighing another ill-advised plan for oil and gas drilling in the Atlantic Ocean, which would be a direct threat to the Southeast coast and the millions of people whose livelihoods depend on our beautiful beaches. For further information, please visit, protectourcoastnow.com.

Come explore the brackish waters of the OBX while on vacation in Carova or any of the other northern beachs. Specializing in targeting a large variety of brackish water fish like rock fish, flounder, trout, puppy drum, large mouth bass and much more! We can accomodate all ages; maximum of four people. Full and half day trips avaliable. All licenses, ice and tackle provided. With years of experience in these waters we are ready to show your family a great time!

Springer's Point is a gorgeous nature preserve with a legendary past. Populated for centuries, and open to the public, this small parcel of Ocracoke Island is one of the last undeveloped sections of land on the island, and thanks to extensive efforts by the Coastal Land Trust, will forever remain that way.

From jet skis to stand-up paddleboards, there are lots of ways to have fun and fully enjoy the waters of the Outer Banks with Stoke Dispensary. Based in Kitty Hawk but able to provide adventures throughout the OBX from Duck to Nags Head, this all-encompassing watersports center is a great destination for tours, lessons, rentals, and everything under the sun when it comes to exploring the miles of waters that the North Carolina coastline is renowned for.

Fudge, ice cream and fun, creative activities!

A fun, creative stop for family and folks of all ages.

Everyone wants to remember their family vacation, wedding or special event on the Outer Banks and there is no better way to do that than with a photo. Sunportraits owner and photographer Todd Hale offers the best in professional photography and will shoot events from the Outer Banks to Richmond, Va. Whether you are looking to candidly capture your family vacation, get those picture-perfect portraits of your wedding day or want to document a special event in photographs.

Indian Town Gallery is a Mecca for art, gifts, crafts and creativity! 

Sitting at the closest point to the Gulf Stream north of Florida, Teach’s Lair Marina is an ideal destination for a successful and memorable fishing experience. Teach’s is a full-service marina in south Hatteras Village that advertises “World Class Fishing, One-Stop Shopping“ and “Family Fun - Both Day and Night.“ It offers inshore and sound fishing and a variety of boat sizes available at full and half day rates and a staff prepared to assist with all you need before, during and after the catch, including cleaning and preparing it for your trip home or your dinner on the Banks.Also available on site is a full service Ship’s Store which includes a world class tackle shop and convenience store, carrying all the supplies you’ll need for fishing, for your stay on the Outer Banks and your return trip home. The store stocks clothing and gifts, along with fishing rods, basic supplies and groceries and has 24-hour fuel service.Just behind the Ship’s Store, Billfish Bar & Grill serves lunch, dinner and cocktails and provides a front row seat to spectacular sound sunsets and all the action going on at the Marina.Teach’s also provides a launch ramp with plenty of room for trailer parking across the street, wreck diving and boat dockage.

A world-class fishing fleet for sportfishing adventures. 

The Carolina Club is located on the mainland of Currituck County, just minutes from the Outer Banks beaches.  With a beautiful par-3 island green signature hole, fun layout, and superb bentgrass greens that have been rated as some of the finest putting surfaces in the Southeastern US, the Carolina Club is sure to provide a memorable Outer Banks golf experience.  After your round, be sure to visit 'Tuckers Bar & Grille located in the clubhouse.  Enjoy a delicious burger and an ice cold beverage in a relaxing, casual atmosphere.  Serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner (seasonally), 'Tuckers is proud to be a locals' favorite.  

Situated in the Northern Beach Town of Corolla, The Currituck Club is surrounded by natural beauty and designed for family enjoyment. The Currituck Club is a gated community located between the northern Outer Banks beaches and the Currituck Sound.  The community offers access to beaches and an 18 hole Rees Jones designed links style golf course.  Families staying in the community can take advantage of lighted tennis courts, many swimming pools, fitness center, biking and walking trails and valet trolley service. 

The Deep Blue is a spacious 52’ Buddy Davis offshore sportfisher. It runs on a pair of 1050 HP Mann engines and can fit a maximum of six anglers at any given time. It’s not only a nice vessel to look at, but you’ll find it comes with all the necessary equipment to get the job done.  The Deep Blue Crew will provide you with top of the line rods, reels, and tackle for the trip.  Not to mention a fighting chair ready for you to fight your big game catch!  And the interior is maxed out with comforts you won’t find on other boats like 4 AC units to keep guests comfortable when you’re not fishing, indoor restroom facilities, couches and a TV with DVD player as well as a sound system so you can fish to the tunes that pump you up!

Weddings, events, DIY studio, boutique and rentals and home grown flowers from The Flower Field. Bells & Whistles grow their own flowers on a half acre piece of land in Currituck from which they create beautiful arrangements specifically for you. Specializing in custom decor and floral design for your anniversary, birthday, dinner party and wedding. Unique fresh cut arrangements using color and texture are a specialty of Bells & Whistles. Bells & Whistles has received numerous awards and recognitions including The Best of Weddings 2013 by The Knot.  Your event decor should be as unique as you are. Bells & Whistles creates a proposal according to your needs and desires based on your unique personality, style and, of course, budget. If you’re a hands on bride, you can rent the equipment from Bells & Whistles. Vases, fabric, votives and lanterns are all available for you to choose from. Bells & Whistles also offers a DIY studio so you and your bridesmaids can have a fun filled afternoon. For a minimal fee, they provide necessary tools, assistance with design and storage for your creations. Check out their website for a comprehensive gallery of services, link to their blog and kudos from previous clients.

Coffee and creativity in one venue!

No shopping trip with the kids is complete without a trip to a toy store, and The Kid’s Store in the Waterfront Shops in Duck is the perfect spot to find everything for children. From toys, books, puzzles and games, there is plenty to choose from, whether you are looking for a gift or just a few toys to keep the kids entertained during your vacation. The Kid’s Store also has outdoor gear. Enjoy a large selection of bathing suits for all ages, rash guards, hats and t-shirts to protect youngsters from the strong rays of the sun. Education toys, stuffed animals, and novelty toys are everywhere. Looking for some beach toys or the perfect kite to fly on the beach? You are bound to find it here.  And no child’s Outer Banks vacation is complete without a hermit crab.  At The Kid’s Store, customers can expect personalized attention while children choose the perfect hermit crab to bring home. Don’t forget to pick up some beach toys and kites for the kids, who will be eager to try their new gear at the beach. After 20 years in business, The Kid’s Store knows toys and they know kids, too. So bring the kids for a fun treat.

An experience not to be missed! The 2024 Season of The Lost Colony offers a refreshed production of Paul Green's original symphonic drama. Set on the soundfront on Roanoke Island, enjoy this 87 year-old musical under the stars. Become immersed in the story of the discovery of a new world with newly enhanced musical and theatrical direction and dynamically stunning choreography. Witness the pageantry of Queen Elizabeth I and her court and celebrate the birth of Virginia Dare, the first English child born in America all while preserving the historical importance of America's oldest mystery. An Outer Banks experience not to be missed!

Celebrating over 20 years of great golf, The Pointe Golf Club located 3.5 miles north of the Wright Memorial Bridge in Powells Point, just minutes from the beautiful beaches of the Outer Banks. Voted 2014 & 2015 Outer Banks’ Best of the Beach, The Pointe Golf Club offers the Outer Banks’ most player friendly design, the area's premier course conditions, and competitive rates, making it a golfing favorite of locals and visitors alike.  The Pointe is home to the area's largest and best stocked pro shop, as well as the area's finest practice facility, boasting a 30,000 sq. ft. all natural practice tee, short game area with practice bunker, chipping greens, and practice putting green. 

Camp daily, weekly or year round at the beautiful Refuge on Roanoke Island.

A full-service diving and outdoor sports center.

Tomato Patch Pizzeria and Bar Welcome! We’re a family style restaurant that welcomes visitors to the Outer Banks with a friendly staff, great food and a warm atmosphere. Family owned and operated since 1993, we offer Greek style pizza, pastas, subs, wraps, salads and seafood. Try one of our specialties, like Zorba the Greek Pizza, Gyros, Greek Salad or our Corolla Seafood Pasta. Don’t miss our new Buffalo Chicken Wrap, Gluten Free Pizza and Pasta, or Linda’s delicious Crabcakes. Lasagna, meatballs, and pizzas are all homemade daily and delicious. Our bar is always casual and offers great drink specials and lots of wine and beer and large screen TVs to view your favorite game. With over 120 seats available, large parties are no problem. Can’t dine in? We always welcome Carry Out. In fact, if you’re ordering “To go”, order 5 large pizzas and receive 1 large free cheese. (Take out only, one coupon per order) Come on in and see us.  We'd love to have you!

Join us in Duck, North Carolina, as we celebrate the Town’s 10-Year Anniversary with a host of fun-filled, family-friendly events.

Billed as a specialty store for "big and little girls and boys," this well-stocked store offers a fabulous selection of both time-honored toys and the newest favorites. Most of the high quality brands can be found here: Ravensburger puzzles, Playmobil, Thomas the Tank, Koosh, Swimways and Legos Duplo. There are also hard to find items like E Team Dolphin Research sets and Down By the Sea bean bags. Traditional toys like table tennis, darts, horse shoes, badmitton, pickup sticks and jacks are offered, as well as cutting-edge “green” toys like solar kits. There are also Erector Sets, Lego Star Wars, Sesame Street, Early Years baby toys,  and wire and metal puzzles. There are lots of stuffed toys and F.I.D.O. dogs in stock. And of course, there are plenty of sand toys to bring to the beach, and they’re much higher quality and more creatvie then the ones you can buy at the tourist stores. Kites, featuring ocean themes like Jolly Roger, turtles and fish, are great for the breezy days the Outer Banks is famous for.  

Ocracoke Island is renowned for its miles of exceptional fishing, and visiting anglers will be able to acquire all of the supplies and equipment they’ll need and then some with a visit to the Tradewinds Tackle Shop. This local landmark that’s been fostering fishing on Ocracoke Island for more than 40 years is a must-stop for anyone who wants to spend ample time on the water, and who wants to maximize their chances of reeling in catch after catch.

Turf's Up OBX is a unique sports club offering the opportunity to enjoy world-class custom designed HD golf, baseball, soccer, zombie dodgeball and a dozen other games using ultra high quality simulation technology. Practice indoors. Get golf lessons from a pro. Keep warmed-up during the off-season. Or just enjoy good company and a little competition with friends. Turf's Up is an exciting, fun entertainment experience where friends, families, and competitors can gather indoors to enjoy world class custom designed HD golf and sports simulation technology to play, practice, and compete.

With more than 7,500 square feet, TW’s new store in Nags Head is chock full of a wide selection of fishing and hunting gear. Racks of popular clothing lines,  including Aftco Bluewater Wear, Salt Life and Pelagic, and sunglasses and hats are available in the attractive and sunny store. Hunting apparel from Browning and Columbia, as well as supplies like ammunition and other hunting accessories are in stock along with an extensive range of fishing rods, reels and tackle.   Fish-y gifts, jewelry and décor, and fun clothing items for infants and women, can also be purchased.  There’s even a fully-stocked beverage cooler so anglers can pick up their cold drinks before heading out for a long day on the water.  

Food, creativity and coffee at this delicious stop.

The Village Marina & Motel is an all-encompassing site where water lovers, mariners, fishermen, and anyone who’s in the mood for an on-the-water sunset and a meal can meet in the heart of Hatteras Village. Located close to Hatteras Inlet and the outlying Gulf Stream, the marina serves as a launching point for a number of local charter businesses, as well as visiting mariners who need a “home base” for inshore and offshore adventures.

30 YEARS IN THE MAKING. Since the beginning, the Weeping Radish has brewed beer according to the Bavarian Reinheitsgebot Purity Law of 1516 which states that beer must be brewed using only four ingredients: Hops, Malt, Yeast and Water. No additives, chemicals or preservatives may be used. Uli Bennewitz came to North Carolina in the early-1980s and decided to open a microbrewery similar to the ones he’d left behind in Bavaria.

 There are few locales on the Outer Banks where multiple roads cross paths, and Whalebone Junction is one of the main intersections along this barrier island shoreline. The term refers to the area in South Nags Head where three major highways converge, which are US Highway 64, US Highway 158, and NC Highway 12. Both US 64 and US 158 end at this juncture, but NC Highway 12 continues south from this locale, all the way to the end of Hatteras Island, and across the Hatteras Inlet to Ocracoke and Cedar Islands.

Located just a short stroll from the Nags Head beaches, Yarn and More Inc is a fun stop for knitting enthusiasts from the Outer Banks and miles beyond, thanks to its lengthy selection of yarn, accessories including needles, hooks, and notions, and regular classes for beginners who want to pick up a fun new hobby while visiting the Outer Banks.