2025 Boat Tours Guide

Choose from a variety of fishing trips on Big Bull Charters.

A full service fishing marina and ship's store. 

Fish or go a pirating on board the Cap'N Clam

You’ll find Causeway Waters Sports on the beautiful Roanoke Sound on the Causeway between Nags Head and Manteo, just past Whalebone Junction. This family outdoor activity center offers parasailing, kayaking, paddleboarding, wave runners and dolphin tours.Causeway promises customers top of the line equipment with all rentals and a “safe and hassle-free time.“ It also boasts the “most knowledgeable, friendly and entertaining crew on the Outer Banks.”Located on the calm side of the sound, Causeway offers peaceful and relaxing kayaking on your own or with one of their guided tours through the Bodie Island Wildlife preserve. If you’re not into paddling, you may prefer to set sail on a two-hour dolphin cruise, passing nesting pelicans and osprey on the way. Or you can get a birds-eye view yourself, parasailing to heights up to 1,000 feet.For more excitement, Causeway’s 4-stroke Yamaha Wave Runners will speed up the pace as well as cool you off on a hot summer day. Whatever your skill level, Causeway’s staff is available to make sure your ride is safe and fun.Last, but not least, Causeway offers equipment and lessons in the world’s fastest growing water sport - paddleboarding. The lessons are free, and this sport, along with all others Causeway offers, provides a great day of fun and memories.

If you are looking for adventure, stop by or call Coastal Kayak Touring Company and book your reservation. The company has been offering kayak and paddle boarding tours on the Outer Banks since 1999 and is located at the Waterfront Shops in Duck. New for 2018! On-site rentals at Duck Waterfront Shops (also Kitty Hawk).

Dock of the Bay Marina carries everything and anything you may have forgot for your boat trip. Conveniently located in Kitty Hawk Bay, the marina is a must-stop before your sailing excursion.

Charter boat fishing on the glorious Outer Banks.

Sail local waters in a handsome schooner with plenty of elbow room.

You can truly choose your own Outer Banks adventure with this company that has a mission to promote conservation and respect for the natural resources of the OBX while creating fun and family-friendly experiences that highlight the beauty of this barrier island shoreline. EnvirOBX Island EcoAdventures features a far-ranging variety of customizable trips that range from kayak fishing expeditions to full OBX experiences complete with area tours, ensuring that visitors of all interests can find the perfect experience that captures the inherent beauty of the OBX lifestyle.

Experience unmatchable sportfishing on the Outer Banks! The Outer Banks, also referred as ‘the Billfish Capital of the World’, offers some of the world’s finest OBX sportfishing and the most preferred game fish. Treat yourself to an on the water experience by reeling in yellowfin tuna, dolphin (mahi-mahi), wahoo, marlin, sailfish and bluefin tuna.

Sportfishing for inshore and offshore species. 

Wet a line on board the Full Moon!

Embark on an adventure that you and your crew will never forget with a fun Hatteras Island expedition that is commandeered by Godspeed Charters. This Hatteras village-based charter business features a wide range of activities for families of all interests, including romantic tours, crabbing and clamming, and deep-sea fishing trips, ensuring that everyone can add an extra dose of on-the-water fun and excitement to every Outer Banks getaway.

Get ready to catch the “big” one and make your charter boat experience a memorable one at Good Times Sportsfishing. Captain Andy and his crew will take you fishing in the Gulf Stream on the 47-foot custom made Carolina boat built on Roanoke Island. On the Good Times, anglers will have the opportunity to fish for everything from sailfish, marlin, wahoo and tuna to dolphin amberjack and grouper. A prime location off beautiful Hatteras Island, the two ocean currents provide anglers with a top-rate fishing experience. Bait and 20, 50, 80 and 130 lbs. tackle is furnished on board. Enjoy fishing with top-of-the-line PENN International and Shimano reels and custom rods. If you are interested in fishing for shark, ask about the shark charter.  Captain Andy has been fishing the Gulf Stream waters for nearly 20 years and has logged well over 2,500 trips. The Good Times leaves at dawn and returns by 4 or 5 p.m. for at least six hours of prime-time fishing. Powered by a 700 HP Lugger, the Good Times can cruise at more than 20 knots and holds up to six passengers. A large cockpit is equipped with a custom fighting chair and two companion chairs. The air-conditioned salon has ample seating and storage. Families, children, first-time anglers and pros are all welcome on board. One thing is for sure. Anglers who go out with Captain Andy are sure to return year after year for another grand fishing adventure. Remember, every season is fishing season at Good Times Sportsfishing. Call or go online to book your charter today.

Ready for an exciting adventure on the waters of the Atlantic? Hac-n-Sac Charters will take you and five others out on the seas for a day filled of fishing and sight-seeing. Reasonably priced and worth every penny, the charter trip is a no-brainer when visiting the Outer Banks.

No Outer Banks family vacation is ever complete without a Harbor Star dolphin tour. What could possibly be more exciting than watching the wild Atlantic bottlenose dolphin jump and frolic right in front of you? This trip is guaranteed to be a great time for the entire family. This 2 hour cruise includes an entertaining tour and an opportunity to spot wild dolphins aboard the 50-foot Harbor Star cruise boat and leave the Wanchese Marina multiple times per day. Tickets must be purchased 30 minutes or further in advance of your cruise departure time either online or at the Marina desk. Please arrive 15 minutes prior to your cruise and proceed to the staging area near The Landing Grill Steam Bar.

A branch of Kitty Hawk Kites, here’s a place where you can catch a boat to go watch dolphins, learn how to do various watersports, or just rent the equipment to go  have some fun in the water. The big dog of outdoor recreation on the Outer Banks, Kitty Hawk Kites knows how to help people make the most of the beautiful Outer Banks environment. Located right on the edge of Roanoke Sound off the Nags Head-Manteo causeway, this outlet offers kayak tours from sunrise to sunset in Manteo and Bodie Island, including a bioluminescence tour where you can paddle through green glowing water at night.  Experienced tour guides provide tips on proper paddling techniques for the easy-to-operate boats, and share fascinating details about wildlife, history and natural resources in the area. Make sure you slather on the sunblock, and bring a hat, water and snacks! The location also offers kiteboarding, wake boarding and surfing lessons. Kayaks, jet skis and standup paddleboards are available to rent,  and the shop sells Outer Banks souvenirs, pirate-themed items and stunt and family kites. The two-hour dolphin tours are held on a real research vessel and conducted by a dolphin scientist. 

A variety of family-friendly fishing trips and cruises.

Best Jet Ski, Kayak, and Stand-Up Paddleboard Rentals on the Outer Banks! Are you visiting the Outer Banks and want to enjoy some exhilarating fun on the water? Then you’ve come to the right place! Nags Head Watersports offers a large selection of the most popular watersport equipment in North Carolina. Whether it’s your first time gliding across the water on a stand-up paddleboard, exploring our estuaries in a sturdy quiet kayak, or a zipping around Roanoke Sound on a speedy jet ski, Nags Head Watersports has something for the entire family.

Located at the beautiful Inn at Corolla Light, North Beach Watersports is Family-Owned and Operated by Retired Coast Guard Licensed Master Captains. We provide a mix of excitement and scenery. Your mind will be capitivated by the beauty that surrounds.

OBX Crabbing & Shrimping Charters is a full-time commercial fishing family here to give your family a real Outer Banks experience. Their trips are very hands on, lots of fun, and educational for all ages. Guests often see dolphin, osprey, pelicans, and all types of marine life, along with catching some fresh North Carolina seafood.

Oregon Inlet Fishing Center is the home of the largest and most modern charter boat fishing fleet on the eastern seaboard. A full service marina in Nags Head NC, Oregon Inlet offers a comprehensive charter boat fishing experience for the "old salt" or the vacationing fisherman.  Give us a call at: 1-800-272-5199!

Outer Banks Adventures lives up to its name, thanks to a far-reaching range of tours and trips that highlight the beauty of life on the water throughout the Outer Banks. Try family-friendly explorations by paddleboard or boat. There are a world of experiences waiting for visitors who want to explore every corner of the barrier island coastline.

Outer Banks Charter Fishing Adventures is ready to arrange your fishing activities at any time of year, on any type of boat and anywhere you would like to go. Based out of Corolla Bait & Tackle, Outer Banks Charter Fishing Adventures can plan your trip offshore, inshore or in the backcountry. If you are looking for a relaxing trip with the family to fish and crab, reserve an excursion on the 25-foot pontoon boat and explore the Currituck Sound. Or get ready for a fishing adventure on a 30-foot Custom Carolina Express or 25-foot Center Console Boat and head offshore. Looking for Red Drum or Striper fishing? Outer Banks Charter Fishing Adventures will arrange the excursion you are looking for. The charter group also conducts surf fishing classes that teach you the basics of how to catch fish on the Outer Banks. You will learn to read the water, locate fish, properly rig and bait, fillet your catch and cook it. The shop provides rod and reel and crab pot rentals. If you are looking for fresh quality bait and crabbing supplies, you can find it here as well. The mission of Outer Banks Charter Fishing Adventures is to do more than just provide the necessary equipment and supplies for your fishing excursion. The captain and crew want to educate customers about basic skills of fishing and crabbing as well as the various species and feeding habits of local fish. Call Corolla Bait & Tackle today to book your next fishing adventure.

See a different side of the Outer Banks by boat with Outer Banks Excursions! Relax and enjoy the scenery, escape to a sandbar, see the islands from the water or marvel at our breathtaking sunsets. You’re in safe hands with Captain Len. Experience the Outer Banks by boat! Captain Len has been on the water all his life and comes from a long line of captains. His vast experience will show you a different side of the islands. Our tours will take you to the most beautiful parts of the Outer Banks. Take a loop tour, relax on a sand bar or enjoy our famous sunsets and see some sights along the way.

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.

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.

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.

Offshore fishing the glorious Outer Bans waters!

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!  

A full-service diving and outdoor sports center.

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

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Donutz on a Stick

Stay, Play and Eat- Donuts, Ice Cream & Coffee Treats! Located on the Duck Boardwalk, behind Dockside Seafood, this breakfast & Dessert-Shop features treats you've never tasted before! Try the hot, made to order, donutz on a stick with more than 35 toppings! They'll melt in your mouth! Or try the Gluten-Free Donuts; limited quantities, daily. Plus, try any or all of the 9 flavors of homemade tastefully twisted soft serve. Frozen yogurt, sorbets, sherbet, hand dipped and homemade ice cream flavors.   Unique coffees, sodas and espresso that will satisfy the whole family. Mix-and-match nostalgic candies and much more. Bring the carnival to your mouth and eat it like nobody’s watchin’! Donutz-On-A-Stick- where visual stimulation meets taste bud overload!   Carnival Treats at the Beach—With Flavorful Creations and Allergy-Friendly Options, Donutz on a Stick Serves Up Sweet Treats for Everyone   David and Stephanie were not always in the business of carnival confections. In fact, Stephanie was a fitness instructor and David worked in the computer field. But he loved donuts and she loved ice cream, and when they saw an opportunity to bring their favorite treats to beachgoers, they jumped on it.   In 2014, the couple opened their first Donutz on a Stick—a family-run, family-friendly dessert shop on the boardwalk. They quickly realized that in order to serve everyone, they would need to get creative. “We had a family who would come in, and one of the little boys would have to wait by the door because of his gluten allergy,” David says. “That didn’t sit well with us. We wanted everyone to come under the same roof no matter what kind of allergies they had. And we continue to work towards that goal.”   The Williams’ daughter Desireé spent six weeks experimenting until she created a gluten-free donut that was totally safe and delicious. Gluten-free donuts are now a huge part of the business, with more than 1,000 being served each day, just out of the Duck location. But you will want to call or stop by to reserve them in advance.   The Williams’ other three children, David, Justin and Christian, have all invented menu items as well, such as Christian’s donut milkshake, which features hot and fresh cooked donuts blended into a milkshake with another donut on top making it picture perfect.   While all the Williams have created menu items, the most popular pick—the donut sundae—was actually a happy accident.   “We were being featured in a local magazine and we could only have one photo for the article,” David says. Since both ice cream and donuts were equally popular, “we built the donut sundae for the photo and we discovered after the photoshoot that it tasted amazing. It was completely serendipitous.”   The Williams family is constantly creating and improving upon their recipes. At the heart of it all is a desire to see everyone come in and enjoy an experience together. They want to bring the carnival to your mouth.   “No matter how busy we are—even if there’s a line down the boardwalk—every customer gets that engagement and service from us,” they say.   The family has since opened a second location in the Hampton Roads, Virginia area.