2025 Nags Head Swimwear Guide

One of the original surf shops on the Outer Banks, if not in the state of North Carolina, the quaint and friendly Cavalier has been at the same Beach Road location for more than 50 years. It’s been owned and operated by the same local family for close to 30 years, so you know this is the real deal.  Not only does the shop have a lot of customers who come back every year, now they’re seeing children of the repeat customers coming back every season.  At 1,300 square feet, the shop is a simple square building built right at ground level across from the beach. It’s had some close calls, but somehow it has survived numerous hurricanes and nor’easters. A photograph taken after the infamous Ash Wednesday Storm in 1962 shows the devastation on the oceanfront, and there’s the Cavalier sitting intact in the midst of the mayhem. Despite its compact size, the shop is stuffed top to bottom with all a surfer would want: top brand surf clothing and footwear; surf gear and accessories; boards, beach chairs and umbrellas for sale or rent. Surfing lessons are also available, and loyal customers and lovers of Outer Banks heritage can pick up Cavalier T-shirts.  

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.

Since 1975, Surfside Casuals has been selling a vast selection of bathing suits and beach accessories for men, women, girls and boys. And if there’s one truism about the Outer Banks, it’s that no one stays in business unless they’re doing it right.  Surfside, locally owned and operated by the same owner since day one, knows their inventory, and they happily help customers with fitting and other details about selecting the right suit for their needs. Sizes offered include juniors, women’s 4-24W and girl's 4-16. Not only are there thousands of swimsuits to choose from --- long torso, bra sizes, separates, bikinis, men’s board shorts --- there are also cover-ups, dresses, footwear, beach jewelry, hats, sunglasses, and rash guards. There’s the usual tourist souvenirs sold here --- shell wreaths, OBX glasses and cups, for instance --- but mostly it’s a great place to find the perfect swimsuit at a time-honored Outer Banks establishment

Owners Jim and April Vaughn operate a surfer’s surf shop, with a great selection of wetsuits, sportswear, swimwear and accessories for men, women and youth from all major surf brands. Upstairs, there’s an exceptional range of surfboards to choose from. Whalebone Surf Shop specializes in bringing in the best board shapers from around the world. The shop also offers surfboard rentals and surfing lessons in the summer months.