6 Best Water Sports to Try in Hatteras
Hatteras Island is a serene barrier island off the coast of the Outer Banks (OBX) of North Carolina. Peaceful beaches, divine sunsets, and watersports galore await, especially if you stay with Edgecamp Sporting Club.
We get it; you want the best of both worlds. Sleek, comfortable accommodations and spa services to truly relax this vacation and days filled with adventures on the water.
Lucky for you, Hatteras Island has no shortage of things to do for watersport enthusiasts.
We’ll walk through the best water sports to try in the Hatteras area, including the town of Hatteras (on Hatteras Island), as well as Cape Hatteras National Seashore, just north of the island. This is your guide to all the must try water sports around Hatteras Island.
1. Surfing
Photo Credit: Bryan Elkus via Flickr CC2.0
It’s hard to fathom the thoughts or nature of something as vast as the Atlantic Ocean. But when you ride its waves on a surfboard? Earth and water connect. Of course, it’s a humbling connection at first that’s sure to be filled with a few falls. But once you get the hang of it, nothing quite beats the thrill of a successful surf.
To get there, why not try out a few beginner lessons with Hatteras Island Boardsports? They have a kind and knowledgeable staff that all our clients praise when they get back to their accommodations here at Edge Camp.
BEST PLACES TO RENT A SURFBOARD IN HATTERAS
Hatteras Island Board Sports: Surfboards, paddleboards, kayaks, and wetsuits.
Hatteras Island Surf and Sail: Surfing boards, kayaks, wind surfboards, paddle boards, and body boards.
BEST PLACES TO SURF IN HATTERAS
Buxton: Soft waves and shallow water; best for families and beginners
Rodanthe or Frisco Pier: Ups the ante with larger waves; ideal for intermediate and advanced surfers
Next up? Well, you might not be able to walk on water --- but with a kayak, you can certainly cruise.
2. Kayaking
Photo Credit: Sharkshock
Ever watch a duck or swan gracefully float with the gentle rock of the water? Maybe you don’t have a duck’s webbed feet or wings, but a kayak certainly gives you the ability to float and navigate the water with ease.
Kayaking can be one of the more meditative watersports on our list, as it allows you to truly be present with nature and soak in all the sounds, sights, and smells with a gentle pace. Plus, the kayak’s shape, paired with the calm waters, mitigates the risk of big splashes that could ruin your hair day. All in all, kayaking is one of the most relaxed watersports you could try in Hatteras.
But if you just gorged on six fluffy fried desserts from Duck Donuts? Kayaking can save you from that cheat day with an incredible upper body workout (if you really pump those paddles). Hello, biceps!
BEST PLACES TO RENT A KAYAK IN HATTERAS
Hatteras Island Board Sports: Wetsuits and kayaks are available for rent and sale, along with gear for windsurfing.
Island Cycles and Beach Gear Rentals: Kayaks, paddleboards and surfboards.
BEST PLACES TO GO KAYAKING AROUND HATTERAS ISLAND
Cape Hatteras: Popular lookout point and spot for kayaking and canoeing
Salvo Sound Access: Not actually on Hatteras Island, but a short drive and popular spot for its kayak rentals, calm waters, and family-friendly picnic tables
3. Jet Ski
Photo Credit: Timofeev Vladimir via Flickr CC2.0
Picture this: you, zipping through the endless ocean waves, with the freedom of solitude and the sun lighting up a clear blue sky. Your hair slings back with the wind as the quick ocean breeze invigorates you from the core.
Now that’s the action you’ve been craving --- and the best way to feel it is with jet skis. Of course, this heart-pumping watersport doesn’t have to be solitary. You can rent a few and enjoy a day crushing waves with the entire family.
BEST PLACES TO RENT A JETSKI IN HATTERAS
These watercraft can reach pretty high speeds, which makes it unsafe for shallow waters. Not sure what’s when it comes to jet ski safety? Consult with experts offering jet ski lessons and rentals. Here are some trusted sources to get your jet ski adventure started.
Kitty Hawk Watersports: Jet ski and kite runner tours.
Hatteras Parasail: Well-established watersports company with expert staff and a variety of sports options.
BEST PLACES TO JETSKI IN HATTERAS
There are various places to dip in your jet ski around Hatteras Island – check in with local rental companies for advice.
All that adrenaline just turned into hunger. Sure, you could visit some of Hatteras Island’s incredible restaurants—there’s definitely no shortage of delectable seafood—but maybe you want to catch dinner yourself.
4. Fishing
Photo Credit: ravenillini via Flickr CC2.0
How does a grilled red snapper sound after a day of scuba diving or jet skiing? Or perhaps a plump, juicy flounder instead? Fishing enthusiasts gather round --- you’ve found your next destination for that annual fishing trip.
Hatteras Island sits smack-dab in the middle of a thriving underwater ecosystem with diverse fish species, like trout and drum, to pick from. But will you get far with a fishing rod and a kayak? Better to charter a boat instead!
BEST FISHING CHARTERS ON HATTERAS ISLAND
Got-em Charters: Variety of boat options and tours, including trips to Portsmouth Island; Albacore tuna and mackerel are popular fruits of fishing with Got ‘em.
Sea Angel Fishing Charters: Yellowfin, bluefin, mahi mahi, and more are on the menu with this company’s 38-inch custom-built boat craft.
5. Parasailing
Photo Credit: J_UK
Trust us; the ocean views from Edgecamp’s relaxing suites causes plenty of our clients to arrive a little late to their destination. The only possible competition? The aerial view you get from parasailing atop Hatteras Island. This watersport attaches you to a canopy that floats tens of feet in the air, anchored by a boat that cruises through the water.
BEST PARASAIL COMPANIES ON HATTERAS ISLAND
Here’s where you can see what the seagulls keep squawking about.
Hatteras Parasail: 10-20 minute parasail experiences, along with boat rentals on site and wave runners.
6. Stand-up Paddleboarding
Photo Credit: EpicStockMedia
We get it; you loved the empowering feel of standing on a surfboard. As for the balance part? Not so much. Let’s take away the strong waves and give you a paddle for support and voila, you have a lovely, tranquil afternoon of paddleboarding on the roster.
This great watersport is accessible to the whole family, including kids, teens, parents, and older adults. Plus, you can even find professional paddleboard lessons for a more enriched and educational experience.
BEST STANDUP PADDLEBOARD COMPANIES ON HATTERAS ISLAND
Couldn’t fit standup paddleboards in your suitcase? We’ve got you covered with these rental providers:
Kitty Hawk Kites: Kid-friendly paddleboard lessons, as well as kiteboarding, kayaking, and plenty of other watersport options
Hatteras Island Surf & Sail: Surf shop with hour, day, and weekly rentals
Adventure on North Carolina’s Waters with Edgecamp!
North Carolina’s Outer Banks invite thousands of travelers worldwide to the East Coast, to indulge in sunny weather, lazy days on the beach, ample world-class restaurants, and endless views of the horizon.
But what does Hatteras Island have to offer sports lovers and water enthusiasts? Pretty much whatever you want. Take a gentle ride on a kayak, zip around on a jet ski, or indulge in a paddleboard lesson!
The best part? You’re only a stone’s throw away from all these exciting activities when you book your Hatteras Island vacation with Edgecamp, which sits between the breathtaking Atlantic Ocean and the waters of the Pamlico Sound, and you have free rein to decompress after a long day with our many amenities, including relaxing saunas, refreshing pools, and expert yoga classes on our grounds.
