Outer Banks West / Currituck Sound KOA Holiday Blog
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Whether you’re exploring the local area or hanging out at the campground, KOA Holidays are an ideal place to relax and play. There’s plenty to do, with amenities and services to make your stay memorable. Plus, you’ll enjoy the outdoor experience with upgraded RV Sites with KOA Patio® and Deluxe Cabins with full baths for camping in comfort. Bring your family, bring your friends, or bring the whole group – there’s plenty of ways to stay and explore.
Whether you’re exploring the local area or hanging out at the campground, KOA Holidays are an ideal place to relax and play. There’s plenty to do, with amenities and services to make your stay memorable. Plus, you’ll enjoy the outdoor experience with upgraded RV Sites with KOA Patio® and Deluxe Cabins with full baths for camping in comfort. Bring your family, bring your friends, or bring the whole group – there’s plenty of ways to stay and explore.
From the north: VA 168 S and NC 168 S; continue onto US 158 E. Turn left onto Waterlily Rd.
From the south: US 17 N and 158 E. Turn onto Waterlily Rd.
GPS: N36.417178, W75.923594
In addition to being a beautiful beach paradise, North Carolina’s Outer Banks have the best kiteboarding conditions on the East Coast, if not in the country. Adrenaline junkies come from across the U.S. and Canada flock to the shallow sounds and sandy beaches up and down the Outer Banks for unparalleled kiteboarding locations.
Here are a few tips if you want to join them and see what makes kiteboarding on the Outer Banks so amazing.
If you’ve ever tried to fly a kite on a calm day, you know that wind is a key part of getting a kite off the ground. Conditions are consistently breezy on the Outer Banks, especially in the spring and fall as temperatures shift. For example, the average wind speed in Cape Hatteras is 10.7 mph. With consistent winds, it’s easy to catch a ride on the Outer Banks.
That there are huge expanses of sounds on the Outer Banks also helps. The calm, shallow waters of the Currituck, Albemarle, Croatan, Roanoke and Pamlico sounds give kiteboarders vast stretches of smooth water where they can cruise, do tricks and even catch some air.
Another great feature of the Outer Banks is that you can also try your hand at kiteboarding on the ocean. At spots like Canadian Hole, where Hatteras Island is very narrow, all you have to do to go from the Pamlico Sound to the beach is walk across Highway 12. With hundreds of miles of coastline, trying a variety of spots is easy.
In fact, the conditions are so amazing that Hatteras Island used to be home to the world’s premier kiteboarding event, the Triple-S Invitational.
If you’re coming to the Outer Banks to kiteboard, why not start right here at the campground? The Outer Banks West/Currituck Sound KOA has five docks on-site and plenty of frontage on the Currituck Sound! Nothing could be easier than grabbing your gear, setting up right here at the campground and taking a ride.
If you want to experience the other side of the Currituck Sound, head over to Corolla. The area just behind the historic Whalehead mansion in Corolla is a popular spot for kiteboarders. There’s plenty of parking, public bathrooms and room to set up.
If you’re looking for a day trip, head down to Hatteras Island. Between Buxton and Avon, there’s a spot on the Pamlico Sound known as Kite Point. This hot spot for kiteboarding sits just south of Canadian Hole, which is a mecca for windsurfers. There’s plenty of sound access and room to set up at Kite Point.
If you want to kiteboard on the Albermarle Sound, head to Jockey’s Ridge State Park. Jockey’s Ridge is a natural playground for everyone from kayakers to hang gliders. It’s known for its towering sand dunes and beautiful beaches. With a waterfront parking area and easy access to the sound, Jockey’s Ridge is a perfect spot for kiteboarders too.
As with any hobby, kiteboarding requires gear. You’ll need a board, foot straps, a harness and of course, your kite. Depending on how chilly the water is, you may also need a wetsuit. Luckily, because kiteboarding is so popular on the Outer Banks, finding gear or picking up equipment while you’re visiting is easy. Kitty Hawk Kites has multiple locations up and down the Outer Banks, so they’re a great pick if you find yourself in need.
Because it requires so much gear and a certain level of skill, kiteboarding isn’t considered a beginner’s sport. Luckily, there are plenty of professionals to turn to on the Outer Banks. You can even book yourself lessons at a kiteboarding resort.
In addition to supplying kiteboarding gear, Kitty Hawk Kites can also show you the ropes. They have a kiteboarding school at Waves Village Watersports Resort on Hatteras Island where you can take a two-hour private lesson, spend a whole day in an immersive session or take a six-day intensive.
If you’d like a semi-private lesson so you can mingle with other newbie kiteboarders, check out Real Watersports. They even offer kite camps where two riders are paired up with a coach for three days of immersive learning. For five hours a day, a pro coach will give you on-the-fly coaching from a Jet ski as you build your skills.
Like we said, kiteboarding isn’t really a beginner’s sport. The wind can be unpredictable and watersports can be dangerous. It doesn’t take much searching to find some pretty scary videos of kiteboarders getting hurt. Lines can get tangled, you can get pulled in the wrong direction and you can find yourself swept up off the water.
So, if you’re a total newbie, your best bet is to book some of the lessons mentioned above and then work your way up.
No matter what skill level you’re at, it’s important to stay safe and keep some basic maritime rules in mind. Here’s a great guide to kiteboarding rules.
Whether you’re just starting out on your journey as a kiteboarder or you’ve been at it for decades, you’ve got to experience kiteboarding on the Outer Banks. The miles of shallow sounds and sandy beaches are unparalleled.
When you’re ready to book your bucket-list-worthy Outer Banks kiteboarding trip, reserve a spot at the Outer Banks West/Currituck Sound KOA. You’ll have plenty of sound access right on-site where you can enjoy the wind and water plus amazing amenities and a variety of sites. Plus, it’s easy to work in day trips to Hatteras Island, Jockey’s Ridge and other kiteboarding hot spots!
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