The Outer Banks has countless amazing spots to go kayaking. From the ocean to the sound, you can fish, observe nature and wildlife, or have an adventure in the waves. Here’s a few of the top spots that you should launch a kayak and explore on the Outer Banks:
Whalehead Club in Corolla
1100 Club Road, Corolla, NC 27927 – Follow Club Rd to its end and you will arrive at the pier and boat ramp just past the hunt club.
The historic Whalehead Club and Heritage Park is a beautiful place to visit for a day, and being able to paddle out and take in the scenery from the water makes it even better! There are protected wetlands and marshlands north of the launch site that are great for exploring and seeing wildlife. Experienced kayakers could consider paddling out into the Currituck Sound to Monkey Island, a remote natural island with plenty of wildlife to observe.
The Town of Duck Soundside Park
1200 Duck Rd, Duck, NC 27949 – The kayak launch ramp is a short walk down the boardwalk extending from the parking lot.
This is a beautiful area to kayak around and observe the town of Duck by water. Paddle under and along the Duck boardwalk while the sun sets for one of the best sunset views on the entire Outer Banks. Wildlife is also very prevalent in the marshlands all along the shore here.
West Third Street/Bay Drive Public Access in Kill Devil Hills
From the bypass take West Third Street to the end where it meets Bay Drive, the access will be right there, with a small parking lot.
Sunsets on Kitty Hawk Bay are infamous and this sandy beach access is the perfect spot to launch your kayak and explore the southern areas of Colington Island, or head northwest to the extensive wetland area of Kitty Hawk Woods Reserve.
Jockey’s Ridge State Park
On West Soundside Road, just south of Jockey’s Ridge.
This is a great access to launch your kayaks. It has a nice shallow, sandy bottom area with calm water. You will have great views of Jockey’s Ridge from the water when you launch from here. This is a popular area for kite boarding as well, but there is a designated launch area separate from kayakers and swimmers. Come in the evening to catch another beautiful Outer Banks sunset over the sound.
If ocean kayaking is more your speed, you can launch an ocean kayak at just about any beach access on your own.
We have two models of ocean-specific kayaks available for rent: the double Malibu 2 kayak and the single Frenzy kayak. For sound side kayaking, we rent the Old Town Double Kayak and the Old Town Single Kayak. These are sit-inside kayaks that will keep you dry on your tour. For the fisherman, we rent the Prowler 13’ Angler Kayak (discontinued for now), an excellent way to try fishing from a kayak.
Paddles and life jackets are also included with all kayak rentals. If you have any questions about kayak or water-sport rentals, give us a call at 1-800-635-9559 or visit our blog for more information!
