Came for our annual OBX trip and it was so cold! We head across Route 12 to REAL Watersports for…read moresome warmer clothing and hit the jackpot. We met Carroll who was so incredibly helpful in helping us find exactly what we needed. This is such a great shop with so many great finds. Highly recommend!

Waterman's Retreat, Wateman's Cafe and REAL are all amazing . Definitely check them out for all…read moreyour watersport needs when on the OBX!!!

This was kind of a wild experience! A bit overwhelming for me. Due to that I took my time and only…read morewandered around a portion of the entire store (or collection of different stores?). Maybe a good two time visit for those like me with sensory issues. There is so much! All sorts of beach-y items, touristy trinkets, souvenirs, clothing, footwear, fun randomness, gear and such that you might need for water adventuring (surfing? Scuba diving? IDK honestly! Not my area). AND kites! Stunning ones. Highly recommend this particular Kitty Hawk Kites. I know there are a few others among the Outer Banks. This one seems like the best or most epic store to wonder about. Bonus (for me): there is a bar upstairs! With a great view of the ocean.

This is a toy store like none other on the island. If you like toys, especially kites... this is a…read moregreat shop. The staff was super helpful and engaging. We bought about five kites... several for grandkids. Some for us grandparents. They have a lot of really interesting quality gifts and toys. If you are on the island (especially if you have kids) you should definitely stop by.

Highly recommend. Very professional and knowledgeable. I've purchased a variety of kite related…read moreitems from them. I've bought lessons, two kites (and was talked out of the more expensive option), a board, and 2 wetsuits-one was a shorter. The shop is small but they pack it all in. If you don't see something--just ask. They're also always happy to give pro tips and share experiences.

From the road, you see a sign for Hatteras Island Surf Shop, looking like just one of many others…read morein the area, although perhaps a little more welcoming in a down-in-the-mouth way. But then you pull through a cul de sac, around a fence, down an unpaved stretch of gravelly grass, past a bunch of old cars, and arrive at a big, unpainted, wooden house. Gear is strewn everywhere: kiteboards, kayaks, paddleboards, and who-knows-what-else. An old man sits amidst the clutter, screwing a new top onto a kiteboard, and glances up at you. A tired, old, golden retriever waddles over to investigate. [You pet it, which it permits, but it keeps its composure.] "Do you rent kayaks?" you ask dubiously, unsure whether he is a proprietor, a hoarder, or a repo man. "Sure. $15 a half day." Without signing a contract, waiving any kind of liability, paying the man, or even telling him your name, you set off in a wobbly but seaworthy sit-on-top, joust with some kite-surfers and explore a nearby promontory. It is a lovely day to be on the water. When you return, the man is nowhere to be found, and therefore nowhere to be paid. You debate whether to leave the money under the door (which door? there are too many). You could tuck it into the dog's collar if he had a collar. Or maybe the whole experience has been a mirage. At that moment the old man reappears in a battered white van, happily takes your money, and you reenter the real world. Surreal experience; highly recommended.

Top-class customer service. I ordered a harness and harness lines, but ordered the wrong harness…read morefor windsurfing and the staff noticed and called me about it and we made the change before shipping the wrong one. Very friendly staff and very helpful. I hope to get a trip out to Avon/Hatteras soon to enjoy the great conditions there! Thanks Brian.

Super quick, like 10 minutes from signing the waiver to getting us in the kayak and out on the…read morewater. In addition to rentals, they offer kiteboarding and windsurfing lessons. Friendly and efficient.

I had a great experience staying here over Memorial weekend, it was perfect weather to relax and…read moreenjoy being outside. I felt very fortunate to get a last minute accommodation here so thank you Christo! This is a great place to stay with easy water access on the Sound side This place is clean and well managed, Graham does a great job and is a wealth of knowledge for area restaurants and shops.

James was an amazing instructor. I brought a friend to OBX who had flown a trainer kite and done…read moresome short body drags. Kite Club Hatteras was worth every penny. James stayed in touch each morning, planning lessons based on the wind. He even picked my friend up on the jet ski at our rented house for each lesson. By the 3rd day James had my friend riding and starting to stay up wind. I highly recommend KCH and especially James.

My mom and I stayed in Rodanthe at an Air BnB located between the sound and the ocean. Mirlo Beach…read moreis a private beach that visitors staying in the community could access. Every morning, my mom and I would grab a cup of coffee and head down to the beach. It was a 4 minute walk from our air bnb and there was even a boardwalk to cross. You do have to cross the main highway though. Most people stop for pedestrians. Those that don't, are clearly not locals. The beach is beautiful to watch the sunrise. It is a great spot to collect shells, and see jelly fish bodies washed ashore, and crabs making tunnels in the sand. The stars at night are breathtaking, and like nothing I have viewed before and I have been to some country areas far away from city lights.

I have an autistic kid and she love being on a boat. I was in Avon and wanted to take her out in…read morethe sound. After contacting a few charter places who were very unhelpful I contact Sam to set up a time. He was extremely easy to work with, understood my circumstances and gave me all kinds of options. It was great for both my daughter and granddaughter. He was game for anything we wanted to do and I wouldn't hesitate to book him again. None of the other charters wanted to work with me but Sam was a peach.

Sam is a great guide. He put us on the fish in Pamlico Sound with long gut tackle. We drifted in a…read morespot, nothing hitting. He moved to another and BANG. With several drifts over the same area we hit our limit on trout

Another kiteboarding experience that almost took place in the OBX. On my recent road trip we…read morestopped by there to see about doing some kiteboarding and having some fun. Unfortunately the staff was fairly stoic not willing to compromise on the prices at all. Their prices seem to be a bit higher than the rest we had seen in the area so we decided to choose another place to do a kite boarding. Well, you can't win them all but, we did try. Overalls, maybe not here we did do a kite boarding. What's a girl to do? All is fair on a road trip except when they're charging prices that are too high.