Where to Try Kayaking on Your Outer Banks Vacation

Kayaking Adventures Along the Outer Banks

One of the best ways to explore the Outer Banks is by kayak. You’ll find plenty of opportunities to enjoy this fun, healthy activity, whether you’re an experienced or a novice to the sport of kayaking. In this post we look at some of the best kayaking in the Outer Banks area. Each offers its own one-of-a-kind mix of scenic beauty and outdoor adventure.

Pine Island Audubon Sanctuary

The sanctuary is one of the most spectacular examples of primitive marsh found anywhere on earth. Travel down mysterious waterways meandering past local islands and come back with amazing stories for your family and friends. You can travel the sanctuary on your own or as part of a tour. Guided trips last between 2 to 3 hours and cost around $60 for adults and $30 for children. Find directions from both Duck and Corolla.

Kitty Hawk Woods Coastal Reserve

Thousands of wildlife species call this 1800-acre habitat home, including millions of reptiles, birds and mammals. Travel up Ginguite Creek and see magnificent examples of maritime forest draped in Spanish moss. Come back from your excursion with treasured snapshots of osprey and bald eagles. This is a relaxed trip with calm waters, so you can take your time and savor every moment you spend in this placid preserve. Tour groups leave from the boat ramp on Bob Perry in Dare County both during the early morning and a few hours prior to sunset. Guided expeditions cost $30-$40 per person.

Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge

Freshwater meets seawater when you choose this choice kayaking destination. You can paddle down scenic waterways winding their way through dense swampland or head for the open seas of Albemarle Sound. You’ll also have the opportunity to travel along local creeks, explore isolated beaches, and, of course, see alligators and other splendid examples of native wildlife. Guided tours meet at the launch point just off Route 158 at mile post nine. On-site parking is in short supply, so you may want to leave your vehicle at your tour company’s headquarters and catch a ride on a shuttle van. This will help you to save time while adding only about $5 to the tab.

Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge

This site includes more than 25,000 acres of water and almost 6, 000 acres of (more or less) dry land. Long renowned as a prime birding destination, the local topography is ideal for kayaking. Some of the species you’ll have the opportunity to encounter include royal tern, brown pelicans, and osprey. You can also see water-dwelling creatures including hermit crabs and stingrays, which are abundant in the clear waters. Guided tours meet near mile post 34 during both early morning and mid- afternoons. Fees range from about $30-$60 per person.

You can find more information about guided Outer Banks kayak tours at this website. If you prefer to go it solo, or if you’re interested in delving into the local ocean waters, get important information about kayaking the NC coast. We recommend that you take all appropriate safety precautions, especially if you’re a kayaking novice.

No matter how you explore the Outer Banks during your trip, one thing is for sure: you’ll need a place to rest your head at night. Why risk your hard-earned money on amateur innkeepers or crowded motels when our deluxe vacation properties offer so much comfort and privacy for so little cost? Browse our site and see for yourself what we mean. We’ll see you soon along the Outer Banks.