Things to do once you’re parked. These OBX activities cover surf fishing at Cape Point, charter fishing out of Hatteras and Oregon Inlet, surfing the Tri-Villages breaks, kiteboarding at Canadian Hole, and ORV beach access for wildlife viewing — all within reach of the campgrounds in our park directory.
Fishing
Surf fishing at Cape Point is the signature OBX experience. Inshore and offshore charter fishing departs from Oregon Inlet Fishing Center and Hatteras village. Sound-side fishing and flyfishing for red drum, speckled trout, and flounder is popular in Pamlico Sound.
Surfing
The OBX is one of the East Coast’s top surfing destinations. Rodanthe Pier, the S-Turns in Rodanthe, Frisco, and the Lighthouse break in Buxton are among the best-known spots. Most surf shops are in the Tri-Villages and Buxton.
Kiteboarding & windsurfing
Canadian Hole near Buxton and the sound side off Kite Point are world-class flatwater spots. Steady spring and fall winds make this the primary East Coast kiteboarding destination.
Paddling
Kayaking and paddleboarding are excellent on Pamlico Sound and Roanoke Sound. OBX Campground has a kayak-friendly dock, and Frisco Woods has direct sound access.
Birding
Pea Island NWR is the premier spot, especially during fall migration. Alligator River NWR on the mainland side is another major destination.
Hang gliding & sandboarding
Jockey’s Ridge State Park hosts the largest hang-gliding school in the U.S. and is one of the few places where sandboarding on natural dunes is allowed.
See also
Ready to Choose Your Park?
- Kill Devil Hills & the Northern OBX — 4 parks
- Tri-Villages: Rodanthe, Waves & Salvo — 4 parks
- Hatteras Island: Avon, Buxton & Frisco — 3 parks
- Ocracoke: The Remote Ferry Destination — 1 park
Or jump to all OBX RV parks, the map view, or the Ultimate OBX RV Guide.
Match OBX activities to your campground location
Where you camp shapes which OBX activities are realistic. Surf-fishing Cape Point makes more sense from Buxton than from Kitty Hawk; kiteboarding Canadian Hole works best from Tri-Villages parks. Always check the NPS ORV permit page before driving any beach.
Water-Based OBX Activities
Water defines the Outer Banks. The Atlantic side draws surfers, anglers, and swimmers, while the protected sound side is the home of paddleboarding, kayaking, and the world-class wind sports that put the OBX on the map. Kitty Hawk Kites (founded in 1974) runs lessons in everything from beginner kayaking to advanced kiteboarding, and Real Watersports in Waves is widely considered one of the top kiteboarding schools in the country. For self-guided obx activities, the Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge rents kayaks at Oregon Inlet for paddling the calm canals.
Fishing the Outer Banks
Surf fishing requires only a North Carolina Coastal Recreational Fishing License (free 10-day version available online). Charter fishing out of Oregon Inlet Fishing Center and Hatteras Harbor Marina targets bluefin tuna, mahi, wahoo, and white marlin in the Gulf Stream — a 20- to 40-mile run offshore. The pier at Avon, Jennette’s Pier in Nags Head, and the free public Bonner Bridge fishing catwalk are all excellent for beginners. Tackle shops in every village will tell you exactly what’s biting that morning.
Land-Based Adventures
Beyond the water, OBX activities include hang gliding lessons off Jockey’s Ridge, sandboarding the same dunes, climbing four historic lighthouses, biking the 12-mile Manteo-to-Nags Head trail, and exploring the Roanoke Island maritime forest. The Outer Banks Visitors Bureau activity directory maintains an updated list of seasonal events including the Mustang Music Festival, the OBX Marathon, and the Wright Kite Festival.
Beach driving requires a permitted 4×4 — RVs and most rentals can’t access the sand. Local outfitter Beach4x4.com delivers to OBX campgrounds.
Past customer reviews of Beach4x4.com are a good sanity check before booking.