5 Adventurous Activities to Enjoy on The Outer Banks
5 Adventurous Activities to Enjoy on The Outer Banks
Although the Outer Banks is known for beautiful beaches and relaxing getaways, the number of adventure-seekers increases each year. The Outer Banks is a great destination for adrenaline junkies. If you want to get out and have fun without that death-defying feeling, you can scratch that itch with a few adventurous activities for you and the family.
Sailing
One of the most fun, relaxing, and underrated activities on the Outer Banks is sailing. There aren’t many boats to rent in full, but there are several along the beaches which go out for two to three hour tours. When you go sailing, you’ll be in the shallow waters of the sound. The sound is nearly waveless, making sailing cruises ideal for those prone to motion sickness.
One of the best ways to spend an evening is by grabbing a picnic and heading out for an afternoon sail.
Kayaking
For something adventurous that doesn’t get the adrenaline too high, take a kayaking trip. Kayaking is a wonderful way to experience nature while getting in a different perspective of the Outer Banks. Low to the water, kayaks allow you skim the water and explore the narrow canals of the marshes.
There are wonderful stories of kayakers seeing otters and getting buzzed by a pod of dolphins. There are many places to kayak up and down the Outer Banks and it’s a great family-friendly activity.
ATV Tours
All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) or "4-wheelers" are a popular way to explore remote areas of the Outer Banks. The northernmost community of Carova is accessible only by ATV or 4-wheel drive vehicles. Taking an ATV tour of the northern beaches allows you to see some of the last remaining wild horses on the Outer Banks.
If you'd like something even more unique, take an ATV tour to Portsmouth Island. This small, deserted island south of Ocracoke is one of the last islands of the barrier islands to make up the Outer Banks. Portsmouth Island has a few buildings still remaining preserved by the National Park Service for you to explore.
Pro Tip: Because most of Portsmouth Island's beaches face south, it's one of the best-kept secret spots for finding rare and special shells, including the North Carolina state shell, the Scotch Bonnet.
Surfing
The Outer Banks has some of the largest swells on the entire East Coast of the USA. This area, specifically around Cape Hatteras, is known by surfers around the world. The waves are particularly excellent in the winter months due to the cold Labrador current merging with the warm Gulf Stream.
Meteorology aside, if you've never surfed before the Outer Banks is an excellent place to learn. While staying relatively close to the shore, you can catch reasonably sized waves without feeling overwhelmed. Due to the curve of the Outer Banks, some areas are better for beginners, while other areas are excellent for experienced surfers. This means you rarely have to worry about whether or not surfers of different levels will compete for the same wave.
Surfing is a fantastic physical activity and since it's so fun, you barely realize you're exercising.
Outer Banks Charter Fishing
Fishing is big business on the Outer Banks. Most fishing charters go offshore to the warm Gulf Stream waters to catch tuna, mahi mahi, wahoo, and the occasional billfish. For most charters, you need around six people for a successful and fun trip. These trips start before dawn and all you have to do is show up with food, drinks (check with your charter captain on alcohol policies), and sunscreen. The captain and first mate handle all the fishing provisions including bait, tackle, and rods.
Once you're back on dry land, be sure to get your catch cleaned at the marina before returning to your vacation rental. If you don't want to take a full day fishing charter, opt for a head boat charter.
These days on the water are much easier and often great for families with kids. Not only do the boats have snacks, bait and tackle, and restrooms, but they also are often half-day or less, meaning you can pack in plenty of other sightseeing on your trip.
There's something for everyone on the Outer Banks. It's common to have families of twenty to forty people rent homes and vacation together on the Outer Banks. With large groups, it's easy to find something to satisfy everyone, relaxers and adventurous alike.
Check out one or all of these adventurous activities on your next trip to the Outer Banks.
Photo: Nor'Banks Sailing & Watersports