If you’re craving more than just beach time, the Outer Banks of North Carolina delivers unforgettable adventures for every age and interest. From soaring above the dunes in Kitty Hawk to paddling the calm waters of Pamlico Sound, the OBX is one of the East Coast’s top destinations for outdoor recreation and adrenaline-filled fun.
Whether you’re staying in Corolla, Duck, Kill Devil Hills, Nags Head, or Hatteras Island, these Outer Banks adventures turn a great vacation into an extraordinary one.
Hang Gliding
The Outer Banks is the birthplace of flight, making it one of the best places in the world to experience hang gliding. Launch from the sand dunes of Jockey’s Ridge State Park in Nags Head or nearby training hills in Kitty Hawk for a once-in-a-lifetime perspective of the OBX. If you’ve ever dreamed of flying, hang gliding might just be the adventure for you and you’ve certainly come to the right place. The natural dune formations and hearty winds in the Outer Banks are ideal for the popular sport where riders are harnessed to a suspended navigational frame that controls an attached sail.
No experience is required—certified instructors guide you every step of the way. Tandem flights and beginner lessons are available, making this adventure accessible for first-timers and thrill-seekers alike.
Best for: Adventure lovers, bucket-list experiences
Location: Kitty Hawk, Nags Head
Best season: Spring through fall
To try this exhilarating sport, you can book a beginner dune gliding lesson with Kitty Hawk Kites+ to learn the ins and outs of hang gliding. For something a little more daring, book a tandem hang gliding tour where you and your instructor will explore the Outer Banks coast from 2,000 feet in the air! If you’re here in May, the Annual Hang Gliding Spectacular is an awesome competition where you can watch the professionals fly across Jockey’s Ridge competing in categories like duration, altitude, and spot landing.
UltraFlight Tour
Prefer to see the Outer Banks from up above? UltraFlight OBX will take you to new heights over the beautiful Outer Banks of North Carolina. Enjoy the fresh air, ocean breeze and beautiful beaches. Learn to steer with the guidance of an instructor, or just sit back and enjoy an experience you will never forget. Explore the skies of the Outer Banks with the #1 Flight Tour on the Outer Banks! And with Club Seaside, you can save 10% off a 30-minute flight, making this a deal you can't pass up!
Horseback Riding
You may already know that the Outer Banks is known for its wild Banker Mustangs but did you know that you can also explore the Outer Banks on horseback (domestic horses of course!) Over the last couple centuries, horseback became a very popular method of transportation for patrolling the beach, especially over the shifting and uneven sands, but today, horses are primarily used for joy riding. Book a guided tour through Outer Banks Horseback in Nags Head or Equine Adventures on Hatteras Island to take a casual stroll along our pristine beaches and learn more about the local area. Whether you’re an avid horseback rider or you’ve brand new to riding, you will love the free-spirited feeling of galloping along the coast in the ocean breeze.
Fishing Adventures: Inshore, Offshore & Surf Fishing
Fishing is woven into the culture of the Outer Banks, offering year-round opportunities for anglers of all skill levels. Whether you’re casting from the shore or heading offshore, OBX fishing delivers memorable experiences.
Popular Fishing Options:
Surf fishing along the beaches of Corolla, Nags Head, and Hatteras
Inshore and sound fishing for red drum and speckled trout
Offshore charters for tuna, mahi-mahi, and marlin
Local fishing charters depart from Oregon Inlet, Hatteras Village, and Wanchese, providing expert guidance and all necessary equipment.
Best for: Families, groups, seasoned anglers
Location: Oregon Inlet, Hatteras, Wanchese
Best season: Year-round (species dependent)
Many charter companies on the Outer Banks make it easy for anglers to try inshore and offshore fishing, with options to head out in the sound or the ocean for full or partial days. Seaside Vacations partners with several tour companies whose charters include everything you need for an exciting day of fishing, including licenses, equipment, and bait when you book. You could catch billfish, cobia, tuna, mahi-mahi, mackerel, and many other species, depending on the season. Check out Wanchese Marina Fishing Charters, Fishin' Fannatic Charters, and Instigator Fishing Charters for options to fit your family's needs!
Jeep Tours
If you’ve never driven in the sand, you’re definitely missing out on a thrilling experience. There are very few beaches on the East Coast that allow off-road driving and not only does the Outer Banks allow vehicles on several beach areas, but there are also parts of the Outer Banks that are only accessible by 4WD vehicles! If you are going to drive on the beach, we suggest doing it in style – that is – in an open-top Jeep.
One of the most iconic Outer Banks adventures is a wild horse tour in Corolla. These guided 4x4 beach tours take you through the northern Outer Banks to spot the famous Colonial Spanish Mustangs that roam freely along the dunes.
Tours also highlight historic homes, maritime forests, and the natural beauty of the Currituck Outer Banks—a must-do experience for first-time visitors.
Best for: Families, photographers, nature lovers
Location: Corolla
Best season: Year-round
Book a Jeep tour with Corolla Jeep Adventures to explore the Outer Banks 4x4 beach area with the wind in your hair and the ocean as your backdrop. You’ll probably even spot the renowned Outer Banks wild horses along the way!
Watersports & Soundside Adventures in OBX
With miles of coastline and expansive sound waters, the Outer Banks is a playground for water lovers. The Pamlico Sound offers calmer conditions ideal for beginners, families, and anyone looking to try something new.
Popular Outer Banks watersports include:
Kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding
Jet ski rentals
Windsurfing and kiteboarding
Parasailing with views of the barrier islands
Soundside towns like Nags Head, Kill Devil Hills, Avon, and Rodanthe are especially popular for watersports thanks to easy access and steady breezes.
Best for: Families, couples, active travelers
Location: Nags Head, Kill Devil Hills, Hatteras Island
Best season: Late spring through early fall
Flyboarding
Flyboarding is a new watersport invented within the last decade. Riders stand on a board with foot-holds resembling boots while a hose connected to the board forces water pressure through jets that propel the rider into the air. Professional flyboarders can reach impressive heights and even do tricks while in the air. Although it looks like you are standing on a hoverboard and a jetpack all at once, anyone can learn how to do this exciting sport with a helpful instructor! Kitty Hawk Surf Co. can provide beginner lessons to get you flying through the air.
Kayaking
Kayaking is the perfect activity for kids of all ages and the Outer Banks is the ideal place to explore from a kayak. A tranquil activity when you go yourself and a fun activity when you take the whole family, most sound accesses and soundfront homes let you launch kayaks right from your backyard. If you love kayaking but would like to try something new, consider taking a kayak tour through Kitty Hawk Kites+. Guided tours help you to explore new places while learning about the local geography. You can always rent kayaks, paddles, lifejackets and other gear if you don’t have your own. Our favorite time to go kayaking? Right at dusk because you can literally sail into the sunset over the sound!
Kiteboarding
Kiteboarding is one of the most popular watersports on the OBX due to the open waters and favorable wind conditions that exist along the coast. Riders soar across the waves while standing on a board and steering a reverse “U-shaped” kite that is propelled by the wind (attached to the rider via a harness). Combining elements of paragliding, windsurfing and wakeboarding (among others), kiteboarding may not be a beginner’s level sport but since you see kiteboarders in the sound almost daily during warmer months, it’s obviously a blast! Luckily, many local companies offer lessons so suit up and give it a go. Kitty Hawk Kites offers private kiteboarding lessons, kiteboarding camps, and equipment rentals. *Note: Another variation of kiteboarding is kitesurfing (a term sometimes used interchangeably). The difference can be attributed to the type of board the rider stands on, the style of competitive tricks, and may even vary by region.
Jet Skiing
If you’ve always dreamed about riding through the waves with the wind in your hair, renting a jet ski may be the perfect way to have that awesome Outer Banks adventure you’ve been dreaming about! A personal watercraft that resembles a motorcycle or ATV without wheels, jet skis are perfect for rediscovering the coast because they provide the means to cover a longer distance in the expansive waters around the Outer Banks. Reputably, they are also easy to maneuver and extremely fun. Some jet skis are even designed for two riders so you can explore with a friend. Unless you live in a coastal town, you probably don’t have one of these personal watercraft lying around. Luckily, you can save on hourly rentals with Kitty Hawk Kites+!
Parasailing
Parasailing is a fun sport that anyone can try! Riders are attached to a harness rig that is hooked up to a circular-shaped kite that looks like a parachute. They are then lifted up and glide through the air as a boat tows the riders along through the water. Since more than one rider can parasail at once, this is a great group activity for family or friends! Not only is the experience exhilarating and fun but you end up getting awesome views of the Outer Banks from the air! To ensure proper safety, parasailing should be an activity you try at a local company with the proper training. Kitty Hawk Kites guarantees USCG-licensed boat captains and CPR-certified crews on each outing and offers parasailing adventures in Duck and Manteo.
Standup Paddleboarding
Stand up paddleboarding (also known as SUP) is another great way to explore the Outer Banks coasts. In SUP, riders stand on a large board and use a paddle for moving and steering. Both a fun activity and an excellent workout, this is a much slower-paced activity that allows you to do some real sightseeing. Check out rental, lesson, and tour options with Kitty Hawk Kites.
Surfing
Even if you’ve never seen it in person or tried it yourself, chances are you are familiar with the sport of surfing. Believed to have originated thousands of years ago in the Polynesian Islands as a method of transporting fish back to land, the first real documented cases of surfing as a sport are from the 1700s when a navigator described a Tahitian man riding a canoe in the waves for fun. Today, the sport of surfing is often thought as synonymous with the laid-back island lifestyle. With our large coastline and ideal swell, surfers from all over the world come to ride the waves of the East Coast and so can you! If you’re an experienced surfer, the OBX has many popular surf spots to try but for beginners, sign up for a group or private surf lesson through Farmdog Surf School and learn how to catch the waves. If you enjoy watching more experienced, talented surfers effortlessly glide through the waves, consider checking out the ESA Mid-Atlantic Regional Championship at Jennette’s Pier each May where you’ll get a front-row seat to the second of three qualifying events in the Eastern Surfing Association National Championship.
Wakeboarding and Waterskiing
Both Wakeboarding and Waterskiing are watersports in which a rider is propelled behind a boat, one with riders on a small board and the other on skis. The open waters here offer the perfect location for trying either of these exciting sports and although everyone should give it a try, it may take a little practice. Kitty Hawk Kites offers lessons for beginners and a slalom course for the more experienced rider. This activity is perfect for small or large groups.
Windsurfing
Another popular sport here on the Outer Banks, windsurfing combines surfing and sailing as riders stand on a board with an attached angled sail. While this sport is extremely thrilling, it does require some practice to master so head down to Hatteras Island and take a private or group beginner windsurfing lesson with Hatteras Island Surf and Sail. For those who are more experienced but don’t have the equipment, rentals are available at Ocean Air Sports. If you like to compete or are just more of an observer, the OBX Wind event takes place in Cape Hatteras annually - so keep an eye out for upcoming events!
Hiking, Biking & Outdoor Exploration
Beyond the beach, the Outer Banks offers scenic trails and protected natural areas perfect for exploration. Enjoy biking paths through Nags Head Woods Preserve, hiking maritime forests, or strolling boardwalks overlooking the sound.
These quieter adventures balance high-energy activities and provide a deeper connection to the OBX’s natural landscape.
Best for: Nature lovers, casual adventurers
Location: Nags Head, Manteo, Kitty Hawk
Best season: Spring and fall
Where to Stay for Your Outer Banks Adventure
Choosing the right location enhances every experience. Staying close to your favorite activities means less driving and more time enjoying the OBX.
Corolla & Duck: Wild horse tours, kayaking, family-friendly adventures
Kill Devil Hills & Nags Head: Hang gliding, watersports, biking trails
Hatteras Island: Fishing charters, kiteboarding, uncrowded beaches
Seaside Vacations offers vacation rentals across the Outer Banks, placing you near the adventures that matter most.
Frequently Asked Questions About Outer Banks Adventures
What are the best adventure activities in the Outer Banks?
Some of the most popular Outer Banks adventures include hang gliding at Jockey’s Ridge, kayaking and paddleboarding on Pamlico Sound, wild horse tours in Corolla, offshore fishing charters, and watersports like kiteboarding and jet skiing.
Where are the best towns to stay for Outer Banks adventures?
Adventure seekers often choose:
Nags Head or Kill Devil Hills for hang gliding, watersports, and biking trails
Corolla for wild horse tours and quiet beaches
Hatteras Island for fishing, kiteboarding, and uncrowded outdoor experiences
Are Outer Banks adventure activities family-friendly?
Yes. Many OBX adventures, including kayaking, fishing charters, wild horse tours, and biking trails, are suitable for families with children. Guided tours and rentals are widely available.
What is the best time of year for Outer Banks adventures?
Late spring through early fall offers the widest range of adventure activities. However, fishing, wild horse tours, and hiking are available year-round, with spring and fall providing fewer crowds and mild temperatures.
Do I need experience for Outer Banks watersports or hang gliding?
No prior experience is required for most adventure activities. Certified instructors and guided tours make it easy for beginners to participate safely.
Book Your Stay for Adventure Now!
Make the most of your Outer Banks adventure by staying near the experiences at the top of your list. From soundside watersports to oceanfront fishing and hang gliding, location matters—and availability fills quickly during peak adventure season. Whether you’re planning a summer escape, shoulder-season adventure, or last-minute OBX getaway, Seaside Vacations offers homes with flexible dates, pet-friendly options, and locations close to the action.
And don't forget about our layaway plan, which makes booking your dream vacation easier than ever. So don't wait. We're booking Outer Banks vacation rentals year-round, and we're excited to help you create memories to last a lifetime. We're here to help make your OBX vacation fun, exciting, and hassle-free. Give us a call today! Be sure to provide accurate information and make any necessary payments.
*Guests of Seaside Vacations may be eligible for special rates or discounts through our Club Seaside program for this particular activity. Please view our Club Seaside page for additional information.
+Guests of Seaside Vacations may be eligible for special rates or discounts through our partnership with Kitty Hawk Kites for this particular activity. Please view our Kitty Hawk Kites partnership page for additional information.
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