The 10 Best Tours in Outer Banks, North Carolina Coast

February 12, 2022 Enriqueta Cusson

The Outer Banks of North Carolina is a 100-mile stretch of barrier islands dotted with pristine beaches, quaint towns and historic sites. If you love swimming, kayaking, or surfing, be sure to visit the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. To really experience local culture, explore each coastal village and sample as much food as you can along the way. (Pro tip: Try the catch of the day.) If you’re looking for a history lesson, check out Roanoke Island or the Wright Brothers National Memorial. And of course, no day is complete without watching the sunset from Jockey’s Ridge.
Restaurants in Outer Banks

1. Cape Hatteras Kayak Adventure in Rodanthe

Campground Road, Campground Rd, Rodanthe, NC 27968, USA Kitty Hawk Kayak & Surf School
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5.0 based on 3 reviews

The Cape Hatteras National Seashore is a must see on Hatteras Island. On this kayak tour, we frequently spot ospreys, pelicans, herons, egrets, ibis, terns, rails, skimmers, wrens, and warbles just to name a few. We will tour the salt marsh canals and flat waters of the Pamlico Sound. This tour location also packs a punch with its unreal sunsets!!!! LOCATION: HWY 12 South, Just South of Rodanthe, NC 27968 Great sunset tour area! Search for sea turtles, rays, river otter with a HUGE variety of waterfowl Great sunset tour location! Safe, fun & educational Quality Sit In Kayaks Available all spring, summer & fall 2 Hour Experience

Inclusions: Kayaks, life jackets, safety equipment and paddle.

Exclusions: Does not include gratuity.

Reviewed By brigittehZ3301IW

Had a great experience with our tour guide Scottie. We did not see an alligator unfortunately but we did see several other animals including a bald eagle! The kayaking itself was a wonderful experience. Would def do again.

2. Stand Up Paddleboard Adventure on the Outer Banks

6150 N Croatan Hwy, Kitty Hawk, NC 27949, USA Kitty Hawk Kayak & Surf School
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5.0 based on 2 reviews

The Kitty Hawk Stand Up Paddle Tour explores the calm bays and sheltered waters of Kitty Hawk, an ideal place to learn how to stand up paddleboard for the first time. This tour leaves standup paddleboarding from our shop in Kitty Hawk and explores the North Carolina Coastal Reserve, one of the few intact maritime forest environments on the Outer Banks. We will also paddle the salt marsh waterways between Martin’s Point and Southern Shores. The Kitty Hawk Stand Up Paddle Tour is just for you. LOCATION: 6150 North Croatan HWY , Kitty Hawk, NC 27949 1.5 Hour Experience Quality beginner & intermediate stand up paddleboards Ideal learning location Beginner and intermediate SUPs availableAvailable all spring, summer & fall Safe, fun & educational

Inclusions: Lesson includes a stand up paddleboard, paddle, leash, fins, lifejacket and safety equipment.

Exclusions: Does not include gratuity.

Reviewed By brigittehZ3301IW

Had a great experience with our tour guide Scottie. We did not see an alligator unfortunately but we did see several other animals including a bald eagle! The kayaking itself was a wonderful experience. Would def do again.

3. Kitty Hawk Maritime Forest Kayak Tour

6150 N Croatan Hwy, Kitty Hawk, NC 27949, USA Kitty Hawk Kayak & Surf School
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4.9 based on 10 reviews

The Kitty Hawk Woods Maritime Forest Kayak Tour is hands down one of the best family ecotours experiences to be had on the islands of the OBX. A beginner friendly environment explores a calm, glassy creek that meanders through the natural glory of one of North Carolina’s largest track of deciduous maritime forest habitat. Beginner Friendly Tour Search for osprey, egrets, herons. turtles and maybe river otter Safe, fun & educational Price Match Guarantee Quality Sit In Kayaks Available year round We are the only kayak outfitter on the Outer Banks certified by the American Canoe and Kayak Association with trained and certified guides.

Inclusions: Kayak, paddle, life jacket and 1st aid kit.

Exclusions: Does not include gratuity.

Reviewed By brigittehZ3301IW

Had a great experience with our tour guide Scottie. We did not see an alligator unfortunately but we did see several other animals including a bald eagle! The kayaking itself was a wonderful experience. Would def do again.

4. 2-hour Outer Banks Wild Horse Tour by 4WD

1148 Ocean Trail, Corolla, NC 27927, USA Corolla Outback Adventures
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4.8 based on 333 reviews

The Bender family continues a 50 year tradition of traveling in open air style safari vehicles north of Corolla along the ocean and sand dunes on a 2 hour, small group, excursion sharing history and ecology along the way. We stop for several photo opportunities and points of interests along the way, as well including private access to the Wild Horse Conservation Area. This tour also included a professional and knowledgeable horse guide to educate you on what you are seeing. Choose from one of 3 departure times when you book. For now, we will allow maximum capacity ONLY for one family or group per household if staying together in the same rental house. Otherwise, the maximum will be TEN (10) people. If you have more than 10 people please call us directly for accommodations. We will NOT be able to allow any children UNDER 40 POUNDS on the tour, as the cab portion with the guide will be unavailable during the COVID-19 restrictions per "Phase 2".

Inclusions: Friendly and professional horse guide, Transport by open-air 4-wheel drive vehicle

Exclusions: Food and drinks, Hotel pickup and drop-off

Reviewed By DianeD455

Wonderful experience with Edna, our tour guide and driver. Fun, educational and absolutely beautiful horses on the beach. Highly recommend! Plenty of opportunity to take pictures.

5. Surf Lessons on the Outer Banks

Kitty Hawk Kayak & Surf School, 6150 N Croatan Hwy, Kitty Hawk, NC 27949, USA Kitty Hawk Kayak & Surf School
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4.7 based on 3 reviews

Learn to surf on the Outer Banks in one of our daily surf lessons. Lesson includes ocean safety, surfboard anatomy 101, paddling technique, proper pop up and foot placement and help in the water to catch as many waves as you can. LOCATION: 6150 North Croatan HWY , Kitty Hawk, NC 27949 Certified & experienced instructors Kids 6 years old and up welcome 1.5 hour lesson Limit 1 instructor to 4 students Price Match Guarantee SHREDucatioin Offered at low tide for the best waves Available year round Includes, surfboard, wetsuits and instruction

Inclusions: Learn to surf on the Outer Banks!! Lesson includes ocean safety, surfboard anatomy 101, paddling technique, proper pop up and foot placement and help in the water to catch as many waves as you can. , Surfboard, wetsuit, wax, & stoke for daze!

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Reviewed By brigittehZ3301IW

Had a great experience with our tour guide Scottie. We did not see an alligator unfortunately but we did see several other animals including a bald eagle! The kayaking itself was a wonderful experience. Would def do again.

6. Jumpmasters OBX Fun Park

728 US-64, Manteo, NC 27954, USA Jumpmasters Trampoline Park
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4.6 based on 5 reviews

The only trampoline park on the Outer Banks! Veteran and locally owned, Jumpmasters features obstacle course lanes, a climbing wall, foam pit with foam pugil sparing sticks, trampoline dodgeball area, multiple trampolines and more. All areas are surrounded by padded floor and deck space, to ensure safety. If jumping is not your thing we have our newest attraction, OBX AXE THROWING. We introduce you to the sport of Urban Axe Throwing following the standards and procedures of the World Axe Throwing League.

Inclusions: Dodgeball and American Ninja Warrior Course are included in the ticket price

Exclusions: Jumpmasters Jump Socks

Reviewed By WolfEnter

Staff was great and we had a great time. First time with axe throwing but it was great. Place was also very clean.

7. Alligator River Kayak Adventure

17344 Buffalo City Rd, Manns Harbor, NC 27953, USA Kitty Hawk Kayak & Surf School
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4.6 based on 10 reviews

Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge is a 125,000 acre wildlife preserve managed by the United States Fish & Wildlife Service. This incredible wildlife corridor was also home to an old logging and whiskey distilling community during Prohibition. Who knew the OBX had black bear and endangered red wolves? Also see snowy egrets, great blue herons, and turtles.

Inclusions: Includes kayaks, life jackets, safety equipment and paddles.

Exclusions: Does not include gratuity.

Reviewed By TheWildeWay

Overall: Awesome, awesome awesomeness. I booked the Maritime Forest Tour for my family of three (my husband with some Kayak experience, me with rowing experience, and our 9 year old with no experience but all zeal). We had the best time – even though it took me a second to figure out how to go in a forward direction and I bumped into a few trees. We enjoyed 2 hours on a calm river inlet surrounded by trees and turtles. There is a really lovely bridge to go under, too. Pro: Despite there being a large group (maybe 12), our tour guide Olivia was able to interact with every person, get to know them, and tailor the experience for them. She knew a lot about the local flora and fauna, and found a water snake chilling out in a tree to show our son. (No nutria sightings, though. He’s still on about that. I’m quite alright not having seen an R.O.U.S.). Everyone was provided life jackets and a quick tutorial before heading out on the water. This was a great experience for newbies. Con: Porta-potty are the facilities available. It was clean but bring hand sanitizer with you, as you should already. And, parking tight. Get there a little early and it shouldn’t be a problem. PSA – Tip your guides!

8. Beginner Hang Gliding Lesson

300 W Carolista Dr, Nags Head, NC 27959, USA Kitty Hawk Kites Hang Gliding School
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4.4 based on 8 reviews

this is one of the closest ways to experience what the Wright Brother's experienced over 100 years ago as they trying to conquer the mystery of flight ... and only a few miles away from where they actually took their first flights!

Inclusions: Hang Glider, Helmet, Harness

Exclusions: Bottled water, sun protection

Reviewed By Sirius57

Highly recommended - our family had a wonderful time. Beautiful park and sand dunes, fantastic staff and so much fun for kids and adults! We did a beginner lesson with kids - Bobby was wonderful and funny teaching ground school; Wolf and Megan were patient and really fun instructors. We will be back :)

9. OBX Ghost Tours

105 Sir Walter Raleigh St, Manteo, NC 27954, USA OBX Ghost Tours
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4.0 based on 15 reviews

Our walking tour is something the entire family will enjoy. You'll be entertained as a guide leads you through downtown Manteo telling you the spooky tales that make the Outer Banks one of the most haunted beaches in the United States. Some of the stories you'll hear include; the Lost Colony, Blackbeard, the Cora Tree, and much more. Our tour also offers guests the chance to use an EMF detector. EMF detectors are commonly used on paranormal investigating television shows. You'll have the time of your afterlife at OBX Ghost Tours.

Inclusions: Use of EMF detectors, Touristic Guide

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Reviewed By Steve08291957

Fun tour of downtown Manteo. Good stories of the history of the town, the islands in general, as well as ghost stories. Tour lasts about 90 minutes, easy walking with plenty of stops. Would recommend this to anyone visiting the OBX

10. Nags Head Kayak Tour

7517 S Virginia Dare Trail, Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948, USA Kitty Hawk Kayak & Surf School

The Stoke Dispensary is a full service water sports operator on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. From Corolla to Cape Hatteras, we have you covered for kayak tours, jets ski rentals, surf lessons, 5 Day Shredutopia Camps, kayak rentals, stand up paddleboard rentals, pontoon boat rentals, beach chairs and umbrellas, skim boards boogie boards, corn hole boards and SO MUCH MORE.Over the years we have continued to grow our services and offerings in a manner that has not compromised our commitment to safety and professionalism. We appreciate all of our loyal customers and the families that have trusted us for a safe, fun and educational time on the water.

Inclusions: Kayaks, paddles, life jackets and safety equipment.

Exclusions: Gratuity

Reviewed By brigittehZ3301IW

Had a great experience with our tour guide Scottie. We did not see an alligator unfortunately but we did see several other animals including a bald eagle! The kayaking itself was a wonderful experience. Would def do again.

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