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Ride a Personal Watercraft in the Sound

Personal watercraft (jet skis) are a favorite pastime on the Outer Banks. Since the Outer Banks are surrounded by water, there are plenty of areas where you can ride your personal watercraft. There are also several places that rent personal watercraft. Depending on the area, personal watercraft is prohibited within 150 to 900 feet of shore. For more information on your specific area, contact the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau at (877) OBX-4FUN. You can rent personal watercraft from Kitty Hawk Watersports in Corolla at (252) 453-6900 or Nags Head at (252) 441-2756. Another option is Hatteras Watersports in Salvo at (252) 987-2306.

Go Shopping at Hatteras Landing

Located in Hatteras Village next to the ferry docks, Hatteras Landing is a great shopping area where you can pass the time while you wait in the ferry line, or just stop and browse when you have a bit of extra time. Hatteras Landing Provision Company, Graveyard Deli and Market, Birthday Suits, Surfside Casuals, Farmer's Daughter and Kitty Hawk Kites/Carolina Outdoors are the shops that are featured in this fun shopping area. A local beach style is reflected in most of the inventory of these popular shops. For more information, contact Hatteras Landing at (252) 986-2205.

Go Windsurfing in the Calm Sound Waters Throughout the Outer Banks

There are several great sound side locations on the Outer Banks where you can go windsurfing. Canadian Hole, located between Avon and Buxton, is the most popular because of the wind and water conditions in the area. Nags Head sound side access at Milepost 16 and Jockey Ridge State Park's sound side access are popular spots to launch as well. If you don't know how to windsurf but would like to try it, you can take lessons at numerous places on the Outer Banks. If you are in the northern Outer Banks, you may want to try Kitty Hawk Watersports of Nags Head at (252) 441-2756. If you are on Hatteras Island, you can take lessons from Windsurfing Hatteras at (866) 995-6644 or Hatteras Island Sail Shop at (252) 987-2292.

Spend a Relaxing Afternoon of Kayaking or Canoeing

People of any age and skill level can enjoy a relaxing afternoon of kayaking or canoeing in the calm waters of the Outer Banks sounds. There are several stores available throughout the Outer Banks where you can rent either a kayak or a canoe, and there are different types available depending on your preference. You can rent equipment from Carolina Outdoors in Corolla, Nags Head, Manteo, Avon or Hatteras at (800) 334-4777. Several companies also offer guided kayak and canoe eco-tours. Corolla Adventure Tours leads tours on the northern beaches and can be reached at (252) 453-6899. Ocracoke Adventures leads tours of the Pamlico Sound and Ocracoke Island and can be reached at (252) 928-7873.

Take a Local Sight-Seeing Tour

If you aren't interested in boat or adventure tours, you may want to take an Outer Banks sight-seeing tour. There are a few options available on the Outer Banks for land tours. Hatteras Tours will take you on a fast-paced tour of island history, geology and culture and can be reached at (252) 986-2995. Candle light walking tours of Historic Old Manteo are offered and can be reserved by calling (252) 475-1701. Other Outer Banks tours are offered by OTS Ventures at (252) 202-3919 or Sandy Beach Tours at (252) 441-9800.

Take a Scenic Flight Tour

If you think the Outer Banks are beautiful from the ground, wait until you see them from the sky! This stretch of islands and waters will amaze you. Depending on where you fly, you will see things from the air such as the Oregon Inlet, one of the four area lighthouses, the Wright Brothers Memorial, and more! For a tour of the northern Outer Banks, you may contact Kitty Hawk Aero Tours at (877) 274-2461 or Outer Banks Seaplanes at (252) 475-1007. Kitty Hawk Aero Tours depart from the Manteo Airport. Outer Banks Seaplanes take off and land on the Roanoke Sound. For a tour of Hatteras and/or Ocracoke Islands, contact Burris Flying Service at (252) 986-2679. Prices for the above services start between $30 and $75 per person, depending on the size of your group and the length of your flight. You will want to call ahead to make reservations.

Visit the Bodie Island Lighthouse and Keepers' Quarters

Located more than a half-mile from the Atlantic Ocean on Bodie Island, the Bodie Island Lighthouse was built in 1872. It was the third lighthouse to be built near Oregon Inlet, as the first one was built south of Oregon Inlet in 1847 and developed structural damage within the first 10 years and had to be rebuilt. The second was also built south of Oregon Inlet in 1859 but was destroyed by Confederate forces during the Civil War. The current Bodie Island Lighthouse is 170 feet tall and was built north of the Oregon Inlet because of the inlet's constant moving to the south. Operated by the U.S. Coast Guard for many years, the lighthouse was turned over to the National Park Service in 2000. There is a Visitor Center with exhibits and a bookstore on the grounds, but the lighthouse is not available for climbing. For more information, call (252) 441-5711.

Tour the North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island

Located on Roanoke Island, the North Carolina Aquarium is a 68,000 square-foot facility with a "Waters of the Outer Banks" theme. Visitors see a variety of marine communities including coastal freshwaters, wetlands, estuaries, roadside ditches and the Gulf Stream. A main attraction at the aquarium is the Graveyard of the Atlantic tank, which holds 285,000 gallons of saltwater and is home to sea turtles, sharks and almost 1,000 other sea creatures. The aquarium is open year-round from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily (except for Christmas and New Year's Day.) Prices are $7 for adults, $6 for seniors and active military personnel, $5 for children ages six to 17, and kids five and under are free. For more information, contact the North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island at (252) 473-3494.

Visit the Deserted Portsmouth Island

Portsmouth Island is a small, deserted island just south of Ocracoke Island. Though it was once inhabited, now Portsmouth Island has no residents and is accessible only by boat. There is a 2-mile trail that leads from the village to the beach. Wilderness camping is allowed, but don't forget your insect repellent! For more information on the Island, contact Cape Lookout National Seashore at (252) 728-2250. If you would rather have a guided tour, Portsmouth Island ATV Excursions allows you to ride the shores of this island and visit its attractions. Two trips are offered each day and cost $75 per person. For more information, contact (252) 928-4484.

Ride the Free Hatteras-Ocracoke Ferry

Ocracoke Island is the southernmost island of the Outer Banks and can only be reached by ferry (or boat.) The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) runs a free ferry from Hatteras Village to Ocracoke Island. The ferry ride is approximately 40 minutes long and departs from the southern tip of Hatteras Village and arrives at the northern tip of Ocracoke Island. Once the ferry docks, it is about 15 miles to the quaint village of Ocracoke. Ferries run daily between 5:00 a.m. and midnight. In the peak season, departures from each location (Hatteras and Ocracoke) are every 30 minutes; in the off season departures are every hour. In the peak season, ferry lines tend to get long, so you will want to plan ahead. Reservations are not available for the Hatteras-Ocracoke Ferry. For more information, you may contact the NCDOT at (800) BY-FERRY.