Continent |
North America |
Country |
North Carolina (USA) |
Next Big City |
Norfolk, Virginia |
Next Town |
Nags Head, Whalebone |
|
Type: |
Lagoon |
Rider Ability: |
Beginner, Intermediate, Expert |
Features: |
School, Shop, Rescue, Shower, Toilet, Food, Parking |
Water
Type: |
Shallow, Flat, Chop |
Hazards: |
No information |
Quality: |
Cloudy |
Best Tide: |
Tide independent |
Shallow waters never more than waist to chest deep, perfect for downwinders from Pleasure Island (private island). You can also do the incredible 3 mile downwinder from the kitebeach to Jocky's Ridge State Park. Smooth waters with very little chop help advance beginners at warp speed. There are three islands just off the shore that are great fun to sail around and over some incredible slicks for super glassy water riding even in higher winds.
Beach
Type: |
Grass, Sand |
Size: |
Medium |
Hazards: |
None |
Beach Users: |
None |
Most suited for beginners with wide expansive launching beach stretching several hundred feet. The beach is sand and short groomed grass.
Weather
Spring:
|
Shorty, Normal |
Summer:
|
Shorts |
Fall:
|
Shorty, Normal |
Winter:
|
Normal |
Season from March to November. Year-round possible if you ride on the warmer SW winds with warm water currents. Wetsuits needed beginning and end of the year, just shorts from late spring to early fall. Warm gulf-stream ocean currents keep air and water temperatures warm nearly year-round.
Wind
Best Months: |
January, February, June, July, October, November, December |
Wind Type: |
Thermal, Frontal |
Best Direction: |
SW, WSW, W, WNW, NW |
Main Direction: |
NE, SW |
Butter smooth Southwest and Northwest winds. Some of the best winds on the Outer Banks. The unique micro weather of the site often produces wind where it might be light everywhere else. Prevailing winds are Southwest in the summer and Northeast in the winter. Southwest allows you to get a boat ride up to the famous Pleasure Island launch spot to do a downwinder back to the kitebeach. In June and July 90% wind from SW. Starts at 3pm, strongest at 7pm and lasts until sunset. In August and September the wind is not consistent. In October and November 70% wind. In December to February windy almost daily. In March to May frontals and winds from SW, NW and NE. Main directions: NE and SW.
How to get there
Transport |
Car |
Access
|
Short walk |
From Norfolk, VA airport simply rent a car and drive 1.5 hours south to the Outer Banks. Once on the Outer Banks go South on hwy 158 to milepost 15. On the soundside of the road. Look for the large wooden windmill right on the water. From Raleigh area, take 64 East to the Outer Banks. Once over the intercoastal waterway follow hwy 158 1 mile and look for spot on the left side of the road.
Extra information
Follow common courtesy rules and try to roll up your lines when you kite is parked on the beach to avoid clutter.
Nightlife
Tons of nightlife only a few miles from the beach. All types imaginable. Fine restaurants, breweries, German festhaus, sports bars, movies, bowling, etc. Looking for dancing, go to Kelly's or Port-o-Call. Beach party atmosphere with volleyball - Quagmires. Sports Bar - Slamming Sammy's. Thai Food - The Thai Room.