Recreation - Nags Head
Nags Head is a recreation wonderland that stretches from beneath the sea into the heavens. Whether you’re an amateur or professional adventurer, you’ll discover plenty of choices to satisfy you and the experts and equipment to make your pick a pleasurable and safe one.
Snorkel famous shipwrecks, sail sound waters, surf rolling seas or soar over Jockey’s Ridge in a hang glider. Witness wildlife through dolphin watches or by wetting a fishing line. Nags Head has a stem to stern bike path that runs along the Beach Road (N.C. Highway 12) from MP 10 to MP 21.
Natural wonders top the list for attractions in Nags Head. The beach is the main entree with sound side bathing and treks to Jockey’s Ridge as exciting side dishes. Explore Nags Head by foot, bicycle, watercraft or plane for a complete view of the fragile ecosystem.
Family fun and kiddy thrills range from arcade extravaganzas and disco bowling blasts to go-kart races and rounds of golf or mini-golf. Kick back in an air-conditioned movie theater, or become a karaoke star. Inside fun or outdoor adventure awaits the curious in this vacation haven.
Remember: Locals refer to N.C. Highway 12 (aka Virginia Dare Trail) as the Beach Road and U.S. Highway 158 (aka Croatan Highway) as The Bypass.
Cavalier Surf Shop
- 4324 S. Virginia Dare Trail, The Beach Road, MP 13.5
- Nags Head
- (252) 441-7349
- map
One of the oldest surf shops on the Outer Banks, Cavalier is a family-run operation and known for providing good customer service in sales and rentals. You can buy or rent hard or soft-top surfboards, body boards, skim boards and wetsuits. They also offer private or group surfing lessons. Lessons last either one or two hours, include surfboard rental and focus on safety and surfing etiquette. They are a great way to get started if you’ve never surfed or an opportunity for more experienced surfers to hone specific skills. In the shop, you’ll find lots of surf and sport clothing and accessories for boys, men and women.
Cloud Nine
- 3022 S. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP11.5
- Nags Head
- (252) 441-2992
- map
Colorful and creative, Cloud Nine is a happening stop these days for shoppers and artisans and has been for more than 20 years. Buy beads to create your own jewelry, or bring in a piece of beach glass or a found treasure and they’ll create it for you. The owner, Ginny, is a talented jewelry artist who shares her knowledge and provides lots of helpful info. Ask about their jewelry-making workshops. The shop is recently expanded to offer more beads, worktables and finished jewelry plus books and tools for the aspiring designer. Choose from a selection of gold and silver jewelry and other beaded delights, apparel, incense, body oils and around the world finds. They carry a great selection of local artwork, and Ginny can tell you a bit about each artist.
Grog’s Watersports
- 7649 S. Virginia Dare Trail, Nags Head/Manteo Causeway
- Nags Head
Whether you enjoy the thrill of parasailing or the excitement of a Waverunner or a quieter kayak or dolphin tour, they’ve got it waiting for you at Grog’s. This watersport adventure mecca is located on the Nags Head Causeway (look for the 30-foot observation tower near Basnight’s Lone Cedar Restaurant). They offer nearly every water adventure you can imagine, and they also rent kayaks, pontoon boats, Waverunners and fishing skiffs. And ask about their cruises and tours of our coastline. They now take online reservations to make planning your vacation easy.
Kitty Hawk Kites
- 3933 N. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 13
- Nags Head
- (252) 449-2210
- map
Kitty Hawk Kites gets you outside and having fun with several exciting outdoor activities throughout the Outer Banks. They offer hang gliding lessons on Jockey’s Ridge, kiteboarding lessons at the new Kitty Hawk Kites Kiteboarding Resort in Rodanthe and kayaking all over the Outer Banks, ranging from Corolla to Pea Island. Their stores offer a variety of kites, equipment, souvenirs, toys, pirate gear and more.
And, for an indoor sport challenge, Kitty Hawk Kites features an indoor rock climbing wall with experienced staff members on hand.
Kitty Hawk Kites and Whalebone Watersports
- 7517 S. Virginia Dare Trail, Nags Head/Manteo Causeway
- Nags Head
- (252) 441-4112
- map
The Whalebone Watersports location offers dolphin watch tours and Jet ski rentals. In addition, kayak eco-tours and rentals are available, including a moonlight and bioluminescence tour. If you’ve never seen these glowing organisms, you owe yourself this experience!
Kitty Hawk Sports
- 3933 S. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 13
- Nags Head
Ready for some action? Kitty Hawk Sports has everything you need to enjoy all the recreation opportunities that the Outer Banks has to offer. The shop is located at Jockey’s Ridge Crossing, just across the street from Jockey’s Ridge State Park. There you can book a kayak eco-tour (more than 10 tours to choose from) or a surf lesson from one of their experienced professionals. While you are there, be sure and stock up on all the gear you will need for your tour or lesson. Kitty Hawk Sports has one of the best selections of surf brands on the beach, including Quiksilver, Billabong, Volcom, Roxy, Reef and The North Face.
Kitty Hawk Water Sports
- 6920 S. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 16
- Nags Head
- (252) 441-2756
- map
For the ultimate family adventure visit Kitty Hawk Watersports for a day of fun. You can scream across the water on a Waverunner and afterward get the family on the bumper boats to laugh until your cheeks hurt, or have a picnic on a 22’ skiff. If you want to do something a bit more challenging, sign up for a lesson in surfing, windsurfing, kiteboarding or sailing. For the ultimate view take a Parasailing flight high above the islands.
Kitty Hawk Water Sports also rents single and tandem kayaks by the hour, day or week. It’s a very easy sport, only taking minutes to learn. Paddle at their location on the Roanoke Sound in very shallow water, or take a kayak with you to find your own waterways. They also offer guided eco-tours; just give them a call to book one.
Nags Head Raceway
- 7000 S. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 16
- Nags Head
- (252) 480-4639
- map
Touted by many past riders as the ultimate Indy track, Nags Head Raceway is the place to get your speed-demon juices rolling. Choose from two-seater cars and racers. Fun activities include an on-site family arcade.
Outer Banks Family YMCA
- 3000 S. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 11
- Nags Head
- (252) 449-8897
- map
This 28,000-square-foot facility offers a 25-meter indoor lap pool, fitness center with state-of-the-art weight and cardio equipment, group exercise (floor, cycle and water) classes, yoga and Pilates, cycling, racquetball, dry saunas, massage therapy, hot tub, a full-court gymnasium available for basketball, soccer and volleyball and an interactive zone with video game-based equipment. Activities include summer camps for kids, wellness programs, swim lessons and youth and adult sports leagues. They have two large outdoor pools with a waterslide and a great skate park. Free child care is available while you work out! Call for membership fees. Day passes are available for the skate park (see separate writeup for details). Ask about membership access with your rental property or other accommodations.
Outer Banks Family YMCA Skatepark
- 3000 S. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 11
- Nags Head
- (252) 449-8897
- map
The YMCA’s skatepark has a cement bowl, ramps and a street section. The park is open to skateboards, rollerblades, bikes and scooters. Youth 12 and younger must have a parent present to skate. Youth 17 and younger must wear a helmet, knee and elbow pads. Only helmets are required for those 18 and older. There’s a fee for the use of the park, which is discounted for Y members, Nags Head and North Carolina residents. Out-of-state visitors pay $10 a day or $30 a week to use the park. You can also include the skatepark in your vacation on the Outer Banks by staying in a participating Y-Home or Y-Tel (vacation rentals managed by the YMCA) or by purchasing a Weekly Flex Pass.
Outer Banks Marathon, Gateway Bank Half-Marathon, Outer Banks 8K & Kelly’s Hospitality Group Fun R
- Outer Banks
- Nags Head
- Register Online
- map
If you’re a runner or walker, you don’t want to miss this event on a flat course with awesome scenery and the spirited residents of the Outer Banks cheering for you all along the way. On Sunday, November 14, 2010, you can participate in the fifth annual Outer Banks Marathon or the Gateway Bank Half-Marathon. If all that distance at once isn’t your thing, on Saturday, November 13, there’s also an 8K, a 5K and the Kelly’s Hospitality Group 1-mile Fun Run. Participants can even log 25 miles before race day and finish their “marathon” with 1.2 miles that Saturday. The course for the marathon begins in Kitty Hawk, travels on through Kill Devil Hills and around the Wright Memorial, goes through Nags Head and ends on Roanoke Island. The Gateway Bank Half-Marathon begins by Jockey’s Ridge in Nags Head and ends on Roanoke Island. Walkers are welcome, though you have to be prepared to beat the bridge (they close it to traffic around 1:45 p.m.) so there’s no excuse not to be involved. On Saturday there is a great race expo with good loot, food and entertainment. The Pearl is hosting the annual Saturday Night Pasta Party. For information and to register, go to www.obxmarathon.org, but register early because this event will sell out.
Pirate’s Cove Yacht Club
- 2000 Sailfish Drive, Manteo, Nags Head/Manteo Causeway
- (252) 473-3906, (800) 367-4728
- map
Just about every afternoon between 4 and 5 p.m. a dozen or more sport fishing boats return from the Gulf Stream to the Pirate’s Cove Marina to unload their catches of tuna, dolphin, wahoo and other deep-sea fish. If you’re interested in seeing the fish before they’re cleaned, head down to the docks and watch the mates hurl the whopping creatures onto the docks. Kids love this, and the anglers are usually friendly about sharing their experiences of the day.
If you’re more of a hands-on type, you might want to take a fishing trip yourself. Pirate’s Cove offers several options for getting to the fishing grounds. Approximately 18 private charter boats are available to take you offshore fishing, and other boats are available for inshore fishing charters. Makeup charters are available. Call for details.
Secret Spot Surf Shop
- 2815 S. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 11
- Nags Head
- (252) 441-4030
- map
This shop is an old-time favorite offering custom-made Secret Spot surfboards as well as used boards. Secret Spot has a variety of surf and boogie boards available for rent, and lessons are available. They have a small amount of gear for skateboarding too. Check out their retro collection of surfboards on the ceiling!
Ashtanga Yoga Center
- 2910 S. Croatan Highway, Central Square Shopping Center, The Bypass, MP 11
- Nags Head
- (252) 202-0345
Classes are available for students of all levels. There are introductory classes for beginners, intermediate classes, the full primary series and multi-level Mysore classes for those who are looking to establish or already have developed a self practice. The owner also offers a gentle class to develop basic postures and breath. They’re also now offering massage, Ayurvedic (holistic East Indian medicine) treatments and consultations and various workshops on yoga and spirituality. Group and individual private sessions are available. Students should bring a towel and plenty of water to drink; these classes are invigorating and detoxifying.
Beach Driving
A favorite local activity is cruising the beach when the season allows. In Nags Head, you can take to the sand with your wheels October 1 through April 30. But first you have to get a permit at the town hall. Call (252) 441-5508 for fees.
The suggested speed limit is 15 miles per hour. Enter only at designated ramps. Keep an eye peeled for beachgoers, especially kids and pets who tend to stray! Bear in mind that the wind and water can make a ruckus and impair your hearing and that of pedestrians. Folks also get groggy sunbathing.
Think normal road rules: Pass on the left, keep to the right and yield the right of way to pedestrians. Vehicles and drivers must be street legal — this includes wearing seat belts. If you are in the back of a truck, remain seated in the bed only. Jeep passengers have to remain seated as well. Open alcohol containers are not allowed.
Prepare your tires for the adventure by letting out the appropriate amount of air (and making sure you add it back when you leave the beach!). Pull out of the access way and deflate your tires leaving 20 pounds of pressure. While on the beach keep to the firm, wet section below the high tide line following in already-made tracks. Watch out for shelly, red sand and depressions with standing water. Always stay clear of dunes, and keep a look out for prohibited areas such as nesting sites. Remember to drive behind those folks who are surf fishing!
Biking & Skating
Bicyclists and skaters are a common site trekking along the town’s multiuse path, which runs along the Beach Road from MP 10 (around Bainbridge Street) to MP 21 (Old Oregon Inlet Road in South Nags Head). The path is for walking, jogging, bicycling and skating. The town designates this path as a tow-away, no parking zone for non-motorized activity only. Visitors can bring their own bikes and skates or rent them while here along with necessary safety helmets. State law requires that helmets be worn by those younger than 16 (including passengers) while riding on public roads or right-of-ways. It’s important to keep on the designated path and not navigate on the Beach Road or the Bypass. Those roads are just too busy, and in the case of the Beach Road, too narrow to be safe—especially for children. There are plenty of side roads to navigate, but watch out for sightseers, blowing sand that can thwart your vision and sandy patches that can cause you to skid. Ride on the right side of the road in single file only. Cross at stoplights, and don’t forget your hand signals. One rider per bike is a good rule of thumb. Night riding is not recommended, but if it’s necessary, use a front-lighted white lamp and rear red reflector. The Town of Nags Head requests that folks using in-line skates, roller-skates or skate boards confine their use to the multiuse path only.
Birding
- Various locations in Nags Head
- Nags Head
- No phone
Outer Banks is often referred to as a birder’s paradise. Within the town of Nags Head there are good areas for birding, such as Nags Head Woods and Jockey’s Ridge State Park. Both sites have information available on the types of birds you’re likely to see. Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge, an excellent spot for birding, is a short drive away.
Wings over Water is an annual festival, held in November, that is devoted to the natural side of the Outer Banks. It’s a fun and educational event, with nature-oriented field trips, seminars and kayak excursions. It’s so popular there is now Spring Wings, held in May, which focuses on butterflies and migratory shorebirds. You can call (252) 216-WING for more information.
Birding
- Locations throughout Nags Head
- Nags Head
- No phone
The Outer Banks is often referred to as a birder’s paradise. Within the town of Nags Head there are good areas for birding, such as Nags Head Woods and Jockey’s Ridge State Park. Both sites have information available on the types of birds you’re likely to see. Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge, an excellent spot for birding, is a short drive away.
Wings over Water is an annual festival, held in November, that is devoted to the natural side of the Outer Banks. It’s a fun and educational event, with nature-oriented field trips, seminars and kayak excursions. It’s so popular there is now Spring Wings, held in May, which focuses on butterflies and migratory shorebirds. You can call (252) 216-WING for more information.
Blackbeard’s Golf
- 6714 S. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 16
- Nags Head
- (252) 441-4541
At Blackbeard’s Golf you can play 18 holes of mini-golf across streams and by the waterfall. The course is located right behind the Dairy Queen.
Even Keel Massage Therapy
- 3022 S. Croatan Highway, Pirate’s Quay, The Bypass, MP 11
- Nags Head
- (252) 480-3581
This team of state and nationally certified massage therapists specializes in therapeutic and medical massage techniques including myofacial release for relaxation, injury recovery and pain management. Feel free to call them for more information and to schedule an appointment.
Fishing Unlimited
- Nags Head Causeway
- Nags Head
- (252) 441-5028
You can cruise the waterways in one of the 23-foot pontoon boats and 16-foot skiffs that are rented here at Fishing Unlimited’s causeway location. If you are in the mood to wet a line, you can crab or fish in the sound from Fishing Unlimited’s 600-foot pier in South Nags Head (see the Fishing section).
Galaxy Golf
- 2914 S. Virginia Dare Trail, The Beach Road, MP 11
- Nags Head
- (252) 441-5875
This space-themed mini-golf course includes 36 lighted holes. Aliens younger than 4 with a paying adult play free at this one-stop intergalactic hop.
His Dream Center
- 205 E. Baltic Avenue
- Nags Head
- (252) 441-1155
This Christian life center offers a variety of services and recreation including live drama during the summer in their 250-seat auditorium. Friday nights feature Christian family movies followed by a coffeehouse with live music and snacks for purchase. Once a month enjoy karaoke. Browse their on-site Christian bookstore for bestselling books and a wide variety of CDs, DVDs and gifts. The First Flight Church Assembly of God service is held on Sunday. Rental space is available to the public for weddings and community activities.
Integration Massage & Bodywork
- 2413 S. Croatan Highway, MP 10.5
- Nags Head
- (252) 256-0137
Whether it’s from a job or finances or family life, stress takes a toll and causes muscles to tense up, jaws to clench and backs to ache. Massage and bodywork calms the nervous system, promotes
circulation, eases muscle strains and constrictions causing pain and helps to still the racing thoughts that cause muscles to tighten in the first place. David Henderson has 11 years of experience working with the needs of a diverse clientele, and he uses a combination of deep intuition, experience and training in the science of anatomy, physiology and bodywork. He offers an eclectic blend of styles including cranio-sacral therapy, lymph drainage, Swedish, deep tissue and sports massage. He has a team of male and female therapists who work with him, and they offer support to couples, groups and even your best canine friend! He has a beautiful treatment room at Outer Banks Yoga studio in Kitty Hawk and also works out of the Outer Banks Sports Center in Nags Head. If you prefer, he or his team can travel to you.
Jennette’s Pier
- 7223 S. Virginia Dare Trail, Beach Road, MP 16.5
- Nags Head
- (252) 441-6421
Jennette’s Pier is currently closed while the old structure is demolished and a new, 850-foot-long pier and two-story pier house are built. The new pier will be built on concrete pilings, the first pier of its kind on the Outer Banks. The North Carolina Aquarium Society manages the pier, and the new structure will continue to be a family-oriented venue. The fishing pier will still offer anglers and sightseers passes, but you will also appreciate educational programs and aquarium exhibits. Exhibits include fish tanks up to 300 gallons and an introduction to local species called Giants of the Sea. The exhibit includes representatives of state record-holding saltwater fish mounts. It gives a great perspective on the size of record catches. Don’t miss this educational stop when the pier reopens.
