Recreation - Nags Head

Ashtanga Yoga Center

• 2910 S. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, Central Square Shopping Center, MP 11
• Nags Head
• (252) 202-0345

Classes are available for students of all levels. Traditional mysore-style classes are available for those seeking to establish or maintain their own daily practice. You can also benefit from led classes for students of all levels, traditional and non-traditional and community yoga classes. This center also organizes various workshops and retreats on yoga, health and spirituality that bring internationally renowned guest teachers to the community. Group and individual private sessions are also available at your location or on the beach, or you can come to their location. The full schedule, list of events and contact information can be found on their website. Students should bring a towel and plenty of water to drink afterward; 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

• Nags Head

Bicyclists and skaters are a common site trekking along the town’s multiuse path, which runs along the Beach Road from Eighth Street (KDH/NH line) 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 affect 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

• Locations throughout 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. 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.

Causeway Watersports

• 7649 S. Virginia Dare Trail, Nags Head/Manteo Causeway
• Nags Head
• (252) 441-8875

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 Causeway Watersports. 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.

Cavalier Surf Shop

• 4324 S. Virginia Dare Trail, The Beach Road, MP 13.5
• Nags Head
• (252) 441-7349

One of the oldest surf shops on the Outer Banks, Cavalier is a family-run operation and known for providing excellent customer service in sales and rentals. You can buy or rent hard or soft-top surfboards, bodyboards, skimboards 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. Standup paddleboards and lessons are also offered. Beach chair and umbrella rentals are also available. In the shop, you’ll find lots of surf and sport clothing, sunglasses, sandals and accessories for boys, men and women.

Cloud Nine

• 3022 S. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP11.25
• Nags Head
• (252) 441-2992

Colorful and creative, Cloud Nine is a happening stop these days for shoppers and artisans and has been for years — the shop recently celebrated its 25th anniversary. Select 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. Cloud Nine now offers classes for adults and children. The shop 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.

Cypress Queen Yacht Charters

• Manteo Waterfront
• (252) 256-7188

Pull together your favorite people and cruise the local waterways aboard a private luxury yacht for an Outer Banks experience you won’t forget. On board the 52-foot yacht Cypress Queen, you can customize your cruise experience to fulfill your wishes. Enjoy cocktails and hors d’oeuvres on the shaded sky lounge at sunset, lunch on the deck while you look at the local scenery or a fully catered dinner in the comfort of the air-conditioned salon at night. Enjoy a post-cruise dock party on the waterfront when you get back to the dock. On a standard two-hour cruise, your host serves non-alcoholic beverages, but you are welcome to bring your own alcohol and they’ll provide all the mixers, glasses and ice. Lunch, dinner, appetizers and catering trays are available from local restaurants at an additional cost. There are up to three departures daily and cruises last for two hours. The Cypress Queen can comfortably accommodate six passengers. The captain and crew look forward to welcoming you aboard!

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/Manteo Causeway
• Nags Head
• (252) 441-5028

Fish, crab or cruise the Roanoke Sound! You can cruise the waterways in one of the 23-foot or 26-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 300-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.

Island Limousine and Taxi

• 6933 South Croatan Highway
• Nags Head
• (252) 441-LIMO (5466), (252) 261-3133 (for taxis), (800) 828-5466

Island Limousine provides basic transportation services of all types, including taxi services, limousine rentals for weddings, proms and parties, and airport shuttles to and from all major regional airports. They also offer opportunities for fun! Going to an out-of-town concert or sporting event? Call Island Limo and let them handle the driving. Want to see the Outer Banks lighthouses and attractions with all your friends? Book a shuttle bus and enjoy a custom sight-seeing tour. How about a pub crawl or wine-tasting tour in which someone else handles the driving? Island Limo can handle all these events and more with a fleet of vehicles that includes well-maintained corporate sedans, L Series sedans, SUVs, stretch SUV and Town Car limousines, passenger vans, shuttle buses and charter buses. All tours and events are custom fit to your needs, and their chauffeurs are trained and licensed.

Jockey’s Ridge State Park

• 300 W. Carolista Drive, The Bypass, MP 12
• Nags Head
• (252) 441-7132

Enter the state park through the visitor’s center and choose from three adventures: Hike up the impressive dune, or travel two nature trails that meander through the dune. The Soundside Nature Trail takes about 45 minutes, and the Tracks in the Sand Trail is a 1.5-mile walk.

Nags Head is home to the tallest natural sand dune on the East Coast. Jockey’s Ridge, a series of five dunes, is a natural wonder that’s continually changing in shape and height. With the highest hill varying from 90 to 110 feet tall, this system of sand is a haven for adventure. Colorful kites waver over its majesty regularly, and hang gliders climb to its summit to swoop down a sandy incline. Hikers excite in its form and function, and nature buffs appreciate discovering the subtle dune life that exists here. Few can resist the climb to bear witness to renowned Outer Banks sunsets. Included in the 426-acre park are several trails, picnic areas, a visitor center and a museum and gift shop supported by the non-profit Friends of Jockey’s Ridge. Natural history programs for adults and children are offered. A boardwalk provides a lookout for a terrific view of the dunes and also serves as a passage for the mobility impaired. Arrangements can be made for a four-wheel dune ride to the top (the park requests a 24-hour notice). In the summer, the sand on the dunes is usually 25 to 30 degrees hotter than the air, so shoes are a necessity.

The visitor center closes at 5 p.m. from November through February winter and 6 p.m. the rest of the year. Park ground hours run November through February, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.; March through May, September and October 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.; June, July and August, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. The Soundside Access Gate is open October through March 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and April through September 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. The Ridge closes 15 minutes before the park closes. Jockey’s Ridge State Park is open daily with the exception of Christmas Day.

Jurassic Putt

• 6926 S. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 16
• Nags Head
• (252) 441-6841

Roam among Jurassic-period dinosaurs while playing on two 18-hole miniature golf courses.

Kitty Hawk Kites

• 3933 N. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 13
• Nags Head
• (877) 359-8447

Kitty Hawk Kites gets you outside and having fun with several exciting fresh air 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.