The summer may be winding down on the Outer Banks but there are still many adventures yet to be had on the beautiful barrier islands! Kitty Hawk Kites offers a ton of fun activities throughout the fall and winter months for the adventure seekers. It’s one of the best times to visit as accommodations are extremely affordable and the crowds have thinned out.
Here are a few activities we offer during the off season that you may or may not have heard about yet:
1)Hang Gliding at Jockey’s Ridge State Park
Hang Gliding at Jockey’s Ridge State Park in Nags Head is an Outer Banks must! Take a Beginner Lesson with us and learn how to fly a Hang Glider on your first lesson. Each lesson is about 3 hours long and includes Ground School and 5 solo training flights. Dune Hang Gliding lessons are conducted at our training facility in Jockey’s Ridge State Park located at Mile Post 12 in Nags Head, NC. The dunes of Jockey’s Ridge provide the perfect platform for learning to hang glide. They have plenty of height for beginners and are soft for landing. We have been providing lessons at this site for over 40 years to over 400,000 students.
Fall is a great time to kiteboard here on the Outer Banks, with steady winds ranging from 10 to 35mph and a high number of “kiteable” days. Large temperature fluctuations in the fall months bring stronger northeasterly winds, for the most desirable surf and kiteboarding conditions on the ocean. Waves Village Kiteboarding Resort is conveniently located in the heart of the “Kiteboarding Mecca” on Hatteras Island, with a full-service restaurant and coffee shop on site.
3) Paddle on the Alligator River in Buffalo City
Take a step back in time and paddle through the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge, one of the largest and most pristine wildlife refuges on the East Coast. Discover the history of Buffalo City’s logging community, and the story behind one of prohibition’s most famous “moonshine capitals.” Wind through creeks and canals and explore the swirling red waters and ‘living fossils’ of this cypress swamp. This tour lasts about 1.5 hours and is suitable for paddles of all skill levels.
4) Beach Horseback Riding on the Cape Hatteras National Seashore
Explore the Buxton Woods Coastal Reserve and the Cape Hatteras National Seashore on Hatteras Island by Horseback. You will see the natural beauty of Hatteras Island from a completely different perspective! Our guided Horseback tour takes you from the maritime forest to the coastline. You’ll have the opportunity to soak in the beauty of the area with the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse and Cape Point off to the left, and miles of pristine beaches to ride and enjoy. This tour is accessible for riders of all abilities.
5) Wild Horse Tours on the Northern Outer Banks
Enjoy breathtaking views of the wild horses of the Northern Outer Banks as your guide gives you local folklore and eclectic history as you ride into the heart of the off-road Outer Banks just North of Corolla. This adventure lasts about two hours. Private parties are also available upon request along with special group rates.
6) Walking Ghost Tour in Manteo
OBX Ghost Tours is something your family will be talking about the rest of the summer! You’ll be entertained as a guide leads you through down town Manteo by lantern telling the spooky stories that makes the Outer Banks one of the most haunted beaches in America. We are the Outer Banks’ only ghost tour that uses Ghost Detectors! Whether you believe or not, you’ll enjoy your time at OBX Ghost Tours. Book now for the time of your afterlife.
7) Go Fish! on a Hobie Kayak Fishing Charter
Kayak Fishing is one of the fastest growing sports in the world. Hands free kayaking + a fishing rod makes the Hobie Angler Kayaks the perfect vessel for a Kayak Fishing Experience, particularly in the shallow soundside waterways of the Outer Banks. Your guide will take you on a fully equipped 4-hour charter to the locations off the beaten path so that you can get better access to fish you might not otherwise know how to find: Drum, Speckled Trout, Flounder and more. Complete beginners and experienced anglers are sure to enjoy this experience, and if you’ve ever considered purchasing a Hobie Angler Kayak, what better way to “drive it before you buy it” with the assurance of an experienced and knowledgeable guide.
8) Sunset Sailing Cruise in Duck
Sail the Albemarle Sound aboard the 41-foot ketch “Movin’ On”. Sunset Cruises are generally intimate experiences for couples and special occasions. Fall’s moderate temperatures make this regularly beautiful excursion extraordinary. Whether you come alone, as a couple, or as a group, your experience on this sailing adventure is warm, friendly, and personal.
9) Fly a 1902 Wright Glider at Jockey’s Ridge State Park
Soar above the dunes like a Wright Brother in a museum quality replica of the 1902 Wright Glider that the Orville and Wilbur Wright used to practice leading up to the famous 1903 flight. The Wright Brothers spent the months of September and October of 1902 flying their glider on the dunes of North Carolina before heading home to build the 1903 airplane – making this experience extremely inspiring for history enthusiasts and aviation buffs. The higher winds of October-December make this a perfect adventure for the fall, and this is the only place in the world you can fly like a Wright Brother.
10) Take a Scenic Aerial Tour in a WWII Bi-Plane
Take an 8-minute discovery flight around the town of Historic Manteo in an original WWII bi-plane trainer, accommodating up to 2 people per trip. Fly a bit longer with 20- and 35- minute flights and see the classic Outer Banks sites such as the Wright Brothers Monument, Jockey’s Ridge, Oregon Inlet or even the Bodie Island Lighthouse in the open-air cockpit bi-plane. Get a bird’s eye view of the incredible coastline and treasures that the Outer Banks offers with an airplane tour.
For more information on these activities and other fun Outer Banks adventures – contact us at 1.877.FLY.THIS!
In New England this Fall? Check out the Fall foliage at Morningside Flight Park!
[…] to the area not only during the sizzling summer months. But also during what is considered the offseason, which is otherwise known as the fall, spring and winter […]
[…] to the area not only during the sizzling summer months, but also during what is considered the offseason, which is otherwise known as the fall, spring and winter […]
[…] to the area not only during the sizzling summer months, but also during what is considered the offseason, which is otherwise known as the fall, spring and winter […]