Kayak Tours on the Outer Banks
.JPG)
Try a kayak tour on the Outer Banks of North Carolina with the Kitty Hawk Kayaks and Surf School, the Outer Banks leader in Eco-Tourism since 1984. We offer over 15 different kayak tours!!! Kayaking in the always-exciting Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge where black bears, white-tailed deer, red wolfs and the alligators of North Carolina dwell is amazing. Or try our Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge or explore one of the last intact maritime forests of coastal North Carolina in the Kitty Hawk Coastal Preserve. Kayak tours are also offered in Corolla at Tim-Buck II Shopping Center and in Manteo as well. Kayak tours at sunset, or try a full moon kayak tour. We even offer an ecotour on our fleet of ocean kayaks during sunrise, launching right off the beautiful beaches of the Outer Banks. We have all locations covered, offering kayak tours in Kill Devil Hills, Nags Head, Corolla, Manteo, Kitty Hawk, Duck and Hatteras Island.
Eastern North Carolina is one of the finest flat-water kayaking destinations on the East Coast of the United States. Surrounded by National Seashores, Wildlife Refugees, State Parks, Coastal Reserves, Nature Conservancy lands, the Currituck, Albemarle, Croatan, Roanoke and Pamlico Sounds and of course the Atlantic Ocean, there is no lack of spectacular places to paddle on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Allow us here at the Kitty Hawk Kayak and Surf School to show you the best kayak tours. Or if you are an experienced paddler looking for a privately guided kayak trip even further off the beaten path, let us show you some of the Outer Banks' hidden paddling gems or take a class from the Outer Banks only American Canoe and Kayak Association (ACA) certified kayak school. In fact, we train our competition's staff every spring according to ACA protocols so if you want to know who is the best on the beach, now you know. :)
Click here for a PDF of Kayak Tour Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)
Click here to get started for a PDF of our waiver
Click here for a PDF of our Crucial Information page
Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge Kayak Tour 
They don’t call it Alligator River for nothin’; gator sightings are frequent on this tour. But don’t fear, despite conventional wisdom to the contrary, gators are shy and elusive creatures and are not aggressive. This is one of our most exciting and beautiful kayak tours; it is also our longest tour at 3 hours. A true Outer Banks treasure kayaking in Milltail Creek, home to an old logging and whiskey distilling community during Prohibition amidst the spectacular natural beauty of the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge. Black bear, snowy egrets, great blue herons, and the once endangered red wolf all call this area home, so come check 'em out and paddle the refuge with us. $50.00 per person/
$25.00 for 12 and under in a double with an adult.
Click here to see a calendar of the Alligator River Eco-tour availability. 
 |
| Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge Tour - Outer Banks Kayak Tours - Kitty Hawk Kayak & Surf Sc |
.JPG)
This ecotour explores the salt marshes sound side in the Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge. This preserve is what makes ecotourism so special on the Outer Banks. On htis kayak tour,we frequently spot ospreys, pelicans, herons, egrets, ibis, terns, rails, skimmers, wrens, and warbles just to name a few. Kayaking during the winter months this location is particularly abundant with migrating ducks, swans, geese and other water foul. We will tour the salt marshes of the Pamlico Sound and visit the old bridge joining Hatteras Island to the Northern Outer Banks across the now closed New Inlet. This is a two-hour kayak tour $45.00 per person/
$25.00 for 12 and under in a double with an adult.
Click here to see a calendar of the Pea Island Ecotour availability.
 |
| Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge Tour - Outer Banks Kayak Tours - Kitty Hawk Kayak & Surf School |
.JPG)
Our most popular kayak tours, the Maritime Forest tour is excellent for first time and younger paddlers. The tour leaves kayaking from our store in Kitty Hawk and explores the North Carolina Coastal Reserve, one of the few intact maritime forest environments on the Outer Banks. On this kayak tour we see many reptiles such as snakes and turtles, as well as many birds. This is also an excellent locale on windy days because of the shelter provided by Live Oaks and Loblolly Pine trees insuring smooth waters, even during the Outer Banks' strong Nor’easters!!!$40.00 per person/$25.00 for 12 and under in a double with an adult.
Click here to see a calendar of the Maritime Forest Ecotour availability.
 |
| Kitty Hawk Maritime Forest - Outer Banks Kayak Tours - Kitty Hawk Kayak & Surf School |
Corolla Salt Marsh Kayak Tour
Come check out the most beautiful place to paddle in Corolla. Kayaking around the sheltered islands, bays and canals of the Currituck Sound on the Outer Banks. Launch from Timbuck II shopping center and cruise around at a leisurely pace. See snowy egrets, great blue herons, and the occasional river otter. A great place to watch the sunset as well or check out the full moon at night. $45.00 per person/$25.00 for 12 and under in a double with an adult.
Click here to see a calendar of the Corolla Salt Marsh Ecotour availability.
Historic Roanoke Island Paddle Kayak Tour
Roanoke Island was witness to the first English settlement in the New World. Learn about the rich history on Roanoke Island while kayaking its protected canals and waterways. Downtown Manteo is a great kayaking environment located between the Outer Banks and the mainland and also provides an ideal activity to begin your exploration of the Outer Bnks and Roanoke Island. $45.00 per person/ $25.00 for 12 and under in a double with an adult.
Click here to see a calendar of the Historic Roanoke Island Ecotour availability.
 |
| Roanoke Island Kayak Tour - Outer Banks Kayak Tours - Kitty Hawk Kayak & Surf School |
Full Moon Kayak Tours
Kayaking during a full moon is a must do for any self-respecting paddler. Our full moon kayak tours are an exciting night paddle guided by moonlight!!! This two-hour excursion is a great way to enjoy the coastal environments, observe bioluminescence (glowing fluorescent bacteria in the water!!!!) and howl at the moon on a summer evening on the Outer Banks.. The water is usually calmer, the mood mellower, and the groups rowdier so come with us on a full moon. Obviously due to Mother Nature’s lunar cycles this tour is only offered during a full moon.
Click here to see a calendar of the Corolla Full Moon Ecotour availability.
Click here to see a calendar of the Roanoke Island Full Moon Ecotour availability.
Surf Lesson and Kayak Tour Package
Kayaking and surfing!!!! Get the most out of the Outer Banks coastal environments with our Surf and Kayak Tour Package. Save 15% the regular price by booking both. Enjoy a morning Surf Lesson with an afternoon kayak tour. This can be scheduled for the same day or over the course of your stay on the Outer Banks. After this day you will be worn out, but grinning from ear to ear having learned how to surf and went kayaking all in one day!!!
$90.00 per person includes a kayak tour of your choice and a surf lesson. These activities can be scheduled any day during your stay. $75.00 per person for a child 12 years old and under.
Locations of the put ins for these tours are kept secret. Call us to discuss your private kayak tour for an incredible paddling experience in tour areas even further off the beaten path. It is recommended that you have some prior kayaking experience or a strong sense of adventure to fully enjoy these tours. Full and half day options available. Shhhhh! Don't tell anyone. Price and schedule depends on location.
Ocean Kayak Tours
Check out our new sun rise and sunset ocean kayak tours. We shove off right from the beach in Kitty Hawk and paddle looking for dolphins, schools of fish, and the view of land from a kayak. We use unsinkable Ocean Kayaks for these kayak tours that handle better in the open ocean environment. You will enjoy the unique perspective this gives you from the outside looking in towards the land. This is THE best way to watch the sun come up over the Atlantic Ocean kayaking on the Outer Banks.. Offered Thursday mornings at 7 AM throughout the summer.
Click here to see a calendar of the Ocean Kayak Paddle availability.
Surf Kayak Lessons
We offer private and group surf kayak lessons for people who want to learn how to surf kayak, or as we call it, sedentary shredding. Helmets, life jackets, surf kayaks and paddles provided. The instructor will enlighten you on the dynamic ocean environment, paddling techniques, judging and catching waves and paddle bracing. Your instructor knows the best sand bars for beginner and intermediate surf kayaking. These 1.5 hour lessons will have you paddling out, catching waves and even turning.
$80.00 per person
Overnight Kayak Camping Trips 
Overnight trips are an incredible experience for those who love to paddle and are interested in a wilderness experience in Coastal North Carolina. We offer overnight expeditions in several areas along the Roanoke, Cashie, Chowan Rivers and their tributaries, and the Albemarle Sound on platforms only accessible by kayak!!!! Theses area traverses great natural preserves of the Palmetto Preserve and the Roanoke River National Wildlife Refuge and other watersheds of the Albemarle Sound. Observe bald eagles, owls, white-tailed deer, black bear and the serenity of coastal North Carolina. You can choose from several tasty menu options to suite all appetites; you never knew camping out could taste this good!!! Call or e-mail for trip dates, availability and location to find a trip that will quench your thirst for a kayak wilderness adventure or e-mail us to discuss your own personal trip itinerary.
$200.00 per person. Discounts available for multi-day expeditions and large groups.
Click here to see a calendar of the Roanoke River Overnight Trips.
 |
| Roanoke River Overnight Camping Trips - Outer Banks Kayak Tours - Kitty Hawk Kayak & Surf School |
Merchants Millpond Overnight Trip 
One of the hidden gems of the North Carolina State Park system is Merchants Millpond State Park in Gates County. Described as "[a]n enchanted forest, [with] primitive species of fish relatively unchanged over millions of years, towering bald cypress trees with massive trunks, luxuriant growths of Spanish moss. Here, coastal pond and southern swamp forest mingle, creating one of North Carolina's rarest ecological communities. Together with upland forests, these environments create a haven for wildlife and humanity alike." It is a paddlers' paradise and one of the most unique camping locals in North Carolina. Kitty Hawk Kayak & Surf School offers guided overnight camping excursions to this majestic paddling mecca. We will paddle to our campsite, set up camp and begin to unwind in the natural beauty of the place. Explore the pond by kayak, hike the trails through the forest, paddle up Bennets Creek, the source of the pond, and camp along the shores. This is also a great place for family camping trips, couples and first time kayakers as the environment is very sheltered from the elements. Call for more information.
$200.00 per person. Discounts available for multi-day expeditions and large groups.
Click here to see a calendar of the Merchants Millpond Overnight Trips.
American Canoe/Kayak Association (ACA) Quick Start Class
This is a more thorough paddling, safety, kayak care and navigation course. Rescues, towing, gear, trip planning, wet exits and kayak touring specific problems are also discussed. This is a four hour tour made by appointment only for someone who is more serious about paddling in the future, and who would like to do some of their own touring safely and well-prepared. This course follows the curriculum of the American Canoe Association and is given by an ACA certified instructor. This is a four-hour class. For curriculum specifics on the Quick Start Class, visit the site: http://www.americancanoe.org/PDF/QuickstartYourKayak.pdf
American Canoe Association Quick Start Class: $100.00 per person
Copyright ©2009 Kitty Hawk Kayak and Surf School
6150 North Croatan Highway Kitty Hawk, NC 27949 Mile Post 1
(252) 261-0145 or 1 (866) 702-5061