
Love the ocean? Then chances are good you love water sports. And no doubt you’ve done all the usual – swimming, sailing, fishing, boating. Perhaps you’ve also tried somewhat more daring sports, such as surfing, kayaking, and water skiing.
Top 10 Outer Banks Activities for the Adventurous Vacationer

#1 Mile High Hang Gliding
Kitty Hawk Kites has been providing hang gliding on the Outer Banks since 1974. They provide lessons for adults and children off the dunes of Jockey’s Ridge, but they also provide Tandem Hang Gliding on this Currituck mainland that tows you up to 1 mile in the sky (5,280 feet) giving you a bird’s eye view of the coastline above the Currituck Sound as you drift back down to the ground over a roughly 20 minute descent. This is certainly not for those with a fear of heights but it is the perfect unique experience for the adventurer at heart. The best part is this is also a “no experience needed” activities since you are strapped in with an expert to guides the glider for you.
#2 First Flight Adventure Park
First Flight Adventure Park is an aerial obstacle course that goes up to 50 feet high. The course is shaped to resemble outer bands of a hurricane, branching out from the central tower which resembles the eye of the Hurricane.
There are 6 courses total and each course consist of 7 obstacles, and it looks like more challenges are coming this year. The obstacles are designed around a maritime theme using ropes, cables, wood, barrels, stir-ups, a hammock and more. The higher up the central spiral staircase you go, the more difficult the obstacles become. At the end of each course there is a short zip back to the central tower. Have no fear, climbers will be in a harness and attached to a safety device while completing each obstacle, at all times. Climbers take the action into their own hands by choosing to go on easy, intermediate, or advanced courses.
Read about Bill Koebernick’s experience when the park first opened.
#3 Kiteboarding
The most exciting and thrilling new water sport, kiteboarding, is guaranteed to get your heart pounding, yet it is easy enough for almost anyone to learn! Kiteboarding, or kite-surfing, a synergy of wind and water forces, takes harnessing the wind to the extreme! Learn to kiteboard at Kitty Hawk Kites under the guidance of an expert and certified instructors that have been leading the sport since its conception! It is the hottest new kite sport to sweep the world, and it thrives on pure adrenaline!
#4 Jetpak
This is an aquatic jet pack provided by Kitty Hawk Kites. The rumor is most people can’t handle more than a 30 minute ride at a time due to feeling like you just went on a 30 minute sprint. While that may seem a little intimating, it is also a unique experience that’s hard for the adventurer-at-heart to pass up.
#5 Airplane Tour
To truly appreciate the Outer Banks it takes a unique perspective to this unique place. The Outer Banks is made up of some of the most diverse landscape found anywhere. From the air you can see this incredible area featuring shipwrecks, sand dunes, endless beaches, maritime forests, lighthouses and much, much more.
We highly recommend booking your tour through Above the Coast.
#6 Parasailing
Soar above the water for breath taking views. Parasailing, also known as parakiting, has been around since the mid 80’s. On the Outer Banks you are attached to a parachute that is being towed by a boat anywhere from 600 ft. to 1,200 ft., for approximately 10 minutes.
If you’re staying in the more northern part of the Outer Banks (Corolla, Duck, Southern Shores, etc.) you can use Nor’Banks Sailing or Kitty Hawk Kites. If you’re closer to Nags Head/Manteo then
Kitty Hawk Kites
Lots of OBX Beach Memories: Memory Monday July 14, 2015.

Today we are catching up a bit as we have had so many Memory Monday Photo Submissions over the last couple of months that we need to share multiple shots with you today.
Thanks to Gant Bleakley who shares this beautiful shot.
And next we have Angie Ellsworth of Wilmington, Delaware who shares this picture from her stay with Outer Banks Blue when she and her family were at the property “Reel Retreat” in Corolla.
Let’s go Jet Skiing!
Finally here’s a shot from Tavia (who didn’t give us her hometown or last name) who had a family member obviously enjoy some great ice cream during their visit!
Thanks to all of our Memory Monday photo submission folks this week. Check back every week to see new photos from folks that enjoyed their stay with Outer Banks Blue!
All the best from the beach.
By Tim Cafferty, President, Outer Banks Blue Realty Services
Up, Up, and Away!: Memory Monday May 19, 2015.
Special thanks this week to our Memory Monday photo submitter Stacy Kurtz of Dillsburg, Pennsylvania who stayed with Outer Banks Blue last August in the property “Sea Song II.”
Stacy writes “It was a beautiful place, and we had a wonderful time. My daughter and I went to the causeway in Nags Head for a Parasail ride, and this was the best picture of the whole week for us.”
Thanks Stacey. As the temperatures warm up this looks like more fun to do as every day passes! We look forward to serving you and your family again soon.
All the best from the beach!
By Tim Cafferty, President, Outer Banks Blue Realty Services
Meet at the Beach!: Memory Monday July 21, 2014.
Who has the Agenda? |
We all would like to attend such stressful meetings huh? Thanks Elizabeth for passing along your photo memories. Please keep those photos coming. You never know, you may see your photo here on our Memory Monday. We post a picture each week, and we randomly draw a winner each month for a $100 discount on your next rental with Outer Banks Blue.All the best from the beach!By Tim Cafferty, President, Outer Banks Blue Realty Services
Memory Monday 6/23/14
Up Up and AWAY! |
This is a parasailing boat where folks can charter the boat for a unique ride over the Outer Banks waterways! Parasail boats operate in the Corolla area, Duck, Kitty Hawk and Nags Head. Some of the boats have tethers that will take you as high as a 50 story building! All of the boats have US Coast Guard certified captains, and the activity is very safe – and the thrill of a lifetime.Thanks Terry for sharing your photo memories!All the best from the beach!By Tim Cafferty, President, Outer Banks Blue Realty Services
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