From Nags Head and its surrounding Roanoke Island, Bodie Island, and Hatteras Island regions, mariners can explore multiple saltwater sounds, the open ocean waters, and even the Gulf Stream.

Fishing Charters

Local Charter Boats

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Nags Head visitors will be close to two of the biggest hubs for fishing charter businesses on the Outer Banks - the Oregon Inlet Fishing Center and the marinas in the longstanding fishing town of Wanchese on Roanoke Island.

Between the two regions, there are more than 100 charter businesses to choose from, which can offer both inshore fishing trips and offshore trips to the Gulf Stream. Both regions are minutes away from Oregon Inlet, which connects the sound with the Atlantic Ocean, and which is roughly 15 miles away from the Gulf Stream.

Most charter trips are available in half-day or full-day increments, depending on the targeted Outer Banks fishing region, and offshore trips leave early at 6:00, 5:00, or even 4:00 in the morning.

Advanced reservations are required, and anglers can often reserve trips via the individual charter business directly, or through the marina where their vessel is stationed. Smaller parties of 1-2 anglers can often book last-minute reservations and join a smaller fishing group that's already booked - (a short-cut that can also be a money saver.)

Fishing charters generally cost between $250 - $1200 per trip, depending on the length and destination of the fishing trip, and the party size. Parties of 1-6 anglers are welcome, though some vessels can accommodate larger groups.

Boating and Personal Watercraft Regulations

  • The open waters off of Nags Head, including the Albemarle Sound, Roanoke Sound, and the Atlantic Ocean are patrolled by the US Coast Guard as well as the Marine Patrol of the North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries.
  • Boaters who need assistance can also contact SEATOW / Boat U.S. service, which serves the Outer Banks area.
  • All children under the age of 13 are required to wear an approved personal floatation device when a vessel is moving, according to North Carolina state law.
  • Personal watercrafts must be operated by mariners who are 14 and older, according to North Carolina state law.
  • Personal watercrafts can be operated within 300 feet of the shoreline or fishing pier in the town of Nags Head.
  • When launching from a public or private boat ramp, mariners must go straight in and straight out, and not exceed 5 miles per hour until well outside the town limits.
  • Motorized vessels cannot be launched from the Jockey's Ridge State Park or the Danube Street Albemarle Sound access.
  • Boaters and personalized watercraft operators close to Oregon Inlet must heed all area closures administered by the National Park Service, which may include the waters adjacent to the beaches. Signs will be posted when these waters are closed to the public.
  • For a complete overview of the North Carolina Wildlife Resource Commissions' regulations, which includes regulations for vessels, operators, and local waters, review their online handbook at http://www.ncwildlife.org/Portals/0/Boating/documents/VOG.pdf.

Boating is big in the 'Banks, and there are several regional public access ramps that are within a 15-20 minute drive for Nags Head vacationers. These include the following

Oregon Inlet Boat Ramp - Located just off of NC Highway 12, behind the Oregon Inlet Fishing Center.

Washington Baum Bridge - Located adjacent to the western side of the Washington Baum Bridge, in between Nags Head and Roanoke Island.

Wanchese Boat Ramp - Located next to Moon Tillett's Fish Company and Fisherman's Wharf Restaurant, about a mile past the US 64 intersection.

Kill Devil Hills Boat Ramp - Located on the soundside, next to the intersection of Bay Drive and Dock Street.

Manteo Bowerstown Road Boat Ramp - Located at the end of Bowerstown Road, which is on the edge of Manteo, next to the US 64 intersection.

Manteo Downtown Boat Ramp - Located just off of Budleigh Street, close to the historic Elizabeth II, which is docked in the downtown harbor.

Kitty Hawk Boat Ramp - Located at the end of Bob Perry Road.

Marinas

Though Nags Head doesn't have any marinas within its town limits, it is within 10-30 minutes of some of the OBX's most popular regional marinas. Popular area marinas include the following.

Oregon Inlet Fishing Center - This marina is the largest along the barrier island beaches, and features 45 fishing charter businesses, five public boat ramps, fuel, an extensive marina store, slips for rent, and easy access to the neighboring National Park Service campground. It's also the closest OBX marina to Oregon Inlet.

Pirate's Cove Yacht Club - Located next to the extensive Pirate's Cove condo, duplex and home community, this marina features charter businesses, regular tournaments, dockage and slip rentals, fuel, and a marine store and on-site restaurant.

Broad Creek Fishing Center - Found along the borders of the Wanchese Seafood Industrial Park in Wanchese, Broad Creek features a ship's store, marine supplies, charter businesses, fish cleaning services, fuel, and an extensive dry-stack storage facility.

Thicket Lump Marina - This smaller Wanchese marina at the end of Thicket Lump Road boasts a number of charters, fish cleaning services, fuel, and a popular bait and tackle shop which features custom built rods.

Manteo Waterfront Marina - This smaller marina features a nearby public boat ramp, as well as walking-distance access to downtown Manteo's acclaimed shopping and restaurants.

 

Kitty Hawk Kites

Kitty Hawk Kites

Kitty Hawk Kites has been Teaching the World to Fly since 1974 and is home to the world’s largest hang gliding school. As the Outer Banks leader in quality outdoor recreation and adventure, Kitty Hawk Kites offers more than 30 activities to choose from, so get out that pen and start crossing things off your OBX bucket list today! Visit KittyHawk.com or call 1.877.FLY.THIS to book your Kitty Hawk Kites adventure today.

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OBX Laser Tag and Arcade

OBX Laser Tag and Arcade

Here’s some high energy entertainment for the kids, and for young adults (or young at heart) who love laser tag. On one side of this large facility is the “moon bounce inflatable room,” where the young ‘uns can go and bounce about to their heart’s content. Parties are available for up to 12 kids ages 2 through 6 – bring your own cake. But it’s the other room where the real action is. Arcade games are located just inside the door, then there’s another door. And behind that it’s another world. Black lights, music and fog combine to make a spooky atmosphere where players with (completely harmless) laser guns duck behind shadowy corners to hide from pursuers wielding their own laser guns. It’s a large area to play in, and everyone is clearly having fun. Games can be purchased as a single, a 3-game discount, or all-day pass. Unlimited play all night from 7 p.m. to midnight on Fridays and Saturdays is also offered, as well as overnight parties and private party room parties.

The Farmer's Daughter

The Farmer's Daughter

Founded in 1984 on the coast of the Outer Banks, NC, Farmer’s Daughter still remains a destination for people wanting great quality, outstanding selection of unique clothing, accessories, and gifts at affordable prices. Committed to offering great customer service, we strive to bring the latest fashions and the most popular brands to our store, while constantly staying in touch with the latest trends. Our store remains one of the most unique shops on the east coast as we offer a huge variety of products, ranging from lifestyle apparel and custom clothing to handcrafted jewelry and gifts.

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Ben Franklin

Ben Franklin

Stop by Nags Head's Ben Franklin at Mile Post 10 on the Bypass where you will find everything you need for the beach! From Clothing, T-shirts and Swimwear to Boards, Chairs, Umbrellas and Tackle. You'll find it all…and of course, we have the best selection of Souvenirs anywhere on the Outer Banks. Enjoy your vacation! Independently owned by a member of one of the Outer Banks’ oldest families, the Ben Franklin store is stocked with just about everything a visitor would need to go to the beach.

 

Ben Franklin stores were once part of a five-and-dime retail empire, with about 2,500 locations across the country in its heyday. As decades passed and the times and customers began to change, many closed their doors, leading to fewer than 150 of these nostalgic shops. Nags Head Ben Franklin, however, has withstood the test of time and adapted to the needs of its customers to provide a memorable shopping experience on the Outer Banks.

 

Debbie Terry Tolson, manager of the Ben Franklin location in Nags Head, recalls working with former owner Tommie Daniels. Daniels’ father, Moncie Daniels, started the business in downtown Manteo in the early 1900s. The Daniels family has been a longstanding fixture in the Outer Banks business community—Moncie even sold gas to the Wright brothers in 1903.

 

Tommie, with an excellent business mind, saw the opportunity the new Bypass presented and, in 1977, he opened the Nags Head location of Ben Franklin. He was one of the first businesses on the Bypass,” Tolson says.In addition to a new location, the Ben Franklin store saw a new group of customers.

 

“People would come from all around because Tommie had a little bit of everything—it was more like a five and 10 then,” Tolson explains. “As he went to the beach, he began to get more tourists, so he started catering more and more to visitors.”

 

Today, the 21,000-square-foot souvenir shop quickly catches the attention of anyone driving by thanks to the ocean-themed mural that decorates the façade of the building, painted by local artist Rob Snyder. This Ben Franklin location has become the must-stop shop for both first-time visitors to the area and generations of families who escape to the Outer Banks annually.

 

Tolson credits the great prices and friendly customer service to the success of the location, which keeps families returning.“People come in all the time and tell me, ‘my grandmother or my grandfather used to bring me here and now I’m bringing my children,’” she shares. “One of my favorite parts about working here is seeing the people come back year after year.”