Surfing
Surfing
Top 5 surf spots in the Outer Banks
It takes some local knowledge and time to find all the best surf spots in the Outer Banks, but here are five of the top spots to get you started.
Winter storms on the Outer Banks in North Carolina are no joke. They can bring building-sized waves, and 50-degree water to this remote string of barrier islands. While it’s not one of the most famous surfing destinations, the mysterious islands, home to hundreds of historical shipwrecks, attract a dedicated group of the east coast’s finest surfers.
Waves
© Emiliano Arano from Pexels
The Outer Banks is one of the only places on the east coast to produce a Red Bull Big Wave Award winner – OBX local Mason Barnes won the award for the Biggest Tow wave in 2022. After winning, he said, “I’ve committed my whole life to this for the better part of a decade, but [now] there has been loads more interest and it just means I get to keep doing what I love, which is to chase huge waves all around the world.”
The 5 Top Surf Spots in the Outer Banks
Those huge, strong waves are often found in places where the ocean floor shifts abruptly from deep to shallow, which makes the Outer Banks a unique location for fairly consistent, high-quality surf.
01
Avalon Fishing Pier in Kill Devil Hills
Kill Devil Hills, NC, USA
© Photo by Srini Somanchi on Unsplash
Avalon Pier is a well-exposed beach and jetty break in Kill Devil Hills. It has consistent surf and picks up waves from most swells. The wave works best on northwest groundswells, which makes it the perfect place to score pumping winter waves when a nor'easter storm rolls through the Outer Banks.
02
S-Turns in Cape Hatteras
S-Turns is named after the winding road that welcomes you to this spot located just before the town of Rodanthe. The wave is non-stop barreling on a good day, but it’s not recommended for beginner or intermediate surfers due to strong currents and heavy, highly experienced crowds. The spot is best on a south swell, but can work on a northwest swell.
03
Laundromats in Kitty Hawk
Laundromats is the nickname for a break also known as “Old Station” in the town of Kitty Hawk. The nickname refers to what happens where the waves break into shallow water - if you fall you get tossed around in the shore break aka the washing machine. This break is known mostly for its consistency, as it breaks on all tides and most swell directions and swell periods. Beginners should be wary of strong surf, crowds, and rip tides.
04
Jennette’s Pier in Nags Head
Jennette’s Pier in Nags Head is a combination beach/ jetty break. Waves break off the jetty practically every day, but for almost half the year the waves are only suitable for beginners. Experienced surfers target the winter months, especially December, for high-quality surf. When the waves are good, rip currents here can be dangerous.
05
Old Lighthouse Jetties in Cape Hatteras
The Old Lighthouse Jetties are located at the former site of the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. It’s still one of the most popular places to surf in the Outer Banks, even though the lighthouse fell into the ocean due to erosion. Old Lighthouse Jetties, created to protect the lighthouse, remain and produce consistent surf on most swells. It’s the location of the annual Eastern Surf Association championships.
Conclusion
For expert surfers, the Outer Banks is one of the best east coast destinations, with some of the biggest waves in the area. In the winter, the water temperatures drop to fifty degrees, so you will need to wear a wetsuit. We’d also advise one in the spring, and late fall. These months are for highly experienced surfers because there are big waves and strong rip currents. In the summer, the water is warm, you don’t need a wetsuit if it’s a nice day, and the swells are more suited to beginners.
For beginners or intermediates who want to visit in the peak swell season of fall through spring, you can find much more friendly waves and crowds at Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina. Wrightsville Beach is home to fun surfing events like Red Bull Foam Wreckers where people of all abilities are invited to compete in softer waves.
As always, it’s important to know your limits and remember that when you paddle out you put yourself and the people around you at risk. If you’re in doubt about whether you’re experienced enough to attempt these waves, err on the side of caution! You can always take a surf lesson, book a surf guide to show you waves for your ability level or review our 10 tips and tricks for how to catch more waves.
