OBX Watersports can be a great way to stay active during your vacation! If you’re interested in sailing, surfing, SUP (stand up paddleboarding), or kiteboarding, our Get On Board guide has everything for you! From learning how to sail, to enjoying a sunset cruise on the sound, and more. Take a look at our guide and get inspired to learn something new and get on board!

Sail

LEARN

No’rbanks Sailing and Watersports offers sailing lessons to anyone interested in sailing in Duck. Kitty Hawk Kites also offers sailing lessons in Nags Head.

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Both Nor’Banks and Kitty Hawk Kites allows you to rent sailboats for your own personal use so you can get out on the water all vacation long!

CRUISE

If you’re not really down with the whole “learning how to sail” thing, you can always take a sailing cruise where you can sit back and relax. The Downeast Rover launches out of Manteo and explores the Outer Banks sounds. Kitty Hawk Kites also offers sailing cruises either during the day or at night for a unique experience.

Stand Up Paddleboarding

LEARN

Farmdog Surf School offers lessons from private individualized sessions to group classes. You can even choose to learn in the flat, calmer waters of the sound or if you’re more adventurous, in the waves of the ocean!

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When you’re ready to paddle out on your own, you can also rent a paddleboard from Farm Dog! Ocean Atlantic Rentals also offers paddleboard rentals along with life jackets for additional safety.

TOUR

Kitty Hawk Kites offers guided paddleboarding tours in Kitty Hawk, Duck, Manteo, and Avon. If you consider yourself a paddleboard pro, give Kitty Hawk Kites’ SUP Yoga class a try!

Kiteboard

LEARN

REAL Watersports in Waves is the place to go if you’re looking to learn how to kiteboard or just brush up on your skills. Join a camp for a week or just learn for a day. Kitty Hawk Kites in Rodanthe and Nags Head offer both offer kiteboarding lessons as well.

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If you’ve already got the hang of kiteboarding, REAL Watersports offers rentals plus all the gear you need to get out on the water (and in the air).

Surf

LEARN

If you want to learn how to surf, you’ve got a wide array of local businesses to learn from! Outer Banks Surf School has you covered from Corolla to Hatteras and offers private lessons that cover the basics of surfing. You can also learn from Farm Dog, Outer Surf, Corolla Surf Shop, and any many more.

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Local businesses like Farmdog, Duck Village Outfitters, and Ocean Atlantic Rentals offer surfboard rentals for you to get out and get on the waves!

For more information on the businesses, classes, and rentals mentioned, links are below!

Farmdog Surf School

Outer Banks weather can have a mind of it’s own and sometimes when it rains, it pours! While you may be singing “rain, rain, go away” today, you shouldn’t let the Outer Banks weather damper your vacation! There are still plenty of Outer Banks activities to keep you entertained and occupied when you can’t be at the beach! Check out our list of top 50 rainy day activities.

Top Activities for Rainy Outer Banks Weather

Head to R/C Movies 10 Theater in Kill Devil Hills or Corolla Movie & Bistro on Ocean Trail to see the latest movie.

Visit the North Carolina Aquarium in Manteo to stay away from the wet weather!

Challenge family and friends to a bowling competition at the OBX Bowling Center in Nags Head.

A few rounds of action packed laser tag at Gearworks Family Fun Center in Nags Head is a great way to have fun when the Outer Banks weather is less than beach worthy!

A trip to Seagreen Gallery is sure to brighten up your day when the weather on the Outer Banks is a downer!

Stop by The Island Bookstore in Duck and pick out a new book to read.

Treat yourself to a spa day at Aqua Spa in Duck.

Test out some new wines at Trio‘s wine stations in Kitty Hawk.

Jump on the wheel and make your own pottery at OBX Art Studio in Kill Devil Hills or Kinnakeet Clay Studio and Showroom in Avon.

Enjoy a hot cup of specialty coffee at Front Porch Cafe in Kill Devil Hills, Nags Head, and Manteo.

Unleash your inner artist by signing up for a painting party hosted by Local Color.

Browse or buy the beautiful paintings and jewelry created by local artists at Seaside Art Gallery.

Sample premium olive oils and balsamic vinegars to add some awesome flavor to your cooking at Outer Banks Olive Oil Company in Kill Devil Hills or Nags Head.

Take a tour at OBX Distilling to see the Kill Devil Rum making process in person and sample their rums.

Horse lovers can take a trip to the Wild Horse Museum in Corolla.

Take the kids to Life on a Sandbar for hair wraps, temporary tattoos, and crafts.

Spend a rainy evening laughing at The Comedy Club of the Outer Banks in Kill Devil Hills.

Take a shopping trip to Outlets Nags Head. The covered awning makes it easy to dodge the rain between stores.

Browse through over 750 different wines at Bacchus Wine & Cheese in Corolla.

A rainy day is the perfect time to visit to the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum in Hatteras and learn about the numerous shipwrecks and maritime history.

Sign up for a yoga class at Duck Village Yoga to de-stress when the weather isn’t ideal.

Let the kid’s burn off some energy while learning at the Children’s Play Museum in Kitty Hawk where they can play, paint, and pretend.

History buffs will love exploring the Fort Raleigh National Historic Site in Manteo to learn more about the colonists and their life on Roanoke Island.

The stormy Outer Banks weather is just right setting for an OBX Mystery Dinner. Don’t miss this inactive show paired with a four course meal in Kill Devil Hills.

Cheer up with fro-yo and some surf videos at Surfin Spoon in Nags Head.

Take a jewelry making class at Studio 12 in Avon.

Check out a baseball or football game with some apps and drinks at Shipwreck’s Taphouse & Grill in Kitty Hawk.

Get your puppy snuggles in by volunteering at the SPCA in Manteo.

Test your skills and patience with a puzzle the whole family can put together.

Check out the unique boutiques and eateries at Scarborough Lane Shoppes in Duck. The covered decks will keep you dry as you shop.

Swim, workout, or play at the Outer Banks YMCA in Nags Head. Weekly membership passes are available for non-members.

Explore the Native American Museum & Natural History Center in Frisco to see artifacts and learn about the first Hatteras Island inhabitants history and culture.

Arcade games, game tables, and pizza make for rainy day fun at Angelo’s Pizza Arcade.

Night owls can stop by the Jolly Roger Restaurant in Kill Devil Hills for nightly karaoke from 10 pm to 1 am.

Stay in and play a card or board game with your friends and family.

Indulge on a rainy day with coffee and a specialty donut from Duck Donuts.

Visit the indoor museum at the Wright Brothers National Memorial for replicas, artifacts, and a quick history lesson.

Rainy Outer Banks weather makes the perfect setting for taking a ghost tour at the Whalehead Club on Wednesdays at 7:30 pm

Relax with a hot tea and a freshly baked pastry at Dolce Pastries & Desserts in Kitty Hawk.

Stop by the Kill Devil Hills, Manteo, or Hatteras Libraries for story time with the kids.

Olde Towne Creamery in Manteo is a charming ice cream shop where you can cure your rainy day blues with malts, shakes, ice cream, fudge, and even pizza!

Visit Jennette’s Pier to see the new exhibits where you can learn more about our underwater friends.

Take the kids to Beach Braids for henna tattoos and hair braiding. They are easy to locate with studios in Nags Head, Duck, and Corolla.

Curl up with a blanket at your beach house and enjoy catching up with loved ones.

Avoiding the rainy Outer Banks weather we sometimes see during the summer months can be fun! After all, a rainy day at the beach is better than a sunny day at the office! We hope you stay safe and dry during your stay and have fun visiting these Outer Banks attractions. For more severe storms, you can stay up-to-date on Resort Realty’s Facebook page.

It’s been carefully planned and boldly circled on the calendar for months. Lots of saving, research and love go into planning a family getaway. It is often times the one week out of the year to make up for lost time with friends and family, so it is easy to splurge and experience buyers remorse later on. Make the most out of your vacation without breaking the bank with these top 10 money savings tips to practice during your OBX vacation. Public beaches, free attractions and ongoing community events make it a lot easier to save, while still enjoying a fun-filled beach getaway.

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  1. Cook meals at your rental home
    When you have 6 or more family members, your restaurant bill can add up quickly. Luckily, your Resort Realty vacation rental home comes fully stocked with basic cookware and utensils to easily cook meals at home. Plan and prep your meals before your vacation to save you money and vacation time. Some of the best family moments happen around the dinner table.70569
  2. Visit free public beaches, museums, parks and attractions
    Most people love visiting the Outer Banks for the beaches and non-commercialized, laid-back vibe of the island. There are plenty of attractions to enjoy for free, including visiting Roanoke Island Festival Park, Jockey’s Ridge, Currituck Heritage Park, The Town of Duck Park and Boardwalk and searching for the wild horses on Carova Beach’s 4 wheeler drive area. The Town of Duck also hosts free fitness classes, concerts and kid’s activities Tuesday – Thursday throughout the summer months.
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  3. Pick up an OBX coupon book or print coupons online
    Stop by any of our Resort Realty offices or a local grocery store for a free Outer Banks coupon book. These books offer discounts on everything from local restaurants to water sport activities. They also give you ideas for places to visit for dining and leisure. Outerbanks.com, Sunnydayobx.com, and Outerbanksthisweek.com also offer printable coupons.IMG_0019
  4. Budget vacation activities with the cash envelope system
    It is far too easy to splurge and overextend your budget while on vacation. Keep your spending in check through Dave Ramsey’s envelope system. Create a budget and make envelopes for each spending category (ex. dining, activities, tours, souvenirs, etc.) and add the amount you want to spend in cash to each envelope. This way, you only spend what you have, instead of freely swiping your credit card.shutterstock_3982045
  5. Carpool, walk or bike
    Save on gas money by carpooling, walking or biking. A large majority of vacation homes are located within walking or biking distance from the beach, restaurants and other attractions. Save gas money while enjoying the scenery as your stroll or ride along. For long trips, make sure to carpool with others in your group. You can also download gas saving apps to find the least expensive gas prices during your road trip to the Outer Banks. 
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  6. Group discounts
    Many Outer Banks businesses offer discounted rates for groups. Kitty Hawk Kites, First Flight Adventure Park and several mini-golf spots offer discounted group rates. Call ahead to see if group discounts are available.
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  7. Borrow beach items
    Before splurging on beach chairs, umbrellas and toys, ask friends and family if you can borrow some items from them. You can also rent beach equipment to save you money and space at home.nh fp
  8. Early dining discounts
    Many restaurants off early dining discounts if you’re seated before 5. Hurricane Mo’s offers great Happy Hour specials between 4-6 pm. Check out the free coupon book to find early bird coupons and discounts.IMG_9559
  9. Check out books and movies at the library 
    If you want a new book to read on the beach or a movie to watch in the evenings, stop by your local library to pick something up before your trip. Many of our vacation homes have their own book and video libraries for you to borrow during your stay. Check the property description for more information. car_family
  10. Leave early to save gas
    Traffic can get backed up around check-in hours, so plan to leave earlier to save gas money and time in the car. Some beach accesses have public bathhouses so you can arrive earlier and hit the beach before check-in time.If you’re longing to be on the Outer Banks this summer but are concerned about the cost, make sure to check out our home specials and last minute offers page.