Watersports make up the bulk of Roanoke Island things to do, and you can’t experience the island fully until you’ve tried at least a few. With fishing, boating, paddling, Jet Skiing and much more, Roanoke Island has plenty to appeal to almost anyone. Services, rentals and retail available at watersports outfitters and recreation centers put you in a position to try whatever water-related thing to do in Manteo, NC, piques your interests. If there’s an activity that you’ve never tried before, don’t be intimidated. Manteo watersports businesses have helpful instructors and lessons to get you on your feet (aquatically speaking) in no time. If you want an extra dose of adventure, look into offerings for parasailing, tours for paddling or on Jet Skis, charter fishing and much more.
Featured for Your Visit
Water Sports in Wanchese, NC
708 Harbor Road, Safe Harbor Marina, Wanchese
Paradise Dolphin Cruises operates the Kokomo, a 40-foot catamaran that carries 40 passengers and offers a comfortable ride with a canopied top, cushioned seats and a restroom. The boat's location at Safe Harbor Marina offers the closest access to the waters where these amazing creatures are most often found. Paradise offers four two-hour dolphin trips daily plus sunset cruises. As you search for dolphins, you'll also enjoy the local scenery and learn about the other wildlife you will encounter. The boat is handicapped accessible and is available for private parties and catering. Reservations are required for dolphin tours and sunset cruises so call ahead.
Paradise Dolphin Cruises operates the Kokomo, a 40-foot catamaran that carries 40 passengers and offers a comfortable ride with a canopied top, cushioned seats and a restroom. The boat's location at Safe Harbor Marina offers the closest access to the waters where these amazing creatures are most often found. Paradise offers four two-hour dolphin trips daily plus sunset cruises. As you search for dolphins, you'll also...read more
Paradise Dolphin Cruises operates the Kokomo, a 40-foot catamaran that carries 40 passengers and offers a...read more
Water Sports in Wanchese, NC
708 Harbor Road, Safe Harbor Marina, Wanchese
Paradise Dolphin Cruises operates the Kokomo, a 40-foot catamaran that carries 40 passengers and offers a comfortable ride with a canopied top, cushioned seats and a restroom. The boat's location at Safe Harbor Marina offers the closest access to the waters where these amazing creatures are most often found. Paradise offers four two-hour dolphin trips daily plus sunset cruises. As you search for dolphins, you'll also enjoy the local scenery and learn about the other wildlife you will encounter. The boat is handicapped accessible and is available for private parties and catering. Reservations are required for dolphin tours and sunset cruises so call ahead.
Paradise Dolphin Cruises operates the Kokomo, a 40-foot catamaran that carries 40 passengers and offers a comfortable ride with a canopied top, cushioned seats and a restroom. The boat's location at Safe Harbor Marina offers the closest access to the waters where these amazing creatures are most often found. Paradise offers four two-hour dolphin trips daily plus sunset cruises. As you search for dolphins, you'll also...read more
Paradise Dolphin Cruises operates the Kokomo, a 40-foot catamaran that carries 40 passengers and offers a...read more
Water Sports in Nags Head, NC
2000 Sailfish Drive, Nags Head/Manteo Causeway, Manteo
Just about every afternoon between 4 and 5 p.m., a dozen or more sport fishing boats return from the Gulf Stream to the Pirate’s Cove Marina to unload their catches of tuna, dolphin, wahoo and other deep-sea fish. If you’re interested in seeing the fish before they’re cleaned, head down to the docks and watch the mates hurl the whopping creatures onto the docks. Kids love this, and the anglers are friendly about sharing their experiences of the day.
If you’re more of a hands-on type, escape from the same old beach routine and head over to Pirate's Cove Marina and Yacht Club to experience the thrill of a lifetime fishing from one of their offshore charter boats. Your adrenaline will be pumping listening to the scream of the drag while you are reeling in your tuna, dolphin, wahoo and marlin. Or book a near-shore trip and drop deep to catch tile fish, sea bass, trigger fish and grouper, or troll for Spanish mackerel and bluefish. No matter what you choose, Pirate's Cove’s charter fleet will show you a great time. Back at the docks you can stop by the Pirates Cove Ship's Store, where you'll find a great selection of t-shirts, resort wear, gifts and one of the best selections of sunglasses on the Outer Banks. Or you can visit Mimi's Tiki Hut, a dockside bar open in the warmer months, and Blue Water Grill & Raw Bar, a full-service restaurant on the second floor overlooking the marina.
The Pavilion at Pirate's Cove Marina is home base for three renowned summer fishing tournaments – Pirate's Cove Billfish Tournament, Alice Kelly Memorial Ladies Only Billfish Tournament and Dare County Boat Builders Foundation Tournament – as well as other events. The Pavilion is the largest venue on the Outer Banks and is available for rental, including 24-hour rental, for weddings and other events. A variety of accommodations are available on-site through Pirate's Cove Realty.
Just about every afternoon between 4 and 5 p.m., a dozen or more sport fishing boats return from the Gulf Stream to the Pirate’s Cove Marina to unload their catches of tuna, dolphin, wahoo and other deep-sea fish. If you’re interested in seeing the fish before they’re cleaned, head down to the docks and watch the mates hurl the whopping creatures onto the docks. Kids...read more
Just about every afternoon between 4 and 5 p.m., a dozen or more sport fishing...read more
Whether you enjoy the thrill of parasailing or the excitement of a Waverunner, it's waiting for you at Causeway Watersports. This adventure mecca is on the Nags Head/Manteo Causeway (look for the 30-foot observation tower near Basnight’s Lone Cedar Cafe). They offer Jet Ski rentals and tours and pontoon boat rentals so you can be your own captain of a dolphin tour. For a great deal...read more
Water Sports in Manteo, NC
The Sea'scape is a beautiful 41' ketch that takes guests on private sailing charters in the Roanoke and Albemarle sounds. Tours leave from the downtown Manteo boardwalk. Co-captains Dan and Katherine Bottjen (both Coast Guard-licensed charter boat captains) can take up to six passengers out at a time. Since these are private charters the only people on the boat (besides the captains) will be you...read more
Water Sports in Manteo, NC
For a soundside swimming session, head down Airport Road to the Old Swimming Hole. The entrance is just beyond the North Carolina Aquarium on the right-hand side, just before you get to the airport. This family-oriented access is the perfect place to go after a tour of the aquarium. The Old Swimming Hole has a great sandy beach, picnic tables, grills, a picnic shelter, a...
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Water Sports in Manteo, NC
Kitty Hawk Kites has been teaching the world to fly since 1974. With 10 retail locations from Corolla to Ocracoke, Kitty Hawk Kites boasts an impressive selection of kites, flags and spinners, toys, apparel, gifts and games on the Outer Banks. Kitty Hawk Kites specializes in kites, from the single-lines for kids to high-tech stunt varieties. The stores also sell fun outdoor goodies such as...read more
Water Sports in Manteo, NC
Kitty Hawk Kites takes several parasailing trips a day from the Manteo and Duck waterfronts, launching fliers from 400, 600 and 800 feet of line above the water. You can fly solo or go with one or two other people, with each flight lasting approximately 10 to 12 minutes in the air! The captain may even surprise you with a dip at the end of...read more
To see a totally different side of the Outer Banks, slip back into the marsh creeks and coves on a kayak. Kitty Hawk Kites offers kayak tours leaving from several locations, including the Manteo waterfront, Kitty Hawk, Alligator River, Pea Island, Bodie Island, Cape Hatteras National Seashore and Corolla. Guides point out features of the area ecology and wildlife and talk about the history of...read more
Water Sports in Manteo, NC
Enhance your vacation with a dolphin or sunset cruise adventure brought to you by the Nags Head Dolphin Watch. These folks promote Atlantic bottlenose dolphin research through their commercial operation and offer two-hour dolphin trips. Naturalists explain coastal ecology and area history during sound excursions aboard either the Phoenix (Nags Head) or Miss Bodie Island (Manteo), both pontoon boats with shade. Drinks are sold, or...read more
Water Sports in Roanoke Island, NC
Roanoke Island Outfitters and Dive Center is a full-service dive shop that offers dive charters, beach dives, training, gear sales and rentals. They specialize in scuba diving, spearfishing and snorkeling. For rentals, they offer free delivery on Roanoke Island for standup paddleboards (SUP) and kayaks and will deliver to Nags Head, Pea Island or Alligator River for a fee. Or take the kayak or SUP...read more
Water Sports in Manteo, NC
For youth who want to learn to sail, Roanoke Island Maritime Museum offers its Youth Sailing Programs from the second week in June through the first week in August. Youth ages 8 to 16 can learn to sail with certified instructors in week-long (Monday to Friday) sailing programs. Depending on their age and skill level, kids are taught on Optimist, Sunfish or Club 420 sailboats....read more
