The first town you hit heading south into Hatteras Island, Rodanthe is a small, laid-back surf town with a loyal following and some of the most exposed, powerful waves on the East Coast. If you're into fishing, surfing, or just getting away from the northern crowds, this is where the OBX starts to feel genuinely remote.
18 things to do in Rodanthe
A beach bonfire on the OBX is one of those simple experiences that becomes a vacation highlight every single time. Permi…
Bottlenose dolphins are year-round OBX residents and surprisingly easy to spot — surf line, sound side, from a pier, fro…
The OBX wind is legendary — the Wright Brothers chose this exact stretch of barrier island because of it. Flying a kite …
One of the best free activities on the OBX and most visitors never think to try it. After dark, Atlantic ghost crabs eme…
Network for Endangered Sea Turtles
From May through October, loggerhead sea turtles nest on OBX beaches — and if you're lucky enough to witness hatchlings …
A classic Hatteras Island fishing pier in Rodanthe. No fishing license required — just pay the daily fee and fish. Rod r…
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Cape Hatteras National Seashore
The first national seashore in the country, stretching more than 70 miles along three barrier islands. Cape Hatteras Nat…
Chicamacomico Life-Saving Station
The Chicamacomico Life-Saving Station in Rodanthe is one of the most historically significant sites on the entire OBX — …
Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge
A National Wildlife Refuge on the northern end of Hatteras Island established in 1938, covering beach, dunes, brackish p…
The OBX sits on a narrow barrier island with the Atlantic Ocean to the east — which means you can watch the sun rise dir…
The OBX is a narrow barrier island with inland sounds to the west — which means sunsets here happen over open water too,…
The whole reason you're here. 100 miles of largely undeveloped Atlantic coastline, largely protected by Cape Hatteras Na…
Charlies Trivillage Watersports
A friendly family-owned watersports operation on Hatteras Island since 2005 with two Tri-Villages locations. Jet skis, k…
A mobile Asian-inspired BBQ operation at the entry point of Rodanthe at the foot of the Jug Handle Bridge — look for the…
A Hatteras Island institution since 1986, serving the Tri-Villages for 41 years from a casual soundside spot in Rodanthe…
Founded in 1974, Kitty Hawk Kites is the world's largest kite shop and home to the oldest and largest hang gliding schoo…
A Hatteras Island surf institution since 1989, built entirely around a love of surfing and still operating that way. Rod…
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