Outer Banks Kayak Rental: Kitty Hawk Woods Preserve
Paddle Through a Maritime Forest Without Fighting Current
You rent a kayak for 2 hours and paddle a calm creek through maritime forest at Kitty Hawk Woods, choosing between sit-on-top or sit-in models. All gear — paddle, life jacket, kayak — is included. The preserve is steps from the rental dock, so you're on the water within minutes of arrival, and the glassy water makes it beginner-friendly without feeling supervised.
2h
Step-by-step itinerary
Kayak rental and paddling tour
- Rent single or double kayak
- Choose sit on top or sit in kayak
- Explore Kitty Hawk Woods Coastal Preserve
- Paddle calm creek through maritime forest
- Return kayak after 2 hours
The Experience
The creek is so still you can hear the paddle enter the water. That quiet is what you notice first when you push off from the dock at Kitty Hawk Woods Coastal Preserve on the Outer Banks — no motor noise, no chop, just the sound of your own stroke and the trees closing in on both sides. The preserve sits right next to the rental location at 6150 North Croatan Highway, which means you're paddling within minutes of picking up your kayak, not after a long drive or a shuttle ride.
The water here meanders through one of North Carolina's largest tracts of deciduous maritime forest, and the whole thing is designed for people who've never been in a kayak before. The creek is glassy and calm — the kind of place where a beginner can actually relax instead of white-knuckling the paddle. You get to choose between sit-on-top kayaks, which feel stable and forgiving, or sit-in models if you want something more enclosed. There are also specialty fishing kayaks and sea kayaks if you're more experienced and want something with a bit more performance. Families bring kids; solo paddlers come for the quiet; people who fish bring their own gear and use the fishing kayaks. The rental is valid for 2 hours, which is enough time to explore the preserve without feeling rushed.
Everything you need comes with the kayak — paddle and life jacket included. The preserve is open year-round, so you can paddle in spring when the trees are leafing out, or in fall when the light gets low and gold. If you're traveling with small children who can't paddle yet, they can ride along in the kayak with you. The rental dock is accessible, and there's public transportation nearby if you don't have a car. This isn't a guided tour; you're paddling on your own, which means you set the pace and stop whenever something catches your eye.
What’s included
- Your rental includes the kayak, paddle, and life jacket.
- You choose between sit-on-top or sit-in kayaks, and specialty fishing or sea kayaks are available if you have paddling experience.
- The 2-hour rental gives you access to explore Kitty Hawk Woods Coastal Preserve from the dock at your own pace.
Operated by Kitty Hawk Kayak & Surf School
Is this one for you?Right for families and first-time paddlers who want calm water and no instruction — just a kayak and a quiet creek. The location next to the preserve means you're paddling within minutes, not spending half your time getting there.
Traveler reviews
Top questions
How long is the kayak rental?
2 hours from the time you push off the dock.
Do I need experience to paddle here?
No. The creek is calm and glassy, designed for beginners. Experienced paddlers can also rent specialty fishing or sea kayaks.
What's included in the rental?
Kayak, paddle, and life jacket. You choose between sit-on-top or sit-in models.
Can I bring my kids?
Yes. Small children can ride in the kayak with you. Strollers and prams are also allowed at the dock.
Is this a guided tour?
No. You paddle on your own and set your own pace through the preserve.
Where exactly is the rental location?
6150 North Croatan Highway on the Outer Banks, right next to Kitty Hawk Woods Coastal Preserve.
Is the preserve open year-round?
Yes, kayak rentals are available every season.
What if I don't have a car?
Public transportation options are available nearby the rental location.
Outer Banks Kayak Rental: Kitty Hawk Woods Preserve
2h
from US$ 35 per person
★★★★★★★★★★3.8222 reviews
