Kayaking in Kitty Hawk Woods Maritime Forest, Outer Banks

The only kayak outfitter on the Outer Banks certified by the American Canoe and Kayak Association runs this route.

Kayaking in Kitty Hawk Woods Maritime Forest on the Outer Banks is a beginner-friendly paddle through one of North Carolina's largest deciduous maritime forest habitats, where calm creeks wind past osprey, egrets, herons, turtles and river otter. The tour lasts 1.5 to 2 hours and includes a quality sit-in kayak, paddle, life jacket and first aid kit, with a live certified guide leading groups year-round. Children from age 2 are welcome, and specialized infant seats are available.

Step-by-step itinerary

Kayak tour through maritime forest

• Arrive at Kitty Hawk Woods Coastal Preserve
• Receive safety briefing and kayak instructions
• Explore calm creek by kayak
• Observe osprey, egrets, herons, and turtles
• Learn about maritime forest habitat
• Return to starting point and end tour

The experience

What makes this kayak route different is the place itself. Kitty Hawk Woods Coastal Preserve spans 1,824 acres on the Outer Banks, bordered by Currituck Sound and Kitty Hawk Bay, and it holds several globally rare plant communities (Maritime Deciduous Forest, Maritime Swamp Forest, and freshwater ponds) that you paddle through instead of past. The creek meanders calm and glassy, which is why it works for beginners and families with young children.

You launch in a quality sit-in kayak with a paddle and life jacket already fitted, and a certified guide leads the group through the preserve. The focus is on wildlife: osprey, egrets, great blue herons, turtles and the occasional river otter move through the same habitat you're paddling. The guide knows where to look and what to listen for, and the pace stays slow enough that you can actually spot things instead of rushing past them. A first aid kit travels with the group, and the whole outing runs 1.5 to 2 hours, which leaves the rest of your day open.

The outfitter is the only one on the Outer Banks certified by the American Canoe and Kayak Association, and their guides carry that certification too. Children from age 2 can come along (specialized infant seats are available if you're bringing a toddler), and the company asks for at least a moderate level of physical fitness, which mostly means you can sit upright and paddle for a couple of hours without strain. Tours run year-round, so weather and season shift what you see, but the creek stays navigable.

What’s included

• Quality sit-in kayak, paddle, life jacket and first aid kit.
• live certified guide leading the group.
• year-round availability.
• specialized infant seats for children under age 2.

Before you book

Days and timesMonday and SaturdayDeparts at 13:00Last departure this season: 31 Dec

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (2 to 12 years)

GroupUp to 16

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Moderate physical effortInfant seats availablePets welcome

Operated by Kitty Hawk Kayak & Surf School

Is this one for you?At 1.5 to 2 hours, this paddle fits into a morning or afternoon without eating your whole day: beginner-friendly and calm enough for families with young children, so you're not fighting current or crowds to see the wildlife.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (2 to 12 years).

What wildlife will I actually see on this kayak paddle?

Osprey, egrets, great blue herons, turtles and river otter all move through Kitty Hawk Woods, and the certified guide knows where to look for them. The calm creek and slow pace give you time to spot things instead of paddling past.

What's included in the kayak rental?

The tour includes a quality sit-in kayak, paddle, life jacket and first aid kit. You don't need to bring or rent equipment separately.

How long does the Kitty Hawk Woods kayak paddle take?

The tour runs 1.5 to 2 hours from start to finish, which leaves time for other activities on the same day.

What makes this outfitter different from other kayak companies on the Outer Banks?

Kitty Hawk Woods is the only kayak outfitter on the Outer Banks certified by the American Canoe and Kayak Association, and all their guides carry that certification as well.