Frisco Woods Campground

When the wind’s too light further south, the 100ft-high sand dunes at Jockey’s Ridge create a thermal updraft that’s excellent for jumping sessions. At KHK Kiteboarding in Nags Head, Windmill Point is good for the 3-mile downwinder to Jockey’s Ridge, or you can test your skills on the slider park. A 5-minute walk across the highway leads to a good ocean beach-break. Kitty Hawk Kites Resort in Rodanthe has lagoon access and a third floor restaurant with great views of the action, while Barton’s hosts one of the Outer Banks’ iWindsurf weather stations. Beyond Salvo town, SDA is a popular rendezvous for downwinders to 'The Slick’ that’s seldom crowded but a bit gusty. On the Atlantic, Ramp 23 allows four-wheel drive access to the huge, broad sandy beach frequented by anglers and surfers. As the name suggests, testosterone rules at Planet Of The Apes – a dirt-road provides 4WD access, otherwise park along the street and walk over. Halfway between Salvo and Avon, Ramp 27, Ramp 30 allow 4WD access to a sandy beach-break with launch and landing spots for downwinders. For two-wheel drive it’s a short walk from parking lot to ocean. At the fourth dirt-road north of Avon, Chimichanga House needs a 4WD to get into but the long, sandy, uncrowded beach and butter riding are worth the effort. Drive a 2WD south to the second dirt-road before Avon and enjoy similar conditions with easier access. Askin’s Creek is another ocean beach-break just a stroll from the car-park. The famed Canadian Hole is named after the Canadian windsurfers that came here in the ’80s. Walk across to Ego Beach to brave the Atlantic – kiters can try at Vermont Hole one dirt-road north or Kite Point just south of Canadian Hole. Launch off the point and avoid power lines. At Cape Hatteras town is Lighthouse Beach where clean waves form beside three metal jetties. To ride sideshore in E or W wind, drive just around the corner to 'The Cove’. Strong southerlies create good waves at Frisco NSS Campground where there’s alternate 4WD access via Frisco’s airport road. Over on the Sound, Frisco Woods Campground is windsurf and kite friendly but not a good call for southerly winds. The Bath House has 2WD ocean access, so attracts hordes of beachgoers in summer. The The Ferry Docks is a popular launch for ocean downwinders towards Frisco – or, if you have a 4x4, finish your Hatteras tour with a solitary soul session off the end of Hatteras Inlet Road.