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While driving along NC Highway, it may be difficult to identify the little town of Waves. The village is sandwiched in between Salvo and Rodanthe, and the area in its entirety is known to locals as the "Tri-Villages," with no undeveloped gaps or markers to distinguish one small vacation town from the other.

A couple takes a kiteboarding lesson in Waves

That's not to say, however, that Waves is lost in the shuffle. The town is home to two of the Outer Banks, and arguably the East Coast's, biggest water sports companies, features a small number of charming restaurants and cafes, and offers superb access to gorgeous oceanfront and soundfront beaches. Waves may be a small town, but it's big on coastal appeal, and vacationers will surely love the quiet beaches, charming shops, and miles of water to play in and explore.

Where to stay in Waves

Vacation rental homes are the most popular way to stay in the Outer Banks. Rental homes are available in Waves from:

 

REAL Watersports is arguably the epicenter of Waves

Waves Attractions

Watersports - Waves claim to fame is being the home of not one, but two water sports giants' extensive shops, training, and school facilities. REAL Watersports and Kitty Hawk Kites are both nationally renowned as leaders in the water sports industry. Kitty Hawk Kites covers all on-the-water adventures, from kayaking to hang gliding, while REAL is dominant in the local kiteboarding scene. In fact, because of the popularity of the sport of kiteboarding along the Pamlico Sound, both companies have constructed massive complexes where vacationers can stay, shop, and spend days riding the wind and waves.

Waves is a watersports enthusiast's dream. Rentals and lessons available

Both the Kitty Hawk Kites and REAL Watersports complexes offer soundfront cafes for incredible post-riding refreshments and views, comfortable soundfront condos available for rent, a pro and rental shop for equipment, and a number of classes or schools throughout the year. In the town of Waves, kiteboarding novices can spend a week fully immersed in the sport, and leave at an advanced level, ready to tackle lifts, flips, jumps, and even the more unpredictable ocean waves.

Students can opt to take an afternoon kiteboarding lesson that lasts just a couple hours, or enjoy a kiteboarding camp that can last for a week or even more. Regardless of how much learning and kiteboarding you want to do, both complexes also have exceptional rentals and shops to help you find the right gear, and get a little guidance on the fly on what to expect in the ever-changing Pamlico Sound water conditions.

The Beach - If you dream of secluded beaches, look no further than the tri-village beaches. The beaches of Hatteras Island are managed by the National Park Service as part of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. Here are some things to know about Waves beach policies:

  • Pets are allowed on a leash no longer than 6ft, year-round. Pets are prohibited on designated swimming beaches. Service animals are allowed at all times.
  • Fireworks are not permitted in Waves.
  • Beach fire permits are required. Print, sign and keep your paper permit with you (permits available here). From May 1 to November 15, beach bonfires are only allowed at Coquina Beach, the villages of Rodanthe, Waves, Salvo, Avon, Buxton, Frisco and Hatteras, and the Ocracoke day use area. From November 16 - April 30, Beach fires are allowed throughout the park. Fires are allowed from 6am - 10pm. An adult must be present. Fires must be on greater than 3 feet in diameter. Fires must be built and maintained below the high-tide mark and 50 feet from any vegetation. Fires cannot be left unattended, and must be extinguished upon end of use. The area must be cleaned up.
  • Beer is allowed on the beach. Wine and liquor are not officially permitted. Please drink responsibly.
  • Metal detecting is NOT allowed within National Parks.
  • There are no lifeguard stations in Rodanthe.
  • It is illegal to walk on the dunes, and it is also illegal to pick live sea oats growing on the beaches.
  • Fill in any holes you dig. Holes in the sand can be a hazard.
  • Be mindful of Noise. Most communities consider a violation of the noise ordinance to be any sound that can be heard from inside a nearby residence, and any load noise after approximately 11:00 p.m.
  • No glass on the beach. Be mindful of glass bottles. Alcohol is allowed on all beaches, but if at all possible, stick to cans and plastic to save future beach-goers from any bare foot injuries.
  • Surf fishing is allowed. A fishing license is required in North Carolina and can be obtained before your vacation via the NC Marine Fisheries and Wildlife website, or a fishing license can be purchased at most any tackle shop on the Outer Banks.
  • 4x4 Driving on the Beach - The beaches of Hatteras Island and Ocracoke Island are managed by the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. Permits are required, and can be purchased online and sent via mail, or in person at one of the following locations: Coquina Beach office, Cape Hatteras Light Station, and the Ocracoke Visitor Center. Each vehicle must have its own permit. Vehicles must be registered, licensed, insured, and have a current safety inspection if required in home state/country. Vehicles must have low-pressure tire gauge, shovel, jack and jack support board. A spare tire, first-aid kit, fire extinguisher, trash bags, flashlight and tow straps are recommended. ATV's are not permitted. Night driving is generally allowed from November 16 through April 30. See current access ramps and beach closings by visiting this page and clicking on the "daily beach access map". Obey all posted signs.

A typical mid-week afternoon on the lawn at Real Watersports

Waves Events

Cape Hatteras Wave Classic
  • September 17th, 2017 - September 23rd, 2017

Head to the waves of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore to catch this epic competition that combines powerful waves with incredible athletic ability. The Cape Hatteras Wave Classic is a...

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Hatteras Island Surf Fishing Challenge
  • September 22nd, 2017 - September 24th, 2017

Bring your rods and reels and discover how incredible the fishing on the Outer Banks can be when the temps cool and the fall season rolls around by signing up for the Hatteras Island Surf...

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Waves History

Don't worry if you have trouble figuring out where Rodanthe ends and Waves begins - the town has had a bit of an identify complex since the early 1800s when it was simply considered a part of "Chicamacomico," named after the local Native Americas, with a small portion of the area known as "Wimble Shores." (Observant visitors will notice that "Wimble Shores" is now the name of a road, as well as a vacation home community.) In 1874, the U.S. Postal Service changed the name of the entire northern portion of the Tri-Villages to simply "Rodanthe," and as the community gradually grew with locals, fishermen, and Lifesaving Station employees and their families, Waves became big enough to be called "South Rodanthe."

Despite this, the confusion persisted on, until the U.S. Postal Service finally gave the central village the name of "Waves" in 1939, along with its own Post Office.

Waves remained relatively undeveloped, explored solely by occasional adventurous hunters and fishermen, until the 1960s when the Herbert C Bonner Bridge opened, and vacationers from the established northern Outer Banks towns of Nags head, Kill Devil Hills and Kitty Hawk finally had a ferry-free way to explore the beaches of Hatteras Island. Developers took interest, and by the early 1980s, Waves was a true vacation destination, with well over a hundred vacation rental homes for Outer Banks visitors to enjoy.

Waves Today

Man-made dunes protect NC 12 from the Atlantic OceanToday, Waves is home to a handful of the classic beach cottages that first popped up on the shoreline, as well as a number of larger oceanfront or soundfront castles, complete with private swimming pools, theater rooms, game rooms, multiple levels of living space, and gourmet kitchens.

Waves vacationers are also attracted to a handful of local campgrounds, including branches of nationally-recognized chains. These campgrounds not only have RV hook-ups and oceanside spaces for tents, they offer a world of amenities, and their own little "resort" within the campers' community grounds. Many campgrounds in Waves offer community pools, playgrounds, ocean and sound boardwalks, gazebos and sitting areas, and even game rooms and on-site stores or restaurants. For visitors who are in search of a camping trip that feels more like an all-inclusive resort, Waves is one of the best places to visit on the Outer Banks.

Windsurfers ride Pamlico sound off the coast of WavesOf course, kiteboarding isn't the only water sport Waves has to offer, and as the town name would suggest, there's plenty of fun to be had on the oceanside too. Because of the town's small population, (which is even smaller in the fall and winter months), visitors can expect to enjoy miles and miles of quiet beaches with plenty of room to spread out. The beach fishing in Waves is good, and during the spring and fall Red Drum runs, becomes exceptional. Anglers will find a handful of locally run tackle shops, like Hatteras Jack's, that have lifelong locals on hand to answer questions on the Hatteras Island fishing conditions.

Surfers, of course, have not been forgotten as Waves has a number of decent breaks when the waves are good, and beachcombers will have fun exploring the sand, especially post-storm when the beaches can be covered with an assortment of treasures, from starfish to shells to sand dollars. Bear in mind that the beaches of the tri-villages are protected by a "double dune" system, which means that even an oceanfront home will be a several minute walk from the ocean. However, many vacationers find the seclusion, the uninterrupted views, and the miles of desolate ocean landscape worth the trek.

It should also be noted that the town of Waves is part of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore, which is overseen by the National Park Service (NPS), so any and all Park Service rules apply while on the oceanfront beaches. These rules are limited however, and beach goers can bring their pets (provided they are on a leash), enjoy a beach bonfire, and take full advantage of life on a sand bar.

As for grub and shopping, the small town of Waves offers a handful of restaurants and cafes, a local deli, and quite a few convenience or "variety" stores to stock up on the staples. Chain grocery stores are located somewhat nearby, (either 15 miles south in Avon, or 25 miles north in Nags Head), but many vacationers find that one big grocery shopping trip is more than enough to cover a week's worth of Waves fun.

For families who are looking for a quiet retreat that's still a half hour drive from the major northern Outer Banks attractions, Waves is an ideal destination. Secluded and family oriented, visitors won't find a lot of nightlife, but they will find charming ice cream shops, locally run restaurants, and miles of starry oceanfront skies. If your family is considering a vacation that's close by still completely away from it all, then the often overlooked village of Waves is definitely worth a second glance.

Photos of Waves

    If windsports aren't your thing, modren waverunners are available for rent  Taking out a jet ski at sunset Kiteboarder watching the sunset over Pamlico Sound  Kiteboarding at sunset in Waves Shopping in Waves  KOA campground and RV park in Waves

Nags Head Dolphin Watch

Nags Head Dolphin Watch

Scientists run these dolphin tours as part of their research on these beloved aquatic animals, so you know this will be an interesting trip. Passengers will be able to see how researchers with the Outer Banks Center for Dolphin Research, a nonprofit organization,  conduct their research and hear about some of the discoveries from more than a decade of studies and monitoring. Some of the hundreds of Atlantic bottlenose dolphins in the area show up so frequently they’ve even been given names, like “Rake,” “Scarlet,” and “Onion.”  

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Sound Feet Shoes

Sound Feet Shoes

Sound Feet Shoes is family owned and operated. Sound Feet has been in the retail shoe business for over 60 years, opening their first store in 1954. They provide the best customer service and are the only Outer Banks’ area full service shoe store since 1987. Now, the family owned business boasts eight stores in the region, including two outlets. Their shoe specialists can help you find the right fit and comfort for your family’s needs.

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Hatteras - Ocracoke Ferry

Hatteras - Ocracoke Ferry

The Hatteras / Ocracoke ferry is one of the most popular of the seven coastal ferry routes that are orchestrated and managed by the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT.) Open for everyone, with daily runs that occur 365 days a year, the short 40-45 minute island-hopping ferry provides an integral link for Ocracoke Island to the rest of the Outer Banks, and provides visitors of all seasons with an exciting way to enjoy a coastal day trip. For a little bit of completely free entertainment, hop aboard via car, truck, bike or even just on foot, and discover a scenic boat ride that's just as thrilling as discovering the island of Ocracoke itself.

Scarborough Lane Shoppes

Scarborough Lane Shoppes

Scarborough Lane Shoppes entered the Duck NC shopping scene in the summer of 1995. Duck was already becoming known as the Rodeo Drive, so to speak, of Outer Banks shopping experiences by then, and we think our design, built around a garden in a grove of shady trees, was – and still is — the pinnacle. Our building was designed to resemble an old life-saving station because we value the history and heritage that make the Outer Banks of North Carolina such a special place and wanted to blend into that style. But that’s where the blending ended! From the beginning, we hand-picked our shops to entice and excite you.

Windsurfing the Outer Banks

Windsurfing the Outer Banks

While several of the Outer Banks' most popular sports seemingly flew onto the scene in the past decade or two, like kiteboarding or stand up paddle boarding (SUP), windsurfing has been drawing water sports lovers to the North Carolina coast for nearly fifty years. In essence, windsurfing can pride itself as being the Outer Bank's oldest, and one of its most beloved sound-based sports, and everyone from seasoned riders to windsurfing newcomers can catch an exceptional ride.

Henry's Restaurant

Henry's Restaurant

Henry’s Restaurant offers down home, simple food done Outer Banks style. This is the kind of delicious food grandmothers of North Carolina have been cooking for generations. You’ll feel like you're visiting family with the comfort food and the restaurant’s nautical-style decor. The kid-friendly and casual restaurant has been serving hearty portions to locals and visitors since 1989. Breakfast is what Henry’s does best, although it’s a wonderful restaurant for lunch and dinner as well. Start your day with incredible hotcakes, omelets, biscuits, french toast, eggs benedict, breakfast sandwiches, and even fried trout, served 7:00am to 1:00pm daily.

Kitty Hawk Kites

Kitty Hawk Kites

Experience more adventure, fun, and style with Kitty Hawk Kites. For over 40 years – and with locations from Corolla to Ocracoke – Kitty Hawk Kites is proud to provide the most unique shopping experience with unmatched quality and service, as well as the most dynamic adventure offerings on the Outer Banks.

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Buxton Woods

Buxton Woods

Perhaps the reason that this area of maritime forest goes unnoticed, (an area which in fact comprises the majority of Frisco Village), is simply because the oceanfront beaches just yards away are too alluring to ignore, and garner the lion's share of vacationers' interest. This is understandable, as when most folks think of an Outer Banks vacation, they envision miles of unspoiled beaches, refreshing ocean waves, and plenty of room to spread out a beach blanket, and Frisco's beaches have all of these attributes in spades.