Paddling near Hatteras, NC

Hatteras sits on a barrier island in Dare County, flanked by the Atlantic Ocean and the broad, shallow Pamlico Sound. The sound is the dominant paddling water here — calm flatwater ideal for kayaking, canoeing, and SUP — while the oceanside stretches from Cape Point toward Ocracoke draw more experienced paddlers seeking open-water conditions. Creeks, canals, marshes, and wetlands thread through the island, adding quieter routes for wildlife watching.