Used a Living Social coupon today- we don't go to beach often- so to use a 4 hour, 4-person…read morehobiecat coupon today was exciting- My son got 3 of his friends to come with us and everything- 20 min. before we get there (we are already packed and in the car, more than halfway there) they call to say, "the hobiecat broke- can we come another day, like tomorrow?" Umm.. NOoooo.... we took time out today to go to the beach- doing it on Sunday is OUT OF THE QUESTION! and the coupon expires next weekend... Our options: either come tomorrow or use the hobiecat coupon before it expires OR get two sunfish sailboats (but 2 people most know how to sail which we don't have) (WHAT?!)- so I say- "we'll decide when we get there" The option then was - "Give them whatever we want" according to the owner, Mia. So the manager, Pam- proceeds to tell us about the standup paddle boards, the kayaks or the cycle bike - we can use any of those- or we could take a few out then come back in and take out something else- VERY ACCOMMODATING sounding- so we say, Okay let's try that! The 4 boys go out on two SUPs and a 2-person cycle bike for 20 min- come back in and say, "eh... can we try the kayaks instead?" --- "NO"~ was the answer from Pam, THE manager, to the boys. I go over and say, "well- we are not happy with the SUPS and the cycle bike- we'd like to find out about using the hobiecat instead... " Pam tells me- "Well, we'll have to charge you for using the SUPS and the cycle bike!" ARE YOU KIDDING ME??! - it's NOT our fault the hobiecat that we originally signed up for is not available- and I was under the impression from the owner that we could have whatever we want! So we went with that- we just wanted to try some kayaks instead- it's not like we are wasting their gas! -Pam, the manager get's quite testy with me- which of course, just sets me off and I tell her to have the owner call me about it. So 20 minutes instead of 4 hours- I feel we aren't compensated for a coupon THEY offered. We leave the beach not a half hour later - passing right by the Happy Winds stand- and nobody has bothered to make sure we are happy at Happy Winds... disappointing to say the least. SO... 7:30 at night- I call Happy Winds- get a message and hung up thinking I'll call during the day. Then Mia, the owner calls back. I asked her if her manager, Pam, told her to call me? "No... and so I explained all of the above. She proceeds to tell me- "There's no reason to be upset over this- it's JUST a hobiecat, Ma'am" (WHAT?! Did she just condescend to me?) --- "Pam had a really bad day today-somebody hit & run her car" (AND THIS IS MY PROBLEM?! WHY DO I NEED TO HEAR THIS??) Then she proceeds to tell me how they don't make much money off these coupons (SO DON'T OFFER THEM!!) and that we did use their SUPS and cycle- so we should pay... (WHAT?!?!! SERIOUSLY?? THIS IS HOW YOU TREAT YOUR CUSTOMERS?? AS IF IT'S MY FAULT THEIR HOBIECAT IS MALFUNCTIONING???) ... So, then Mia says, "You had six months to use this coupon-it's not OUR fault you used it now- wind happens and things break" She in the end tells me, she'll extend my coupon from Sept. 28th to October 15th- and we can have the hobiecat for 2 hours.... 2 hours from 4 hours? Because we used their SUPS and cycle for 20 minutes??? Does that sound like good customer service?? I think not. And guess who isn't interested in EVER using their service again. WOW. It's not like we broke the damn hobiecat in the first place. NOT HAPPY-Happy Winds- Your business name is a lie. Too bad you didn't strive for happy customer service. If this was all a big misunderstanding and you are interested in keeping your customers happy- you have a funny way of showing it.

Happy winds staff is easy to work with and they have a ton of rental equipment. Everything they…read morerent is a high quality product for a great price.

We were looking for a kayak rental location where we could get into the water onsite, and Kitty…read moreHawk Kites delivered! The process of renting and paddling out was really easy, and the customer service was great. There is some mismatched information online around hours and location, so I would call ahead to make sure this place has what you're looking for, but I highly recommend if you are visiting and looking for an easy kayak rental experience.

My travel companion and I were looking for a lowkey kayaking activity for an hour or two on a sunny…read moremorning. We did not want to take a tour so after calling around we were directed to the Kitty Hawk Nags Head - Whalebone destination as it was where you could directly launch kayaks into the water. The people were incredibly friendly and very helpful. They got us set up quickly with two single kayaks and gave us directions. We headed into the sound, which was a bit wavy but not bad, and then into the salt marshes, which were incredibly cool and very calm. It was a wonderful way to spend an hour! $30 for an individual kayak felt very reasonable and we appreciated that we didn't have to transport the boats.

Another kiteboarding experience that almost took place in the OBX. On my recent road trip we…read morestopped by there to see about doing some kiteboarding and having some fun. Unfortunately the staff was fairly stoic not willing to compromise on the prices at all. Their prices seem to be a bit higher than the rest we had seen in the area so we decided to choose another place to do a kite boarding. Well, you can't win them all but, we did try. Overalls, maybe not here we did do a kite boarding. What's a girl to do? All is fair on a road trip except when they're charging prices that are too high.

what a place, you think it, they have in, windsocks, kites, spinners and so much more! The…read moreemployee that was there was so knowledgeable and helpful with everything I was looking for, I left with so much more that I had even thought about purchasing.

This is for the dolphin sunset cruise experience. We easily booked the outing online for our group…read moreof 10 people. The boat was comfortable and the guide was very knowledgeable about the dolphins. We got to see numerous dolphins once we were out in the water and snapped some great pictures. I felt like the excursion was reasonably priced.

This was kind of a wild experience! A bit overwhelming for me. Due to that I took my time and only…read morewandered around a portion of the entire store (or collection of different stores?). Maybe a good two time visit for those like me with sensory issues. There is so much! All sorts of beach-y items, touristy trinkets, souvenirs, clothing, footwear, fun randomness, gear and such that you might need for water adventuring (surfing? Scuba diving? IDK honestly! Not my area). AND kites! Stunning ones. Highly recommend this particular Kitty Hawk Kites. I know there are a few others among the Outer Banks. This one seems like the best or most epic store to wonder about. Bonus (for me): there is a bar upstairs! With a great view of the ocean.

This is a toy store like none other on the island. If you like toys, especially kites... this is a…read moregreat shop. The staff was super helpful and engaging. We bought about five kites... several for grandkids. Some for us grandparents. They have a lot of really interesting quality gifts and toys. If you are on the island (especially if you have kids) you should definitely stop by.

At the last minute last week we decided to go parasailing. The experience from start to finish was…read moreamazing! Customer Service is top tier! Sean and Adam knew their stuff and made our first experience parasailing smooth and easy. Hands down the best part of our vacation! 10/10 recommend this place. Side note: we got there 30 minutes early so we got to see how the staff was with other activities, such as jet skiing and rafting, while we waited and they are so kind and patient with the guests. We will be back!

First time parasailing and it was absolutely amazing…read more Charlotte, Sean, and Rodney made sure we were comfortable, safe and took a large interest in our experience making sure it was great from start to finish. We will def make this an annual tradition.

Very informative and flexible company. They accommodated our very large group without any problem…read more They know their stuff when it comes to jetskis and gave a very thorough safety review. The staff has thought of everything that could happen and even provided waterproof phone covers. Pro-tip: fill out waivers and liability forms ahead of time as it's all electronic and you'll be able to get along much quicker.

Excellent service! Ed and the rest of the staff is super knowledgeable and very friendly.read more

Came for our annual OBX trip and it was so cold! We head across Route 12 to REAL Watersports for…read moresome warmer clothing and hit the jackpot. We met Carroll who was so incredibly helpful in helping us find exactly what we needed. This is such a great shop with so many great finds. Highly recommend!

Waterman's Retreat, Wateman's Cafe and REAL are all amazing . Definitely check them out for all…read moreyour watersport needs when on the OBX!!!

I had a terrible experience with my first order from Kitty Hawk Kites a few weeks ago. When placing…read moremy order I trusted the website by choosing and paying for expedited shipping: an additional $30 for 1-3 business days. We were attending an event which we flew to in California and this was a gift needed to arrive in that timeframe. Almost 8 days after the order was placed, the item had still not arrived. I called several numbers on website several times explaining the situation but only reached VOICEMAILS. Not one person returned my calls. After we returned home, the item still had not been delivered to the recipient. It finally arrived 10 days after purchase - not 2-3 as indicated when ordered and paid for. After I emailed them I did not receive a personal response - instead an automated message telling me a portion of the amount I paid for the item was being partially refunded (the expedited shipping cost). I requested a full refund. This business needs to take inventory of the responsibility they have ensure elevated customer service and satisfaction. I would not recommend anyone place online orders from Kitty Hawk Kites after this experience. A huge disappointment as a business.

Store is awesome! Very big store with a big selection of clothes, kites and other OBX merch. I…read morebought some clothes and 2 kites. My kite flew perfectly (it even got dropped and barley tangled and looked gorgeous) however my sisters kite didn't even get off the ground for more than 5 seconds. Everyone including my kite expert aunt tried it was just a faulty one.

Highly recommend. Very professional and knowledgeable. I've purchased a variety of kite related…read moreitems from them. I've bought lessons, two kites (and was talked out of the more expensive option), a board, and 2 wetsuits-one was a shorter. The shop is small but they pack it all in. If you don't see something--just ask. They're also always happy to give pro tips and share experiences.

From the road, you see a sign for Hatteras Island Surf Shop, looking like just one of many others…read morein the area, although perhaps a little more welcoming in a down-in-the-mouth way. But then you pull through a cul de sac, around a fence, down an unpaved stretch of gravelly grass, past a bunch of old cars, and arrive at a big, unpainted, wooden house. Gear is strewn everywhere: kiteboards, kayaks, paddleboards, and who-knows-what-else. An old man sits amidst the clutter, screwing a new top onto a kiteboard, and glances up at you. A tired, old, golden retriever waddles over to investigate. [You pet it, which it permits, but it keeps its composure.] "Do you rent kayaks?" you ask dubiously, unsure whether he is a proprietor, a hoarder, or a repo man. "Sure. $15 a half day." Without signing a contract, waiving any kind of liability, paying the man, or even telling him your name, you set off in a wobbly but seaworthy sit-on-top, joust with some kite-surfers and explore a nearby promontory. It is a lovely day to be on the water. When you return, the man is nowhere to be found, and therefore nowhere to be paid. You debate whether to leave the money under the door (which door? there are too many). You could tuck it into the dog's collar if he had a collar. Or maybe the whole experience has been a mirage. At that moment the old man reappears in a battered white van, happily takes your money, and you reenter the real world. Surreal experience; highly recommended.