Kitty Hawk Pier

Before pouring on the sun tan lotion, review the following beach regulations and information that will help ensure a great Kitty Hawk beach day.

Pets - Dogs are welcome on public beaches in Kitty Hawk, however the owner must remove all pet waste. From 10:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. on the Friday before Memorial Day until the day after Labor Day, dogs must be on a leash that's 6' feet long at the most. Kitty Hawk is also home to the Dare County Dog Park, which is located at 900 W. Kitty Hawk Road.

ATVs - ATVs are not allowed on the beaches except by roving lifeguard patrols.

Alcohol - Alcohol is permitted on the Kitty Hawk beaches, however glass is not allowed on any town beaches. As such, visitors should stick to portable plastic containers or cans when enjoying a shoreside drink.

Fires - Bonfires are not allowed anywhere on the Kitty Hawk beaches, dunes, or within the local neighborhoods. Visitors can head to the Nags Head public beaches for a bonfire, where permits can be picked up at the local Nags Head fire station at 5314 Croatan Highway after 5:00 p.m. on the day of the planned family bonfire event.

Camping - Camping is not allowed on the Kitty Hawk beaches, however the town does offer a privately owned oceanfront RV Park as well as a soundside campground for visitors.

4x4 Regulations - Driving is prohibited on the Kitty Hawk beaches year-round. For 4WD beach access, visitors can head north to Carova, located just outside the town borders of Corolla, or head south to the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. Both regions are located an approximate 20-30 minute drive away.

Fishing - A saltwater fishing license is required for surf fishing, which can be obtained online at http://www.ncwildlife.org/, or at any local tackle shop. The Kitty Hawk Pier is open for anglers when it is not reserved for private parties, and Kill Devil Hills' Avalon Pier is also readily available for fishermen.

Fireworks - Dare County, which includes the town of Kitty Hawk,prohibits the possession or discharge of any fireworks that explode, spires, or propels through the air.

Glass Bottles - Glass is not allowed anywhere on the public Kitty Hawk beaches.

Lifeguards - Lifeguards are seasonally stationed at the following three fixed locales, typically from Memorial Day until Labor Day:

  • Byrd Street Beach Access
  • Eckner Street Beach Access
  • Kitty Hawk Bath House Beach Access (Close to the Black Pelican restaurant)

These beaches are lifeguarded from 10:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m.

Surfing - Surfing is allowed in Kitty Hawk year-round, provided that a surfboard is attached to the rider via a surfing leash at all times in the water.

Handicapped Access - Kitty Hawk has a handicap-accessible public sound beach access at Windgrass Circle, which also has public parking and is open from sunrise until thirty minutes past sunset.

Motorized Watercraft - Motorized vessels, including wave runners, jet skis, and skiffs, cannot be launched via any Atlantic Ocean beach in Kitty Hawk. There are public boat launches located on the soundside off of Bay Street and Bob Perry Road.

Red Flags - Swimming is not allowed when the red "No Swimming" flags are posted along the Kitty Hawk beaches. Violating this ordinance can result in a $250 fine.

Kitty Hawk Pier and beach

 

Sound Feet Shoes
Big Buck's Homemade Ice Cream

Serving our customers on the Outer Banks since 1994, Big Buck's ice Cream is dedicated serving you “The Best.” We offer a full line of super-premium ice cream products, smoothies, chocolates, and custom-made ice cream cakes! 2 locations are open all year: Duck  and Manteo, at The Waterfront Shops.

 

We offer a full line of Espresso Drinks from Hot Vanilla Cappuccinos and Hot Chocolate to Iced Caramel Lattes & Frozen Mochas, all made to order. Big Buck’s fresh fruit smoothies are lactose-free and made to order. Also offering lactose-free sorbets made from the best fruits available. Old time favorites are sure to please! Choose from a delicious collection of milkshakes, sundaes and banana splits.

 

Savor the moment with our Homemade Chocolate! Chocolates are made daily in each location. We offer a large selection from Dark to Milk to White. Milk Chocolate Oreos & Almond Toffee, Dark Chocolate Berries and Cherries Clusters & Hand-dipped Peppermint Patties with a Drizzle of White Chocolate, Extra-Dark Sea Salt Caramels & our famous homemade caramel chocolate pretzels oh & don’t forget the ever-popular caramel pecan turtle, just to name a few treats!

 

Belinda Pleva grew up serving ice cream out of her parent’s shop. She loved being part of what she calls “a happy business.” “I love it when people come into the shop and you hand them something, and it makes them smile,” Pleva says. “That moment when you hand an ice cream cone over to a little kid and their eyes just light up. That’s what I love about the ice cream business.”

 

In 1994, Pleva opened up her own ice cream and chocolate shop, Big Buck’s Ice Cream, in the brand-new Timbuk II Shopping Center in Corolla. Business was good, but something was missing.

 

“I was never satisfied with the ingredients in the ice creams and chocolates you could purchase back then. I wanted to serve my customers delicious flavors with ingredients they could actually pronounce,” Pleva says.

 

Pleva took a trip to Italy to study the gelaterias. She fell in love with the incredible flavors, and when she returned home to the Outer Banks, she began working tirelessly to perfect the flavors in her own ice cream.

 

Big Buck’s homemade ice cream combined the flavors of the Italian gelaterias and the richness of American ice cream. It quickly became a tourist favorite. After having the same unsatisfactory experience with the readymade chocolates she was selling, she also took a trip to Brussels to learn more about making handmade chocolates. Pleva brought the chocolate-making experience right back with her, and the result was the finest quality of chocolates on the Outer Banks.

 

After her huge success in the Corolla shop, Pleva was able to open up three more shops—one in Kitty Hawk, one in Manteo and one in Duck.

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Gray's

Gray’s Outer Banks Lifestyle Clothing Company offers the absolute best in Outer Banks T-shirts and Sweatshirts including Champion, Under Armour with "Outer Banks” and Gear! We carry quality fashions and accessories for the whole family by all your favorite brands including Tommy Bahama, Tribal, ESCAPE, Billabong, Quiksilver, Jack O’Neill, RVCA, Olukai, Cobian, Spartina, Scout, Brighton.

 

Whether you’re shopping for apparel, shoes & accessories, gifts & toys or OBX and Big Duck souvenirs, Gray’s offers the best brands and quality for a beach lifestyle at any of our 4 locations! From sportswear to beachwear and everything in between, Gray’s will outfit your entire family. You can also find great beach accessories at Gray’s, such as Costa sunglasses, Olukai sandals and Sun Bum sunscreen and hair products. Be sure to shop Gray’s signature Big Duck found on t-shirts, sweatshirts and gift items!

 

Established in 1948 by Walter and Stelle Gray, Gray’s began as a single store on the beach road in Nags Head, a land mark that has been beautifully transformed into Seagreen Art Gallery. Visitors to the original Gray’s may remember that the family home was located above the store and that Walter Gray had a passion for Big Band music that was often playing on the store speakers, giving shoppers a little swing in their step.

 

Modern-day Gray’s is still family owned and operated by their children Ronnie and Julie Gray, who carry on a legacy of superior customer service and traditional values. Ronnie’s wife Susan is also an important part of the business. “It really was always a family operating as a business rather than a business being run by a family,” explains Ronnie Gray. “When our visitors come in, they are greeted by a warm hello and a ‘Welcome to Gray’s.’ We try to welcome them as if they’re entering our own home”

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