hatteras in april?

jts · Since 03 Mar 2005 31 Posts gorge

Anyone been there in April?

We've got two families going, kids ages 3-13, and kiters advanced-ish to beginners getting up on the board.

Looking for a big house on the ocean side that is nearby beginner friendly sound launches. What town is best? Waves, Avon, etc?

Any advice or recommendations appreciated!

Stagecoach · Since 07 May 2009 88 Posts

It can be great... or really freaking cold. I've been there in april with high temps of 40 and raining. Had to abandon the tent after a couple nights for a cheap hotel. Cross your fingers.

BigR · Since 05 Jul 2005 372 Posts White Salmon Obsessed

I would do Avon but a little closer to the end of April

stringy · Since 23 Jun 2006 1735 Posts vancouver XTreme Poster

If you're into a beginner friendly house, I would suggest looking into a sound side house. I've been there almost a dozen times (love that place!) and also been in Salvo, Waves, Avon and Buxton. Real and Kitty Hawk Kites stores are located up in Waves. It's great to stop in and "kick the tires" however not much else in those areas in regards to retail or groceries. Avon is the main section that is more centrally located to all the stores and beaches. if you're into downwinders, I suggest a sound side rental. I've rented yoyo's playground in the past and have to say this is a great downwinder from salvo day use right to the house. Even though Avon has the stores and movie theatres, better check in with rental agency to see what is open in the "off season". rates are very inexpensive in april, but keep in mind that you might experience wetsuit weather.

I would give andy at bellingham kiteboarding a call and get more info from him. He always goes in early April and has small kids. their website is www.kitepaddlesurf.com
I think he times it with spring break but IMO the best time is in May.

So waves/Rodanthe/Salvo if you want to be close to kiting and quiet and relaxing experience.
Buxton if you want even sleepier vibe.
Avon if you want to be close to the stores and kitepoint.

http://www.outerbeaches.com/vacation-rentals/waves/yo-yos-playground-details/

lewmt · Since 04 Aug 2010 182 Posts MT Stoked

If you want the soundside & flat water mostly - then everything Stringy said. Only thing I'd add is if you like ocean side downwinders I like locating nearer Buxton. If wind is SW then its a short drive to Hatteras Ferry docks launch. If its S, SE, or NE then everything is wide open & you can downwinder as far as you please.

Temps can be anything & likely will be. NE winds are cold. S & SW winds coincide w/much warmer temps. Water temps can be substantially warmer further S towards Hatteras/Buxton on the ocean side. Sound side is not as drastic.

toddjb · Since 16 Oct 2007 271 Posts MD Obsessed

Get soundfront. Find your house on a satellite photo (often the real estate site provides a link) and make sure you have a decent launch and favorable wind direction.

Look at the "session map" here to get an idea of the launches, which are mostly beginner friendly. If you get a house between any of those, you have a good downwinder option. Notice there are not a lot of soundfront launches listed in buxton, you'll find houses, but it isn't always a wind favorable soundfront launch. Waves/Salvo, Avon, south part of Frisco...all good.

You'll be able to kite 50% of the time in front of your house, other half you are in the ocean. If nobody rides ocean, you can travel north or south to find some onshore wind. Kite Point works, surprisingly, in just about any wind direction. It's odd that way...

Oh, and April/May rocks! Lots of wind. You'll probably be in a 4/3 most of the time, but in the sound if it's sunny, you can go shorty. Got kids so get a pool and hot tub. You can pay extra to have the pool heat turned on. As you know, if the sun is out, the kids won't care what the air temperature is!

jts · Since 03 Mar 2005 31 Posts gorge

Thanks all -- really great info. Appreciate all the advice.

We are talking about moving the date a bit into May to hit the weather a bit better. Sounds like a great spot, can't wait to get out there.