North Carolina · United States
Hatteras / Hatteras Inlet, North Carolina (USA)
16.4kts
NNE · Wind season
Hatteras Inlet dishes out 282 windy days yearly. NE-N wind is consistent, but inlet currents run hard and boat traffic is real.
- 16.4kts
- Average wind
- 283
- Windy days / year
- 15:00–18:00
- Peak wind hours
- NNE
- Primary direction
Location
- Nearest airports
- Airport - Pitt-Greenville, NC
- Coordinates
- 35.1886, -75.7567
Monthly wind profile (peak window)
Jan
82%
rideable
19.9 kts
Feb
82%
rideable
19.8 kts
Mar
89%
rideable
19.8 kts
Apr
88%
rideable
18.4 kts
May
68%
rideable
17.1 kts
Jun
72%
rideable
16.3 kts
Jul
66%
rideable
17.6 kts
Aug
60%
rideable
17.9 kts
Sep
75%
rideable
18.7 kts
Oct
84%
rideable
18.9 kts
Nov
78%
rideable
18.5 kts
Dec
84%
rideable
19 kts
Best wind directions
- NNE
- SW
- SSW
- NE
- N
Water conditions
- Ocean
- Choppy
Best months
Hazards
- Strong currents and shoaling in Hatteras Inlet with unpredictable water movement
- Choppy ocean conditions with sudden chop and wind shifts along the exposed barrier island
- Shallow waters and sandbars requiring careful navigation to avoid grounding
- Heavy boat traffic and fishing activity in the inlet area
What that means for you
- Strong current — walk back upwind, don't body-drag down
- Watch for moored boats and marked channels
- Stay well clear of fishing nets and lines (50 m+)
- Mind your fins and lines in standing-depth water
Amenities
- Local kiteboarding schools and rental shops catering to the active water sports community
- Restaurants, accommodations, and gas stations in Hatteras village
- Fishing charter services and marine facilities throughout the area
- Beach access points with parking available at multiple locations
Local tips
Hatteras Inlet experiences exceptional wind consistency with 282+ windy days yearly, making it a premier East Coast destination for progression. Check tide conditions and inlet current forecasts before heading out, as conditions can shift rapidly.
Launch & beach
Launch from the more protected sound-side areas during strong ocean chop, or use designated beach launches on the ocean side when conditions allow. Wind from the NE to N directions typically produces cleaner conditions for launching.
Local etiquette
Respect fishing activity and boat traffic, especially in the inlet channel; stay clear of commercial fishing operations and maintain awareness of other water users. Local riders appreciate courtesy and following established launch zone protocols.
What to wear
A 3/2mm wetsuit works year-round with a hood in winter months (Nov-Mar) when water temps drop to 50-55°F; summer (Jun-Aug) allows 2mm or spring suits. Water temperatures range from 55°F in winter to 78°F in peak summer.
What to pack
Kite sizes
- 14–17 mlight wind, under 14 kn
- 11–14 mtypical sessions, 14–22 kn
- 8–10 mstrong days, 20–28 kn
Boards
- Twintip — universal, bring one
What to wear (by climate)
- In the water
- 3/2 mm full wetsuit.
- On land
- Hoody and jacket; long pants in the evening.
Derived from the spot's latitude (temperate zone) and current season.
Right of way & manners
- 1Rider entering the water has right of way over riders coming in.
- 2Upwind rider gives way — keep your kite high when passing downwind riders low.
- 3Starboard tack (right hand forward) has priority when crossing.
- 4Overtaking rider keeps clear of the slower rider's line.
- 5Wave riding: the rider on the wave owns it — don't drop in.
Spot guide
The Experience
Hatteras Inlet is a working waterway. Fishing charters, commercial boats, and shifting sandbars define the place as much as wind does. Launch from Pamlico Sound when ocean chop is heavy, or use ocean-side breaks when NE-N winds line up clean. Those northern quadrant winds are what you're after.
Wind & Conditions
16.4-knot average, consistent year-round. Spring and fall (March, April, October, November) are classic, but the wind stays plugged in through summer and winter too. NE to N is clean; anything SW or SSW gets choppy fast against Atlantic swell.
Wind shifts without warning. One hour clean, next hour shifted. Tidal current through the inlet is strong and stacks chop on top of open ocean conditions. Check inlet forecasts alongside wind speed.
The Water
Shallow and dynamic. Sandbars shift seasonally; bottom topography is unpredictable. Inlet current pulls hard. Grounding happens. Getting pulled toward boat traffic isn't hypothetical.
Sound side = protected, flat water for lighter conditions. Ocean side = better wind angle and cleaner windows when everything aligns, but you're dealing with chop and current.
Who It's For
Intermediate riders comfortable in variable wind, shallow water, and boat traffic. You need to read conditions fast and respect the inlet's power. This is a working waterway on an exposed barrier island, not a protected lagoon.
Live network data powered by Antigravity Alliance Inc.