Boating Laws

As of May 1, 2010, any person under the age of 26 must successfully complete a NASBLA approved boating education course before operating any vessel propelled by a motor of 10 HP or greater. Courses are available locally or online. See http://ncpaws.org/boatingsafety/coursesearch.asp for information on courses and the laws.

State laws regarding life vests/jackets, aka PFDs

All recreational vessels must have at least one Type I, II or III personal flotation device that is U.S. Coast Guard–approved, wearable and of the proper size for each person on board or being towed. Sizing for PFDs is based on body weight and chest size.

• In addition to the above requirement, vessels 16 ft. in length or longer must have one Type IV U.S. Coast Guard–approved PFD on board and readily accessible.
• All PFDs must be in good and serviceable condition and must be readily accessible.
• Children under age 13 must wear a U.S. Coast Guard–approved PFD when underway on a vessel (a vessel that is not anchored or tied to shore) unless they are below deck or inside an enclosed cabin.
• Each person riding on or being towed behind a PWC must wear a U.S. Coast Guard–approved personal flotation device. Inflatable PFDs are not approved for PWC operators or passengers.
• Although North Carolina law and regulations concerning PFDs apply only to powerboats, federal law requires that all vessels on federally controlled waters carry the appropriate type and number of PFDs. There are also local laws on the Catawba River chain that require PFDs to be on board all vessels.

Jet Skis / Waverunners

The local waters are perfect for personal watercraft (PWC) riding, but beware of shallow spots in the sounds. The state, towns and National Park Service each have rules about the operation of personal watercraft — and they are quite restrictive so be aware. Remember, children younger than 13 must where a Coast Guard–approved life vest when boating or riding on a personal watercraft.

North Carolina state laws regarding PWCs:

• No one younger than 14 can operate a PWC in North Carolina waters.
• A person at least 14 years old but less than 16 years old can operate a PWC if: they are riding with a person who is at least 18 who occupies the PWC and has completed the boating safety education course; or the youth has first successfully completed an approved boating safety education course (proof of age and safety course completion must be carried by the youth during operation of the PWC.)
• It is unlawful for the owner of a PWC to knowingly allow a person under the age of 16 to operate a PWC unless they have first completed an approved boating safety education course.
• It is unlawful for a person who has temporary or permanent responsibility for a person under the age of 16 to knowingly allow that person to operate a PWC unless they have first completed an approved boating safety education course.
• No one can operate a PWC on state waters between sunset and sunrise.
• All PWC riders, passengers and those being towed must wear approved personal flotation devices.
• If the PWC is equipped with a lanyard-type engine cut off switch, the lanyard must be worn by the operator at all times.
• A PWC must have a rearview mirror or an observer on board besides the operator to legally tow someone on skis or similar device.
• No person shall operate a personal watercraft on the waters of this State at greater than no-wake speed within 100 feet of an anchored or moored vessel, a dock, pier, swim float, marked swimming area, swimmers, surfers, persons engaged in angling, or any manually operated propelled vessel, unless the personal watercraft is operating in a narrow channel (see below).
• No person shall operate a personal watercraft in a narrow channel (see below) at greater than no-wake speed within 50 feet of an anchored or moored vessel, a dock, pier, swim float, marked swimming area, swimmers, surfers, persons engaged in angling, or any manually operated propelled vessel.
• No person shall operate a PWC towing another person on water skis or similar device unless the total number of persons operating, observing, and being towed does not exceed the number of passengers identified by the manufacturer as the maximum safe load for the vessel.

DUCK

• No PWC on town’s ocean beaches.

• You must go straight in and straight out within 900 feet from the sound shoreline at a speed of no more than 5 mph or not causing a wake.
• PWC can only be operated during the hours of 9 a.m. and 6 p.m.

SOUTHERN SHORES

• Operation of PWC prohibited on all waters extending 200 yards into the ocean and 400 yards soundside.

KITTY HAWK

• No PWC launching on ocean beaches.
• PWC cannot be operated within 600 feet of the Atlantic Ocean beach within Kitty Hawk town limits.

KILL DEVIL HILLS

• PWC cannot be operated within 300 feet of the sound or ocean shoreline or a fishing pier.

NAGS HEAD

• PWC cannot be operated within 600 feet of the sound or ocean shoreline or a fishing pier.
• You must go straight in and straight out at a speed which will not generate a wake or exceed 5 mph.
• PWC may be launched only at permitted sites within the town. No PWC are allowed at Danube Street or Jockey’s Ridge State Park.

CAPE HATTERAS NATIONAL SEASHORE RECREATIONAL AREA

• No PWC launching or landing from an NPS controlled accesses, land or water areas.
• Operation of PWCs is prohibited within the boundaries of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore.

Parasailing

When you look to the skies and see people’s legs dangling from a parachute-like kite, that’s Parasailing. The people are lifted into the sky from a boat, and they don’t even have to get wet to enjoy the view from hundreds of feet in the air. Parasailing tours are available in Duck, Nags Head, Roanoke Island and Hatteras Island.

Paddling

Paddling canoes and kayaks is permitted in all waters along the Outer Banks. Rentals and are available in Corolla, Duck, Kitty Hawk, Nags Head, Roanoke Island, Hatteras Island and Ocracoke Island. Guided tours are offered in many areas of the Outer Banks, including Kitty Hawk Woods and Alligator River and Pea Island National Wildlife Refuges. If you are renting or have your own craft, see our boat ramps section for a list of places to launch.

Kiteboarding/Windsurfing

The shallow sounds along the Outer Banks are perfect for kiteboarding and windsurfing. Check our Beach Accesses section for sound access points that make it convenient to launch if you have your own equipment. If you’re taking lessons or renting, you can find outfitters in Duck, Nags Head, Hatteras Island and Ocracoke Island. Hatteras Island is ranked as one of the top places in the world for kiteboarding.

Surfing and Standup Paddleboarding

Surfing is allowed everywhere on the Outer Banks. Lessons and rentals are available at nearly every surf shop. For the safety of others, your surfboard must be attached to your ankle or wrist. (This is law in most towns). Surfing is prohibited within 300 feet of a fishing pier.

Standup paddleboarding (SUP) is a hot sport on the Banks, and rentals are available at surf shops and through watersports outfitters. SUP is much easier in the sound or on a calm day in the ocean, so if you’re new to the sport practice there first. Then, if you’re adventurous, you can take to surfing the ocean waves.