First designated kayak launch opens at Cape Hatteras National Seashore

The first-ever designated kayak launch within the Cape Hatteras National Seashore opened on Monday, August 23, thanks to funding provided by the official nonprofit partner of the Outer Banks’ national parks, Outer Banks Forever.

Located at the south end of the Oregon Inlet Marina, the new Oregon Inlet Kayak Launch officially made its debut to the public at a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Monday morning that included remarks from David Hallac, Superintendent of the National Parks of Eastern North Carolina, Trip Forman, co-founder of REAL Watersports, the President of the Outer Banks Forever Board of Directors, and Jessica Barnes Green, Director of Outer Banks Forever.

“Our park staff and the community had the vision for this kayak launch in 2016 during the Centennial of the National Park Service and we are thankful that our nonprofit partner, Outer Banks Forever, could help us make this project a reality,” said David Hallac, Superintendent of the National Parks of Eastern North Carolina.

While there are numerous informal sites at Cape Hatteras National Seashore from which locals and visitors can launch non-motorized watercraft, this will be the first maintained, mobility-friendly kayak launch promoted by the National Park Service in the Outer Banks.

The improvements at the new kayak launch include a new loading zone, additional handicap and kayak trailer parking spaces, mobility-friendly access mat, clean-up of rubble and debris, and new educational signage.

The new Oregon Inlet Kayak Launch provides watersport enthusiasts an easy way to access the Pamlico Sound, just north of Oregon Inlet.

“This kayak launch will encourage locals and visitors to explore the coastal environment and provide a safe way for non-motorized wate sport enthusiasts to experience the beautiful Pamlico Sound,” says Jessica Barnes Green, Director of Outer Banks Forever.

The construction of the new kayak launch was made possible by the generous support of local sponsors TowneBank and Ocean Atlantic Rentals, as well as a grant from Bass Pro Shops.

Outer Banks Forever continues to raise much-needed funds for projects like this in all three of the Outer Banks national parks — Cape Hatteras National Seashore, Fort Raleigh National Historic Site and Wright Brothers National Memorial.

For more information on how to support your OBX national parks via Outer Banks Forever, visit www.obxforever.org.