The Outer Banks of North Carolina is known to be one of the top surfing destinations on the East Coast.
If you are from the area or just stopping by for a quick visit and have even the slightest interest in surfing, then you’re in luck.
There are a ton of surf schools in the area that offer a variety of camps and lessons for all skill levels. If you don’t know where to start, no worries, here is a breakdown of the five best-rated surf schools in the Outer Banks area.
The 5 Best Surf Schools in the Outer Banks
Endless Summer Surf offers various services such as camps, lessons and mentorships with qualified surf coaches who are all CPR certified, Stop the Bleed and Advanced First Aid.
Surf Camp: Their camps focuses on character development through surfing, developing and improving upon surf skills, building confidence and gaining ocean safety skills. Students in the camp are split into groups based on their age and ability. Common student-to-instructor ratios are 1:1, 2:1 and 3:1
This camp is held at the Avon Pier 9 am-12 pm every Tuesday and Wednesday with Thursday and Friday being reserved for makeup days. There are two camp options: Three days and a single day.
The camp provides complimentary fruit, water and Surf Camp T-Shirts. All students need to do is wear a bathing suit and bring a towel, sunscreen and reusable water bottle.
The most common options to purchase for Endless Summer Surf are either the one-day pass for $145 or the three-day pass for $375
Surf Lessons: In terms of surf lessons there are three options: One on one ($110-$295), private small group with 2-5 students and instructors for 80-90 minutes ($89-$229) and private large group lessons with six or more students, 2-3+ instructors and for 90 minutes ($79-$199).
All lessons will include teachings on popping up and taking off, paddling, handling your board, catching and riding waves and ocean safety. Wetsuits and boards, if needed, are provided.
Hannah Cornish and Billy Crews founded Cape Hatteras Surf School. Between them, they have 28 years of surf experience and created CHSS to introduce people to the sport and share their love for the ocean while helping all levels of surfers feel comfortable and create lifelong memories.
Surf “Camp”: CHSS offers a “camp” known as Tyson’s Performance Camp. This is not necessarily a true camp as just lessons are provided but there is a package deal that includes multiple sessions. This program is best for those who have already taken a few lessons and are looking to refine their skills and surf on their own. The camp focuses on learning to paddle out, catch waves, how to choose the best waves, turning, etc.
There are four options for the camp: One on one, a package deal, groups of two and groups of three.
One-on-one involves one student and one instructor for 90 minutes ($125). Within the same category, there is the package deal where you can have three one-on-one lessons with Tyson Royston for 90 minutes curated to your level for $290. They will provide a soft top board if needed.
For groups of two, you will have one instructor for a semi-private 90-minute lesson ($100 per person). Groups of three are also given 90 minutes for $90 per person.
Surf Lessons
The surf lessons CHSS offers are relatively similar to those offered by Tyson’s Performance Camp. All lessons are held at the Rodanthe public beach access for 90 and soft top boards are provided for beginners.
One-on-one lessons are $125, groups of two are $220, groups of 3-4 are $100 per person and groups of five or more are $90 per person.
The Outer Banks Surf School prides itself on creating a safe and fun environment for surfers of all skill levels through camps and lessons with their CPR and First Aid certified instructors each with 20+ years of surf experience.
Surf Camp: Outer Banks Surf School offers what is called “Kids Camp”. This is a three-day camp that takes place in Nags Head. The dates of the camp vary each year and times are subject to change depending on tides and wind patterns.
It is $350 per child with healthy snacks, drinks, tents, surfboards and leashes provided.
Surf Lessons: Their lessons are designed for specialized attention and offer one-on-one and small-group options. All lessons are an hour and a half with surfboards, leashes and wetsuits, off-season only unless requested, being provided.
There are several pricing options depending on group sizes and the number of days. For one-day options one person is $125, two is $210, three is $270 and four is $80 per person. Three-day options include one person for $350, two for $550, three for $720 and four for $225 per person. Lastly, there are five-day options for groups of two, three and four. Two people will be $850, three for $1125 and four for $350 per person.
It should be noted that five-day lessons are only offered in Nags Head and a minimum of two people is required. Aside from five-day lessons, others will take place at the Rodanthe Public Beach Access.
KHKSS is a mom-and-pop organization founded and run by Herman Hall and Heather MacLearn. They pride themselves on decades of surf experience and claim to have the most qualified and experienced instructors in the Outer Banks.
Surf Camps: KHKSS offers two types of surf camps that are most accessible for those staying in the towns of Southern Shores, Duck and Corolla. The camps take place at the Sanderling Resort and Spa.
The first camp is called Duck Surf Camp. This is a three-day camp where students will learn to surf, stand-up paddle and kayak. All gear needed will be provided as well as a camp tee shirt. The camp lasts four hours per day and takes place Monday through Thursday throughout the summer.
The second camp is called Shredtopia and it is a five-day camp from 9 am to 3 pm Monday to Friday. The students’ day will begin with a morning surf lesson and ocean safety clinics, then they will break for lunch and will end the day with other water-based activities such as hiking, kayaking, etc.
Schedules may change depending on the surf and weather.
Surf Lessons: Daily surf lessons are offered that include lessons on ocean safety, surfboard anatomy, paddling techniques, how to pop up, foot placement and how to catch as many waves as you can.
Children six and up are welcome for the hour-and-a-half-long lessons with a limit of one to four instructor-to-student ratios. Lessons are offered year-round and during low tide for the best waves. Surfboards, wetsuits and instruction are included.
Nags Head Surf Camp has been up and running for twelve years on its mission of inspiring others with the art of surfing through a week of fun in the ocean. They have a loyal staff and many of which began as campers. Currently, they are only offering camps and not individual lessons.
Surf Camp: Nags Head surf camp is $450 per person and is a week long. The day will begin at 8 am and end at noon.
The camp requires the camper to be at least eight years of age, be able to swim proficiently, bring a lunch, have sunscreen and a towel, a rashguard or t-shirt and a change of dry clothes. A 6’-8’ soft top surfboard and leash, shaded tent, camp shirt and swag bag will be provided.
The camp aims to maintain a ratio of 3:1 student to instructor ratio and will take place in various parts of Nags Head depending on where the best sandbar is that day.
Surf Schools in the OBX
There are a variety of surf schools in the Outer Banks due to it being a huge surfing hub. If you’re interested in honing in on your surf skills or you’re completely new to the craft and find yourself feeling overwhelmed, start here! You really can’t go wrong with any of these options.
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