Ramp 23 (Hatteras)
- Freeride, Wave
- Best for
- Intermediate to Advanced
- Skill Level
- Small waves, Ocean
- Spot Type
- Busy
- Crowd Level
This spot information is AI-assisted and has not been human verified. It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect. Verify safety, access, local rules, and current conditions with official or local sources before riding.
About
Ramp 23 (Hatteras) is an Atlantic-side, wide sandy beach access in Salvo with clean water and plenty of space for kite setup and sessions. The launch is broad and built for beach access, but getting onto the sand depends on permitted 4WD/4x4 driving. Wind-wise, the spot is strongly associated with NE winds, with best months reported as January, February, March, April, June, July, October, November, and December. Seasonal ride opportunities exist through much of the year when conditions line up, including winter/spring-fall NE patterns and warmer-water riding on other wind setups. Safety is a key consideration: hazard notes include sharp shells on the beach and in the water, plus ocean hazards such as rip currents and potentially heavy shorebreak during NE blows. Off-road vehicles on the sand and fishing lines from beach anglers are also specifically called out, and seasonal wildlife nesting closures may restrict access to parts of the beach. Facilities are limited at the immediate access point (parking and basic conveniences), so riders often plan for gear management and support from nearby areas. For water temps and comfort, wetsuits are typically needed at the beginning and end of the year, with shorts/spring-to-summer options when water temperatures are warmer due to the Gulf Stream influence.
- NE winds are the primary seasonal direction
- Large sandy launch with extensive rigging space
- 4WD/ORV permitting and sand-driving requirements
- Ocean-side currents/shorebreak and sharp-shell hazards
- Big, clean sandy beach with ample space for rigging and kiting practice
- Spring/fall NE wind opportunity and year-round riding possibility with the right wind/water conditions
- Large setup/play area but access and safety depend on 4WD/ORV permitting
- Ocean-side shorebreak/currents and sharp-shell hazards make it less forgiving for less experienced riders
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- NE
- Wind Range
- 15–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Trade — NE trade-style winds (best direction NE per kite data).
- Reliability
- High in spring/autumn; summer can rely more on stronger SW winds (varies by season).
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts — Provider summary flags moderate gustiness.
- Best Months
- January, February, March, April, June, July, October, November, December
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Small waves, Ocean
- Beach
- Sand — Sand beach.
- Beach Size
- Big
- Waves
- Small — Wave size described as small in one dataset; another dataset describes medium waves for the overall water.
- Launch
- Big — Huge broad sandy beach with 4x4 drive-on access and ample kite setup space.
- Launch Difficulty
- Easy — Launch described as easy with access; overall access depends on 4WD/permit.
Through the year
Busier during summer holiday months; beach size can accommodate many users.
Nor'easters in winter/spring (Dec–Mar); hurricane season June through November with peak activity around September.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Large sandy Atlantic-side beach launch with broad setup space, commonly used for downwinders and freeride/wave riding; takes-out point for classic downwinders when conditions line up.
- Kite Sizes
- 7–12 m²
Suitable for experienced wave sailors; shorebreak can be challenging for beginners.
- Sail Sizes
- 4.5–6 m²
Challenging due to shorebreak and swell; used by experienced riders.
- Foil Friendly
- Limited — Foil-friendliness described as limited.
- Min Depth
- 2.0 meters
- Wing Sizes
- 4–6 m²
Outer Banks classic beach break with quality peaks that depend on shifting sandbars; can become heavy and close out on larger swell.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- E, SE
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid — Mid tide preferred.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Fully exposed Atlantic beach break; limited shelter from wind/swell.
- Wind Effect
- Cleanest on west or northwest winds (offshore) per provider notes.
- Bigger Swell
- When swell exceeds about 2.5 meters it can become heavy/difficult to paddle out.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Wave quality described as good.
- Wave Power
- Powerful — Ocean beach break can be powerful depending on sandbars/swell.
- Wave Shape
- Peeling — Peeling style described for the break.
- Peel Speed
- Fast — Fast beach-break waves.
- Ride Length
- Short — Short rides; often closes out in larger swell.
- Ride Length Details
- Fast beach break waves that often close out in large swells.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Ramp 23 (Hatteras) in the full forecast view.
Ramp 23 (Hatteras) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 10–22 ktsGusts 27 kts
- Direction
- NE35°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 2522 kts
- Windy days
- 7/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.8–2.4 m7s period
- Temperature
- 17–19 °C
Over the next 7 days, Ramp 23 (Hatteras) is forecast for daytime winds of 10–22 kts, peaking around 22 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 27 kts. The prevailing direction is NE. Waves run 0.8–2.4 m with a period of about 7s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.
Other spots in the area
What to know before you launch
Safety, access, restrictions, rescue, and local rules can change. Treat these details as informational and confirm them locally before launching.
Hazards
- sharp shells in water and on the beach/grassy areas (foot/gear hazard)
- rip currents and strong shorebreak (ocean side)
- off-road vehicles (ORV) on the sand
- beach anglers and fishing lines
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguards indicated.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Regional context indicates limited rescue availability; spot-level notes list no direct rescue.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest medical facilities noted as Nags Head or Avon-area; for immediate emergencies, call 911.
- Localism / Vibe
- None — No specific localism indicated.
Rules of the spot
ORV permit required to drive on the beach; follow seasonal wildlife nesting closures if applicable. Drive only a 4WD/4x4 vehicle on the sand and respect tide/conditions.
- ORV permit required for beach driving
- seasonal wildlife nesting closures may restrict sections
- Use a 4x4 when driving on the sand; tire airing guidance is to ≤20 psi when beach-driving.
- Check for daily beach access/closure updates before riding.
- Because the ocean side can have heavy shorebreak during NE winds, consider this an expert-friendly launch for kites.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Salvo
- Nearest Town
- Rodanthe
- Parking
- Parking at Salvo Day Use Area / paved public parking lot at the ramp entrance; 4x4 required for beach drive; long walk if arriving without 2-wheel drive access.
- Access
- Drive south of Salvo on Highway 12 to Ramp 23 area; paved parking at the ramp entrance; beach driving allowed only for permitted 4WD vehicles (ORV permit required).
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Numerous vacation rentals and campgrounds in Salvo and Waves.
- Food & Drink
- General stores and small restaurants are available in the town of Salvo.
- Equipment Rental:
- Rental shops are located in nearby towns of Waves and Avon; regional context indicates comprehensive rental options.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Ramp 23 (Hatteras)?
The best overall months at Ramp 23 (Hatteras) are March, April, May, September, October, November. The best wind months are January, February, March, April, June, July, October, November, December.
Which wind directions work at Ramp 23 (Hatteras)?
Ramp 23 (Hatteras) works with NE winds.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Ramp 23 (Hatteras)?
Recommended equipment sizes at Ramp 23 (Hatteras): Kitesurfing: 7–12 m² · Windsurfing: 4.5–6 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 15–25 kts.
What skill level is Ramp 23 (Hatteras) suitable for?
Ramp 23 (Hatteras) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Beginner to Advanced · Windsurfing: Advanced · Wingfoiling: Advanced · Surfing: Intermediate.