Ramp 27 (Hatteras)
- Freeride, Shortboard
- Best for
- Advanced
- Skill Level
- Small waves, Ocean
- Spot Type
- 15–30 kts
- Wind Range
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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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 27 (Hatteras) is an ocean-side, sand-bottom kitesurfing and wave-riding launch with a large beach area for kite setup and landing. Conditions are described as clean with small-to-medium wave activity, and the launch is known for providing a 4-wheel-drive ramp while also offering an easy walkover for 2-wheel-drive access. Wind is most consistently favorable on NE setups, and the spot is reported to work across multiple cold-to-warm months, including January, February, June, July, October, November, and December. Typical kiting sessions are described as advancing/committed given the ocean exposure, with a moderate-gust wind character and a generally high reliability during spring and fall. Surfing at Ramp 27 is characterized as an exposed beach-break where the right swell can produce powerful, fast, peaky, peeling waves. Ride quality and hazards change with the tide and shifting sandbars, and very large swells may lead to more closing-out behavior than clean, controllable lines. Safety is a major focus for this specific ramp area: riders should keep extra awareness of power lines along NC Highway 12 and give them a wide berth, and also plan for ocean hazards such as rip currents and strong longshore drift. Always check tidal conditions since high tide can make the shore break more aggressive, and follow NPS rules and seasonal nesting-closure guidance before driving or launching.
- Wide sandy ocean beach access that supports straightforward kite setup and landing
- Best-in-region NE wind orientation for kiting
- Spring and fall flagged as particularly consistent for wind
- Wide sandy ocean launch with accessible setup/landing space
- Strong spring/fall wind consistency for wave kitesurfing and wind-based sessions
- Clean, sand-bottom environment with small-to-medium wave potential
- Ocean-side conditions can involve strong longshore drift/rip currents and a heavy shore break
- Power lines along NC Highway 12 require extra kite-handling care
- Requires permit/seasonal compliance for beach driving and closures
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- NE, N, E, SE, S
- Offshore directions
- N, NE, NW
- Wind Range
- 15–30 kts
- Wind Type
- Frontal — Frontal wind pattern noted for the ocean-side launch (with kiting typically working well on NE setups).
- Reliability
- High during spring and fall seasons.
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts
- Best Months
- January, February, April, May, June, July, October, November, December
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 7–12 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Small waves, Ocean
- Beach
- Sand — Sand beach with ample space.
- Beach Size
- Big
- Waves
- Medium — Water/wave size reported as small to medium.
- Launch
- Big — 4-wheel-drive ramp with easy walkover access for 2-wheel-drive.
- Launch Difficulty
- Easy — Launch access described as easy at the ORV ramp; overall ocean riding conditions can still be challenging.
Through the year
Highest in summer months; spring and fall are popular for sports but less crowded overall.
Hurricane season runs from June through November, with the highest frequency of storms in late August and September.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Top-tier ocean spot for wave riding and boosting with a wide sandy beach that supports accessible setup and landing.
- Kite Sizes
- 7–12 m²
Excellent for high-wind ocean sessions and wave jumping.
- Sail Sizes
- 4.2–5.7 m²
Possible but challenging due to shore break and wave energy; requires high skill for ocean navigation.
- Foil Friendly
- Limited
- Min Depth
- 2 meters
- Wing Sizes
- 3–5 m²
Classic Outer Banks beach break that can produce powerful, hollow waves on the right swell.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- NE, E, SE
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid
- Shelter
- Exposed
- Wind Effect
- Cleanest on West or North-West winds (offshore).
- Bigger Swell
- Can close out on very large swells; better at nearby point breaks during extreme peaks.
- Wave Quality
- Good
- Wave Power
- Powerful
- Wave Shape
- Peeling
- Peel Speed
- Fast
- Ride Length
- Medium
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–150 m
- Ride Length Details
- Fast, peaky rides that depend heavily on shifting sandbars.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Ramp 27 (Hatteras) in the full forecast view.
Ramp 27 (Hatteras) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 10–22 ktsGusts 28 kts
- Direction
- NE35°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 2522 kts
- Windy days
- 7/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 1.0–2.4 m7s period
- Temperature
- 16–19 °C
Over the next 7 days, Ramp 27 (Hatteras) is forecast for daytime winds of 10–22 kts, peaking around 22 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 28 kts. The prevailing direction is NE. Waves run 1.0–2.4 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
- power lines along NC Highway 12
- rip currents
- strong longshore drift
- heavy shore break
- remote location
- marine life
Rescue & support
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Maritime surveillance is provided by NPS and local Coast Guard stations; local beach rescue support is described as limited.
- Emergency Info
- Dial 911 for emergencies; nearest major medical facility reported as Outer Banks Hospital in Nags Head.
Rules of the spot
National Park Service (NPS) regulations apply; check for seasonal beach closures due to nesting birds or turtles.
- Beach driving permit required on Cape Hatteras National Seashore
- No driving on dunes
- ORV permit required for 4WD beach driving
- Seasonal nesting closures
- Give power lines a wide berth and guide your kite accordingly to reduce the risk of electrical hazards and outages.
- Always check tide conditions, as high tide can make the shore break more aggressive.
- If the ocean is too rough, many riders shift to the sound side just across the road.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Hatteras
- Nearest Town
- Salvo
- Parking
- 4-wheel-drive ramp access; 2-wheel-drive users can walk over. NPS parking lot available at the ramp entrance.
- Public Transport
- Very limited; a personal vehicle or 4WD (with permit) is essential for accessing different ramps and beaches.
- Access
- Follow NC-168S and US-158S from Norfolk to Cape Hatteras National Park Rd, then NC Hwy 12 south past Salvo until reaching Ramp 27. Ramp 27 provides an ORV ramp for 4WD vehicles and a pedestrian walkover for 2WD vehicles.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Rental houses in Salvo, Waves, and Rodanthe; campgrounds nearby.
- Food & Drink
- General stores and small restaurants in Salvo.
- Equipment Rental:
- Equipment rental available at shops in nearby Waves and Rodanthe.
- Gear Storage
- Generally not available at the ramp; rentals/storage at nearby shops.
- Gear Repair
- Local shops in Waves offer kite and board repair.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
Visitors come for kitesurfing, windsurfing, and surfing, and also explore Cape Hatteras National Seashore and local wildlife areas along the barrier island.
An iconic black-and-white striped lighthouse offering panoramic views of the Diamond Shoals.
Explores maritime history and numerous shipwrecks found off the coast of the Outer Banks.
4WD access to remote beaches for fishing and exploring (permit required).
Popular waterfront spot for live music, food, and sunset views.
A sanctuary for migratory birds featuring easy walking trails and turtle nesting sites.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Ramp 27 (Hatteras)?
The best overall months at Ramp 27 (Hatteras) are April, May, June, September, October, November. The best wind months are January, February, April, May, June, July, October, November, December.
Which wind directions work at Ramp 27 (Hatteras)?
Ramp 27 (Hatteras) works with NE, N, E, SE, S winds. Offshore directions are N, NE, NW.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Ramp 27 (Hatteras)?
Recommended equipment sizes at Ramp 27 (Hatteras): Kitesurfing: 7–12 m² · Windsurfing: 4.2–5.7 m² · Wingfoiling: 3–5 m². The typical wind range is 15–30 kts.
What skill level is Ramp 27 (Hatteras) suitable for?
Ramp 27 (Hatteras) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Advanced · Windsurfing: Advanced · Wingfoiling: Advanced · Surfing: Intermediate.