Kite Point

Kite Point is a soundside pull-off on NC-12 in Buxton, sitting between the highway and the Pamlico Sound within Cape Hatteras National Seashore. It's one of the recognized launch points along Hatteras Island's soundside wind-sports corridor, where kiteboarders and windsurfers rig up and head out onto water that's typically shallow and flat close to shore — more forgiving for launching and landing than the ocean side of the island. The draw is the wind: this stretch of sound tends to catch a steadier, often stronger breeze than the beach.

What to expect

• A soundside access point rather than a developed facility — plan to bring your own gear, sun protection, and drinking water
• Conditions shift quickly on this exposed stretch of island, so check current wind and water conditions before rigging up
• Close enough to other soundside launches around Buxton and Frisco that it's easy to scout a couple of spots in one outing

Because it's on Hatteras Island, remember that NC-12 closes periodically during storms, and hurricane season (June-November) carries real risk of washouts — worth checking road conditions before a late-summer or fall visit.