Canadian Hole

About This Spot

Canadian Hole (officially the Haulover Day Use Area) is a soundside flatwater spot on the Pamlico Sound between Avon and Buxton on Hatteras Island. The island is only ~300 yards wide here, so flat sound water and ocean waves sit minutes apart. The sound is shallow—roughly 2–4 ft deep for hundreds of yards—giving butter-flat to lightly chopped water ideal for learning, freestyle, foiling and winging; Canadian Hole itself is slightly deeper than neighboring areas (locals now call it 'Wing Hole'). Wind season runs roughly April–November, with spring (Mar–Apr) and fall (Oct–Nov) the most reliable and most crowded. Summer SW thermals are very dependable—often light in the morning and building to the mid-30s (mph) by evening; June–July are among the windiest months (~25–29 days over 16 mph). NE/NW winds in spring and fall are stronger and gustier and bring some wind-swell. Winter is windy nearly daily but cold and powered-up (5–7 m kite weather). Sitting ~35 mi offshore, Hatteras gets clean wind from almost any direction with little terrain blockage. Skill level: suits all levels. Shallow, flat, generally warm water plus steady wind make it a premier beginner/progression venue, while advanced riders use it for flatwater freestyle and foiling. Launch & access: wide sandy soundside beach with paved parking and bathhouses/restrooms. Important regulatory note: Canadian Hole has historically been the windsurfing area, and kiters are asked to rig and launch at Kite Point, ~¼ mile south (4WD sand ramp plus a small lot; an NPS beach-driving permit is required to drive on the sand). Hazards: power lines run along NC-12 close to the beach—a kite in the lines can black out the island, so launch well clear of them. Mind crowds, fishermen's lines, and soft sand. Kiteboarding is banned in the Pea Island refuge to the north (Rodanthe to Oregon Inlet).