Kitty Hawk Kites

What Kitty Hawk Kites does

Kitty Hawk Kites is a privately-held outdoor adventure tourism and retail company founded in 1974 and headquartered in Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina. The company operates from approximately ten locations across the Outer Banks barrier-island chain (Corolla, Duck, Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills, Nags Head, Manteo, Rodanthe, Avon, Jarvisburg, and Wanchese), serving tourists and vacationers visiting the region. It runs what it describes as the world's largest hang gliding school, anchored at Jockey's Ridge State Park, and claims the world's largest kite store at its retail footprint.

The company offers 28+ distinct adventure experiences spanning flight (hang gliding, stunt kite lessons, the 1902 Wright Glider Experience, aerial airplane tours, JumpMasters Trampoline Park), water (kiteboarding, kayak tours, dolphin cruises, parasailing, jet ski rentals, surf lessons, e-foil/wing foiling lessons, sailing cruises, fishing charters, soundside excursions, stand-up paddleboarding, e-surfing), and land-based activities (wild horse tours, walking history tours, walking ghost tours, Hatteras horseback riding, electric bike tours), plus ticketing for The Lost Colony theatrical production and H2OBX Waterpark. Activity prices range from roughly $22 (dolphin tour) to $1,170 (private fishing charters), with a ~6% online convenience fee applied at booking. The platform is built on FareHarbor for reservations, Shopify for e-commerce (store.kittyhawk.com and khkkiteboarding.com), SmartWaiver for liability, and weather webcams at key activity sites.

Revenue is generated through four streams: per-booking adventure experiences (one-time fees), retail merchandise sales (hardware/apparel), equipment rentals (jet skis, kayaks, SUPs, surfboards, kiteboarding gear, e-bikes), and third-party ticketing commissions. Customer segments are diversified across families with children, thrill seekers and adventure enthusiasts, couples and romance seekers, nature and wildlife enthusiasts, and history and culture visitors. Partnerships span operational allies (OBX Parasail, Rock Solid Fishing, Crystal Dawn, Corolla Outback, Sanctuary Vineyards), equipment providers (Hobie, Fliteboard, YuJet), and conservation/research collaborators (Outer Banks Center for Dolphin Research). The company reports 11-50 employees, has no institutional funding, no parent entity, and no disclosed acquisitions.

Name

Kitty Hawk Kites

Legal name

Kitty Hawk Kites

Website

https://kittyhawk.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1974

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Kitty Hawk Kites is a privately-held, 50-year-old Outer Banks adventure tourism and retail company that operates the world's largest hang gliding school and largest kite shop, offering 28+ experiences (hang gliding, kiteboarding, kayak tours, dolphin cruises, parasailing, retail) to coastal vacationers across 10+ North Carolina locations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Outdoor Adventure Tourism and Recreation

NAICS

All Other Amusement and Recreation Industries (71399), Sporting Goods Retailers (45911)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Aerial Adventure & Flight Schools (Paragliding, Hang Gliding, Paramotoring) (THAAAKAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Parachute-Based Thrill Rides (Parasailing, Towed Parachute Jumps) (THAAAMAE), Surf, Kitesurf & Wind Sports Adventures (THAJABAK)

Keywords

• Hang gliding instruction
• Kiteboarding lessons
• Outdoor adventure tours
• Kite retail sales
• Watersports equipment rentals

Headquarters

HQ city

Nags Head

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices10 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Adventure Experiences and Lessons: Revenue from guided adventure activities including hang gliding lessons, kiteboarding lessons, kayak tours, dolphin tours, parasailing, jet ski rentals, surf lessons, sailing cruises, fishing charters, and specialty experiences like the Wright Glider Experience and e-foil lessons. Activities range from $22 (dolphin tours) to $400+ (e-foil lessons, kiteboarding). Booking fees include approximately 6% online convenience fee.
2. Retail Merchandise Sales: Online store (store.kittyhawk.com) and physical retail locations selling kites, wind art, beach gear, kiteboarding equipment, apparel, and Outer Banks-themed gifts. Also includes dedicated kiteboarding gear site (khkkiteboarding.com) with kites, kiteboards, foiling equipment, and accessories.
3. Equipment Rentals: Revenue from renting equipment including jet skis, kayaks, surfboards, stand-up paddleboards, kiteboarding gear, and e-bikes. Pricing varies by equipment type and duration (30 minutes to full-day rentals).
4. Third-Party Ticketing and Commissions: Commissions from selling tickets and bookings for partner attractions including JumpMasters Trampoline Park, H2OBX Waterpark, The Lost Colony theatrical production, wild horse tours, and vineyard voyages.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Kitty Hawk Kites is a multi-location outdoor adventure tourism and retail company that sells guided experiences, lessons, and equipment rentals centered on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. It offers 28+ bookable adventures including hang gliding lessons (operating what the company describes as the world's largest hang gliding school), kiteboarding lessons, kayak tours, dolphin cruises, parasailing, jet ski rentals, surf lessons, sailing cruises, fishing charters, and specialty experiences, plus retail merchandise (kites, beach gear, apparel) through the world's largest kite store and a separate kiteboarding gear site.

Product overview

Kitty Hawk Kites operates a multi-faceted outdoor adventure and retail platform centered on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. The company offers over 28 distinct adventure activities and experiences including hang gliding (the world's largest school), kiteboarding lessons and gear, kayak tours, dolphin cruises, parasailing, fishing charters, water sports rentals, aerial tours, and land-based activities. The retail operation includes the world's largest kite store and a dedicated kiteboarding gear e-commerce platform. Adventures are bookable through FareHarbor with online store transactions powered by Shopify.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Kitty Hawk Kiteboarding School: Kiteboarding school offering lessons, rentals, and gear sales at Waves Village in Rodanthe, NC. Voted Best Kiteboarding School on the Outer Banks for three consecutive years by Outer Banks Coastal Life Readers' Choice.
• Nags Head Dolphin Watch
• OBX Parasail
• OBX Ghost Tours
• JumpMasters OBX
• H2OBX Waterpark
• Waves Village Watersports Resort

Products and services

• Hang Gliding Adventures Comprehensive hang gliding instruction and experiences including dune hang gliding at Jockey's Ridge State Park, tandem hang gliding, and pilot certification programs, offered by what the company describes as the world's largest hang gliding school with over 300,000 people taught since 1974.
• Kiteboarding Lessons Kiteboarding instruction and rentals at Waves Village in Rodanthe, NC, featuring private lessons for all skill levels, equipment rentals including kites and boards, and certified instructors in the shallow waters of Pamlico Sound.
• Kayak Tours Guided kayak tours across the Outer Banks from Corolla to Hatteras, including Alligator River, sunset tours, night tours, and fishing excursions, with over 13 guided experiences led by ACA-certified guides.
• Dolphin Tours Pontoon boat dolphin watching cruises departing from Nags Head and Manteo, led by knowledgeable dolphin researchers, featuring a Dolphin Guarantee during summer months with over 99% success rate.
• Parasailing Aerial parasailing experiences from Duck and Manteo locations, with single, tandem, and triple flight options reaching up to 900 feet above the Outer Banks.
• Headboat Tours & Fishing Charters Family fishing trips and sunset cruises aboard the Crystal Dawn from Pirate's Cove Marina in Manteo, offering access to Atlantic Ocean and Roanoke Sound.
• Jet Ski Rentals Yamaha jet ski rentals in Nags Head and Duck, NC, with 2-3 passenger vehicles available for 30-minute to 1-hour rides in designated riding areas.
• Aero Adventures (Airplane Tours) Scenic flights including WWII WACO bi-plane tours and Cessna 172 airplane tours departing from Dare County Airport, offering lighthouse tours and aerial views of the Outer Banks.
• Stunt Kite Lessons Beginner to advanced dual-line stunt kite instruction at Jockey's Ridge State Park, covering launching, steering, looping, diving, and landing techniques.
• 1902 Wright Glider Experience Fly a museum-quality replica of the Wright Brothers' 1902 glider over Jockey's Ridge, including ground school and five tethered flights.
• Kayak Fishing Tours Guided fishing excursions using Hobie Mirage kayaks with hands-free pedal propulsion, offered as 4-hour charters targeting red drum, speckled trout, and flounder.
• Wing Foiling Lessons Instruction in wing foiling using handheld inflatable wings and hydrofoil boards, with intro to winging and private lessons available at Waves Village.
• Surf Lessons Private surf instruction at Corolla, Duck, Nags Head, and Rodanthe locations, plus kids surf camps for ages 8-12.
• Stand Up Paddleboarding SUP lessons, tours, and rentals at Duck and Manteo locations, including SUP yoga and guided tours through calm sound waters.
• Sunset Boat Cruises & Vineyard Voyage Private captained cruises on Currituck Sound including vineyard voyages to Sanctuary Vineyards with boat transport and 4x4 safari truck transfers.
• Sailing Cruises Daytime and sunset sailing cruises aboard the 41-foot ketch 'Movin' On' from Manteo, with wildlife viewing including dolphins and turtles, maximum 6 passengers.
• Fishing Charters Inshore and nearshore fishing charters including the Southern Run (shallow water) and Carolina Blue (ocean) vessels with experienced local captains.
• Soundside Excursions Private customizable boat tours aboard The Island Hopper with Captain Randy Graham, including dolphin watching, tubing, fishing, and island exploration.
• E-foil Lessons Electric hydrofoil board instruction at Rodanthe, with 2-hour sessions teaching balance and technique that transfers to kite foiling and wing foiling.
• E-Surfing YuJet electric surfboard rentals and sessions on Pamlico Sound, the first and only Outer Banks location, reaching speeds up to 24 MPH with jet propulsion.
• Wild Horse Tours 4x4 vehicle tours into the Wild Horse Conservation Easement in Corolla to view wild Colonial Spanish Mustangs, with 2-hour experiences led by expert guides.
• Walking History Tours Guided walking tours including Duck Boardwalk ecological tours, Historic Corolla Village tours, and Pine Island walking experiences covering 1.5-2 hours and 1.5 miles.
• Walking Ghost Tours Lantern-led spooky history tours through downtown Manteo exploring haunted sites and local legends of the Outer Banks.
• Hatteras Beach Horseback Riding Tours Beach horseback riding through Buxton Woods Coastal Reserve and Cape Hatteras National Seashore, with 2+ hour tours for ages 10+.
• Electric Bike Tours Self-guided e-bike tours with standard and long-range performance models, including 2-hour eco rides and full-day Outer Banks explorer routes.
• JumpMasters Trampoline Park Tickets Ticketed access to a 14,000+ square foot indoor trampoline park featuring ninja warrior course, battle beam, dodgeball, air bag, climbing wall, and open jump areas.
• H2OBX Waterpark Tickets Ticketed access to a large-scale waterpark with 30+ attractions including water slides, adventure river, and themed experiences inspired by pirate and aviation history.
• The Lost Colony Tickets Tickets to the outdoor historical drama 'The Lost Colony' performed at Waterside Theatre on Roanoke Island since 1937.
• Kitty Hawk Kites Online Store E-commerce platform featuring what the company describes as the world's largest selection of kites, windsocks, wind spinners, beach gear, and Outer Banks-inspired apparel and accessories.
• KHK Kiteboarding Online Store Dedicated kiteboarding gear e-commerce site offering kiteboarding kites, kiteboards, foiling equipment, accessories, and apparel.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 300,000 people taught to hang glide since 1974
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• OBX ParasailcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOBX Parasail has been a trusted partner of Kitty Hawk Kites for over a decade, operating parasailing flights from Duck and Manteo locations. The company has over 30 years of parasailing experience on the Outer Banks with professionally trained, US Coast Guard-licensed captains and CPR-certified crew. OBX Parasail operates single, tandem, and triple flights up to 900 feet altitude.
• Outer Banks Center for Dolphin Research (OBXCDR)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOBXCDR is a non-profit organization dedicated to conservation of bottlenose dolphins in the Outer Banks, founded in 2008. The Nags Head Dolphin Watch incorporates onboard researchers from OBXCDR who provide educational commentary on dolphin behavior and conservation. Kitty Hawk Kites provides the platform for research operations and educational outreach.
• Crystal DawncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCrystal Dawn is a local boat operator offering headboat fishing charters and sunset cruises from Pirate's Cove Marina in Manteo. The company provides access to Atlantic Ocean and Roanoke Sound fishing experiences, with spacious vessels for family-friendly outings.
• Sanctuary VineyardsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSanctuary Vineyards is a winery in Jarvisburg, NC producing over 7,000 cases annually with over 100 accolades. The Vineyard Voyage tour combines boat transportation across Currituck Sound with 4x4 safari truck transfer to the vineyard for private wine tastings and guided tours of the winemaking process.
• Rock Solid FishingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRock Solid Fishing provides expert fishing charter services through Captains John, Michael, and Greg using vessels Southern Run and Carolina Blue. The operation offers inshore and nearshore fishing adventures departing from Wanchese Marina, targeting red drum, mahi, tuna, cobia, and other species.
• Corolla OutbackcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCorolla Outback provides wild horse tours using 4x4 vehicles into protected conservation easement areas where wild Colonial Spanish Mustangs roam. Tours depart from Corolla and explore beach and dune habitats inaccessible to regular vehicles.
• Equine AdventuresminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEquine Adventures offers guided horseback riding tours through Buxton Woods Coastal Reserve and Cape Hatteras National Seashore on Hatteras Island. Tours include trail riding through maritime forest followed by beach riding with views of Cape Hatteras Lighthouse.
• JumpMasters OBXminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorJumpMasters OBX is an indoor trampoline park offering over 14,000 square feet of activities including ninja warrior course, dodgeball, battle beam, airbag, and climbing wall. Kitty Hawk Kites sells tickets and handles bookings for this entertainment venue.
• Hobie KayakscoreTechnology or IntegrationHobie Kayaks provides the MirageDrive pedal propulsion kayaks used for kayak fishing tours. The Hobie MirageDrive system enables hands-free propulsion allowing anglers to fish while moving. Kitty Hawk Kites offers Hobie Mirage Outback and Mirage Pro Angler 12/14 kayaks for tours and potentially for sale.
• H2OBX WaterparkminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorH2OBX is a major waterpark with over 30 attractions including water slides, adventure river, and themed areas inspired by pirate ships and the Wright Brothers. Kitty Hawk Kites offers discounted ticket pricing through their booking system.
• The Lost ColonyminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThe Lost Colony is a long-running outdoor theatrical production at Fort Raleigh National Historic Site telling the story of the Roanoke Colony. With over 100 actors and technicians, the show has been seen by 4.5 million people since 1937. Kitty Hawk Kites sells tickets with promotional discounts.
• OBX Ghost ToursminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOBX Ghost Tours provides guided walking ghost tours through Historic Downtown Manteo, sharing spooky local history and supernatural accounts. Tours meet at the Manteo Kitty Hawk Kites location and walk approximately one mile.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• GetYourGuide: Global tours-and-experiences marketplace — an enabling/distribution channel through which travelers book activities comparable to Kitty Hawk Kites' adventure tours, including OBX parasailing, kayak tours and dolphin cruises.
• Hobie Company: Manufacturer of MirageDrive pedal kayaks used in Kitty Hawk Kites' kayak fishing tours and sold via its site — a key equipment supplier and adjacent ecosystem participant rather than direct competitor.

Direct peers

• Hawaiian Paddle Sports: Maui-based outfitter offering kayak tours, surfing lessons, paddleboarding and other adventure experiences — directly comparable activity mix and ocean-adventure target market as Kitty Hawk Kites.
• Outer Banks Surf Shop: OBX-based surf and watersports retailer and rental operator running kiteboarding and beach gear retail and lessons in the same geography as Kitty Hawk Kites — directly comparable on product, customer and location.
• Coastal Edge Surf Shop: Outer Banks surf shop and surf school with retail, lessons and rentals across OBX locations — overlapping with Kitty Hawk Kites on kiteboarding retail, surf lessons and watersports instruction.
• H2O Sports Watersports: Florida-based parasailing, jet ski and watersports operator offering nearly identical activity lines (parasail, jet ski rentals, dolphin/sunset cruises) to Kitty Hawk Kites in a different coastal tourism market.

Regional players

• Outer Banks Waterfowl and Eco Tours: OBX eco-tour operator running kayak and wildlife tours in the same geography as Kitty Hawk Kites — competing head-to-head on guided kayak and dolphin-watch experiences.

Broad incumbents

• West Marine: National marine and watersports retailer with stores across the U.S., including coastal markets — overlaps with Kitty Hawk Kites on boating, fishing and watersports equipment retail.
• REI Co-op: Large U.S. outdoor recreation retailer and experience provider offering classes, rentals and gear across many of the same adventure categories (kayaking, paddling, climbing) — broader portfolio incumbent with overlapping customer base.

Emerging players

• Lessons.com: Online marketplace aggregating surf, paddleboard, kiteboarding and other adventure lessons nationwide — an emerging aggregator that competes for the discovery and booking of the same type of instruction Kitty Hawk Kites sells.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/kittyhawkkites
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/kittyhawkkites
• Facebookfacebook.com/kittyhawkkites
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kitty-hawk-kites-kiteboarding-resort
• Instagraminstagram.com/kittyhawkkites

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Kitty Hawk Kites