Canadian Hole -- near Buxton, NC
FIG. 1 Sunset in late Autumn over Pamlico Sound at Canadian Hole --
It is common to see photographers flock to the seen to capture the sunset
Canadian Hole, Located on Hatteras island on NC’s Outer Banks– perhaps the
East Coast’s most renown windsurfing venue. Canadian hole is located about
halfway between Avon and Buxton, NC. This venue is 320 miles (or 6 hour
drive) from Washington, DC and 360 miles (or 7 hour drive) from Baltimore.
For Windvisions' description of this same launch, click here
Canadian hole is renown for the fact that the Hatteras area gets lots
of wind, especially in the Oct thru May time frame. Summer afternoon
thermals also do occur there too. In many places out on the water, the water
is shallow enough that you can stand up upon being capsized, making it easier
for beginners and people learning to waterstart. Being so far south, it is
feasible to sail here when it is too cold in up north. Hatteras and Canadian
hole also provides a wide expanse upon which to sail. There are just miles
and miles of open water.
The site is called Canadian hole because of the frequent and large
numbers of people sailing there with license plates from those eastern
Canadian provinces. There is also a hole or a deeper spot just off shore
that is connected to a channel that was used by vessels during WWII.
Directions: Suitable directions can be found by using mapquest.com
and using Washington, DC as a starting point and Buxton, NC as an ending
point. Get on I 95 South towards Richmond. Travel about 85 miles south from
the Washington capitol beltway to I295 (the Richmond bypass) about 15 miles
shy of Richmond. Take I295 (towards Rocky Mount, NC) south for about 15
miles to I64 east. Get on I64 East towards Norfolk/Va Beach. Mile posts
start incrementing from mile 202 on I64. After traveling 62 miles
on I64, you will reach the Hampton Roads Beltway at exit 264 where Jct I 664
occurs. At this point. You have two options, stay on I64 east to exit 291B
or get on I664 South.
You may follow the signs to “Nags Head” which puts you the outer loop
of the Hampton Roads Beltway using I664 South where you travel the entire 20
mile extent of I664 and where you then hook up with I64, but this time
traveling West. Upon getting on I64 West, the miles start decrementing from
mile 299. Continue about 8 miles on I64 West to exit 291B where you pick up
Va Rt 168 South towards Nags Head.
Alternatively, instead of turning off I 64 East onto I664 South at
exit 264, you can remain on I64 East (Inner Loop of the Hampton
Roads Beltway) until you reach exit 291B at about mile post 291. Either way
is equally OK to reach Va 168 South from exit 291B.
Once on VA Rt 168 south, continue traveling south into NC where it
becomes NC Rt 168. A portion of Va Rt 168 is also called the Chesapeake
expressway, and there is a toll booth about 4 miles shy of the NC line.
Once in NC, follow NC Rt 168 south until you reach Jct U.S. 158. Continue on
U.S. 158 East (the Albemarle Hwy). You eventually (about 35 miles?) cross a
long bridge over the Curratuck Sound into Dare County, NC. At that point,
you are now on the outer banks (OBX) and mile post numbers begin incrementing
from mile zero. From mile 1 to mile 16.5, U.S. 158 extends parallel to NC Rt
12 and is called the Rt 12 bypass or the Croatan Hwy. Continue on U.S. 158
East as you travel south along the outer banks. At mile 16.5, you reach a
junction with U.S. 64 to Manteo/Roanoke Island and NC Rt 12 South onto
Hatteras Island National Seashore. Do Not go to Manteo/Roanoke Island.
Instead, make a left hand turn onto NC Rt 12 south and enter the federal
property.
Upon entering the federal property of Hatteras Island on NC Rt 12
South, the mile post signs continue to increment from mile post 16.5. You
cross a long bridge over Oregon Inlet and onto Pea island and travel through
the villages of Rodanthe, Waves and Salvo. At about mile post 54, you come
upon the village of Avon. At mile post 61, you reach the village of Buxton.
If you reach Buxton, you have gone too far. Near mile post 59 on NC Rt 12,
you will see a sign that says “Haulover Day Use Area” that points to a
parking lot on the right hand side (west side) of the road. This is the
parking lot for Canadian Hole.
FIG. 2 -- sign for the Haulover Day use area on the approach from the south
Amenities: The parking area is paved, and the launch is just feet from the
pavement. Restrooms, changing areas and showers are available at the
North end of the parking lot. The showers are open during the season
(i.e., April thru Nov). The water is supposed to be heated but not by much.
The water is heated mainly to prevent the water pipes from bursting
at night when the temperature goes down.
There is no fee to use this area or launch therefrom.
FIG. 3 view of the restroom/shower facility at Canadian Hole
The launch faces west, so it is best with winds absent an east
component in it. There is a sand bar on the Right hand side (North side) as
you face west into Pamlico Sound. There is a Kite Launch on the Left hand
side (south side) as you face went into Pamlico Sound. To get to the Kite
Launch, you must travel over sand. It is recommended that you have a 4 wheel
drive vehicle with deflated tires before attempting to do this.
FIG. 4 view from the Canadian Hole launch looking south towards the kite point
When the tide is low, it is recommended that you use a shorter fin.
Also, it is common to find fishing lines strung out across the water at
several thousand feet off shore. A shallow fin with a slant to it makes
going over one of these easier.
Food, gas, and lodging can be found in the villages of Avon and Buxton
on either side of Canadian hole. Gas stations may not be open in the middle
of the night, so if traveling during that hour, gas up at Nags Head. Also,
in the high season of perhaps May through October and on weekends, the motels
can fill up early throughout the entire Outer Banks. It is highly
recommended that you make reservations in advance before traveling down.
Furthermore, even though Hatteras is known for its frequent and strong
winds, it is recommended that you consult one or more wind forecast engines
such as iwindsurf and weather.com as there are many-a-light wind days there
too.
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