Hatteras Shopping: Gifts

Established in 1984, Buxton Village Books makes its home in a Civil War-era island cottage. Sometime in the 1960s this vintage kitchen house was floated up the shoreside of Pamlico Sound from Hatteras village, hauled up the cart path from Buxton Harbor and placed in its current location along N.C. Highway 12. Prepare to spend some time browsing, as every room offers more titles than you would imagine finding in a bookstore at the beach. In addition to a surprising number of selections in the young adult and health/awareness sections, look for new releases in fiction and nonfiction along with cookbooks, local interest books, a great selection of Southern and contemporary fiction, mysteries, a well-stocked adventure section with many books recommended by Outside magazine, field guides, unique greeting cards and journals. There is truly something for everyone here. Buxton Village Books offers a great selection in a charming space and has an easy to navigate website so you can shop local when you’re not on Hatteras Island. The shop is open year-round, and the interior has recently been renovated. Ebooks, online ordering and shipping are available.

Ready for some action? Kitty Hawk Surf Co. has everything you need to enjoy all the Outer Banks has to offer, from the wind and waves to flat water adventures. At Kitty Hawk Surf Co., you can find a huge selection of new and used kayaks, kayaking gear and equipment, standup paddleboards, surfboards, Zap skim boards, wetsuits and more. You can also find top selections of surfwear, sportswear and footwear brands including Rip Curl, Quiksilver, Billabong, Hurley, Volcom, Roxy, Vissla, Reef, Patagonia and many others. As the only Outer Banks Hobie Kayak retailer, Kitty Hawk Surf Co. can also help you out with your kayak fishing needs, whether you need to buy or rent a kayak or pick up simple accessories for your excursion. They even offer kayak fishing charters, in which knowledgeable guides help you catch red drum, speckled trout, flounder and more. 

At this tiny cottage shop in Rodanthe, Hatteras native roots are apparent among elegant gifts, original art and rustic vintage items. Stop in to explore an assortment of offerings and village history. The name honors a beloved Rodanthe resident, Nora Midgett Herbert, who had an abiding wish to open a gift shop to welcome the village visitors. Her husband built her the building on ship’s timbers in 1968, but the shop was not to be until decades later, following an unexpected renovation after Hurricane Irene. You’ll find it across from North Beach General Store and near the Chicamacomico Historic Life-Saving Station.