Famed for the Outer Banks, this 300 mile east facing coastline is almost entirely ringed by these low-level sandy islands. Possibly the best surf on the East Coast and certainly capable of holding excellent waves, the banks jut out into the sea making the most of all available swell.

Autumn's hurricane season produces the most prolific surf and winter to spring's north-easterly storms regularly track swell down from the Atlantic. Summer brings typically sloppy surf.

Water temperature varies greatly from 8C/46F to 25C/77F in winter and summer. The southern half of the state faces south-east and as such receives reduced swell, especially from the seasonal north-easterly swells. However the waves here are still of a high quality with barrels aplenty.