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Beginner Hang Gliding Lesson

Recommended by 97% of travelers
Outer Banks, USA
Great choice
10+ bookings last month.
  • 3 hours (approx.)
  • Mobile ticket
  • Offered in: English

Why travelers loved this

4.9
·
· Madeline_M ·
Jul 2025
Great instructors. Thrilling experience! The instructions were clear and easy to follow, even for someone like me with zero prior experience. By the end of the session, I felt confident and totally hooked. Floating in the air and taking in those amazing views was unforgettable.
· Olivia_L ·
Nov 2025
This was the highlight of our trip! Ben & Legs are excellent instructors! Our family (age 16 to 60s) all had successful flights. We will definitely do this again next time we are in OBX.

Overview

With this beginner hang gliding lesson, take flight just a few miles from where the Wright Brothers flew their first aircraft. Start with a 30-minute “Ground School” introduction, take a short break, and then begin the flight portion of your lesson. Don your helmet and harness, and head out to the dunes near Jockey’s Ridge—from there, take five training flights over a few hours.
  • A beginner hang gliding lesson in Jockey's Ridge State Park
  • Includes a 30-minute introduction and 5 training flights
  • Go hang gliding near where the Wright Brothers first flew
  • Use of hang glider, helmet, and harness included

What's Included

  • Hang Glider, Helmet, Harness
  • Bottled water
  • sun protection

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

  • 300 W Carolista Dr, Nags Head, NC 27959, USA

    Park at Jockey's Ridge State Park main parking lot. The Hang Gliding School is located to the left of the visitor center.

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

1

Jockey's Ridge State Park

Additional Info

  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking, unless booked within 16 hours of travel. In this case confirmation will be received as soon as possible, subject to availability
  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Service animals allowed
  • Not recommended for travelers with back problems
  • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
  • No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
  • Most travelers can participate
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 3 travelers

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Gallery picture 1 (from a traveler's review)
Gallery picture 2 (from a traveler's review)
Gallery picture 3 (from a traveler's review)
Gallery picture 4 (from a traveler's review)
Gallery picture 5 (from a traveler's review)

Featured review

Shane_S
It's great, just listen to the instructors and try not to over think it! Checked off an item on my bucket list. Definitely do it if you're thinking about it.

Reviews

4.9
based on 77 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

Newbies loved it

Lisa_F, Nov 2025
The hike to the location can be strenuous over lose sand, and the hill to position yourself between glides was pretty steep, but the two gentleman we had, Larson and Brad, were excellent.

The Highlight of Our Trip

Olivia_L, Nov 2025
This was the highlight of our trip! Ben & Legs are excellent instructors! Our family (age 16 to 60s) all had successful flights. We will definitely do this again next time we are in OBX.

Glide low

Bobby_A, Oct 2025
It was really fun. Though, it wasn’t quite as expected, in that, we thought we would glide higher and for longer, without being tethered to the ground. Aside from that, it was a fun experience as the instructors were all nice and enthusiastic, and the dune area was pretty fun and interesting.

You need to be in fairly...

Marsha_T, Sep 2025
You need to be in fairly decent shape to walk over the dunes and then to run with the speed that you have to have. Luckily, I had success. But it’s a great experience. Thanks to a great cool day with good wind.

Great Time

Timothy_B, Jul 2025
We had a great time. The instructors were professional, informative and friendly. It was fun learning how to hang glide my family and friends had a great time.

Fun family outing at Kitty Hawk

Madeline_M, Jul 2025
Great instructors. Thrilling experience! The instructions were clear and easy to follow, even for someone like me with zero prior experience. By the end of the session, I felt confident and totally hooked. Floating in the air and taking in those amazing views was unforgettable.

The instructors were a...

Heather_B, Jul 2025
The instructors were a lot fun while also very attentive and knowledgeable. Drake made me and my husband very comfortable even though I was very nervous.

It's great, just listen...

Shane_S, Jul 2025
It's great, just listen to the instructors and try not to over think it! Checked off an item on my bucket list. Definitely do it if you're thinking about it.

We had a great time!...

Petra_H, Jul 2025
We had a great time! Unfortunately, weather conditions cut our lesson short but getting to fly in a hang glider was still incredible!

Hang Gliding

M_A, Jun 2025
Great experience! Was a fun new thing to try and it did not disappoint. Not hard at all and the staff were very helpful

An experience you will remember

Heather_B, Jun 2025
It was a great time. Our instructors were nice. We will definitely hang glide with Kitty Kites next time we are in the OBX

Soar to new heights with Kitty Hawk Kites!

Michelle_E, Apr 2025
This was such an amazing experience! The guides could not have been nicer and took our safety very seriously when the wind picked up! Would highly recommend for teens when they are done hanging out with their families on the beach AGAIN:) Enjoy taking flight next time you are on OBX!

Awesome first hang gliding experience

Sophie_V, Nov 2024
First flight ever, the glider was so much more comfortable than I thought it would be, and the instructors gave real time advice as they guided down, in 5 glides there was so much improvement! Also, typically the glider is carried uphill for you, but I got to try it, very empowering. Recommended for anyone who has never tried it before!

You're never to old to try something new!

Mary_F, Nov 2024
We had a great time! Michael and Josh were very informative and lead us "ole timers" through the procedure step-by-step. Would definitely do this again!

We Spent Fun Friday Hang Gliding!

Christine_H, Oct 2024
This beginner lesson was a great end of week afternoon activity. You arrive and sign waivers and it is followed up with instruction. All instructors are great, patient, and are there every step of the way literally. You are fitted for gear and then hike out on a boardwalk to a spot to remove your shoes. Prepare to foot it through sand to a high point on the sand dunes to put your instruction to the test for 5 flights. It is so much fun! It was a pretty sunny day and great views! Bring water and quick snack or purchase onsite. You hike it back to collect your “i flew” badge of honor and hang gliding pass to return. We will be back!

Staff really nice...

Jenia_J, Aug 2024
Staff really nice Weather uncomfortably hot On top of dunes no shade or protection from the sun — can easily get ill from overheating

Great afternoon, adventure and fun!

Sabine_v, May 2024
Great experience! My so (17) was the only participant. Perfect teaching, great fun. The instructor was very friendly and attentive . We felt completely safe.

Great fun.

Lori_R, May 2024
This was an amazing experience for our family. Josh, Alex, Oliver and Alise were so friendly and professional. They all made this an unforgettable day for us. I highly recommend do this.

Good time

Steve_L, May 2024
Very good experience. David and Jude were both great. Too windy in the am but they rescheduled for the afternoon Lots of fun and one of a kind being in kitty hawk

Great time!

Ronda_W, Mar 2024
Our beginner hang gliding lesson with Rich and Megan was awesome! They made the experience super fun and comfortable. Rich was a great instructor. I’d highly recommend trying to hang glide-it was a great experience!

Amazing!

Lizbeth_P, Feb 2024
It was an amazing experience. The instructors are friendly and they made everything so easy. Due to weather conditions they had to cancel for the day we had scheduled, but they gave us many options and were very attentive to reschedule us before we had to leave Outer Banks.

Great time!

AnaPaula_O, Aug 2023
The boys had a great time with the instructors, they are so energetic and attentive .Also the view is amazing. Definitely will come back!

Not too old!

Kevin_K, Aug 2023
The instructors were informative, patient, and supportive in a humorous way. The view was incredible and it was a lot of fun. Unfortunately, I only got in one flight because I did pull a hamstring, so be sure to stay loose and warm. WORTH the one flight though!

Too windy canceled

Wendy_R, Jun 2023
This got canceled. .too windy and I'm headed back home. Bumner.. Maybe next year?they offered a voucher which is good for whenever you return I opted not to take the voucher because I don't know if I'll be back.. The one guy gave me a board to use on the dunes since it was my birthday. It was fun sliding down the hills but very windy and lots of sand in my hair and everywhere else.. I appreciate the fact that the guy didn't charge to use the board.

Great experience

Deborah_R, May 2023
Best experience at OBX ,kids friendly , Branden the instructor was really patient and made the best of our time ,Larson it’s great at instructing and giving directions will definitely go back again

OBX Adventures

Sandra_R, May 2023
Our instructors were top notch! Made the day awesome!! Great instruction and guidance.!! FLARE!! Small class of three but it was just our group. Great day to fly!!

Fun and new experience!

Juliette_D, Oct 2022
I always like to try new experiences on trips, and hang gliding was certainly new! The instructors (Cooper and Brad) were enthusiastic and patient. They didn’t make students feel neglected — even if, like me, they are not athletic. They offered tips on how to improve the next flight after every flight. I crashed on my last flight because my brain didn’t follow their instructions, but the sand is soft. So no harm done. Very highly recommended.

It is a blast. Just be a potato.

Brekk_M, Aug 2022
Great instructors and a wonderful time. Everyone flew and had a great time. Highly recommend this activity to anyone even with little athletic ability. Never very far from the ground and the sand made for easy, soft landing. Tried to add photos unsuccessfully.

Fun

Wesley_G, Jun 2021
I took my 13 year old son with me for this experience and we loved it!! The guides were very helpful and made it fun. We would recommend it to anyone

From $149.00

per person

up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)

Book ahead!
On average, this is booked 21 days in advance.

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