A boat ramp at New Inlet approximately 5 miles north of Rodanthe and 3 miles south of the refuge Visitors Center provides shallow-draft boat access. No kite boards, wind-surfing or personal watercraft (jet skis, etc).
Off and on, the NC Department of Transportation blocks off this area due to the need for contractors to store heavy equipment or materials for road work. Please look for the signs. If the area is not signed as closed, you're welcome to use it for boating and sound access.