Well-behaved dogs can join private charters if they are comfortable on boats. No dogs on shared cruises.

Light clothes for summer, layered for spring and fall. Sunscreen on land before boarding — shoes off at the dock.

Calypso — Outer Banks Luxury Tiki Cruises

★★★★★ The Outer Banks’ newest luxury cruise · Up to 30 guests · Captain & crew included

Meet Calypso — the only luxury cruise vessel of its size on the Northern Outer Banks.

The Ouger Banks’ newest tiki boat iscustom-built for celebration. Three-quarters of the deck is covered under the tiki top for plenty of shade. Family-friendly shared cruises depart daily and shared sunset cocktail cruises are scheduled for sunset every evening. Join a cruise or book a private 2 or 3-hour trip any time. We provide the captain and crew—alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages are available for purchase. Departs from Nor’Banks soundfront in Duck.

Calypso tiki cruise boat on the Sound

Private Charters

Book the whole boat for your group. Stops for swimming and water toys are included. Beer, wine and seltzers for your cruise are available for purchase on site.

2-Hour Day Cruise

Our most-booked private charter. Plenty of time to cruise, anchor at a secret spot, and let the kids swim with floats and water toys. Beer, wine and seltzers for your cruise are available for purchase at Nor’Banks!

Up to 10 passengers	$600
Adults & teens (13-64)	+$55 each
Kids under 13 / adults 65+	+$45 each

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3-Hour Calypso Day Cruise

3-Hour Day Cruise

More time to anchor, swim, and explore. Book three hours if you want a real day on the water without rushing the swim stop. A selection of beer, wine and seltzers for your cruise, as well as soft drinks and snacks, will be available for purchase.

Up to 10 passengers	$900
Adults & teens (13-64)	+$65 each
Kids under 13 / adults 65+	+$55 each

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Private Calypso Sunset Cruise

Private Sunset Cruise

Book your own boat for the best part of the day. Cruise through golden hour and complete your trip as the sun sinks below the horizon. A selection of beer, wine and seltzers for your cruise, as well as soft drinks and snacks, will be available for purchase at Nor’Banks.

Up to 10 passengers	$900
Each additional passenger	+$65

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Shared Cruises

Per-person pricing is available for smaller groups, or if you’re feeling social! A selection of beer wine and seltzers will be available for purchase at Nor’Banks.

Sunset Social

Relax and enjoy conversation over your favorite drink as the sun sets over the Sound. Our sunset social cruise is designed for a mature crowd—for family friendly cruises, book a private any time or a shared day cruise. Cruises depart every evening from Nor’Banks. A selection of beer, wine and seltzer will be available for purchase at Nor’Banks.

Per passenger · ages 18+

$65

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Family-Friendly Day Cruise

All ages welcome. Includes a swim stop with floats and water toys. Book individual seats for a shared cruise. 2 Hours.

Adults & teens (13-64)	$55
Kids under 13 / adults 65+	$45

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Why Book Calypso

Captain & crew included	U.S. Coast Guard licensed captain and mate on every cruise. You don’t operate anything — sit back and enjoy.
Onboard tiki bar	Three-quarters of the deck under cover. Beer, wine, and seltzers available for purchase.
Built for groups	Up to 30 guests on the Outer Banks’ only luxury vessel of its size. Family reunions, bachelorettes, birthdays, corporate.
Swim stops on private trips	A few secret spots to anchor where the water is calm and shallow. Floats and water toys provided.
Soundfront destination	Calypso departs from Nor’Banks in Duck—food, drinks, watersports, and a boutique surf shop all in one soundfront locale.
Well-behaved dogs welcome	Dogs comfortable on boats can join private charters. No pets on shared cruises.

Calypso FAQWhat to ExpectWhy Nor'Banks

Is there shade on the boat?
Yes. Three-quarters of the deck is covered under the tiki top, so there’s plenty of shade.

Where will we go?
We cruise the Sound north of Duck — beautiful coastline, calm water, very little boat traffic.

Do you provide life vests?
Yes. Nor’Banks provides clean and comfortable life vests for your entire party. We have children’s sizes in less than 30 lbs., 30-50 lbs., and 50-90 lbs. Life vests are recommended for small children.

Can we bring our own life jackets?
Yes, as long as they’re Coast Guard approved.

Can we bring a dog?
Well-behaved dogs can join private charters if they’re comfortable on boats. We don’t provide pet life vests or a pet boarding ladder, and owners are responsible for any damage from scratching or chewing. No dogs on shared cruises.

Is there a captain to drive the boat?
Yes — every cruise has a U.S. Coast Guard licensed captain and crew. You don’t operate anything.

What is the capacity of Calypso?
Calypso is U.S. Coast Guard certified for up to 32 passengers plus captain and crew. We typically book groups of up to 30 to keep things comfortable. The 32-passenger limit is a strict legal maximum regardless of passenger size — infants and small children count toward the total.

Can we stop and swim?
Yes — on private charters and Family-Friendly shared cruises. There are a few great little spots to anchor where the water is calm and shallow. Floats and water toys included.

Can we bring food and drinks?
You are welcome to bring food and soft drinks. Beer, wine and seltzers are available for purchase at Nor’Banks. No outside alcohol is permitted on cruises.

What's your cancellation policy?
We require 72 hours notice for a full refund. No refunds inside 72 hours unless inclement weather prevents your trip. Cloudy skies are not grounds for cancellation.

Can I book for longer than 2 hours?
Yes. Two-hour and three-hour charters are our most popular, but we can run longer trips. Call us at 252-261-2900 to discuss what works for your group.

Do infants and children count as passengers?
Yes. The Coast Guard counts every person except captain and crew toward the 32-passenger limit.

What time should I arrive?
Plan to arrive 30 minutes before your scheduled departure. If you’re running late, call us. We can usually delay departure on private charters but may not be able to extend the end time. Shared cruises depart on schedule — late arrivals may not be accommodated.

What should I wear?
Spring and fall: layered clothing and a light jacket. Summer: light clothes, shorts, sunglasses or a hat. Apply spray sunscreen on land before departure — we’ll ask you to leave your shoes at the dock.

Is there a bathroom on board?
There’s a marine head aboard. We recommend using the restroom on land before departure.

Should I tip the captain and crew?
Yes — your crew works for tips. Like other service industries, tips are discretionary based on your experience. Customary is 18-25% of your charter or ticket price.

Cruise aboard Calypso, a custom-built Sculpin 37 tiki boat captained by a U.S. Coast Guard certified captain and mate. Built to strict Coast Guard standards, Calypso is comfortable and stable with room for up to 30 guests.

Bring your own beer, wine, seltzers, and snacks. Three-quarters of the deck is shaded under the tiki top. On private trips, we’ll find a quiet anchor spot for swimming if you’d like — floats and water toys provided.

Departures are from Nor’Banks in Duck. Arrive 30 minutes early. Sunscreen on land before boarding, shoes off at the dock.

Nor’Banks has been operating on the Outer Banks since 1979. We’re a soundfront destination in Duck — watersports, sailing, jet skis, paddleboards, a boutique surf shop with coastal chic apparel, food and drinks, and live music. The best of everything in one soundfront locale.

Calypso is our newest addition — a custom-built luxury tiki cruiser, the only vessel of its size on the Northern Outer Banks. We built her for the kind of group celebration that the OBX has never had a proper boat for. Captain and crew handle everything; you just show up.