Outer Banks (Charlotte: renting, home, restaurants)

[SunnyKayak]

Ok I just plan my first vacation in the Outer banks in May and Im so excited. I only visited there years ago but didnt stay on the island itself.

I will be coming from the Charlotte area and would love to have any suggestion of things to see or do while im there or hear about things to check out on my drive there between area of rockey mount and manteo.

I will be staying in a vaction home we are renting on hatteras island. I decided this location to be away from Urban life that is around Nags head.

However I have no clue where to eat when we dont want to cook. I like to eat at local restaurants not chain restaurants.
My partner likes chain restaurants because they know the quality they maybe known for. I mess up one vaction and ate a local restaurant that look busy but food was horrible.

Is there any restrictions of taking your own kayak around the sound and canals? I notice that they have tour guided ones but I own my own so can I go same places they go with no problems?

I like quiet type of vactions but am interested in things to do other than things that make you fear your life like hang gliding LOL And why is that so pricey for a short ride.

A day at beach on pea island would be find surrounded by nothing but nature if that is only thing we do I am happy with that.

I have seen photos of some of the shipwrecks and I thought it was funny since I just thought they was washed up tree. Is there any modern vessels wreck there?

Im so excited it going to be a fun trip. Feel free to share any memories of the area, best kept secret or great places to check out .