recently visited ocean isle and rented gear at both surf shops... bikes and kayaks.... bikes were delivered and we were happy w/ all but the tandem bike was nothing but problems.... rented kayaks from both shops as well and would strongly recommend getting the hobie or ocean kayak double over the perception... prices were about the same at both shops but the rental guys were much more help w/ local information at the blue shop on the causeway.... enjoy your vacation and get good info on kayaking the back water creeks.... tides/tides/tides & the TAXI bikes are the best but don't mess w/ the tandems...

Rented 2 umbrellas from Salty's in June 2010. The equipment itself was faulty, but that was nothing compared to what 'should' be customer service. The service was abusive, and totally unpleasant. You can't rent for less than 3 days, and they will not let you drop them off the first day, and pick them up again the next. They do not disassemble and are totally too large to carry in any normal passenger car. The clerk downstairs told us to carry them upstairs, the lady upstairs was so irate that the umbrellas were brought into her store (as we were instructed to do), it seemed she might explode with anger. She adamantly told us, you drop them off, that's IT. No picking them back off, and told us to 'get them out of there'. Horrible experience and I will never, ever rent anything from this store again .... nor, will ever step foot in the door again. Do NOT rent from this shop! If I could have rated with ZERO stars, I certainly would have!