Waves is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in Dare County, North Carolina, United States.

Waves is part of District 4, along with Avon, Buxton, Frisco, Hatteras, Rodanthe and Salvo.

[7] The northern border of Waves is generally considered to be the ditch that runs under Highway 12 just south of Resort Rodanthe Drive.

The Waves area is dominated by campgrounds both large and small as well as numerous rental houses.

The plant hardiness zone in Waves is 8b with an average annual extreme minimum air temperature of 17.2 °F (-8.2 °C).