We’ve spent a lot of time researching the area, both online and in person, and thought we’d share a few of our favorite things about North Carolina’s Outer Banks.  Take a look at the list, and see if you can resist planning your own getaway!

• Outer Banks Vacation Rentals - Offering everything from oceanfront estates large enough for a family reunion to quiet condos for a romantic getaway, the Outer Banks provides a plethora of lodging options.
• The Beaches - The Outer Banks consists of a string of islands that stretch the length of the Carolinas.  Spend some time exploring the seemingly endless shoreline.  You’re sure to enjoy!
• Fresh Seafood - Oh, the amazing fresh seafood!  Visitors from inland will never see the term “fresh catch” the same.  The Outer Banks region is home to some of the most amazing seafood in the world.  Be sure to try some new things!
• Fishing, Fishing, and more Fishing - Surf casting, pier fishing, and deep sea charter fishing are just a few of the local favorite ways to get the freshest catches available.  Bring your gear, or rent it from one of the many area vendors. You’re sure to spin some tales!
• Golf - Golfers of all ages and abilities can test their skills on one of the many area courses.  The options are endless!
• Wild Horse Tours - See Corolla’s famous Spanish Mustangs in their natural habitat.  A once in a lifetime experience that will leave you in awe.
• Shopping - What’s a vacation without a souvenir to remember it by?  Explore the numerous shops, galleries, and boutiques for the perfect momento to take home with you. 
• Fun For The Whole Family - One of our favorite things about the Outer Banks is how family friendly the islands are.  The variety of tours, activities, and entertainment are endless!  Explore the island on an Eco Tour, teach your children how to cast a line, or grab some buckets and hit the beach in search of treasures.

Do we have you convinced yet?  If not, you’ll just have to see for yourself.  One trip to the Outer Banks, and you’ll never want to leave!

Images Courtesy Swimparallel

Historians believe Amerigo Vespucci, the man both continents in the Western Hemisphere were named after, anchored in the waters off of Hatteras on his first landfall in 1497. Over the next century, French and Spanish explorers and British settlers followed and in 1663, an English colony was officially established in Carolina. The first plantation on the Outer Banks, which grew cattle and corn,  was set up in 1664 by Sir John Colleton and became its first permanent English settlement.

In the early 1700’s, this isolated area became a pirate stronghold and was home to Blackbeard and his crew until he was captured and beheaded by the British in 1718.

Whaling, fishing and cattle and sheep ranching drove the area’s economy throughout the 18th century and small towns sprang up along the barrier islands. During the Revolutionary War, British warships anchored off of Nags Head and raided the villages, so the islanders formed a militia and successfully protected themselves until the war ended. North Carolina then became one of the 13 original United States.

More than 500 vessels have wrecked in the hazardous currents off Hatteras’ shores. In effort to help ships avoid these perilous coastal waters, known as the Graveyard of the Atlantic,  construction of the lighthouse at Cape Hatteras began in 1794.

The quiet dunes of Hatteras became embroiled in the Civil War in 1861, when the Confederates built forts to guard the inlet. Less than a month later, they fell to Union forces, but the retreating rebels took the lighthouse’s lens with them, effectively shutting down the strategic beacon.

Near the end of the 19th century, vacationing sportsmen and tourists began coming to the island to hunt and fish, but coastal life was generally quiet until the second World War, when more than 100 ships were lost of to German submarines. The area was dubbed Topedo Junction.

In 1953, the area stretching north from Ocracoke Island to Nags Head was designated as the first National Seashore in the United States. Today, Cape Hatteras National Seashore is one of our most visited National Park areas, drawing nearly 7 million visitors year.

To learn more about Hatteras, visit the Outer Banks History Center or read the Insider’s Guide to North Carolina’s Outer Banks.

While headboats or private charters can leave you with an experience you’ll long remember, pier fishing is the way to go if you have children or newbies in your group. No sea sickness, no slippery decks, restrooms instead of heads and you can leave when they’ve had enough.

In the area around Nags Head, NC. there are five of these fun family fishing venues, with the 750 foot long Nags Head Fishing Pier being a long time favorite. During the summer months, you can try to catch spanish mackeral, small blues, croaker, cobia, flounder, spot and pompano. Enjoy the entire day and night on the pier for just $10. They’re open 24 hours a day and the night fishing can be both relaxing and productive. There’s a full service bait and tackle shop and a restaurant right on the pier to keep you well-provisioned. You may rent gear if you didn’t bring your own.

Imagine catching a king mackeral or a cobia that’s so big you have to drag it down the pier into the restaurant to have it cooked? Yes, You Hook ‘Em – We Cook ‘Em is the motto of the famous Nags Head Pier Restaurant. That’s right, catch a fish or two and the cooks will transform them into a scrumptious Carolina style meal by frying, broiling, grilling or blackening it – fisherman’s choice – and serving it up with the traditional seacoast sides of cole slaw, french fries and hushpuppies. What a kick for the kids!

A big sand dune, you say. Ho-hum. NOT! It’s the equivalent of a mountain at the beach and you can do a lot of things here that typically are done on mountains, like hang gliding and sandboarding, which is very much like snowboarding only in sand, of course.

There are also plenty of opportunities to explore the ecosystem of these golden sand dunes, with self-guided hiking trails and ranger-led bird walks, crabbing expeditions, nature hikes and a daily Sunset on the Ridge program – all free and all sure to be a hit with the kids.

from Bethany L King

While walking beside the ocean, you get the feeling that the thin strand of sand goes on forever. (It really stretches 100 miles.) There’s the soothing rhythm of breaking waves on one side and tall sand dunes dotted with sea oats on the other.

The beaches are generally uncrowded and, unlike some coastal areas, they are very accessible as well. As an added bonus, this is one of the few shore communities I’ve visited where you can actually enjoy a bonfire on the beach. (You do need a permit, though.) All in all, the Outer Banks promise a classic beach experience and a family vacation that all ages will enjoy.

There aren’t many hotels in the area, but most folks prefer to enjoy a Nags Head vacation rental , anyway. A beach house or cottage will let the family spread out, enjoy all the comforts and feel at quite at home. While many resorts demand week long rentals, it’s also possible to rent a place in Nags Head for a shorter getaway. The southern end of town, aptly called South Nags Head, tends to be quieter and less dense than the northern Kill Devil Hills area, where most of the action can be found.

Check out these Outer Banks webcams to see what’s in store for your vacation in Nags Head.

Cape Hatteras has a huge variety of land, sea, and air fun in the sun that is sure to keep the whole family engaged, entertained and exhausted while vacationing in the Outer Banks?

The on-island towns and villages offer so much to see and do – a week or two almost isn’t enough time to see it all. Try one, two or all of the following:

Land

• Avon Golf
• Buxton Woods Coastal Reserve
• Carolina Outdoors – Avon
• Frisco Mini-Golf and Go-Karts
• Kitty Hawk Kites – Avon
• Studio 12 – Create your own Pottery in Avon, NC
• Buxton Woods National Park Service Nature Trail
• Cool Wave Ice Cream Shoppe & Mini Golf
• Uncle Eddy’s Frozen Custard and 18-Hole Mini Golf
• Equine Adventures – 2-hour horseback rides through the woods and onto the beach

Sea:

• Avon Fishing Pier
• Hatteras Island Board Sports
• Haulover Day Use Area
• Island Parasail & Watersports
• Ocean Air – Windsurfing lessons, rentals and gear sales
• Ride Hatteras – Windsurfing Lessons
• Soundside Charters – Evening cruises, sightseeing and fishing tours
• Cape Hatteras Fishing Pier (Frisco Pier)
• Albatross Fleet Foster’s Quay – Offshore fishing charter
• Atlantic Wreck Diving
• DiveHatteras
• Foster’s Quay – Docking site of the Albatross fleet fishing charters
• Hatteras Harbor Marina
• Tuna Duck Sportfishing
• Hatteras Island Resort Fishing Pier
• Salvo Day Use Area

Air:

• Burrus Flying Service – see the Cape from a bird’s-eye-view!

Lodging:
So you now have lots to do – but where will you stay? My personal choice is a Hattersas NC vacation rental. I have kids – and beaches are messy and you go through tons of laundry – having an outside spigot and a washer and dryer is SO NICE – especially if you’re planning on staying for a week or more and dont want to pack every stitch of clothing you all own.

Dining:

Where do you eat? Kids like one thing, grown-ups another – so how about some family friendly restaurants with a wide variety on the menu?

Avon:

• Bubba’s Too BBQ and Chicken – which is eat in or carry out if you’re into relaxing back at hour “home base.” Good size menu and kids love fried chicken so that’s easy. Great homemade BBQ and original sauce!
• Fun and great food at the Dolphin Den – huge family restaurant that specializes in locally caught seafood. Kids menu for the little fishermen!
• The Mad Crabber Restaurant is a local hang-out and features really good and reasonably priced seafood. Kids menu and a game room to keep them entertained!

Frisco

• Frisco has the original Bubba’s BBQ – see above
• Try the Gingerbread house for lunch or dinner – great desserts too

Hatteras:

• Rocco’s Pizza – An island fave for pizza and Italian dishes. Family oriented & great atmosphere

windsurfer image from FotoDawg

beach image from Waldo Jaquith

sunset image from andrewperez

from alaspoorwho

I was researching Cape Hatteras and found some great details and information on surfing in the area.  I thought I’d share as it’s nice to have lots of information pulled into one spot – makes it easier on the next guy (or gal.)

Apparently there is a “season” for surfing in OBX.  Summer is good – but apparently the locals love fall for surf season.  Crowds have tinned out and swells crank up.  A wetsuit is a must when you get into October.  Hurricanes also can make surfing amazing – not my idea of a good time, bu tthe diehards apparently love suring right before or after a hurricane.  I imagine things like houses and dead cows floating around in the waves.  And when the sea is angry for some reason I keep flashing back to the “jaws” movie.  I knew watching that was a bad idea.

 There are quite a few places to take surf lessons along the Outer Banks.  Give the folks at Whalebone or Corolla a call and let them know you’re a noob and want to try your hand at surfing.

Located on the southern-most end of North Carolina’s brunswick Islands, Sunset Beach offers one of the most soothing beach getaways you will experience. As you cross the one land pontoon bridge over the salt marsh, you’re entering a different world – one of laid back atmosphere and quiet relaxation.

Hunt for shells on the beach or lounge in a chair and watch the sea birds. The cottages and homes located among the dunes will remind you WHY you’re on vacation and reinforcethat “I never want it to end” feeling.

Just under an hours drive from Myrtle Beach – you can enjoy a laid back pace and still take advantage of some of the most scenic roads while you travel to a round of golf in one of the most famous golf destinations there is. Courses such as Oyster Bay, Sea Trail, Panther’s Run, Heather Glenn and many more are within a fifteen minute drive and there are over 100 courses within a forty mile radius of Sunset Beach!

Sunset Beach was made for weddings. The breathtaking blue waters and wide beaches make planning your special day easy and enjoyable. Rent a home on the beach for the wedding party and have an informal gathering at sunset or enjoy a blowout at one of the nearby resort properties. Temperatures in June through September hover in the low 80’s and water temperature is in the high 70’s. Not too hot, nice breeze and warm water! Excellent!

You’ll find great local dishes at a wide variety of eateries. Check out Magnolias at Sea Trail – a nearby golf course. or check out Ellas at Calabash – a town just a few miles away.

Lodging provides a variety of choices. A beach cottage or condo looks to be your best bet. Most local rental agencies run specials based on season. Low season for a Sunset Beach NC Vacation Rental would be Jan 1 to May 19 and Sept 1 to Dec. 31. High season would be June 9 to August 18 and Value Season would be some weeks in May June & August – depending upon the rental company and their inventory.

Photo Courtesy Michael Jastremski for openphoto.net CC:Attribution-ShareAlike

Located at the southern end of the Outer Banks of North Carolina, the area is part of the sprawling Cape Hatteras National Seashore. Ocracoke boasts 14 miles of uncrowded barrier island beach protected by 25 foot high sand dunes speckled with sea oats. However, only the 300 yard section protected by lifeguards in season can officially claim Best Beach fame.

Ocracoke has a picturesque harbor, a small village, a cool lighthouse, a small herd of wild ponies and an colorful history of privateers, pirates and explorers. But most of what there is to do to do involves low-key sun and surf relaxation – swimming, surfing, strolling, surf fishing, beachcombing or simply lazing in the sand.

Tourist accommodations on the island tend towards cozy inns and Ocracoke is accessible only by small plane or boat, which will, hopefully, help it from suffering from overpopularity despite this new award.

Oracoke Island is THE place for beach lovers in 2007!