Good Afternoon everyone! Here is the Outer Banks beach, surf and fishing report for Friday April 29th, 2011.
This video was shot at the Eckner St. beach access in Kitty Hawk.
Gorgeous day today with temperatures in the low 70′s and expected to remain pretty close throughout the weekend. The sun is shining and people are out enjoying this beautiful Friday out on the beach. Yesterday we had some serious storms rolling through the area with Tornado warnings in effect throughout Currituck and Dare counties most of last night. There were some reported tornados that touched down but thankfully still no damage reported for any of our area.
Surf was pretty nice today, had a fairly clean waist high wave coming in this morning with winds NW around 5 to 10 mph. Waves are supposed to be calm this weekend so not much to look forward to there until next week.
As for fishing you can tell that summer is just around the corner. We are continuing to get reports of blue fish getting caught off the piers and this morning Nags Head pier was reporting some dogfish catches and the Outer Banks pier was reeling in some sea mullet. Offshore fishing is still going strong with reports of tuna and even some cobia moving into the area.
The Outer Banks Voice reports that with only three weeks to go before its grand opening, workers at Jennette’s Pier in Nags Head are scrambling to wrap up last-minute details before welcoming its first visitors. The pier has been scheduled to open May 21 at 10:45 but there are still a few bumps in the road that have people concerned.
Workers are still working to repair a leaky aquarium, final paint touch ups are underway and the phone system is scheduled to be installed the first of next week. Hopefully these last minute hitches wont be serious enough to affect the scheduled opening but we all know people around the Outer Banks are all on beach time
As it stands now the pier will be free for sightseers and adult anglers will have to pay $12 to go out on the pier, but this is causing some commotion for locals. Since Jennette’s Pier is a state owned facility it had promised not to compete directly with privately owned piers on the Outer Banks. They intended to accomplish this by charging higher fees for those who were not fishing.
Nags Head Commissioner Renee Cahoon, who owns a grocery store just north of Jennette’s, said that pier owners had asked her to attend the meeting on their behalf. “I think you’re betraying their trust,” she said. “It’s not a good way to start out.” The piers manager said that charging a fee at a state facility would have to clear the state Rules Review Commission which could take months.
Committee members believe that by charging no fee, beach goers will use the pier as a beach access because of its free parking and state of the art bathhouse. The limited number of spaces would be quickly taken so that anglers, the only people paying a fee, would have nowhere to park.
The committee voted to contact the Department of Natural Resources by phone and letter to explain the implications of the decision and to urge him to reconsider and expedite the process for approving a fee. Until then the pier plans to ask for $2 donations from walkers.
The pier facility will be self-supporting through the fishing fee and rentals of the pier house’s second floor for meetings and weddings. At $3,300 for five hours, 20 weddings have already been planned for this year and 23 for next year.
Educational programs are also planned to start in June. They include fishing lessons, collecting and identifying plankton, exploring the intertidal zone and examining wind power. In addition to exhibits, the pier house includes a gift ship, tackle shop and snack bar.
The good news is that fishing will be free on opening day so everyone in the area-be sure to check it out! We are hoping the piers committee can get through some of these speed bumps in its opening so that everyone can get out and enjoy the new pier and pay tribute to the old Jennette’s pier destroyed by hurricane Isabel in 2003.
For more information visit the Jennette’s Pier website or keep following our blog as we continue with updates.
We feel so fortunate to have had such an amazing opportunity to celebrate Earth Day this year by making a pledge to protect the beautiful beaches of the Outer Banks that we call
home. It started as a simple movement to donate $1 for every new facebook fan of Seaside Vacations’ page gained from April 10th through 22nd. After raising $529 for the local Outer Banks chapter of the Surfrider Foundation, we truly felt the positive impact this simple
campaign turned into.
What better organization to recognize as part of our Outer Banks Treasure series than the
OBX Surfrider Foundation. Our local chapter is an extension of the commitment for the protection and enjoyment of oceans, waves and beaches through a powerful activist network. It faces local issues such as offshore drilling off the North Carolina coast, pollution on our beaches, beach-fill projects, and clean energy petitions.
A donation can reach from $20 paying for two water tests to make sure a day at the beach is healthy & safe, to a $500 donation educating 2,000 school children about recycling and keeping our waters clean and protecting over 1/4 of a mile of our beaches in the beach preservation program.
No matter how big or small, it feel so great to have handed our check over to Jamie this morning in support of such an amazing foundation and we want to thank all of our new facebook fans and everyone who was involved that contributed to our success. If you are interested in donating to the Surfrider Foundation please visit their website or write them at
Surfrider Foundation – Outer Banks Chapter
PO Box 1576 Kill Devil Hills
North Carolina 27948
Outer Banks - 4.27.11 - Thunder Boomer at Avalon Pier
Good morning. Here’s the Outer Banks Beach, Surf, & Fishing Report for Wednesday, April 27, 2011.
This video was shot at Avalon Pier in Kill Devil Hills at 8:30 AM.
It’s warm…almost 80 degrees at 8:30 AM! But, we’re starting the day off with some overcast skies and thunder at Avalon Pier. The good news is the clouds won’t say long and the sun will be shining soon. This great weather will carry through tomorrow and into the weekend. Sun, 70′s, and an occasional thunder storm…sure is starting to feel like summer!
Not much surf today. There is some southeast swell coming through at about waist high, but it’s not too clean with the southwest wind blowing at about 10 mph. The good news is that this swell should build to head high tomorrow, and the wind should switch to west on Friday morning, so we could have some clean head high waves on Friday…not to mention upper 70′s and sun! The waves could last through Saturday if the wind cooperates.
OBX fishing is going strong. Offshore is still reporting tuna (blue, black, and yellow fin), some wahoo, and some dolphin. Getting very consistent reports from the piers with a variety of fish – blow toads, sea mullet, croaker, some spot and speckled trout starting to show up. The little bridge is Manteo is reporting some good action, and the Sound has some fish showing up. Still waiting for some consistent reports from the surf, but they’ll be here soon as the water warms…up to 55 degrees now.
Mollie Fearing Memorial Art Show
May 1-31, 2011
Reception: May 1/ 2-4 p.m.
Art Gallery
The 14th annual Mollie Fearing memorial Art Show will open on Sunday, May 1st, with a
reception from 2- 4 p.m. in the Art Gallery which will feature live music and light fare. The
annual exhibit features and eclectic mix of local art and will hang until May 31. It is free
and open to the public. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mon-Fri and Saturdays-10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The annual event is sponsored by the Dare County Arts council and was created to honor
the show’s namesake, Mollie Fearing, who was a prominent figure in the Manteo
community. Fearing helped form the Sea and Sounds Arts Council that evolved into the
current Dare County Arts Council. Today, the non-profit plays a leading role in the
community.
March of Dimes for Babies Walk
May 7 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Outdoor Pavilion
This is the annual walk and takes participants through the Town of Manteo. For more
information contact: JMoseley@marchofdimes.com (757) 361-0000 Ext 4
Kidfest May 13 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Outdoor Pavilion
The event is sponsored by Children and Youth Partnership and is free and open to the public. Activities include: wildlife Olympics; tracks in the Sand; art and playdough; face painting; games and crafts; story time; puppet play; blocks and bubbles; seed planting; fishing activities; corn hole; Imagination Library; Fire Trucks; EMS; U.S. Coast Guard boat and Coastie. Western Carolina University Gamelan players will feature examples of traditional Javanese music and contemporary pieces written for gamelan by American composers. The children will be invited to come to the stage to try out the gamelan instruments. For more information contact darekids.org or (252) 441-4737
RIFP Performance Series Western Carolina University Gamelan May 14 at 2 and 7 p.m.
Indoor Theatre
Two Central Javanese gamelan concerts will be held in the Indoor Theatre at Roanoke Island Festival Park on Saturday, May 14 at 2 and 7 p.m. Both shows will feature examples of traditional Javanese music and contemporary pieces written for gamelan by American composers. Many find the gentle repeating cycles of the Central Javanese style of music to be restful and contemplative. The 2 p.m. show will be geared toward a younger audience. Both performances are free and open to the public.(252) 475-1500 roanokeisland.com
RIFP Performance Series UNC Pembroke Godspell May 21 at 2 and 7 p.m.
Indoor Theatre.
Godspell is a series of biblical parables and teachings, mostly from the book of Matthew, woven around more than a dozen songs composed by Stephen Schwartz (Pippin, Working and Wicked). The cast consist of 12 talented students from the University of North Carolina Pembroke- Musical Theatre/University Theatre Programs. The performances are free and open to the public. (252) 465-1500 roanokeisland.com
Outer Banks - 4.26.11 - It's a Beauty at Kitty Haw Pier
Beautiful day. Sun, temps in the 70′s, a light southwest wind, but no only a trace swell, so no surf today. But, chest high, clean surf Friday? Spring fish are biting – sea mullet, blow toads, croaker, blue fish…tight lines all around!
Outer Banks - 4.25.11 - Spring Waves in Kitty Hawk
Good morning. Here’s the Outer Banks Beach, Surf, & Fishing Report for Monday, April 25, 2011.
This video was shot at the Lillian St. beach access in Kitty Hawk at 9:00 AM.
Hope you had a great Easter holiday. The great weather from last week has carried through the weekend and into this week. Great start to the week with a perfect spring day; sun, temps in the 80′s, a nice offshore wind out of the southwest at about 10 mph. This weather should stick with us through the week with sun and temps in the mid 70′s. A chance of some afternoon thunder storms, but they’ll be isolated.
The offshore wind is cleaning up the leftover swell for some fun waist high, clean waves. Perfect day to be in the water. The waves are coming through very consistently. A dozen people in the water at Lillian, and they were catching waves as fast as they could paddle out. The surf will die down today, but should pick up again on Thursday and Friday for some nice chest high waves with an offshore wind. We’ll keep an eye on it.
The OBX fishing is going strong. Offshore is still reporting tuna (blue, black, & yellow fin), wahoo, and some dolphin. The piers are consistently reporting a wide variety of fish, but the weekend’s specialty was sea mullet and croaker. Blue fish, flounder, spot all in the area. Some rock and puppy drum in the Sound. Catches out of the surf are a bit inconsistent, but it will improve as the water temp continues to rise.
What better way to get out and enjoy Good Friday than a good old fashioned Easter egg hunt? We hit the road down to Corolla today to check out the Whalehead Club’s Easter extravaganza to get us in the Easter spirit and let you guys be part of the action.
From horseback riding, to sack races to the Easter Bunny, everyone seemed to be having a great time and enjoying the beautiful scenery the club has to offer. We got some great pictures and video and are excited to share it with you.
Have a great Easter and keep watching for more videos on all the fun things to do on your Outer Banks vacation!
A few short months ago one extremely dedicated member of the Outer Banks Surfrider Foundation was diagnosed with breast cancer. Susan and her husband Scott have always graciously given their time and talent and now they need our help.
The OBX Surfrider is hosting a benefit for the Lawrence Family on May 15th from 2-6pm at the Outer Banks Brewing Station. The benefit will be held in the back yard featuring the band, Rubber Pants.
The event is family friendly and will include a silent art auction, cornhole tournament and surf/skate yard sale.
To donate ART to the auction – please contact Kathleen Wasniewski at kathleen@outerbankschild.com.
Good morning. Here’s the Outer Banks Beach, Surf, & Fishing Report for Friday, April 22, 2011.
Happy Earth Day! Today is the last day we’ll be raising money for the Outer Banks Surfrider Foundation with our Facebook promotion. Each new fan = $1. If you’re on Facebook, please look us up at www.Facebook.com/SeasideVacationsOBX. We’ve raised over $500 so far, and we’d love to add $1 for you!
It’s a pretty spring day. It actually feels chilly compared to the 80 degree temps from earlier in the week, but temps comfortable, and seasonable, in the 60′s today. The “chill” will be gone tomorrow and the great weather will stick with us through the weekend and into next week. In the 70′s tomorrow and hitting 80 on Sunday!
No surf today, but we could have a great longboard wave on Sunday. We should have swell in the waist high range, and the wind should be out of the southwest at 10 mph all day Sunday….plus 80 degree temps! Great day to be at the beach…and in the water.
The Outer Banks fishing is going strong. Offshore has tuna (blue, black, & yellow fin), some dolphin, and a few reports of billfiish! Inshore is going strong as well. There are a variety of fish in the area, and we have consistent reports of catches from all the piers; croaker, blow toad, flounder, blue fish, sea mullet. Unfortunately, no consistent reports out of the surf, but the water is warming up and the fish are here, so it’s only a matter of time.
