Outer Banks Beach, Surf, & Fishing Report – 4.13.11 – Another Beauty. Sun, Longboard Wave & Fish.

Posted on April 13, 2011

Outer Banks - 4.13.11 - Spring Beauty in KH

Good morning. Here’s the Outer Banks Beach, Surf, & Fishing Report for Wednesday, April 13, 2011.

This video was shot at the Lillian St. beach access in Kitty Hawk at 9:00 AM.

Another great spring day. Sun, temps in the upper 60′s, and a nice offshore wind out of the southwest at 10 – 15 mph. This weather will stick with us through the weekend – sun and temps in the 60′s.

The offshore wind is cleaning up the remaining swell for some fun longboard waves. The surf will be fading throughout the day from waist to knee. Definitely a pretty day to be in the water. Although we need the water to warm a bit more so we can get out of our winter suits. Water temps are stuck around 50 degrees right now, but the warm days and warm west winds should continue to bring the temps up.

Speaking of warmer water, as the water warms, the fishing will heat up too, and we are starting to see signs of some great OBX fishing. The offshore fishing is going strong with blue fin, yellow fin, and black fin tuna, and some dolphin (mahi mahi) mixed in. We are starting to get reports of catches out of the surf, but more so on the southern beaches because the water temps are already picking up down there. However, the piers are open and we are getting report of decent catches off the piers, and the Sound action is starting to pick up as well. Blue fish, sea mullet, rock, puppy drum are all in the area.

Enjoy!

Civil War on the Outer Banks

Posted on April 12, 2011

Civil War on the Outer Banks

The Outer Banks is known for many things – gorgeous beaches, world-class surfing, outstanding fishing, Blackbeard the Pirate, the Wright Brothers first flight – but the Civil War?

Yep, add the Civil War to the long list of OBX attractions.

Today marks the 150th anniversary of the start of the Civil War, so it seems like a fitting occasion to mention the storied history the OBX played in War Between States.

Are you aware that the beaches of the Outer Banks set the scene for the very first Union victory of the Civil War? How ’bout them apples?!

In August 1861, Federal troops captured Fort Hatteras & Clark along the Outer Banks sending a huge morale boost to the North. Up to that point in War, the South had been victorious in every engagement. In addition to the first Union victory, the OBX battle signified a few firsts in the war, including the first combined Army and Navy operation, the first amphibious assault and the first African American gun crew to fire on the Confederates.

There will be a lot of events in the upcoming months to commemorate the anniversary, and the OBX will have our share. The Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum plans to commemorate the Outer Banks involvement in the Civil War with their upcoming Flags Over Hatteras event.

The event will include exhibits and lectures that will highlight the importance of these battles and increase awareness the historical significance.

The commemoration at the museum will run from Aug. 22-28, and feature keynote speakers: authors James McPherson and Craig Symonds, and former National Park Service Chief Historian Ed Bearss. Additionally, the event offers:

Blue-Gray Descendants Reunion – Aug. 22-24 – Hatteras Village Civic Center
Flags over Hatteras Conference – Aug. 25-27 – Hatteras Village Civic Center
Exhibits and living history demonstrations – Aug. 27-28 – Cape Hatteras Lighthouse

Space is limited for the conference and registration is required. Tickets are $175 per person, with 30 spaces being reserved for students at $75 per student. The fee includes: light refreshments, daily speakers, three evening events, three dinners and all exhibits. For more information or to register, go here.

For more Civil War stories, timelines and documents, visit the North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources website on “Freedom, Sacrifice and Memory” and the 150th commemoration.

OBX Pic O’ the Day: Gorgeous Spring Day

Posted on April 12, 2011

Outer Banks - 4.12.11 - Gorgeous Spring Day

Gorgeous spring day. Temps in the 70′s, sun is shining, and there is a warm breeze out of the southwest. The swell has faded, but should build again this afternoon. Surf tomorrow AM? Fish are biting offshore, and catches out of the surf are starting to heat up.

@ 5th street beach access

Outer Banks Lands on TripAdvisor’s List of Top U.S. Beaches

Posted on April 11, 2011

Outer Banks Sunrise

TripAdvisor recently announced it’s “Traveler’s Choice Awards” for the Top 25 Beaches in the United States, and the Outer Banks made the cut. I’m a bit perplexed by the placement on the list – #23 out of 25?…perhaps I’m a bit biased. But hey we’re on the list, so I guess we can’t complain.

Here’s what TripAdvisor had to say about the OBX…Nags Head specifically:

“With eleven miles of sand, it’s no surprise the beach is everyone’s favorite attraction in Nags Head. This Outer Banks town just south of Kitty Hawk offers ocean fans every sort of shoreline sport, from sailing and kayaking to snorkeling past shipwrecks or hang-gliding over the sand dunes of Jockey’s Ridge State Park. Step into the past with a walk through the historic district and enjoy the area’s distinct architecture.”

Outer Banks Spring Art Show

Posted on April 11, 2011

Outer Banks - ARTspace Spring Art Show

Great spring art show on the Outer Banks with some fabulous local OBX artists.

We’ve highlighted Katy Caroline on the blog a few times, and not only is she an amazing painter, but she’s also a partner for our Club Seaside events. We have much love for Katy and ARTspace. Definitely worth checking out the show.

Outer Banks Beach, Surf, & Fishing Report – 4.11.11 – Great Spring Week Ahead…

Posted on April 11, 2011

Outer Banks - 4.11.11 - Leftover Waves in Kitty Hawk

Good morning. Here’s the Outer Banks Beach, Surf, & Fishing Report for Monday, April 11, 2011.

This video was shot in Kitty Hawk at 9:00 AM at the “Neaptide.”

I’m not trying to jinx us, but it sure does feel like Spring is here to stay. I’m sure there will be a chilly day here and there, but it feels like warm spring weather is the new norm. Glad to have you here spring…please stay a while.

Great start to the week today with temps in the mid 70′s. There are some lingering clouds, so it’s overcast…but it’s in the 70′s! We really can’t complain. The warm weather will be with us throughout the week. Temps will stay in the 60′s and despite a rain shower here and there, the sun will be out most of the week.

We have some swell leftover from the weekend this morning, and a offshore southwest wind is cleaning it up as it fades. Fun stomach high wave this morning. The swell will build tomorrow afternoon, and it looks like there could be some clean chest high surf late afternoon/early evening tomorrow. The swell will fade quickly on Wednesday, but Wednesday morning could still be fun as it fades.

The OBX fishing is heating up. The offshore fishing is going strong with reports of blue fin, yellow fin, and black fin tuna, and some reports of dolphin. We are also starting to get reports inshore of blue fish, sea mullets, and croakers. As the water temps continue to rise, the fishing will continue to increase.

Enjoy!

Let’s Raise Some Money for the Surfrider Foundation!

Posted on April 10, 2011

Seaside Vacations - Outer Banks - Surfrider Donation

Earth Day 2011 is approaching fast, and Seaside Vacations would like to do our part to support the environment…but we need your help.

The pristine natural environment is the Outer Banks most treasured asset; a wide array of wildlife, long stretches of gorgeous beaches, protected conservation lands, and the playground of Atlantic Ocean all offer a connection to nature that is rare in today’s world. We need to protect this connection.

In honor of Earth Day, Seaside Vacations will make a contribution to the Surfrider Foundation. The Surfrider Foundation is a non-profit grassroots organization dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of our world’s oceans, waves and beaches. Seems like the perfect fit!

We are committed to the protection of the Outer Banks for all to enjoy, and we want to put our money where our mouth is. For every new Facebook fan we get from now through Earth Day (April 22, 2011), we will donate $1 (one dollar) to the Outer Banks Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation.

Please help us support this great cause. “Like” us and share with your friends. This is one check we can’t wait to sign!

Oakley Surf Shop Challenge Coming to the OBX

Posted on April 8, 2011

Surfersvillege Global Surf News is reporting that after a stop in Seaside Heights, NJ Surfer Magazine will be stopping in Kitty Hawk on April 14^th or 15^th for the 2011 Oakley’s Surf Shop Challenge.

For the second year in a row, shops in the Mid-Atlantic region are getting their own qualifying stops. Each shop will be competing for this year’s best surf shop and will be separating some deep-rooted rivalries, for a chance to compete in the National Championships in September.

In our region Wrightsville Beach’s Sweetwater Surf Shop will defend their title against local Outer Banks and Virginia Beach surf shops. All the major OBX surf shops were invited including Wave Riding Vehicles, Coastal Edge, Outer Banks Boarding Company, The Pit, 17^th Street and Whalebone Surf Shop. From Virginia Beach, Wave Riding Vehicles, and Freedom Surf will also be attending.

Although we are a fan of all our local surf shops we are hoping that we can find out which is really the BEST. Of course we expect an Outer Banks surf shop to win the challenge because we all know that our surfing is the best and it is represented by only the finest!

SURFER Magazine’s OSSC event series teams shop employees with shop pros for a chance at $10,000 and the title of the best surf shop in the U.S. This year will see 280 surfers from 70 shops around the country compete at seven regional stops before culminating at the Huntington Beach pier in September for the National Championship.

Undoubtedly, all the teams will be hungry for a comeback in 2011, and another chance to claim the national title, the $10,000 prize purse, and an entire year of bragging rights. For previous year’s photos, video footage, results and more check out SurfShopChallenge.com.

OBX Pic O’ the Day: Sun Up on the Sound

Posted on April 8, 2011

Outer Banks - 4.8.11 - Sun Up on the Sound

Sun up on the Sound. Pretty spring day. 60′s, sun, light N wind. Swell is building through the weekend, but it doesn’t seem like the wind will match up for clean surf. Best bet for surf could be Sunday morning. Piers are open and fish are biting. Inconsistent catches right now, but good variety is moving into the area.

Outer Banks Beach, Surf, & Fishing Report – 4.7.11 – Perfect Spring Day

Posted on April 7, 2011

Outer Banks - 4.7.11 - Perfect Spring Day

Good morning. Here’s the Outer Banks Beach, Surf, & Fishing Report for Thursday, April 7, 2011.

This video was shot at the Avalon Pier in Kill Devil Hills at 9:00 AM.

It’s great to be back on the Outer Banks, and thanks to Brittany for doing a great job filling in for me with the reports while I was gone. I was in Hilton Head, SC for a vacation rental conference, and I can say Hilton Head is a nice beach, but it is no Outer Banks!

Perfect spring day today. Bright sun, blue skies, and temps around 70 degrees. This weather should stick with us for through the weekend with temps in the mid 60′s and sun.

We have a nice offshore wind heading out of the southwest at about 10 mph. Perfect wind to clean up the surf, but unfortunately, there’s only a trace swell coming through today…about ankle high. The good news is that the swell should build over the next couple days, and it looks like the wind will match up late Saturday and early Sunday for some clean chest high surf. It looks like Sunday morning may be the best bet, but I’ll keep an eye on it.

OBX fishing is going strong and picking up steam. It’s been a bit slow for the past couple days, but the variety of reports is increasing. We are still getting reports of blue fin tuna catches offshore, with some yellow fin mixed in as well. Puppy drum catches have been reported in the Sound, a flounder catch at the Little Bridge heading to Manteo, a rock caught in the Sound, and now that the piers are open again, we got a report of a croaker and a sea mullet caught at Avalon Pier. Nothing consistent and only one fish at a time, but it is a sign of what’s to come. As the water continues to warm, the fishing will continue to increase.

Enjoy!