Spotlight on the OBX: Nags Head Beach Nourishment

Posted on July 7, 2011

Outer Banks: Nags Head Beach Nourishment 2011

The beaches of the Outer Banks are beautiful; however, they also are extremely fragile. There are many factors that have contributed to the erosion of our beaches throughout the years, including hurricanes, nor’easters, high winds and tidal changes. Starting late May, the Town of Nags Head began dredging sand and pumping onto the shore near Jennette’s Pier to help restore our beautiful beaches.

Once finished, the project will have “nourished” 10 miles of the Nags Head Coastline. Currently, 9,000 feet of beach has been completed between mile post 15 and Jennette’s pier and construction is moving forward better than expected.

Here’s the latest news on the progress of the project:

The first dredge to arrive on the project, the Liberty Island, started in the vicinity of Mile Post 15.5 and has finished just past Jennette’s Pier. The dredge is now located offshore near the Hargrove public beach access. Construction associated with the Liberty Island is now moving north from about the Hargrove beach access to the area just south of Jennette’s Pier. After finishing near Jennette’s Pier, the Liberty Island will move south again towards the Outer Banks Pier.

On Tuesday June 21, an additional dredge, the Texas, arrived from Norfolk and began pumping sand in south Nags Head. Construction related to the Texas is currently scheduled to first move north from Oregon Street, near Surfside Drive, to the Outer Banks Pier, where construction will meet work associated with the Liberty Island dredge.

The project plan calls for widening the beach by an average of ~50 to 150 feet. After initial construction, the beach may appear wider than expected because sand can only be placed on the upper part of the beach profile (say to 6 ft depth or so). Nature will redistribute sand to match a natural profile, meaning some sand will move offshore in the underwater portion of the beach profile (to ~20 ft deep). This does not mean the beach is losing sand; rather, the profile is adjusting following nourishment. The beach width will naturally decrease initially after the project. Obviously sand will erode from the project area over time, but with the sand closely matching the natural beach, erosion rates should be similar to what has been observed over recent years.

For the latest updates and schedules visit www.townofnagshead.net

OBX Pic O’ the Day: Summer in Kitty Hawk

Posted on July 7, 2011

Outer Banks - 7.7.11 - Summer in Kitty Hawk

Great summer day in Kitty Hawk. We enjoyed some great thunderstorms last night. Lightning, thunder boomers and some much needed rain. Great cleansed feeling at the beach this morning and a beautiful summer day ahead; 80′s, sun, light southwest wind. The beach is quiet but getting busy – surfing, fishing, hunting shells, walking dogs, and setting up shop for the day. The offshore wind is cleaning up some fun waist high surf. Fish are biting

Surf Camp with Pro Surfer Noah Snyder: July 11-15

Posted on July 7, 2011

I remember when I was a kid my favorite part of summer was getting to go to camp, too bad i grew up in the city and never had the chance to do something as cool as surf camp! Professional and local surfer Noah Snyder and his friends are offering a week of surf training an fun for beginner to advanced surfers here in the Outer Banks.

The cost of the camp is $350 and is intended for ages 8 and up. The camp will be held Monday-Friday from 8am-1pm in Kill Devil Hills at the new Camp Emmanuel.

To learn more about Noah or to find out more about surf camp click here.

I’m super jealous, wish I could go to surf camp! Who’s with me?

NOAH SNYDER COBIAN’S BEHIND THE SURFING from WalkingOnWater on Vimeo.

Do the Dew! OBX Style

Posted on July 6, 2011

Any North Carolinian knows that Eastern NC is the home of Pepsi. Well what better way to celebrate its heritage then distributing over 14 million cans of Mountain Dew across North Carolina featuring none other than the Outer Banks’ own Jennette’s Pier in Nags Head .

The background photograph used features two, North Carolina Aquariums’ employees-Frank Hudgins and C.P. “Buster” Nunemaker. Hudgins, the Director of Operations and Husbandry, has worked at the N.C. Aquarium on Roanoke Island since 1976 where he has taken care of the fish, tanks and facility systems for nearly 35 years.

Currently, Nunemaker serves as the public relation coordinator for the Roanoke Island aquarium. A native of the Outer Banks, he’s in his sixth year at the aquarium. Both feel very privileged to have had the opportunity to be featured in this state wide promotion of the new fishing pier.

Visitors to the pier can enjoy an ice-cold Pepsi or Mountain Dew available in the pier house gift shop along with lots of other snacks and beverages. Check out the can wrap above and make sure you watch our behind the scenes tour of Jennette’s Pier or see how it looks right now from our live webcam!

Outer Banks Beach, Surf, & Fishing Report – 7.6.11 – Ah…Summer!

Posted on July 6, 2011

Outer Banks - 7.6.11 - Summer at Avalon Pier

Good morning. Here’s the Outer Banks Beach, Surf, & Fishing Report for Wednesday, July 6, 2011.

This video was shot at the Avalon Pier in Kill Devil Hills and the Lillian St. beach access in Kitty Hawk at 9:00 AM.

4th of July is behind us; summer on the OBX is in full swing.

Great summer day. Starting a bit overcast, but the sun is on its way out. Temps in the low 90′s, and a nice offshore breeze out of the southwest. The great weather will stick with us for the rest of the week.

The light offshore wind is cleaning up the swell we have in the area. Consistent knee to waist high sets are coming through. The wind and the swell will stick with us for the rest of the week, so there will be fun OBX surf for the next few days. Wax up the board and get in the water.

OBX fishing is going great. Off shore is seeing dolphin, tuna, and some bill fish mixed in. The piers, bridges, Sound and surf are all very consistent with a wide variety of fish – sea mullet, blue fish, Spanish mackerel, spot, speckled trout, cobia, etc.

Hope to see you soon. Have fun!

Reality Television Show Set to Shoot in Corolla

Posted on July 3, 2011

Getting Away Together

Yes we are serious! The Daily Advance of Elizabeth City reported that a new series “Getting Away Together” on PBS will begin filming in Corolla tomorrow for the 4th of July celebrationat Heritage Park.

The series is going to spotlight vacationers at 13 spots around the country and one of them is the Outer Banks! It will include a week of sightseeing for 17 family members, most of them from Atlanta Georgia.

Currituck and Dare counties split the $97,500 cost of producing, filming and promoting the show as a way of also promoting the Outer Banks. The series is expected to air this Fall on PBS. Yay for reality TV!

Dolphin Watching: A Timeless OBX Adventure

Posted on July 3, 2011

It is really a funny thing when you live in a vacation destination like the Outer Banks you never really get the chance to do, or visit some of the things that make your area unique. For example the Graveyard of the Atlantic museum…I have still not ever been there and its right down the street. Its crazy how that works. I guess it is just important to make the time to get out and enjoy the “tourist” stops around the area. After realizing this- it was ironic to stumble upon this great article by Russ Lay of the Outer Banks Voice about his recent experience dolphin watching.

He mentions how when they moved to the Outer Banks they did all of the tourist things— lighthouses, museums, galleries etc, then settled into somewhat of a routine. I am pretty sure this is true for most OBX locals but it is always fun to get crazy and go do something random, something that you tell people they have to do but you still haven’t done! I have always been a huge fan of dolphins as they are such beautiful creatures and I get so excited when I can see them out in the distance. How cool would it be to see them close up?

In his article Russ notes how he decided to go out on a dolphin tour since it had been a decade since he had done it last. He decided on Outer Banks Cruises, aboard the “Captain Johnny,” where Captain Stuart Wescott serves as host, historical commentator and comedian in addition to locating dolphins. His record in 2010 was 260 sightings on 270 trips. Plus the sweet part is, you get a free repeat visit for the remainder of the season if you are on one of those rare trips when a dolphin is not spotted!

After watching his video of the experience it made me really want to go check this out and I encourage all of you to do the same. Hey, if you’re going to be in town let me know and maybe we can go out on the watch together! The more the merrier! It would definitely be a great thing to do with the kids, the family or even as a fun date idea.

For information on tours visit Outer Banks Cruises website or read the entire article by Russ Lay on the Outer Banks Voice here.

Outer Banks Summer Blue Fish Blitz – 6.30.11

Posted on July 1, 2011

Yesterday was a pretty classic OBX day. Dare I say that it was the best day of the year so far?! Perfect OBX conditions.

Bright sun, temps in the 80′s, light onshore wind blowing a cool breeze with a fresh salt air smell, the water was an amazing aqua green-blue, crystal clear, and 75 degrees! Doesn’t get much better than that.

The great day carried over to a great evening on the beach too. We had a fun company picnic planned for the beach after work, and as I set up the food, and popped the first adult beverage, I saw the distinct vision of a classic fish blitz starting. The water close to shore was “popping” with blue fish, and the shore fishing crew was hustling with their poles towards the water line. The summer blue fish blitz was on!

The fish were biting for almost two hours. The school of blues moved up and down the beach, and fish were being caught with almost every cast. Amazing site to see, and some great entertainment for our picnic.

Here’s a quick video of the action…

Outer Banks Beach, Surf, & Fishing Report – 7.1.11 – Best Day of the Year?!

Posted on July 1, 2011

Outer Banks - 7.1.11 - Best Day of the Year?!

Good morning. Here’s the Outer Banks Beach, Surf, & Fishing Report for Friday, July 1, 2011.

This video was shot at the Lillian St. beach access in Kitty Hawk at 9:00 AM…with some bonus footage of a blue fish blitz shot last night at the Luke St. beach access in Kitty Hawk.

Happy July! Can’t believe June is already behind us. We are hitting the heart of the summer with July 4th coming up quickly!

Dare I say that yesterday was the best day of the year so far?! And today is a pretty much an exact replica! Perfect OBX conditions.

Yesterday was ideal. Bright sun, temps in the 80′s, light onshore wind blowing a cool breeze with a fresh salt air smell, the water was an amazing aqua green-blue, crystal clear, and 75 degrees! Doesn’t get much better than that.

It was a great evening on the beach too. As a bonus at the end of this report I included some video of a blue fish blitz that was happening in Kitty Hawk from about 5-6 PM last night. Amazing amount of fish in the water.

Today is starting right where yesterday left off, and this great weather will be with us through the 4th of July holiday. Bright sun, 80 degree temps, warm water, light wind, and a calm ocean.

We have a fun bump in the water this morning. Only about knee to waist high surf, but it’s a fun longboard/SUP wave. These conditions will stick with us through the weekend. The next four days should have fun surf in the morning…small, but fun.

Outer Banks fishing is going strong. As I mentioned above, there was a great blue fish blitz last night, offshore is very consistent with dolphin, tuna, and some bill fish, and the piers, bridges, Sound and surf are all very consistent with a wide variety of fish – blue fish, croaker, flounder, spot, speckled trout, Spanish mackeral, trigger fish, etc. I talked a few guys that went out near shore yesterday, and there was a lot of success with Spanish mackeral and trigger fish. OBX fishing hitting its summer stride!

Hope to see you soon. Have fun!

Outer Banks Treasures: Chilli Peppers Coastal Grill

Posted on July 1, 2011

Outer Banks - Chilli Peppers Coastal Grill

I don’t know about you guys but going out to eat is really risky business. You have to consider all your options…like is the food good?, is it expensive?, how big are the portions?, will I have to wait forever?, the list goes on. If you are tight on money like me you want to make sure that if you are going to go out to eat it better be worth it! When we say Outer Banks Treasure, we mean it, and Chilli Peppers is honestly one of the best restaurants I have ever been too.

If you are in the mood for a quick and easy lunch, their sandwiches are great. The BBQ sandwich is my favorite and the cucumber salad is amazing. If its dinner time, you have to try their fresh fish. No matter what the type of fish it is always a great meal. The coolest part is they grow many of the spices they use right in the back so it is fresh in every sense of the word. No one can resist a good margarita right? The first time i went to Chilli Peppers I got a watermelon margarita and I haven’t gone with a different flavor since, but they have many flavors to choose from and you can pick what shelf alcohol you want it it as well.

Out in the back they have cornhole and a new addition of a sliding walk-up window where you can order a beer outside and don’t have to go in. Or if you have been on the beach all day and look like a hot mess you don’t have to go sit inside, you can order what you want and sit out at the picnic tables. The atmosphere is relaxed, the beach music plays in the background and the drink specials rock, what more could you ask for on a vacation, or even just a night out to eat?

The restaurant is run by a great guy named Jim Douglas who was nice enough to let us come get some pictures and video to share with you guys. We really hope you enjoy the video and make sure that when you’re in the OBX you check out Chilli Peppers at MP 5.5 in Kill Devil Hills. Tell them Seaside sent you