Please make sure your photo description shows how you find magic in the simple things in life. Our favorite photo will be featured in our 2012 Outer Banks Vacation Guide. Contest ends 9/30.
It’s starting a bit overcast this morning, but it seems like the sun is fighting it’s way out. Air temps are in 80′s and the water is at 74.
The surf is a bit tough to decipher today. There is a onshore, northeast wind, but it’s real light. There is good swell in the water, but the sections are closing pretty quickly. Although, if you find the right spot there are some great A-Frames to be had. However, my diagnosis is that the surf should clean a bit more as tide fills in; so I’m thinking late morning/early afternoon could be some fun waves.
Good day for the ESA finals at Jennette’s Pier. Below is a video with some highlights of the surfing action from yesterday, and you can also tune in live on our webcam just north of Jennette’s Pier.
Fish are biting – spot, stripers, croakers, pompano…and red drum!
The 2011 Currituck Fall Food & Wine Festival is upon us…it must be fall! And what better way to welcome fall than with food, wine, music, great scenery, and fun times for all?!
The festival is held at the fabulous Sanctuary Vineyards (Cotton Gin anyone?) in Currituck…a few miles north of the bridge leading to the Outer Banks.
Admission includes signature wine glass, wine tastings and entertainment (food not included). $20 advance tickets / $25 day of event
September 24 from noon to 6pm
Live music all afternoon
Great Currituck Grape Stomp
Pork & Cork BBQ competition
Local Wines and Beers to sample
Local Food Vendors
Hay rides through the vineyards
Rain or Shine
Tickets sold at all Cotton Gin locations- Jarvisburg, Nags Head MP 14.5 and Corolla or visit us at www.sanctuaryvineyards.com
Good morning. Here’s the Outer Banks Beach, Surf, & Fishing Report for Tuesday, September 20, 2011.
This video was shot at Jennette’s Pier in Nags Head at 9:00 AM.
Another beautiful fall day. Luckily the weather pattern has changed today. We had a storm system hanging with us for a few days sending rain and stiff northeast winds, but the sun is back today.
Sun, 80′s, and water temps in the mid 70′s. Perfect fall weather. This weather will stick with us for the rest of the week. Maybe an isolated thunder storm, but nothing widespread. A great week to be at the beach.
That storm system, along with Tropical Storm Maria moving through the ocean, has been sending large swell to the OBX since late last week. Unfortunately the northeast wind has not cooperated to clean the waves up, but today is looking decent.
Even though the waves aren’t perfectly clean, this size is great and just in time for Jennette’s Pier to host the ESA finals (Eastern Surf Association) this week and the Outer Banks Pro this weekend. Great week of OBX surf contests!
The waves are overhead today with some great sections coming through. The onshore winds aren’t great, but there are a lot of fun, and big, waves out there for the ESA surfers.
The swell will drop from head to waist over the next few days. The winds won’t be ideal during the week, but it looks like there could be some good opportunities for clean waves. Thursday morning looks small but clean, and the start of the Outer Banks Pro looks like clean waist to chest conditions for Saturday.
It’s awesome to have the surf comps going on this week. There is a lot of activity surrounding the contests. A lot of spectators, Jennette’s Pier is hopping, and the energy and positive vibes are infectious.
Nags Head is happy to be the temporary home for the ESA finals this year. ESA is in their 44th year, and more than 30 of the finals have been held in Hatteras. Unfortunately, due to Hurricane Irene and the continued recovery, the contest needed to move to Nags Head. We are happy to enjoy the ESA experience on the norther OBX this year, but it will be nice to know that Hatteras is up and running and ready to host 2012.
Outer Banks fishing is going well. Settling into fall fishing. Consistent catches on the piers, bridges, surf, and Sound – stripers, croakers, spot, pompano – but the big fishing news is that 3 red drum were hauled in on Jennette’s Pier yesterday, the biggest over 43 inches! Red drum are in the area…and they are big!
Time for another edition of our “Spotlight on the OBX” video series. I’m a huge fan of these videos; 1., because it gets us out of the office to enjoy gorgeous days on the Outer Banks, but mainly because it gives us a chance to share some insight with you, our guests, about the people, places, and things that we love about the OBX.
Today we are going to continue our tours of OBX towns with a quick tour of Nags Head. Let’s shine the “Spotlight” on Nags Head, shall we?
A little Nags Head history to start: Legend states that early inhabitants of the area tied lanterns to the necks of horses and led the horses up and down the beach after dark to lure merchant ships. Sailors who saw the lights would mistake them for lights from ships and decide to come closer to shore. When they did, they would run aground and Nags Head residents would pillage the ship’s cargo.
Shipwrecks, pirates, pillaging…so Outer Banks.
Nags Head, North Carolina is often used synonymously with the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Strange, isn’t it? Do you know anyone that still says “I’m going to Nags Head” when they are really going to Duck? There are still some highway signs in Virginia that use Nags Head rather than the Outer Banks for directional purposes. Perhaps because it was the most popular OBX destination for so long?
As one of the most developed cities on the Outer Banks, Nags Head is a wonderful place for vacation living. But don’t let the “most developed cities” moniker fool you. OBX “development” is far from built-up. There is still plenty of empty space to roam, lots of natural habitat, and a hefty dose of amazing history. Plus, amazing restaurants, Jockey’s Ridge, shopping, lighthouses, fishing, etc. just a short drive (or walk) away.
Known for its pristine beaches, Nags Head is also home to many attractions including the east coast’s largest sand dune, shops, restaurants, night life, water sports and more.
In my humble opinion, Nags Head packs the best bang for the buck. When I talk with guests who are new to the Outer Banks and are not sure where to stay, I generally refer them to Nags Head. Nags Head has a great Outer Banks feel, but still offers plenty of great activities to keep people busy.
As the Nags Head Guide says, “A Nags Head vacation experience offers a blend of the old with the new. Visitors still can revel in timeworn traditions while enjoying a host of modern-day comforts.”
It’s been a windy, rainy weekend, but we have a pretty fall day to start the week. Sun, 70′s, but cool with strong Northeast wind.
Raging sea from the strong wind and swell from Tropical Storm Maria that passed by.
The ESA surf competition kicks off today at Jennette’s Pier. They will have heats going throughout the day north and south of the pier. We’ll grab some video for tomorrow’s beach report, and you can checkout our webcam for a look at the action (getting out there this morning to give the lens a clean ).
Usually when vacationers head to Hatteras they get there by crossing Bonner Bridge and heading south on Highway 12- but thanks to Hurricane Irene there are two large inlets and several others, that have forced no land access for the area. Since N.C. 12 is still impassable north of Rodanthe, the only way for visitors to get to the island’s southern communities is by making a reservation on a ferry from the mainland or driving through Ocracoke and taking the free ferry to Hatteras Village.
With the ferry system booked beyond capacity, tourism officials urged Dare County Thursday to reconsider the decision to open lower Hatteras Island to tourists. The ferries are booked through next Tuesday. Saturday reservations, when most rentals turn over, are also booked solid.
Scot Leggat, a Hatteras Island real estate executive, asked the Dare County Tourism Board to pass a resolution seeking another look at the call to reopen Hatteras Village, Frisco, Buxton and Avon. Re-entry for tourists started Thursday morning. County Manager Bobby Outten said Thursday that he and members of the Board of Commissioners made their decision in the interests of people in Dare County who faced losing their jobs if some business did not return to the island.
He acknowledged that officials were aware of the potential problem with ferry access, but they weighed that against the prospect of layoffs by businesses struggling in the three weeks since Hurricane Irene and believes this decision couldn’t be rescinded now.
Complicating any decision is that some travel insurance no longer is valid if a mandatory evacuation order is lifted. So in many cases, vacationers who have already paid for their rentals cannot get to them and may not be reimbursed.
The emergency ferry from Stumpy Point to Rodanthe is reserved for residents, property owners, essential personnel and vendors. Opening that ferry route to tourists would likely mean losing FEMA funding to keep it running. The decision has also created a backlash on Ocracoke Island because Hatteras vacationers are now competing for limited ferry reservations.
The North Carolina Department of Transportation is making $10 million in emergency repairs that include building a temporary bridge over the largest inlet, which is in the Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge, and filling the rest with sand. Transportation officials say the road could be re-opened sometime in October but no decision on permanent repairs has been made.
Hatteras from the Air: Hurricane Irene Recovery Underway
To continue our full coverage of Hurricane Irene, we hit the air to take a look at the aftermath and burgeoning recovery on Hatteras Island.
Seaside Vacations only covers Corolla through Nags Head with our vacation homes; so while the visual evidence of continued recovery is all around, our vacation rental homes are up and running, guests have returned, and life seems almost back to normal. Hatteras Island is a completely different story.
Hurricane Irene was devastating to the OBX. It seems everyone has a story of loss. Our post of Hurricane Irene – Before, During, & After shows a small glimpse of the extensive damage a large amount of the local Outer Banks community suffered…and is still suffering through.
Hatteras is in even worse shape.
Large portions of the infrastructure - as in primary, and only, roads – have been destroyed. The only way onto the island is by Ferry. And this isn’t an easy process. Not enough space to accommodate everyone and long(er) travel plans.
Recovery is underway, but it is not a rapid process. Breaches are being repaired and temporary bridges are being installed. Visitors are starting to be allowed back in via ferry, but even that process is being questioned due to intense recovery efforts and limited resources.
We don’t have homes on Hatteras, but we understand the destruction first-hand, we know people who are experiencing the pain of recovery, and we feel a deep-seated empathy for everyone who holds Hatteras close to their heart. North or south, the entire OBX is one big family.
The good news is the Outer Banks is a resilient lot, the human spirit is strong, and the recovery is underway.
Below is a quick video of aerial shots courtesy of Whitney Norko Photography. Whitney had the opportunity to hit the skies with Capt. Rex to take in the sights of Hatteras from the air, and she was gracious enough to share some of the images with us. Thanks Whitney.
The fall has arrived. Well, if we want to be precise, fall doesn’t officially start until September 23. But I’m not looking for precision here, I’m going with look and feel.
The kids are back at school, the days are warm while the nights are cool, the beaches are empty, but the water is warm, the fish are biting, and the surf is up! There’s a change in the air – OBX fall is here…and it’s a great thing!
The 2011 Outer Banks fall season is already living up to all of the hype that us locals give it. (Mother Nature’s way of repaying us for that nasty Irene that wreaked so much havoc?) The weather has been more than we could hope for – sunny, 80′s during the day, 70′s at night, light winds, water in the upper 70′s. The fishing has been great; a plentiful bounty all around – offshore, near shore, piers, bridges, surf, & Sound. And the surf has been bumping.
Hurricane Katia stayed out to sea and sent some gnarly overhead barrels (here’s a great photo gallery from ESPN), and the swell has stuck with us ever since. We’ve been enjoying waist to chest, clean sets all week – did I mention it’s sunny, 80, and the water is as warm as the air?!…oh yeah, and plenty of space to find a wave all yourself! Classic OBX waves. Below is a quick video I shot on Wednesday morning before my sunrise surf session.
Tropical Storm Maria is currently rolling through the Atlantic and starting to send swell towards the OBX. The swell will jump to overhead through the weekend, but we’ll have a strong northeast wind blowing, so not much opportunity for surf. Hopefully we’ll continue our great streak of surf with some fun leftovers early next week. Finger crossed.
Outer Banks Surf Forecast - 9.15.11
In addition to all of this fun for us novice surfers, the fall is bringing in some awesome surf contests.
ESA Finals:Transworld Surf is reporting that the ESA (Eastern Surf Association) finals are on for the Outer Banks. The ESA finals have been held in Hatteras for 30 + years. Awesome, right? Well, Hurricane Irene through a wrench in the planning for this year’s competition. With Hatteras inaccessible due to road damage, the call has been made to move the contest 50 miles north to Nags Head. Starting on September 18, one of the best (and longest running) surf contests on the East Coast will kick of at Jennette’s Pier. Awesome location, and with the potential for some great leftovers from Tropical Storm Maria, this could be a banging contest. I’ll get us some footage next week…you’re on the edge of your seat, I know.
ESA Finals on at Jennette's Pier in Nags Head
Volcom Cooterfish: Once again, Volcom is bringing their totally curstacious grom fest to the OBX, and it’s kicking of this Saturday. Based on the swell forecast, it could be a doozy. Definitely worth checking out. Free lunch, a bunch of prizes, custom trophies, cash prizes for competitors and plenty of divisions to choose from. Top 3 finishers will qualify for the 2012 VQS World Champs. Kicking off at 7 AM 9/17 at the 5th St. beach access…just behind the KMart.
2011 Volcom Cooterfish
Outer Banks Pro: Last, but certainly not least, The Outer Banks Pro is kicking off at Jennette’s Pier from September 23 – 25. Always an awesome surfing display with pros from up and down the East coast. This year the Outer Banks Pro has a prize purse of $30,000, and it’s a trial for the Battle of the Banks (stay tune for more info on this totally rad show!). If you’re from VB or OB not only can you win your portion of the purse but if you’re one of the top finishers from your town you go on to the opening round of the Battle!!
2011 Outer Banks Pro
PS – Here’s a quick video of some highlights from last year’s Battle of the Banks…coming soon to an OBX near you:
The gorgeous fall beach weather is too legit to quit (a nod in MC Hammer’s direction). The perfect fall OBX weather continues today.
Sun, 80′s, light offshore breeze, water at 78 degrees, super fun waist to chest surf – nice and clean from the offshore breeze, and the fish are biting.
Doesn’t get much better. Thanks Mama Nature.
And for the all the MC Hammer fans, break it down…
