OBX Moment of Zen: 2.27.12 – Good Morning Dolphin

Posted on February 27, 2012 by Seaside Vacations

Outer Banks: 2.27.12 - Pretty Day in Kill Devil Hills

Good morning. Here’s your OBX Moment of Zen for Monday, February 27, 2012.

This video was shot at the Sutton St. beach access at 9:30 AM.

Great start to the week. Greeted by a school of dolphin about 10 feet off the beach. Very cool. Great Zen moment.

Weather is looking good. Sun, 60, and a light southwest breeze. The week ahead looks mild with temps sticking around 60, mostly sun with a chance of a T-storm here or there.

No surf. Light offshore breeze, but no swell. If you hunt, you might be able to find a knee high longboard wave in the right spot.

Fishing is slow. Skate and dog fish at Jennetre’s Pier and some tuna offshore.

Hope to see you soon. Have fun!

Outer Banks Shrimp Cookoff

Posted on October 22, 2011 by Seaside Vacations

Outer Banks Center for Dolphin Research

For the second year running, Ocean Boulevard in Kitty Hawk is hosting the Outer Banks Shrimp Cookoff. And as if eating a bunch of tasty shrimp isn’t enough motivation, all proceeds from the cookoff benefit the Outer Banks Center for Dolphin Research.

The Center monitors the population size, movement patterns, and behaviors of coastal bottlenose dolphins. The health and general state of our marine mammal population is a direct reflection of the general health of our precious ocean ecosystem.

Time	Sunday, November 6 · 1:00pm - 4:00pm

Location	Ocean Boulevard Bistro & Martini Bar


More Info	Eat lots of delicious shrimp to benefit dolphin research in the Outer Banks! November 6, 2011 from 12:00-3:00 pm Entry tickets $20 available at Ocean Boulevard and Outer Banks Vet Hospital Door prizes, DJ, beer and wine specials, silent auction, and 50/50 raffle All proceeds benefit the Outer Banks Center for Dolphin Research For more info, check out OBshrimp.com

Dolphin Watching: A Timeless OBX Adventure

Posted on July 3, 2011 by Seaside Vacations

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 Treasure: Oregon Inlet

Posted on June 26, 2011 by Seaside Vacations

Saltwater Game Fish

Ever actually watched a boat unload its catch of the day? It is actually pretty neat to see what everyone is talking about when they say how great Outer Banks fishing is. We went out to Oregon Inlet Fishing Center to include it as an Outer Banks Treasure and was lucky enough to get them unloading an awesome catch of dolphin and tuna.

I never actually realized how much of a city girl I was until the day I went to get this video. Before I headed to Oregon Inlet I had to make that always dreaded trip to the DMV to get my car registered. When I get to Manteo I ask where the License Plate office is and they tell me its at a pharmacy…? Being from Charlotte, NC where there is a DMV building on every corner with a line out the door I was completely in awe that they would have a DMV in a pharmacy with 2 people in line! I was in and out in about 15 minutes.

I had been to Oregon Inlet Fishing Center before but never in the summer. I was surprised to see how many people were there and was so excited to see a boat bring in its catch, since I had never seen it in action. As I was walking around I found myself feeling particular about what catches I wanted to film. Kind of funny huh? Well someone was unloading a boat of blue fish and I thought…eh not big enough I’m getting too spoiled with the whole fishing thing! Anyway I saw the Outrigger of Nags Head coming in and thought I would see what they were going to unload.

Like I said its weird that I am so spoiled because as they were unloading the boat I had to ask my boyfriend (the fishing guru) what kind of fish they were bringing out. I had never seen dolphin or tuna before so it was awesome to finally see what they looked like. Pretty big too! I would have to say that since living in the Outer Banks I have definitely grown to enjoy fishing especially in salt water. Ive decided I have to throw my girly-girl status out the window if I’m ever going to fit in around here.

After we visited the fishing center we went down to the Bonner Bridge which was another treasure in itself. Whether it is for fishing or laying out on the beach it is truly a beautiful place with views of the Bodie Island Lighthouse which is pretty neat. The fishing turned out to be amazing on Friday. We usually climb down on the pileands because if you fish from the bridge, with the current sometimes it is hard to feel when you have a bite. I wouldn’t recommend this unless you are with someone who knows what they are doing though, because it could be dangerous. We ended up catching about 70 lbs worth of sheepshead (a type of fish), which is really rare and supposedly a delicacy to eat! They are also pretty funny looking and have teeth similar to a humans.

Between the fishing center and the areas around it for fishing, Oregon Inlet is surely a treasure and offers lots of fun for the whole family. The boys can take off to the bridge while you watch from your beach chair with your toes in the sand, or head to the fishing center to see the catches of the day or check out the state record fish displayed. A real treasure is unexpected and unique. For me the fun in fishing was definitely unexpected and is promised to be the same for you! Make sure if you are in the area you check it out and if you need any tips or have questions make sure you let us know. Enjoy.

Outer Banks Beach, Surf, & Fishing Report – 6.13.11 – Great Beach Week

Posted on June 13, 2011 by Seaside Vacations

Outer Banks - 6.13.11 - Pretty at 5th St.

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

This video was shot at 9:00 AM at the 5th St. beach access in Kill Devil Hills just south of the Avalon Pier.

The great weather from the weekend is carrying into this week. Looking at the 10 day forecast, it’s 80′s and sun with a few isolated thunder storms for this week. Ideal beach weather.

We have a light north wind today, and unfortunately, the wind is not cleaning the waist high swell in the area. So, the surf today will be a bit sloppy, and it doesn’t look like we’ll have much surf this week. But the good news is the north wind usually brings in some warmer water, so the water temps should be rising the next couple days. With warm and warm water, it could still be a fun week to get in the water and catching any swell that’s coming through.

Outer Banks fishing is getting better everyday. Offshore is seeing dolphin, big eye tuna, and some bill fish. The piers, bridges, and Sound are very consistent with a wide variety of fish – spot, speckled trout, flounder, blue fish, Spanish mackerel, croaker, cobia. We are also starting to get more consistent reports out of the surf, and as the water temps continue to rise, the surf casting will get better and better.

Have fun!

Outer Banks Beach, Surf, & Fishing Report – 5.27.11 – Happy Memorial Day Weekend!

Posted on May 27, 2011 by Seaside Vacations

Outer Banks - 5.27.11 - Great start to Memorial Day weekend

Good morning. Here’s the Outer Banks Beach, Surf, & Fishing Report for Friday, May 27, 2011.

This video was shot just north of the Avalon Pier at the Hayman St. beach access in Kill Devil Hills.

Great start to Memorial Day weekend! The streak of great weather continues. I think it’s been almost two weeks since we’ve seen rain. The plants aren’t digging it (nice pun huh?!), but we’re loving it! Perfect for the holiday weekend; sun, 80′s, light wind. Get out and enjoy the beach!

In addition to a streak of great weather, we’ve had a good streak of fun surf this week. There has been a southwest wind all week cleaning up a fun longboard wave. That will continue today. Not much out there, but it’s a fun little wave, and the weather is perfect. Doesn’t look like we’ll have any larger surf until next week sometime.

OBX fishing is going strong. Offshore is seeing dolphin with some yellow fin tuna mixed in, and the occasional bill fish. The piers and the bridges have been very consistent with blue fish and croaker with an occasional flounder mixed in. And the Sound is doing very well with sea mullet, blue fish, croaker, and some flounder.

Have a great holiday weekend!

Outer Banks Beach, Surf, & Fishing Report – 5.23.11 – Starting to feel like summer…

Posted on May 23, 2011 by Seaside Vacations

Outer Banks - 5.23.11 - Feels like summer in Kill Devil Hills

Good morning. Here’s the Outer Banks Beach, Surf, & Fishing Report for Monday, May 23, 2011.

This video was shot just north of the Avalon Pier at the Hayman St. beach access at 9:00 AM.

The great weather from the weekend is carrying into this week, and temps are increasing! Temps in the 80′s all week with lots of sun. The only rain in the forecast is for scattered and isolated thunderstorms on a few days, but that is very typical for this time of year…increased heat and humidity tend to bring an afternoon thunderstorm or two.

Unfortunately, not much surf to report. There were some fun days at that end of last week, but that swell has died. It doesn’t look like we have any significant swell in our near future this week. The wind will be decent out of the west for most of the week, so there is a chance for some small longboard waves if you gotta get in the water.

OBX fishing is going strong…and getting better every day. Offshore is still reporting yellow fin tuna, dolphin, and the occasional bill fish. Our friends over at www.RockSolidFishing.com are reporting some great catches near shore – including a 90+ pound Cobia they hauled in over the weekend! The piers, bridges and Sound are all consistently reporting a wide variety of fish – blue fish, Spanish mackerel, blow fish, sea mullet, croaker, spot, etc. As the temps continue to increase, the fishing will keep getting better and better!

Have fun!

Outer Banks Beach, Surf, & Fishing Report – 4.25.11 – Perfect Spring Day: Sun, 80′s, & Fun Waves!

Posted on April 25, 2011 by Seaside Vacations

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.

Enjoy!

Outer Banks Beach, Surf, & Fishing Report – Happy Earth Day

Posted on April 22, 2011 by Seaside Vacations

Outer Banks - 4.22.11 - Happy Earth Day

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.

Enjoy!

OBX Pic O’ the Day: Pretty Day for the Surf Shop Challenge

Posted on April 14, 2011 by Seaside Vacations

Outer Banks - 4.14.11 - Oakley Surf Shop Challenge

Great spring week. Another pretty day. Sun, 60′s, and a 15 mph N wind. There’s a small bump for Oakley Surf Shop Challenge, but not much surf. The surf could pick up a little when the tide flips at 11 AM, but a pretty weak surf day. Fish are biting; offshore is going strong with blue fin, yellow fin, and black fin tuna with some dolphin mixed in, and reports starting for some surf catches down south. Great fishing heating up!

@ Lillian Ave Beach Access