Outer Banks Bucket Lists: Top 10 Spots Where I Send My Family & Friends

Posted on July 16, 2012 by Seaside Vacations

Outer Banks Bucket List

Last week I shared a fun idea for OBX Summer Bucket Lists, and that post gave me an idea for a new blog series; Outer Banks Bucket Lists.

Perfect right? The OBX has so much to see and do that it’s impossible to fit everything in. So, let’s share some great “bucket lists” of must-do’s and great advice/tips for those trying to make the most of their time…whatever that might mean to you on your OBX getaway.

I’ve recruited some help from Seaside Vacations staff and friends, and over the next few weeks/months/years , I’ll be sharing a wide variety of fantastic Outer Banks Bucket Lists. Stay Tuned!

Today’s list comes to us courtesy of Ms. Colleen, who also happens to contribute fantastic Outer Banks restaurant reviews – OBX Eats…read it, seriously.

The Wright Memorial, at dusk – watch the sun set where man took flight!
Jockey’s Ridge, at dusk – one of the best spots for sunset watching on the entire OBX.
Ocracoke – it’s a great day trip and includes a free Ferry ride!
Dare County Relay for Life Carnival (in mid-May)
May through August is sea turtle nesting season. If you are in town and are vacationing near an identified nest, sit there every night if you are able. Sea turtles are endangered species and the hatching process is a miracle to experience.
Corolla to gawk at beautiful homes, and there are some doozies! (Does Tom Cruise still have a house up there?)
Carova (4×4 area) to see wild horses and drive on the beach
Phideaux Fishing for an off-shore trip to remember
The Whalehead Club
Oregon Inlet to watch the charter boats bring in their catch

Awesome OBX Bucket List! Thanks Colleen?

Do you have a favorite Outer Banks Bucket List? I’d love to hear it…and share it. Please feel free to leave your list in the comments below.

Happy summer!

Outer Banks Link Love: 7.13.12 – Happy Friday the 13th!

Posted on July 13, 2012 by Seaside Vacations

Outer Banks Link Love

It’s Friday, and that means it’s time to spread some OBX Link Love. But I was a bit derelict in my duties last week with the 4th of July holiday and all, so we have two weeks worth of OBX links to share.

Let’s get down to business!

Missing Mom!
Unfortunately we have to start with some disturbing OBX news this week. A mother of two disappeared last week while on vacation on Hatteras Island. Her boyfriend is a “person of interest” in the case, and he’s also missing. The hunt is on, and prayers are being said that answers are found soon.

RIP Andy Griffith
I promise all the links won’t be sad. The Outer Banks lost a legend last week when Andy Griffith passed away at his home in Manteo. Here’s a great article about Andy from the Outer Banks Voice.

Bike Ride to the OBX…900 miles!
Checkout this father/son team making a 900 mile bike ride to (& from) the Outer Banks. Impressive.

24 Hours on the Outer Banks
How would you spend 24 hours on the OBX? That’s a tough one. So much to do; so little time. Here’s a great recap of a fun 24 hour trip to the Outer Banks.

OBX Local Art Show
Dare County Arts Council will debut two new exhibitions for the month of July. Photographers Matt Lusk and Daniel Pullen are featured in “Shooting the Surf” along with recent works by painter Ben Morris. The works will be on display at the DCAC Courthouse Gallery in Manteo until Aug. 1.

Tar Heels & Flying
Here’s a fun article about taking flight in North Carolina, and the OBX plays a key role…thanks Wright Brothers!

Jennette’s Pier Offers Fishing Lessons!
Jennette’s Pier is super cool. An awesome place to take in the Outer Banks, and as this article mentions, a great place to catch a fish. In fact, all Seaside Vacations guests have an opportunity to take a complimentary tour courtesy of Club Seaside!

Ocracoke Island Travel Guide
Ocracoke is an awesome day trip from the northern Outer Banks, and here’s a great travel guide to make the most of your day.

OBX Vacation Videos
I’m a sucker for OBX vacation videos. It’s great to see people enjoying their time on the Outer Banks…like an OBX reality show. Here’s a fun one…

2012 Nags Head 4th of July Fireworks
The perfect ending to our weekly link love fest…fireworks!

Time Capsule: Groovy posts from last year at this time.

Dolphin Watching: A Timeless OBX Adventure

Outer Banks Link Love: 2.17.12 – Juicy Links Galore

Posted on February 17, 2012 by Seaside Vacations

Outer Banks Link Love

It’s Friday! And you know what that means…time for some Outer Banks Link Love! Let’s roll through some great OBX links that I haven’t had a chance to mention yet this week.

Outer Banks beach driving has been a hot topic recently, so let’s start here. New regulations (paid permit & mandatory training video for Hatteras) went into effect this week, and the new regs are far from loved. Change is never easy, but is this change a positive move?…positive for who? Here are a couple well thought out opinions that offer valid arguments opposed to the new Hatteras beach driving regulations.
- As I’ve mentioned, I’m a lover of all things surf, so this article definitely hits home for me. Here’s a link from ESPN discussing the impact that the beach closures and new driving regulations have on the surfing scene on Hatteras…spoiler alert: this is NOT a good change for OBX surfing.
- This a well balanced article that points out that the Outer Banks has a large amount of land set aside for conservation for wildlife…in fact, an entire National Park. A large portion of Hatteras Island (Pea Island) is already off limits to beach driving. So, where’s the balance between the interests of people and animals? Well, it seems the National Park Service decided this back in 1937: the park’s own strategic plan makes clear what was known and stated from the park’s beginning, also in 1937: The Cape Hatteras National Seashore was created for “the benefit and enjoyment of the people.”
Dredging. Not the most glamorous OBX topic, but definitely crucial. Thanks to that beast Hurricane Irene, there are a couple spots on the Outer Banks in desperate need of dredging…but that costs dinero. In past editions of Outer Banks Link LoveI’ve shared the issues with shoaling and the need for dredging at Oregon Inlet and the ferry route between Hatteras and Ocracoke, and we have some good news on both fronts.
- Oregon Inlet to receive $4.5 million to continue dredging efforts. Sweet! Safe bet this is not enough, but it’s something. Let’s keep that waterway open!
- Dredging to start for the ferry route within two weeks thanks to $2 million in aid. Nice, we can still get to Ocracoke.
While we’re on the subject of Irene, let’s take a peak at another under-the-radar effect on the OBX. “Birder’s Paradise” on Pea Island is left with huge hole and a lack of birds this year due to Ms. Irene. Add it to the list of reasons why I will not be naming any future children Irene. (No, Mom, that does not mean we’re having a baby. )
Congrats to local OBX surfing pro Brett Barley for scoring a two page spread in the April issue of Surfing Magazine. Keep ripping Brett!

Outer Banks: Brett Barley - Surfing Magazine

Have you considered hiring a fishing charter to hook up with some of the amazing fish on the Outer Banks? Great idea; there are some awesome OBX charters out there. But how do you know who to hire, when to go, what’s biting, etc.? It can be a bit confusing, but here’s a great article offering the “In’s & Out’s of Charter Boats.” Tight lines!
In need of a little OBX history lesson? If feel ya; what’s more exciting than history?! Well, here you go; the New York Times offers a great perspective of why the Outer Banks was so important to the Civil War.
The Outer Banks is an awesome wedding destination. Brides and grooms flock to the OBX every year to tie the knot. But CNN wants you to know that it’s also the perfect spot for your honeymoon…and a great way to save some of that wedding money!
Ok, you’re a loyal follower of our blog because you love the Outer Banks – the beach, the waves, the surf, the sun – but are you a golf lover too? Did you know that beyond the OBX beaches there are some amazing golf courses? Yeah, for reals. Check out this description of the great OBX golf courses.
Let’s wrap up with some great upcoming OBX events…
- Blues lover? 8th Annual Freedman Colony’s Blues Jam February 17…that’s tonight! Hurry, get in the car and get down here.
- The “Animals in Art” exhibit at the Seaside Art Gallery is running through March 3. 50 pieces of art the celebrate and help the animals!
- Jockey’s Ridge oyster roast. Eat oysters, bag shells, and build a reef. Awesome day. March 3.
- Three great upcoming events at the Whalehead Club in Corolla: 1. “Corolla in Retrospect” as part of their Winter Educational series – February 21. 2. Peddle, Foot, & Paddle triathlon – April 14, and 3. the Beach Music Festival – May 27. Now you have some great reasons to head to the Whalehead Club.

Time Capsule: Here are some fabulous posts from last year at this time.

New York Times Loves Vacation Rentals
Outer Banks Golf Among the Best You Can Play
Outer Banks Surf Update 2.15.11
The OBX had some great weather at this time last year; Gorgeous OBX Weather Returns

Outer Banks - 2.12.11 - Great OBX Weather Returns

Outer Banks Author Discovers Treasure Island

Posted on December 2, 2011 by Seaside Vacations

Outer Banks NC author and real estate broker, John Amrhein, Jr., has just published his comprehensive documentary about the real story behind Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island book. And as fate would have it, the Outer Banks of North Carolina is the birthplace of this amazing true adventure. His new book, Treasure Island: The Untold Story, is about a treasure stolen from a Spanish galleon at Ocracoke in 1750 and buried in the Caribbean on the real-life treasure island called Norman Island. After nine years of research in the archives of Europe, the Caribbean, and the United States, Amrhein resurrects a story almost forgotten and never truthfully told until now. This Outer Banks book now stands with those written about the Wright Brothers, The Lost Colony, and Blackbeard, as international historical centerpieces.

This is not Amrhein’s first discovery. In 1983, he discovered the Spanish warship La Galga buried beneath the sands and marshes of Assateague Island, Virginia. Amrhein began his research into the lost Spanish warship, La Galga, in 1978. Two years later, he had the evidence he needed to pinpoint the Spanish wreck. But the ship was not lying where all logic and archival documents would suggest. This would-be treasure hunter realized that the ship had been buried in a forgotten inlet and was lying within the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge. With this revelation came another surprise: La Galga was the legendary Spanish galleon associated with the wild horses of Assateague. Not only was the legendary galleon mentioned in the children’s classic, Misty of Chincoteague, but the great nephew of a character in the book helped Amrhein locate the wreck. Today, the author is lobbying the federal government to excavate and display the many artifacts believed to be buried within the refuge. In 2007, he published The Hidden Galleon, which documents his amazing search in the archives, beneath the sea, and ultimately on land. With his second book now published, he has documented the complete history of the 1750 Spanish fleet. The historical events documented in these two books have inspired two children’s classics and have become movies.

How cool is this? Of course we knew the Outer Banks was full of history, but its pretty neat that this is the birthplace of such an amazing adventure and that an OBX local discovered it! Treasure Island: The Untold Story is available at Outer Banks bookstores and online in all ebook formats. Make sure you check it out!

Outer Banks Lands on Fox News’ List of “10 Most Interesting Beaches in the World”

Posted on November 4, 2011 by Seaside Vacations

Outer Banks Map

There are quite a few lists of “top” beaches floating around the interwebs these days. Most focus on the typical “beauty” of the beaches…and we are proud to say that the OBX does continually make many of these top lists. But Fox News decided to take a new twist with their recent top 10 list; “10 Most Interesting Beaches in the World.” They chose to focus on “interesting beaches” not just beautiful beaches…and luckily the Outer Banks can qualify for both!

Their goal was to find “destinations with legacies.” But not just great history. Fox wants the best of both worlds. An awesome story AND a beautiful beach.

Look no further Fox, the OBX has you covered! History, amazing characters, and gorgeous beaches. Sign us up!

Naturally, when Fox set out to find beaches ” where you can soak up a little culture with those rays,” they landed on Ocracoke. Nice work Fox. Unlike many of your news stories, this choice clearly is “Fair & Balanced.”

I say this a lot around these parts, but the Outer Banks sure is amazing!

Here’s what Fox News had to say about Ocracoke:

Ocracoke Island, North Carolina

Discover the island where one of the world’s most famous pirates was captured.

This island in the Outer Banks of North Carolina sits in middle of what was in the 1700s a busy thruway for large trade vessels carrying goods from all over the world. Naturally, with all this booty to be had, the place was swarming with pirates, too. Legendary pirate Edward Teach–a.k.a. Blackbeard–moored at Ocracoke before accepting a pardon and promising to quit the plundering life. But within weeks, he was back at it, so the Virginia governor gave the order for Blackbeard’s capture, which happened on Ocracoke in 1718.

Today: Ocracoke has 16 miles of coastline, with pristine beaches ideal for fishing, shell gathering, swimming (some have lifeguards on duty), and lazing about.

Getting There: Unlike other Outer Bank islands, which are connected by bridges, Ocracoke is only accessible by ferry, private plane, or boat. A free 40-minute ferry transfer is available year-round from Hatteras; the ferry that leaves from Swan Quarter requires reservations and takes a little over two and a half hours. ocracokevillage.com.

Officials Asked to Reconsider Opening Hatteras Island to Tourists

Posted on September 18, 2011 by Seaside Vacations

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.

Local Teachers Story of his Win on “Jeopardy!”

Posted on May 23, 2011 by Seaside Vacations

Charles Temple and Alex Trebek

Local Outer Banks teacher, Charles Temple of Ocracoke School recently won $100,000 on a Jeopardy! Teachers Tournament. Island Free Press shared a neat article offering his story from beginning to end- from getting the call from Jeopardy! producers to making final jeopardy wagers.

Charles talks about all of the obstacles he faces through the whole experience sharing behind the scenes moments with Alex Trebek and show corespondents, and his friendships made with fellow competitors. This is a must read for fellow Jeopardy! fans like myself and best of all it is awesome to be able to say a fellow OBX’r won one of TV game shows most challenging competitions.

To read more about Charles experience click here!

Outer Banks Beach, Surf, & Fishing Report – 3.18.11 – Warm & Sunny All Weekend!

Posted on March 18, 2011 by Seaside Vacations

Outer Banks - 3.18.11 - Gorgeous at Kitty Hawk Pier

Good morning. Here’s the Outer Banks Beach, Surf, & Fishing Report for Friday, March 18, 2011.

This video was shot at the Kitty Hawk Pier at 9:30 AM.

Two days until Spring officially starts! And it is starting to feel like spring…just in time for a big weekend on the Outer Banks. Sun, blue skies and 70+ degrees today!

Great weather will be with us for the weekend, sun and 60′s. Perfect timing for great OBX events. The annual Outer Banks Taste of the Beach started yesterday, so there are four days of great culinary events, and Sunday is the 22nd Kelly’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

The ocean is not very active today. There’s a light west wind cleaning up what little swell there is, but it looks like a fun little longboard wave…probably knee to waist high. This inactivity should stick with us for the next few days.

OBX fishing is going strong. There are a lot of reports of blue fin tuna catches offshore, and the big news is still the 805 pound blue fin tuna that was hauled into Oregon Inlet last weekend…new NC state record! The water is beginning to warm down south, and we are starting to get reports from Ocracoke of puppy drum catches out of the surf.

Enjoy!

Outer Banks Beach, Surf, & Fishing Report – 3.16.11 – Thunderstorms, but warm…and getting warmer.

Posted on March 16, 2011 by Seaside Vacations

Outer Banks - 3.16.11 - Thunderstorms in Kitty Hawk

Good morning. Here’s the Outer Banks Beach, Surf, & Fishing Report for Wednesday, March 16, 2011.

This video was shot in Kitty Hawk at “Lucky Tides” at 8:30 AM

We have some wet weather to start today. Thunderstorms are in the area to start the day, but the storms should move off by early afternoon, and the sun should return soon. Temps are in the upper 60′s today, and getting warmer as we approach the weekend. The sun and warm temps will be with us through the weekend.

Not much going on for surf today. It was better than expected when I got to the beach, but still only waist high or so….looks fun though. There is some swell in the water, and almost no wind this morning, so there’ s small window of opportunity for some small surf.

As for OBX fishing, the big news is still the NC state record blue fin tuna that was hauled into Oregon Inlet over the weekend. 805 pounds! Huge. It shows the quality of fish that are in the area now. We are getting a lot of reports of big schools of blue fin tuna offshore and a few schools of yellow fin here and there. We are also starting to get reports of puppy drum being caught out of the surf in Ocracoke. Rock is might be over, but OBX fishing is still going strong!

Enjoy.

Blackbeard’s Sword Discovered Off the North Carolina Coast?

Posted on January 15, 2011 by Seaside Vacations

Blackbeard the Pirate

The infamous Mr. Edward Teach, aka Blackbeard the Pirate, is back in the news.

A team of archeologists has been excavating the famed bandit’s ship, the Queen Anne’s Revenge (a converted French merchant ship), since 1997, and Time Magazine is reporting that the team may have discovered Blackbeard’s sword.

National Geographic has pictures online of the recovered objects.

The Time Magazine article offers some interesting Blackbeard facts and a quick synopsis of the buccaneer’s final days:

Blackbeard’s thick mass of facial hair was so menacing that it has been immortalized in history.
Among the first pirates to fly the black flag with bones on it.
Had a habit of lighting fuses under his hat to create a threatening halo of smoke around him.
Abandoned the Queen Anne’s Revenge after blockading the port of Charleston, S.C. in 1717, where he and the crew successfully got ransom from the British colonial government for the town and the residents.
British troops out of Virginia eventually found Blackbeard hiding out in Ocracoke Island along the Outer Banks of North Carolina, and after a fierce battle, Blackbeard was beheaded.

At least one historian, Kevin Duffus, has a theory that these famed Blackbeard tales may be much exaggerated, and Blackbeard may not have been a pirate at all.

Blackbeard memorial celebrations still occur on Ocracoke Island.