Your Outer Banks Vacation: 10 Things to Know Before You Go

No two beaches are alike, which is why you can’t just claim that if you’ve seen one beach, you’ve seen them all. Simply not true. So, we set out to see as many beaches in as many places as we can. But you know what? We also keep coming back to one in particular: the Outer Banks (OBX). Every year we look forward to it, and construction paper countdown chains get made in anticipation of the moment we go on our Outer Banks vacation.

By now we have the trip down to a science, but at first? It wasn’t so pretty. There was overpacking, underpacking, and daily trips to the grocery store. Our Outer Banks vacation? Sometimes it wasn’t that much of a vacation. So, to make the most of your time there, here are a few things you should know before you go.

1. There are grocery stores

Do not spend days and days and days and weeks in the lead up to your trip shopping around at all the stores you’ve ever gone to or thought to go to in search of groceries. There are grocery stores everywhere. And they’re not like some super expensive, we’ve got you trapped on our island, grocery stores. They’re just normal grocery stores.

Now here’s the thing, does it make sense to swing by a big box store and stock up on those bulk items you’ll need all week before you get there? Sure it does. So go to your bulk store and grab some toilet paper and paper towels. Get the six pack of hand soap so  you have one for all the bathrooms. But eggs? They got them. Broccoli? Yep, they got them. And the cold cuts? You guessed it. They have them right there. No need to squeeze a ginormous cooler into your car to bring them down.

 

2. Hotels are not the norm

If your dream Outer Banks vacation consists of swanky hotel rooms that are dripping with amenities, then you may need to do some searching before you get here and book quite a bit in advance. Given the size of Outer Banks (it’s a 200 mile long string of barrier islands), there are considerably few hotels to choose from. In fact, most accommodations in the Outer Banks are rental homes, but that doesn’t mean that they skimp on amenities. You can book houses with pools, workout rooms, game rooms, double kitchens, elevators, volleyball courts, playgrounds, kayaks, views, and even more views (not to mention all the other things I’ve forgotten to mention).

When booking a beach house, there are a few things to keep in mind. Most are stocked with some essentials to get you going, like some toilet paper and a few cooking spices and oil. The rest you will need to get on your own. And while they do have items like sheets, towels, and cooking utensils, you may want to supplement with your own. For instance, we always bring a few sharp knives with us because most of the knives we’ve found are a bit less than sharp. We also tend to bring some containers to store our leftovers in, as we’ve noticed in most houses we stay in, those items are missing.

If houses and hotels aren’t your game, there are plenty of camping spots available for your Outer Banks vacation too, a few of which are in the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. Additionally, you can find private campgrounds throughout the barrier islands, so if you’d prefer to stay sound-side, that shouldn’t be a problem. A comprehensive collection of campgrounds can be found here.

3. Check in and check out times matter on your Outer Banks vacation

Rentals in the Outer Banks usually span from Saturday to Saturday or Sunday to Sunday. Depending on work schedules, this can absolutely make a difference in which house we rent. Also, when you’re choosing a house, note what days your house runs from because you don’t want to show up a day early or a day late.

We usually end up on the island way before our check in times, but that’s not so much of a big deal. We pick a location, and then wait the day out. There are plenty of places to have a bite to eat and grab a drink with friends. Stay close to the rental office though because the traffic on Saturday and Sunday getting up and down the island can back up for hours, so heading south when your rental is north can add a few hours onto your drive (yes I definitely meant to write hours there).

There’s also the additional perks at some houses where you can either use the community pool before you check into the house, or you can use the ground floor and pool before check in time. On our most recent trip, we made it to our house by noon and were in the pool by 12:01. (Well, actually I think we were at the grocery store by 12:01 because you better believe we want to get that over with before the stores get packed later that day.)

4. Not all beaches are the same in the Outer Banks

The term “Outer Banks” is a bit misleading. It makes it seem that it is a single, identifiable location, but, truth be told, it’s over 200 miles long. That means there are a ton of towns and beaches that are contained within the single area of the “Outer Banks,” many of which have very different vibes and different amenities.

How do you pick an Outer Banks vacation location?

You’re going to want to ask yourself a few questions before you even start to do your research on where to stay.

How close to amenities do you want to be?

What kind of amenities do you want around you? Do you just want to be able to find a grocery store and a few beach shops? That’s the average small town in the Outer Banks. Or do you want access to movie theaters, laser tag, and water parks? Then stay closer to a more populated area, such as Kitty Hawk and Nag’s Head, away from the quaint little towns dotting the coast.

Is it important to be near a fishing pier?

There are seven fishing piers spread out throughout OBX, and they aren’t all open the same hours. That information can be found here.

Do you want a beach that is crowded or quiet?

In some sections of the barrier islands, a number of streets packed with houses stretch between the sound and the sea. I don’t mean, two, three, or four. I mean ten, twenty, thirty. This means that the stretch of beach provides a haven for all of those living in the area. If you’re looking for a place less crowded, look for fewer streets and without public access right next to it.

Would you prefer to go to the beach at a National Seashore?

The Outer Banks is home to Cape Hatteras National Seashore. A such, it’s a safe haven for sea turtles and other wildlife. You can drive on the beach in some areas of the National Seashore, and, as a super bonus, they provide access to some of the most famous, beautiful lighthouses in the area.

Are manned lifeguard stands important?

The Atlantic isn’t your typical bright blue oasis with smooth waves lapping at your feet. It can get pretty fierce some days. And the undertow can be a bit of a force, especially for those tiny ones who haven’t quite learned to respect the ocean yet. So, in some cases, a lifeguard is important, even if it’s just for peace of mind. To quiet that mind, a list of manned stands can be found here.

5. Not all beach access is the same

When house shopping, not all the locations provide the same access the beach. Some houses can be blocks and blocks and blocks away from the available public beach access. Some houses are seven blocks back but lead straight to public entry points, while others are close enough to hear the waves, yet you still need to walk a block or two to the left or right to find public access. If this can make or break you, then you need to book a house accordingly or plan accordingly.

It’s obvious what to do when beach access is a stone’s throw away, but what about those times when it’s not? What then? Luckily, there are locations for public parking near the public access. So, it’s often a case of parking, unpacking, and then trekking across the dunes to your beach escape.

But here’s the thing about OBX beaches: they are still not easily accessible from the road. So, even if you bike to the public access or have a car drop you and your gear off or park your car in a public lot just a block from the access, you still need to get across those protected dunes. That means a whole lot of up and over.

Remember those beach carts that are decidedly uncool? All of the sudden, in Outer Banks, they become so very cool. Just throw it all in and you can push it and pull it up or down any stair case that takes you over the dune and through the hot, thick sand leading to the ocean. Whatever it is, you can get there with one of those ultra-chic beach carts. (Also, who wants to make 100 trips back and forth from the road to the beach? Just throw everything in that magic-on-wheels and get it there in one fell swoop!)

6. Not every beach has a lifeguard

Part of the charm of the Outer Banks is that it can, in some places, feel secluded. Now, you will probably see some signs of life on the beach: a person here or there. But, in some sections, it’s pretty empty. And a lot of times, that means that there aren’t any lifeguards either.

Now, if you know the Atlantic Coast of the US, then you know that the ocean can have some substantial waves and a substantial undertow on any given day, so you may opt to be near a lifeguard stand. You can find the list of the lifeguard stands and the times they are manned here (as well as handicapped parking, bath houses, showers, and wooden walkways among other amenities).

Speaking of the conditions and power of the ocean, it’s also important to be aware of the flags used by the lifeguards to communicate the condition of the rip currents in the water that day. The flags used are green for low hazard and calm conditions, yellow for medium hazard with moderate surf conditions, and red for high hazard with rough conditions indicating rip currents.

7. There is a lot more to do than the beach on your Outer Banks vacation

If you’re a history buff, then the Outer Banks is perfect for you. Not only does OBX win because of its stunning beaches, but also because of its rich history. Luckily, this means that when everyone feels a bit waterlogged and sunburnt, there’s still plenty to do and places to explore. And, maybe, the little people will learn a thing or two without even knowing it.

OBX is considered the graveyard of the Atlantic because of the immense number of shipwrecks that haven taken place off of its shores; in fact, you can visit the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum while you’re here. It’s a perfect way to spend a rainy day. Not only were shipwrecks happening offshore, but also, during WWII, German U-boats also sat offshore of OBX, torpedoing passing ships, which is how the area also earned the nickname Torpedo Alley.

The importance of the area goes deeper than the just the fate of ships (although this is the location of the famed pirate Blackbeard). It’s home to one of America’s first colonies; the Roanoke Island colonists who mysteriously disappeared, which means that the first European to be born in America was also born here. Additionally, it’s the birthplace of flight. In Nag’s Head the Wright Brothers made their first flight over the dunes of the Outer Banks. And even beyond this, the area is known for its historic lighthouses, historic towns, and historic buildings. At every turn, there’s something to learn.

Of course, there’s all the typical beach happenings as well. You’ve got ice cream and mini golf and go carts and adventure parks and dolphin cruises and parasailing and kayaking and jet skiing and wild horse spotting. Did I say wild horse spotting? I did. You can read about all the things to do in the Outer Banks in our list of things to (not) do in the Outer Banks.

8. Expect a little traffic

And be thrilled if there isn’t. Imagine you have all those houses, most of which accommodate multiple families, that all have the same check out times. Now imagine one main road leading to a four lane bridge that takes all those people off the islands and welcomes a new batch of people onto the islands. Let’s just say it’s pretty slow going. We tend to drive and stay about two hours from the bridge for the night and then head in early in the morning. Judging by the other families at the hotel, we’re not alone in this.

And while entrance and exit days on the island can be painful, other days have their spots of traffic as well. Because it’s a long string of islands, there are often just double lane roads as the only option for heading north or south. And, well, people want to head north and south. So, yep, traffic can back up a bit here and a bit there, so plan for it. Or at least plan enough that you don’t feel grumpy on your Outer Banks vacation because of it. Because no one like to feel grumpy.

9. There are so many paths

I’m going to tell you a little tale. This past trip to OBX, one of my favorite people asked me to walk with them on the beach each morning. Sounds like a pretty excellent way to wake up, no? Trouble is, after day one, I quickly remembered that walking on sand is a pretty good way to set yourself up for days of aches, especially if you’re living with arthritis in your feet and toes…but you know what? Even if you’re not a beach walker, for whatever reason, there are still plenty of paths. (I’d like to tell you I woke up and walked them instead, but I can’t.)

There are paths that go deep into the marsh along the sound. There are paved paths through developments, safely tucked next to roads, in towns and through parks. You can go for a walk on a boardwalk that is lined with stores or take a slow saunter out a long pier. What happens if you wake up and feel like taking a walk in an Elizabethan Garden? No problem. They have one. Maybe steps are your thing? They have 257 in the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. There’s 220 in the Currituck Lighthouse. Feeling lazy? Head to Bodie Lighthouse where there are just 214. The point is, there’s plenty of ways to get up and out that doesn’t involve the water on your Outer Banks vacation too.

10. Hurricane Season is no joke

Hurricane Season in the Outer Banks generally runs from the start of June through the end of November, but, as with most things in life, there can be exceptions to this. Mid-August through October tends to be the most active time for hurricanes in the area. I wouldn’t stress about hurricanes, but it’s important to remember they are a real possibility. I mean, how do you think all of the unique geography of the barrier islands came to be? (Have you heard of Shelly Island?)

The good, and I use that term quite loosely, thing about hurricanes is that you can often track them well before they hit mainland, making it possible to evacuate if necessary. Additionally, many vacation rentals offer vacation insurance, which would cover you to some degree in the event a hurricane forces you to cancel your Outer Banks vacation. Be careful to read the fine print though, as many may not cover you if it is not a deemed a hurricane and remains a tropical depression when it makes landfall.

If you find yourself booking your Outer Banks vacation during hurricane season, take a few extra precautions. In two the weeks leading up to your vacation, keep an eye on the weather forecast. Accuweather and The Weather Channel can be great places to start. Once you’ve deemed your trip safe, just have an idea of what the evacuation plan would look like for you in the event you did need to leave the area. Your rental agency can usually provide you with the details of what to do and what your specific evacuation route would be. Armed with this information, head into your Outer Banks vacation knowing mother nature is on your side.

A FEW EXTRA TIPS FOR YOUR OUTER BANKS VACATION

1. Bring bells: The front door and the basement door, which you’ll often use, is going to be floors below you most of the time. Bring some big bells to hang from the doorknob so you can rest easy that no one is coming in or going out without you knowing.
2. Bug Spray: There are bugs. There just are. Bring some fly traps and some bug spray. You will need both.
3. Beach Fires: You can’t make them on every beach so research which ones will let you if that’s your plan.
4. Beach Chairs: Just because your rental company says houses are required to provide them, it doesn’t mean that they will be in great shape.
5. Sunsets: Prepare yourself. They are breathtaking (but to be honest, they can still be blazing hot and unforgiving).

A day spent at the beach is a day well spent we think (even those of us that don’t really like sticky saltwater and sticky sand), and a day spent in the Outer Banks certainly fits this bill. An Outer Banks vacation is the perfect family getaway, filled with a little bit of chaos, a little bit of quiet, and a whole lot of memories.

If you happen to be planning your Outer Banks vacation in Duck, take a look at Beginner’s Guide to Duck in the Outer Banks from our friends at FunFitnessFamily.com!

Thinking of taking a trip to the Outer Banks? Don’t forget to pin this article to help you get planning your Outer Banks vacation.