Hatteras

[splitz]

I'm heading down to Hatteras in August. Anyone have any suggestions on:

Places to stay (as of right now we're going to try and camp)
Places to see (light house, etc)
Places to go
Places to eat (those gotta eat here type deals)
Things to do

Thanks!

 

[uncc civilengineer]

Fish, jeep on the ICW trails/beach... take the ferry over to Ocracoke.. and plan on relaxing b/c there really isnt much to do that far from Nags Head...

Also when you said camping do you mean camper or tent? The sand flies, etc are not fun when the wind's not blowing..

We usually just rent a house...

 

[VAwheeler]

X2 on taking the ferry over to Ocracoke its about a 30-45 min ferry ride. There is alot of beach to enjoy unlike in Nags head where it always seems to be crowded that time of year. There is a place to eat in Ocracoke. When you get off the ferry there is a little bit of a drive before you get to any civilization. The place is on the right just as you get to civilization. There is also a little pub/bar/resturaunt in the middle of town that has bands on the weekends and is a cool place to hang out with the locals. I don't remember the name of the place but its on the left just past the jet ski rental place.

 

[splitz]

Yeah, we're planning on doing a little fishin and the ICW trails. Are they all listed on the National Park Service's website or is there a better place to get maps, locations, etc?

Thanks for the tip on Ocracoke, I guess it is now one of America's top beaches, so we'll definately have to check that out.

UNCC - Is there a perticualar agency you suggest for the house rentals?

 

[highcountrync]

I assume you'll be coming down from the Manteo region and heading south down the OBX. If you'll be camping in Hatteras then the National Park Service campground is the best and cheapest - it's right beside the lighthouse, next to beach accesses and convenient to town. However, having lived here my whole life, I can tell you that Hatteras is much more crowded in the summer time and Ocracoke Island (like UNCC said) is much less crowded that time of year (although still busy). If you stay in Ocracoke, there is a national park ground there that has camping, showers, etc and there is also a lighthouse there, and the beaches are easier to drive on. The sand in Hatteras is notorious for getting people stuck, but Ocracoke's beaches are a bit better packed. For lunch or to grab a beer, hit up Howard's Pub - it's on the outskirts of town. For breakfast go to the Pony Island Motel & Restaurant - have the shrimp omelette! There's more to do in the northern parts of the islands, but if relaxation is what you're after, then you owe it to yourself to check out Ocracoke. As kids, we always stayed in Ocracoke and took day trips to Hatteras and Nags Head, Kill Devil Hills (Wright Brothers Memorial) etc. Like I said, I live about an hour from there and would be more than happy to give you any more tips or ideas for the trip!

 

[xjtrailrider]

Fish! I practicaly grew up on the OBX, my dad and I went there everyother weekend in the fall when the big Blues were running. We King fish off the end of the piers down there in the summer but you need a lot of gear to do that. Just go after some Spanish Mackeral with a spoon or a Gotcha and have fun.

Catch one for me, I haven't been down there for a few years, I need to get back.

 

[Bridgman]

i just got back from ocracoke yesterday

 

[WoodyWoodchuck]

Where to go depends on what you like to do. Nags Head area and North for Myrtle Beach type action. Lots of places to do things and eat but the fishing usually is not the best. Pea Island down to Rodanthe for watching wildlife and not much else. Avon to Hatteras Inlet for fishing. Lots of places to eat and stay but not much other than beach activities (fishing or shelling). There is the lighthouse, Indian museum and marina’s but how much time can you spend there? Ocrakoke for fishing and relaxing. Places to eat and shop but not near as many as farther North. Core Banks for pure relaxation and desolation. There ain’t no Wal-Mart’s there and if you didn’t bring it you do without. Ferry service only and you’ll need to call and reserve a slot there and back.

When we go to the Buxton area and stay at the Buxton Beach Motel (lots of other motel/hotels also). I go there to relax on the beach and fish. Never stay further north than Avon, too many folks. Favorite place is Cape Lookout, Core Banks. We can camp in the XJ, fish about anywhere and you can go all day w/out seeing another person if you pick the right place. No paved roads and it is over 10 miles of sand path to the south point (an hour drive). It isn’t for everyone as you are on your own with the only thing you have to do is make your reserved ferry time back to the mainland.

While you are there, join OBPA (Outer Banks Preservation Association) or NCBBA NC Beach Buggy Association). There are forces trying to close the Outer Banks beaches to ALL traffic, vehicles and pedestrians. These groups are fighting to have the beaches remain open to drive and walk on!

 

[Bridgman]

wow so i broke the links here they are again, sorry

 

[splitz]

Thanks for the info, and keep it coming. I'm making my list as we speak!

Bridgman - nice pics, I just hope I have more sun that that!

 

[Bridgman]

that was in the morning while it was cool, it was a hot day and we chilled out in town around noon, yea there was plenty of sun. i helped some people get "unstuck" for about a hour and got a little toasty

 

[dphillips]

Go on a fishing charter. That should be a good time of year for the tuna in the area. What a blast! We went a few years ago and got into some yellow fin. They were all in the 60-70lb range, but they can get much larger. I've never had a fish whip my ass until that day. It was well worth the trip. We came in with six tuna. All were over 60lbs. If you've never been deep sea fishing you should try it out.