Outer Banks Rentals – Page 4 – An Outer Banks Blog

How To Save On Your Upcoming Holiday Travel Plans

It may still be autumn but it’s the perfect time to start making those holiday travel plans. When you make your reservations this early it gives you the best chance to take advantage of inexpensive travel options, including our reduced prices on rentals. And when you’re looking for accommodations, be sure to check out the Weekly Rental Specials we have on Outer Banks Rentals.

How To Save On Your Upcoming Holiday Travel Plans

Following are some tips on how to save on your upcoming holiday travel when you’re planning a vacation to the Outer Banks.

Check out our Specials page for huge savings on our vacation rentals listed by date.
Be flexible as to when you are willing to travel and add a few days to your trip before and/or after any peak holiday travel days.
Consider flying on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day or early New Year’s Day when travelers can often take advantage of significant savings.
Be open to taking connecting flights since an itinerary that includes one stop can often save you as much as $100 over a direct flight.

How To Save On Your Upcoming Holiday Travel Plans

Consider flying part way then driving the rest of the way to your destination or drive to a different airport and fly from there. Most Internet search sites can check fares at airports up to 100 miles from your ultimate destination.
If you are sure of your travel plans, many places offer discounts for making non-refundable reservations.
Think about whether you really need to rent a car. If you’re visiting family it doesn’t hurt to ask if they’d pick you up and return you to the airport. Are most of the places you want to visit within walking distance? If you’re going to a warmer destination like the Outer Banks, consider renting bicycles for the week to get around more easily.

How To Save On Your Upcoming Holiday Travel Plans

With all the money you’ll save using these tips and taking advantage of the Weekly Rental Specials we have on Outer Banks Rentals you’ll be able to stay and enjoy your holiday vacation for another day or two!

Outer Banks Upcoming Fall Festivals

With the arrival of autumn this Friday, Sept. 22, comes a calendar full of festivals and events to celebrate the changing of the seasons. As we move beyond the hottest days of summer thoughts turn to enjoying activities in the cooler days of September and October.

The Lost Colony Wine & Culinary Festival takes place September 29-30, 2017 at the Duck Woods Country Club. Vintner’s Dinner is served Friday night, Sept. 29 at The Lost Colony, 50 S Dogwood Trail, Southern Shores. NC. Tickets are $125 each. The Grand Tasting will be held Saturday, Sept. 30 at the Sound Stage Theatre. Tickets a re $50 each; designated driver $25. Tickets can be purchased online here.

Mark your calendar for the Duck Jazz Festival held on October 7 and 8, 2017 at 1200 Duck Road, Duck, NC. Sponsored by the Town of Duck this festival brings jazz to the Duck Town Park annually on Columbus Day weekend. Enjoy live music from a variety of jazz performers with two full days of performances on two stages at this festival. Food and drinks will be available to purchase from various town eateries and chairs will be available for rent. Attendees are invited to bring food, coolers, chairs, blankets and pets. No beach umbrellas or tents are permitted at the event. The Duck Jazz Festival will be held rain or shine.

The always popular Outer Banks Seafood Festival returns on October 21, 2017 at 6800 S Croatan Hwy, Nags Head, NC. The festival is a fun and educational experience promoting, honoring and celebrating the area’s seafood heritage and community. The festival offers opportunities to meet Outer Banks watermen and see the tools of their trade, including boats, crab pots and pound nets. You’ll enjoy the educational booths, live music, arts and crafts village and, best of all, the chance to eat fresh, local seafood from more than a dozen restaurants. New this year is an on-site Boat and Tackle Show.

Don’t Miss the Popular WRV Outer Banks Pro

Local surfers probably already know the WRV x Pacifico 2017 Outer Banks Pro is right around the corner! But for those planning a visit to the Outer Banks why not join us for the 2017 Wave Riding Vehicles Outer Banks Pro presented by Pacifico! Surfing events as big as this one don’t come along all that often!

Don't Miss the WRV Outer Banks Pro

The WSL Men’s Qualifier Surf Event will take place on August 30 – September 3 (Labor Day Weekend) at Jennette’s Pier in Nags Head, NC. Even if you’re not participating, plan on coming out to watch. It’s an exciting event not to be missed!

Wave Riding Vehicles stands for surfing and has been spreading the Aloha throughout the world since 1967. Today WRV continues to support surfing in all its traditional and competitive forms and just celebrated their 50^th anniversary.

The Wave Riding Vehicles Outer Banks Pro established its home here in 2009 with the completion of the new Jennette’s Pier in Nags Head. The pier’s stellar views and its ample parking both added to what has become the most core surf contest on the east coast. Its eco-conscious design supports ocean ecosystem conservation and awareness.

Typically held the last weekend in August, the WRV Outer Banks Pro is an official WSL QS1000 event drawing top rated surfers from around the globe to the unique coastline of Outer Banks of North Carolina. It’s expected to be a great contest with a smoking swell. We hope to see you on the water!

Shelly Island Growth

A new land mass known by the name of Shelly Island began forming first as a sandbank around April 2017. The island is located off of the tip of Cape Point in Buxton, North Carolina. The crescent shaped island measures one mile long and more than 500 ft. wide. Although all parts of the island are constantly changing. The amount of sand that moves past the Outer Banks may be the largest in the world. The OBX is known for rapidly shifting sands, thanks to high-energy wind and waves. Small landmasses frequently appear and vanish in this area, but Shelly Island is notable for its size and speed with which it was formed. It’s not out of the ordinary for patches of ground to appear and then suddenly ease off. This is caused from the mixing of the cold water of the Labrador Current crashing into the warm Gulf Stream waters. This area of water is also known as the Graveyard of the Atlantic due its shallow region of harsh winds, hidden sandbanks and swirling tides.

Photo credit: National Geographic

It was nicknamed Shelly Island by locals because of the vast quantities of shells that are found on the shore. The discovery of the new island is drumming up a great deal of attention, but experts warn that it’s surrounded by dangerous currents. National Park Service officials have issued warnings about trying to swim or walk across the channel. There has been reports of sand tiger sharks and oceanic manta rays that were brought into the channel by the fast moving waters that separate the island from the rest of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore.

NASA recently released images that show the formation of Shelly Island.

Photo credit: Myfox8.com

Shelly Island could be gone with the next storm, or could get bigger for a while longer, but only be for a short period of time. Stanley Riggs, a retired geology professor and author who has written books about North Carolina’s coast says “Nothing here becomes a fixture. Nothing is the same from one hour to the next. There’s no such thing as normal.” The next hurricane that comes along could blow the island back into the Atlantic as quickly as it appeared.

Outer Banks Watermelon Festival

Celebrate summer on the Outer Banks with Kitty Hawk Kites and support theOuter Banks Bicycle & Pedestrian Safety Coalition at the 11th Annual OBX Watermelon Festival on Thursday, August 3 from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. at Jockey’s Ridge Crossing in Nags Head.

The festival is free to attend but tickets must be purchased to participate in the games and activities. All proceeds from this event will benefit the Outer Banks Bicycle & Pedestrian Safety Coalition.

The day will include games, food, face painting, tie-dye shirt making, arts and crafts activities, an inflatable waterslide, lots of watermelon fun and plenty more.

Compete in classic competitions like seed-spitting and watermelon-eating to win awesome prizes including various Kitty Hawk Kites adventures, swag from Dunkin’ Donuts OBX, a hammock from Kitty Hawk Hammocks, and more.

Stop by and share in this summertime tradition with watermelon provided by Food Lion. Lunch will be provided by Mulligan’s Raw Bar and Grille and frozen treats from Scoop’s Homemade Ice Cream.

SCHEDULE OF WATERMELON CONTESTS:
12:00 PM – Watermelon Tower Building
1:30 PM – Ice Cream Eating Contest
2:30 PM – Watermelon Eating Contest
3:30 PM – Watermelon Seed Spitting Contest

ALL-DAY ACTIVITIES:

Inflatable bounce house and slide
30-foot outdoor rock wall
Splash Blast
Stanley the Mechanical Surfing Shark
Corn Hole
Kan Jam
Face Paiting
Arts & Crafts
Tie Dye Shirt Making
Toy Demos
and more!

For more information on Kitty Hawk Kites Watermelon Festival, please contact Janet Chesson atevents@kittyhawk.com

What You Should Know About Rip Tides and Currents

When you’re planning on swimming in the ocean it’s wise to know what to expect. Rip tides are just one of those things you may encounter. Potentially deadly, they are survivable if you know what to do should you find yourself caught up in one.

What You Should Know About Rip Tides and Currents

Rip tides cause more deaths each year than hurricanes, tornadoes, and lightning strikes combined. The powerful part of rip tides is close to the surface. The danger with getting caught in rip currents is being pulled out to sea. Many people who drown in a rip tide do so because they panic and don’t know how to escape it. It’s important to know what to do if you or a family member encounters a rip current.

Rip currents are powerful currents of water moving away from shore and are the leading surf hazard for all beachgoers, especially for non-swimmers. According to the United States Lifesaving Association, 80 percent of surf beach rescues are a result of rip currents.

Rip currents form when waves break near the shoreline, piling up water between the breaking waves at the beach. One of the ways this water returns to sea is to form a narrow jet of water that moves swiftly offshore, roughly perpendicular to the shoreline. Under most tide and sea conditions the speeds are relatively slow, however when wave, tide and beach conditions align, the speeds can quickly increase and become dangerous to anyone, including experienced swimmers.

Some things to watch for to identify rip currents include:
~ a channel of churning or choppy water,
~ an area having a notable difference in water color,
~ a line of foam, seaweed or debris moving steadily seaward,
~ an area of calm and/or muddy water,
~ or any break in the incoming wave pattern.

Rip currents are often not readily or easily identifiable to the average person so watch for these aforementioned clues. If you are concerned about the possibility of rip currents, ask a lifeguard before entering the water.

If you are caught in a rip current, remain calm. Never fight against the current. Swim out of the current parallel to the shoreline. When out of the current, swim at an angle away from the current and toward the shore. If you are unable to swim out of the rip current, float on your back or calmly tread water. When out of the current, swim to shore. If you are unable to reach shore, draw attention to yourself by waving your arms and calling for help.

If you see someone in trouble, don’t become a victim yourself. Many people drown each summer while trying to save someone else from a rip current. Get help from a lifeguard if one is available. If not, have someone call 9-1-1. Throw the victim something that floats such as a life jacket, cooler or inflatable ball.

It’s always a good idea to swim where lifeguards are present and never swim alone. If you’re not a strong swimmer, wear a flotation device. Whether you’re a good swimmer or not, make sure you and your family know how to identify a rip tide and understand the methods of escaping one.

Soundside Live Sunset Concert Series

The highly entertaining, unique and fun-filled Soundside Live Sunset Concert Series begins on May 25, 2017. If you’re vacationing with us and looking for something to do, this is it. Sponsored by the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau, all shows are held at the Soundside Event Site in Nags Head. Additional summer concerts are held on June 1 and June 8, 2017.

A curated line-up of regional and national touring talent will perform an eclectic mix of rock and roll, blues, soul, funk and bluegrass. Each show also features performances by Imagine Circus, a cirque-style entertainment troop with aerial arts, acrobatics, fire, flow arts, theatrics, dance and plenty more. Admission is free, $10 for onsite parking and gates open at 3 p.m.

Products from beverage partners Mother Earth Brewing of Kinston, NC and Sanctuary Vineyards of Currituck, NC, will be for sale as well as local cuisine from some of Dare County’s finest restaurants. In addition, a few Outer Bank’s artisan vendors will be onsite selling their handmade goods.

This year’s lineup includes:

Thurs, May 25
Red Wanting Blue, The Commonheart & Tropidelic

Thurs, June 1
Cris Jacobs, Selwyn Birchwood & Ruth Wyand and the Band of One

Thurs, June 8
Marco Benevento, Ripe & Fireside Collective

H2OBX Waterpark

A truly unique find among North Carolina water parks, H2OBX brings the best of the Outer Banks’ storied past together with its vibrant present! This brand new world-class waterpark is themed from classic North Carolina beach architecture with splashes of the rich history of the Outer Banks. H2OBX Waterpark is sure to top the list of best family activities on the Outer Banks. Opening summer 2017!

Explore more than 30 rides, slides and attractions at the newest outdoor waterpark on the Outer Banks. A few rides include Flow Rider surf & boogie board ride, Lounge-worthy Adventure River, Wave Pools, Challenge Lagoon, And so much more!

If relaxation is more your speed, H2OBX also features resort-style amenities. Friends and Family can experience inspired shopping and dining options while taking in the stunning views of the Outer Banks. If it’s either wild family fun you want or upscale resort getaway, H2OBX is the place to be on the Outer Banks this summer 2017.

To increase the action and excitement, H2OBX will limit ticket sales every day to ensure a guest experience like you’ve never had before. Stan White Realty has partnered with H2OBX to offer our guests exclusive access to advanced ticket sales as well as discounted pricing. Book today for the opportunity to purchase your tickets for your 2017 Outer Banks vacation.

For more information about the park, visit H2OBXWaterpark.com

H2OBX Waterpark
8526 Caratoke HWY
Powells Point, NC 27966
252-491-3000
Email: info@h2obxwaterpark.com

Dowdy Park Grand Opening

The grand opening of Dowdy Park is scheduled to take place on May 13th, 2017. Dowdy Park is located in the northern portion of the town of Nags Head and sits on five acres of land formerly occupied by Dowdy Amusement Park.

The park will provide needed community gathering and recreational space to all residents of the Outer Banks. It will include a play area inclusive for all ages and needs with an integration of art play elements and educational components for hands on learning.

The park will also feature garden areas and bike racks, and there is even an event plaza and pavilion along with the multi-use turf area. This is designed for hosting events and activities such as concerts, performance, art shows, craftsman’s fair, outdoor classroom space for educational programs, and other community social gatherings.

Dowdy’s Amusement Park was opened in 1962 by Joe Dowdy. The park was a feature attraction in the area for over 40 years. Many locals and visitors alike have fond memories of summer vacations enjoying the old Dowdy Park. The town anticipates the re-purpose of the site and hopes that Dowdy Park will help create new memories for upcoming generations.

Visit the Town of Nags Head website for the project timeline, updates and a schematic design.

2017 Beach Nourishment

beach nour

2017 Beach Nourishment

The Outer Banks will be undergoing additional beach nourishment this year in the towns of Duck, Kitty Hawk and Kill Devil Hills. Beach nourishment is a process by which sediment (sand) lost through long shore drift or erosion is replaced from sources outside of the eroding beach. The purpose of the project is to help widen our existing beaches. The project will include pumping sand from the ocean floor onto the beach to build up the eroded areas. The widened shoreline provides defense from coastal storms and protects our community, particularly properties along the shoreline, from beach erosion.

DUCK – 1.7 miles of shoreline will be replenished, beginning north of the Army Corps of Engineers and expanding to just north of Oyster Catcher Lane. This will take place from April through June 2017

KITTY HAWK – The proposed project area is 3.58 miles of shoreline, which will span from the town’s northern border with Southern Shores down to southern border with Kill Devil Hills. It is expected to take place from June through August 2017.

KILL DEVIL HILLS – The project will span to almost 2.6 miles, beginning at the northern border with Kitty Hawk and ending south of Prospect Avenue. This will take place from August through October 2017.

The beaches will remain open but access to certain areas will be restricted during the construction phase. Please keep in mind that these are preliminary schedules and are subject to change. The contractor for the project is Great Lakes Dredge and Dock Company (GLDD).

For schedule updates and more information about Beach Nourishment, visit http://morebeachtolove.com/.