Vacation Tips – An Outer Banks Blog

Take a Winter Vacation to the Outer Banks

Have you and your family been wanting to explore the Outer Banks on your next vacation this winter? The Outer Banks is a great location to enjoy the beaches, fishing and exploring the island. Staying in one of our Outer Banks vacation rentals will allow your family to stay close to the surf and sand. Let’s look below at a few of the things that you and your family can do on your next vacation to the Outer Banks this winter.

Winter Weather on the Outer Banks

Vacationing to the Outer Banks during the winter months can be fun and your family can enjoy some pleasant weather too. The temperatures can vary between 55° – 60° during the day and between 38° – 40° during the night. It typically rains between 8 – 9 days during January & February, allowing you to enjoy the sunshine more along the coast. Even though the ocean is going to be a lot cooler than it would earlier in the season, it’s still pleasant weather to enjoy.

Specials

Vacationing to the Outer Banks in the winter can have some great perks. During the winter months, we often run specials that you and your family can take advantage of. One of the specials that we offer is book any week during the month of January or February and you can receive 30% off the weekly rental rate on select rentals. Saving money on your vacation can not only help on the wallet but will also allow you to enjoy the beach during the off-season too without the crowds.

Enjoy the Outdoor Activities

Some of the fun things that you and the family can enjoy while you are on vacation during the winter months would be enjoying the beach. You may find that the kids will enjoy an empty beach where there is enough room for them to run, scream and play together. Another fun activity that you can plan is fishing from the beach. This is a prime time when many loves to explore the beach as you find your new place to fish from. There are so many different things that you can do outdoors together as a family while on vacation to the Outer Banks during the winter.

While there are so many other reasons to vacation to the Outer Banks during the winter, these are just a few we wanted to share with you. If you haven’t booked your next vacation to the OBX this winter, now is the time. We can’t wait to see you and your family in the next few months making new traditions and memories!

What You Need to Know About Sea Turtle Nesting Season on the Outer Banks

May is here and so is the start of sea turtle nesting season here on the Outer Banks. Each year hundreds of sea turtles come our beaches during late spring to make their nests for their eggs. When you stay in one of our Oceanfront vacation rentals, you may have the opportunity to see a nest or two. Let’s look at what you and your family need to know about sea turtle nesting season here on the Outer Banks below.

When Does the Sea Turtle Nesting Season Begin?

Many visitors and locals love this time of the year not only for the warmer weather but also in hopes to see a nest or a sea turtle. Starting on May 1^st every year is the beginning of the most magical times on the North Carolina coast. This is the start of the sea turtle nesting season and it’s something you don’t want to miss while on vacation. During the night is when you might have the opportunity to see a turtle come to the shore and lay their eggs in their nests they have built. All along the Outer Banks is where you will find most of their nests and eggs. Sea Turtle nesting season doesn’t end until the beginning of September here, so while you are on vacation during the summer, know that it’s sea turtle nesting season.

Help Protect our Sea Turtles on the Outer Banks

The Outer Banks takes protecting our sea turtles very serious as they have made their home on our beautiful shoreline. There are several hundred local volunteers who check the beaches every morning in search for a new nest that had been built the night before. These nests are all marked with rope, posts and a sign showing the number of the nest. The Network for Endangered Sea Turtles (N.E.S.T) monitors each nest for the safety of the eggs and hatchlings and also for the vacation goers. Here are a few rules to follow while you and your family are vacationing on the Outer Banks during sea turtle nesting season:

Please keep your distance from any of the nests,
turtles or eggs.
Do not disturb the nests, posts or ropes that
are around each nest. Having these items helps protect each nest and the
hatchlings.
Please don’t use a flashlight or leave the lights
on outside your Oceanfront vacation rental. The turtles do use the moonlight to
help guide them back to the ocean and any other lights will disorientate them.
Clean up after your day at the beach by bringing
back your beach chairs, umbrellas and toys to your vacation rental.
Please keep our beaches clean from any trash or
plastic on the days you spend on the beach. We like to keep our beaches free of
trash to help with the new hatchlings as much as we can.
If you happen to see a mother who is in
distress, injured or find any unmarked nests, please contact N.E.S.T. today at 252-441-8622.

While there are many other things that you can do to help protect the nests and hatchlings while on vacation, these are the most important ones we wanted to share with you. If you haven’t made your family vacation reservations, check out our Oceanfront vacation rentals today. We can’t wait to see you on your next vacation to the Outer Banks this summer!

What to Pack in your Beach Bag

Do you have a spring break vacation planned to the Outer Banks this year? If the answer is yes, then we understand that spending the week sitting on the beach soaking up the rays is just what you need. Staying in one of our Oceanfront vacation rentals will keep you close to the beach but having the right things in your beach bag will allow you to enjoy your vacation. We have compiled a small list of what to pack in your beach bag for your next vacation to the Outer Banks below.

Beach Bag Items

Beach Towels

When you are on vacation making sure you have packed everything before you leave home is essential. So be sure to pack a towel for everyone in your family whether you are going to sit in the sun or swim in the ocean. Bringing an extra towel with you is always a good idea especially if you have little ones with you. Allow each member in the family to pick out their own beach towel as most likely they will have a different design on it. This can help keep up with whose towel is whose without a meltdown on the beach for someone grabbing the others towel.

Sunscreen

With the hot, southern sun sunscreen is a must for any beach bag. Use a sunscreen that is designed for your beach activities such as waterproof, sport, high SPF, etc.). Dermatologists suggests that you use a sunscreen with at least 30 SPF while you are enjoying the sunshine. And don’t forget to Reapply throughout your day as we don’t want you to ruin your vacation the very first day your here with a sunburn. If you happen to get a little more sun than you expected be sure to pack a bottle of aloe vera. To help cool the sunburn a little more, place the bottle of Aloe in the fridge and it will help soothe the burn a little better.

Sand Toys Bag

Anytime you go on vacation with kids, you have to bring a ton of sand toys with you. We understand bringing sand back with you into your vacation rental is not necessary and can be quite a hassle. So, if you pack a mesh bag such as a laundry bag or a bag specifically for beach toys can help eliminate the mess. Just throw the sandy toys into the bag, give it a good shake or two and leave the sand behind at the beach.

Hats & Sunglasses

Both sunglasses and hats can be very useful for anyone who visits the beach. The sun is much hotter than it is in the north, so we want to make sure that your eyes and face are protected. Having sunglasses will protect your eyes from the sun bright rays and will offer you some relief when trying to keep an eye on your little ones playing. Whether you have a floppy hot or a baseball cap, you will be happy that you brought these along with you. Don’t forget to pack one for everyone in the family.

Sand-Free Hack

This is one item that you may not have thought about, but it is a must whenever you visit the beach. Whether you are staying in a vacation rental or you decided to drive your car to the beach access, sand will be all over you when you leave the beach. So, bringing baby powder in your beach bag will magically get the sand off of your body without irritation and leave a nice scent too. This is perfect for everyone in the family and not just the kids.

Reading Material

One way that you can improve your tan and your mood is by bringing a book or magazine to the beach. We understand that bringing your children to the beach means less time to read a book, but maybe bring a few of their books too. This way when you are ready to read a little, have them come play in the sand near where you are or have them sit under the umbrella and read a little bit of their own book.

There are many other things that you can pack into your beach bag, but these are the must have items for your next vacation. If you haven’t made your reservations for your vacation, then check out our Oceanfront vacation rentals today. We can’t wait for your family to come and vacation with us!