Planning a trip to Cape Hatteras

[IDynamite]

Anyone from the OBX area? I wanna spend a few days down there in May, and while recognizing theres not gonna be a whole lot of swell, was wondering if anyone had some advice on places to surf, places to stay etc.

Thanks!

[Bub]

I stayed in Nags Head last summer for a week. Stayed in a beach house called "Pirate Looks at 40" (just like the Jimmy Buffet song). It was right across the street from the Nags Head Pier, which seemed have be a popular spot for surfers and had a nice break on the North side of the pier.

You've got to go to Mama Quan's for some food, beer etc. Awesome Polynesian cusine, very laid back atmosphere. Seemed to be a place alot of surfers sort of met later in the day for happy hour. The have a bunch of Plasma screens where they showed surf DVDs and such. Made a great end to a day of surfing. And the food....man is it great!!!

I think there are probably literally hundreds of secret spots up and down the OBX. I drove a few miles up and down the coast and stopped at public beach accesses to check out the breaks at different locations. I think you can usually find a nice sand bar break at least every 1/2 mile or so if you can spot them.

If I go back to OBX, I'd stay further down closer to the Cape. Its like entering a different world...very quiet, laid back beautiful towns and beaches. Perhaps some OBX locals can provide some surf spots for you depending on where you plan to stay.

Check out Magic Seaweed for surf reports from OBX locations.

[Driftingalong]

There are spots all up and down the OBX. If you don't like what you see, then drive a little further.

I believe the cape is the main spot. It's where the ESA Championships are held each year. It also is close to the south facing beaches, if you need protection from the N or NE winds.

When are you going?

[tomcat360]

Yup, I go down there whenever I have a bit more time to drive. So about out of every 3 trips I go there once.

Always either drive back or campout, you can't camp on the beach, well, legally. Get some pretty big fines if you get caught, and yes, they do check. I have heard of people putting out fishing rods while they sleep in their tent and then tell the park rangers that they are simply taking a power nap while night fishing. That's up to you

[justloafing]

It had been a long time since I was there but last summer I stayed at Frisco. Frisco a south facing beach and drive 10-15 minutes north your at the lighthouse with the east facing beaches. IMO Frisco is a good place to stay.

[IDynamite]

Ive heard Nag's Head is great, how close is it to the cape? Ill be there hopefully in the middle of May, is the water warmer by then? Some swell too hopefully? Anyone here that this year is suppose to be one of the most active hurricane seasons for a few decades? SWEET.

[tomcat360]

Don't expect hurricanes for May. Swell in May is generally pretty crappy......doesn't mean you can't have fun though.

I second Frisco. There's a place called Frisco Woods you can camp in (obviously I'm pretty pro-camping)

The water will be warmer, but it really depends on your tolerance and wether or not it stays warm. Also, with an offshore wind in the middle of the summer it can drop to below 70, so you never know.

Where are you located? Let me know when you are going, I might be down, I'll look out for you.

[IDynamite]

Im from Jersey, so I know the hurricane season doesnt really pick up until August, I was just saying that they are predicting some major storms this summer. But also being from the Northeast I can tolerate any water about 66 without a suit (if I have to). I dont own a long sleeve suit, should I look into that for OBX?

Ill also look into Frisco. Are there places to stay as well as camp? I haven't done too much camping recently so im a little unprepared. Im trying to go the week of the 13th in May since finals end a few days earlier. Itd definitly be cool to meet up.

[tomcat360]

Ah bummer, I already know the weekends of the 12th and 19th are out for me, and I can't really make it down on weekdays.

Being from Jersey, you should be able to tolerate the water with a spring suit, again, it depends on what happens between now and then with the water temps. It was 85 on Tuesday and Wednesday here, and tonight they are calling for a chance of snow

I don't particuraly know the situation on hotels and such. Rental houses are common, but you probably had to book those a while ago, again, I don't really know.

[Bub]

How many folks are going with you down to OBX? Most places to stay are beachhouse rentals on the OBX. I'm sure in May the rates will be cheap. Also most houses sleep 6+ people easily so if you have a group of friends or another family etc. you can split the costs of the house and its really an inexpensive vacation (you'll get alot more rental property for you buck than renting a 1 bedroom hotel on the Jersey shore).

Nags Head/Kill Devil Hills/Kitty Hawk is the most populated area (restaurants, houses etc). Hatteras and Frisco are about a little over 1 hour south of Nags Head. Hatteras/Frisco is much more isolated area but if you like to get-away-from it all that is the place to go. Even Nags Head area is much less crazy with people/commercializm than the Jersey, Deleware and MD shores.

I would guess in May the water temps will probably be in low 70's if you're down at Hatteras...probably mid 60's up at Nags Head area. Like another poster said though...water temps can change drasatically. Last July when I was in Nags Head the water temp was 77 in the morning and dropped to 65 by 3pm....strong offshore wind pushed all of the warm water out to sea.

[IDynamite]

Not too sure how many guys will be coming with me, at least 2-3 others, so i dont think a house would be best, probably just find some cheap motel or something, im sure they exist somehwere near a break.

Im surprised the temps change that drastically, I know where I surf it doesnt change more than a few degrees between days. I guess ill be bring a full suit just in case. I read that Frisco can be realllly hit or miss, is Nags head, or any other spots more consistent?

[tomcat360]

I think that Cape Hatteras and Frisco is the most consistent, Hatteras being the most of those two. Nags Head, KDH, Corolla, Duck, Whalebone, etc, all are pretty much just east facing shifty beach breaks. So inconsistency is their specialty.

The water temps don't change drastically because of the air, just because of the direction of the winds. If it is offshore, the warm water on top is blown out to sea, and cold water from down deep out in the ocean is brought in to replace the warm water.

[Bub]

Not too sure how many guys will be coming with me, at least 2-3 others, so i dont think a house would be best, probably just find some cheap motel or something, im sure they exist somehwere near a break.

Im surprised the temps change that drastically, I know where I surf it doesnt change more than a few degrees between days. I guess ill be bring a full suit just in case. I read that Frisco can be realllly hit or miss, is Nags head, or any other spots more consistent?

Go to Hatteras/Frisco...water temps will be 5+degrees warmer than up in Nag Head and Nothern OBX area. For Hotels...check out tripadvisor.com....best place for planning a trip. Look up hotels/motels and also read the forum section for tip bits on restaurants, bars and other local info from people who traveled there (not just marketing from the sales folks of hotels etc.)

[IDynamite]

hey guys thanks for all the real good advice, i really appreciate it. Ill let you all know what goes down