Seaside serenity on the Outer Banks

Photo by the author.

If you are looking for a seaside escape this summer but would rather avoid boisterous crowds, load up your bicycles and a cooler and head down NC Highway 12 to Waves, North Carolina.  This tiny Hatteras Island village lies just south of more popular destinations like Nags Head and Kill Devil Hills, but the peaceful solitude of its beaches more than make up for the extra time on the road.  

Lodging

Just next door to Rodanthe, the setting of the popular Nicholas Sparks book and film adaptation Nights in Rodanthe, Waves, North Carolina has no hotels and very few restaurants.  Go with a group and rent a vacation home; TripAdvisor ranks the most popular rentals using traveler reviews.   Rates range from $60 to $200 a night, which is especially reasonable if you are sharing with friends or family.  Be sure to book through a realty site to ensure that you are under legally binding contract with the owner.

Dining

When you reach Nags Head, stop at Food Lion and stock up on goodies for your stay, as groceries on the island are limited and tend to be expensive.  Leave at least one night open to feast on king crab legs from St. Waves Seafood N Produce at 26006 NC Highway 12.  This tiny seafood shop offers the best in fresh local fish, crab, and corn on the cob, and the friendly staff is always available to assist if you're not quite sure how to prepare the local delicacies.  In the mornings, bike over to the Atlantic Coast Cafe at 25150 NC Highway 12 for iced coffee and belgian waffles.  They also offer tasty burgers and sandwiches for lunch.

Entertainment

The prime attraction on the Outer Banks is, of course, the Atlantic Ocean.  A trek over the dunes onto the beaches at Waves will reveal a peaceful stretch of sand, scattered with small circles of lawn chairs as family and friends chat and watch their children play.  The waves break very close to the shore, so you won't want to let small children venture out very far.  But for older kids (and their parents) the close-breaking waves provide hours of entertainment with the help of a boogie board.  Surfing and kiteboarding are also popular local sports.

Fishermen can surf right off the pier, or at designated areas they can drive their 4 wheel drive vehicles right up to the water and fish off the back of their trucks.  Those with boats can head to Oregon Inlet, Hatteras Inlet, or the Pimlico Sound to fish for flouder, trout, and bass.  Click here for more information about local fishing.

You can also enjoy a romantic horseback ride on the beach with Equine Adventures in Buxton, NC.  2-hour rides to the beach are offered year-round, and from October to March experienced riders can enjoy a 3-4 hour ride with views of the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse.

Sightseeing

When you are too sunburned and waterlogged to spend another moment at the beach, spend a day visiting the lighthouses of the Outer Banks.  Cape Hatteras and Bodie Island lighthouses are both within an hour's drive, and Ocracoke, Cape Lookout, Bald Head, Currituck Beach, and Oak Island stretch all along the coast for those with time to explore.  The Outer Banks Lighthouse Society offers tours and driving directions.  

Follow me on Twitter at www.twitter.com/dcweekender.