what activities do you like? (2024)

OK, so I'm a planner and like to figure things out way ahead of time. We'll be heading to Avon with a group of 4-5 couples in June of '07. Some of these folks have never been to the OBX. Their experiences are pretty much limited to Va. Beach, Myrtle Beach, etc. I'm SOOOOO happy they're willing to give the OBX a try.

So, I'm just wondering if we need to plan activities ahead of time. The last time I was down there was in September a few years ago and we could pretty much schedule things the day before we wanted to do them. I'm guessing it's not going to be like that in late June.

Can you give me some recommendations of things to do and let me know how far ahead you think we should book? Here's some things I'm thinking of:

1/2 fishing -- I don't know if they'll go for it, but I think it would be a blast.

ATV tour -- I've done the Portsmouth Island ATV tour and would like to do it again. Or maybe the northern beaches?

A dolphin watching-type tour?

A day in Ocraco*ke ...

etc., etc. ... OK .. Instead of me listing them, I'll let you give me your advice. I just want to make sure everyone has a great time and I know you all can help me out with this. Thanks so much!

Yep, that's another thing. I'd love to try kayaking on the sound (too chicken to do the ocean). Maybe we can try that. How far ahead do you think we'd have to book something like that? And do you have any recommendations of outfitters or guides?

And the lighthouses are a definite. I haven't been to the one on Hatteras since they moved it, so that will be very interesting.

I'm with Sal for the most part. One of the reasons we go the the OBX is literally because there's not as much to do. Cas and I spend 5 of our 7 days doing pretty much nuthin but hanging out on the beach.

And as you suggest, the stuff to do is more related to historical sights, outdoor activities, etc. I've never been there in July, but I imagine reservations might be a good idea.

1) Check out Pea Island. Lots of beautiful empty beach, some bird-watching.

2) Roanoke Island: Historical sights, Elizabethan Garden, Dolphin tours (Click to follow link...), and the Aquarium.

3) Duck is good for shopping.

Everything you guys have mentioned is great. I love the idea of a sailboat cruise out of Manteo. And a bonfire on the beach is on our list. We did that in Nags Head in September and loved it. (And I like that you don't need permission on Hatteras, right?) With the kayaks, does anyone know, can you use one kayak for both sound and ocean? I'd like to try the ocean, but want to go back to the sound if I freak out!

Believe me ... we plan to do lots of R&R. Get up early, watch the sunrise .. have a nice breakfast and head to the beach with a cooler and a book. Most days will be like that. But the men get tired of sitting on the beach (yeah, I know ... go figure) and they're not fishermen either ... so we'll need a few diversions. Thanks for the ideas. I'd love more!

If you aren't sure you'll like paddling kayaks on the ocean, get sit-on-tops. They work just as well in the sound, unless it's really windy. Most of them don't track as straight as a standard 12-foot kayak, but if you just want to get a paddle wet, that'll be fine.

Incidentally, this is the first time I ever paddled a kayak, back in the mid-90s. We rented a tandem and launched from Frisco Woods. (Dang, I miss that little blonde vixen.)

All of that sounds great, but one piece of advice from me. If you are going to spend the money to pay for someoned to take you fishing, don't do a 1/2 day. Even though it costs more, you will be much happier with the results if go on an all day charter, because you can go out further off the shore and catch more fish.

If you are in Avon, call any of the marinas to book a trip. But don't go all the way back up to Oregon Inlet. A lot of people think you have to go back up there to get a good trip, but Hatteras Village Marina are so much closer to where you are renting and their trips are just as good, or even better.

Ocena Atlantic Rental is the name of the place in Avon, btw.

Also..maybe check out the Shipwreck Museum at the end of Hwy 12 in Hatteras. Neat place~

No, I don't have two heads. But some of my friends do. Especially if they spend the day on the water. With a cooler. Full of beverages. (know what I mean?) Hey, if the crew is willing to clean the fish for us, and we can take them back to our house and cook them up, I'm all for it! Is that how it works?

Last time I went fishing in the Outer Banks I was about 10. I was seasick the whole time, and then my lovely brothers had the nerve to bring out Kentucky Fried Chicken which just, uh, heightened my awareness of the rolicking waves. Yeah, haven't been back since.

Anyway, I sure don't want to take back 40 pounds of fish if we're fortunate enough to catch that much, but if we take back enough for a night's meal and someone else is willing to do the filleting, hey, I'm all for it. Do you have to pay extra for the cleaning?

Keep the legal limit, take them to Steve at Risky Business Seafood at Oden's Dock, and have it cleaned and vacuum packed. It costs a little more, but he will even store it for you until you are ready to go and it will stay fresh for a LONG time! If you don't want it, offer it to your captain and if he doesn't want...someone at the dock will want it. I promise! It certainly won't go to waste

40 lbs? When we went out recently with my daughter's boyfriend on his charter boat we probably had 200 lbs AFTER it was cleaned

Seasickness,,never had it- but our recipe is to take about half a dramimine or bonine the night before and about half of one again that morning. That way you won't feel so drugged out and it works for us with preventing sickness. Also take some Ginger Ale along with all that alcohol. It helps too!

Here's our last trip out of Oden's Dock and half the fish were still in the box-

OK ... so let's say we get lucky and snag a whole buncha fish ... the vacuum packing is a GREAT idea! Do they provide dry ice or something for the trip home?

And as for the kayaks, do they have one-person kayaks as well as two-person? I've done river canoing before and kinda like the boat to myself.

Ocean Atlantic Rentals has both types of kayaks.

Our drive home is around 8 hours and we have no problem with the frozen fish not thawing when packed in a good cooler with ice.