OBX Hatteras Coastal NC Trip

[NJRoadkill]

Rather then start a new thread on the same subject, I’ve update this one as a journal of our upcoming trip.

We found a place we liked on Hatteras. We’ll be down as a family 8/14-8/21

ORV Pass bought to explore the beach. Cant wait to leave.

EDIT: Original Post- “Any suggestions on beach town/places outside the main OBX tourist areas that might be fun to visit?”

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[TheShark]

Take the ride on Carvoa beach in Corolla to the VA border, lots of fun. If you like wildlife refuges there is Alligator River, Pea Island, Pocosin Lakes, and our favorite Mattamuskeet. Bath is a cute little town and Edenton. If you have never been Ocracoke island is worth a visit, the ferry ride alone is fun.

It's hard to judge when you say away from the main OBX tourist areas because all of the OBX is one big tourist area. Don't forget to stop off at "Kill Devil Custard" in Kill Devil Hills, best burgers, fries and custard and for the best biscuits "Biscuits and Porn". Of course there is Duck Donuts as well.

Farther south there is Cedar Island, Harkers Island, Topsail and Atlantic Beach, and Beaufort.

 

[NJRoadkill]

Take the ride on Carvoa beach in Corolla to the VA border, lots of fun. If you like wildlife refuges there is Alligator River, Pea Island, Pocosin Lakes, and our favorite Mattamuskeet. Bath is a cute little town and Edenton. If you have never been Ocracoke island is worth a visit, the ferry ride alone is fun.

It's hard to judge when you say away from the main OBX tourist areas because all of the OBX is one big tourist area. Don't forget to stop off at "Kill Devil Custard" in Kill Devil Hills, best burgers, fries and custard and for the best biscuits "Biscuits and Porn". Of course there is Duck Donuts as well.

Farther south there is Cedar Island, Harkers Island, Topsail and Atlantic Beach, and Beaufort.

thank you exactly the insight I’m looking for. Running the beach sounds like a great way to spend tomorrow.

I guess I was referring to like Nags Head etc.. trying to stay away from the equivalent of OCMD or Wildwood. from our area. Don’t mind a pass through or stop, but looking to set up HQ the next few days a bit more South. We’re in Cape Charles VA right now.

I think by Sunday we’ll end up in New Bern to explore the town. My OnX APP says there are public trails near that area as well.

How is the Emerald Isle to Atlantic Beach area?

any places to absolutely stay away from

 

[TheShark]

thank you exactly the insight I’m looking for. Running the beach sounds like a great way to spend tomorrow.

I guess I was referring to like Nags Head etc.. trying to stay away from the equivalent of OCMD or Wildwood. from our area. Don’t mind a pass through or stop, but looking to set up HQ the next few days a bit more South. We’re in Cape Charles VA right now.

I think by Sunday we’ll end up in New Bern to explore the town. My OnX APP says there are public trails near that area as well.

How is the Emerald Isle to Atlantic Beach area?

any places to absolutely stay away from

[/QUOTE]
I've honestly not spent much time at either Emerald Isle or Atlantic Beach, I really didn't find all that much to do unless you just want to lay out on the beach and I'm guessing this time of year probably crowded.

New Bern is nice, we'll be heading there next month. Mattamuskeet has some nice trails to take the Bronco on and see some wildlife, my wife and I were in Alligator River in May and she was excited because we got to see a bear, was really close to the Bronco. If you have a chance go to Corolla and do the beach drive, you will also have a chance to see the wild horses. You will need a permit however, $50 for the week, check online to see if they have any available.

 

[NJRoadkill]

Never need an excuse to buy anything Milwauke, but this trip was as good as any to start getting more organized and check some needed gear off the list. tools, air down, air up, etc in the new box.

Still need to install the JTopUSA Bimini.

The 2 Door is a challenge to pack gear. Especially in the summer when you plan to have the top off. The recovery boards are 2” too long to go in the rear behind the rear seats. I might trim them at some point. They barely fit the way I put them. but overall happy with the set up. It will evolve over time and use.

 

[SeaVee]

Get down on Hatteras Island , much slower pace, way more places to 4WD. Carova is awesome, but it’s a PIA to get up there with all the traffic and then you have to come back thru the traffic on the way out. No reason to go to EI IMO. Just another Nags Head. Ocracoke is a way cooler option. We’ll be in Frisco/Hatteras this weekend and then for a few weeks in August. My 2dr OBX is in a freight yard 90 minutes from my house. Supposed to be here any day. Keep a lookout for us! Glad to answer any questions, been going down there for 50+ years.
Also- The beach is a lot more tougher than in years past. We had a huge storm in the spring that really tore up ocean front all up and down the OBX. Still recovering. Sand is very loose. Got stuck for the first time in 25 years a few weeks back. Very embarrassing, but had some great people kick in and get us free

 

[NJRoadkill]

Get down on Hatteras Island , much slower pace, way more places to 4WD. Carova is awesome, but it’s a PIA to get up there with all the traffic and then you have to come back thru the traffic on the way out. No reason to go to EI IMO. Just another Nags Head. Ocracoke is a way cooler option. We’ll be in Frisco/Hatteras this weekend and then for a few weeks in August. My 2dr OBX is in a freight yard 90 minutes from my house. Supposed to be here any day. Keep a lookout for us! Glad to answer any questions, been going down there for 50+ years.
Also- The beach is a lot more tougher than in years past. We had a huge storm in the spring that really tore up ocean front all up and down the OBX. Still recovering. Sand is very loose. Got stuck for the first time in 25 years a few weeks back. Very embarrassing, but had some great people kick in and get us free

Cheers! Thank you so much for the insight.
each year we’ve picked a different coastal-south area or city to visit. From NC - Savannah. (Grew up spending a lot of time in Tampa/St Pete area. Daytona/Flagler/Keys. And VB/Norfolk with family. So I already know VA and FL well)

The OBX is new to us this year so we took an impromptu ride a couple weeks ago to get a feel for it and look for a place. Very, very beautiful. People/Vibe seemed chill.

what’s EI?

We chose Hatteras and will be in Avon from 8/14-8/21. We’re going to stay and explore that general area. South. And slightly north.

Any special access points on Hatteras you like? We’ll be airing down to 20+\-. I have onboard air. Recovery gear. Hand/power tools. And now the boards. Skipping the high lift Jack. Hoping for no drama. But things go sideways for sure!

I hope the Bronco gods are kind and you take delivery before you leave

 

[Snowdogyyz]

EI= Emerald Isle

 

[Snowdogyyz]

Sounds like a fantastic trip! Wish I could give you pointers but I’m a southern NC costal guy (Oak Island, Southport, Holden Beach are). Have a great time!

 

[NJRoadkill]

Sounds like a fantastic trip! Wish I could give you pointers but I’m a southern NC costal guy (Oak Island, Southport, Holden Beach are). Have a great time!

Thank you! That may be our next trip. The general Wilmington NC coastal area. How’s the vibe different/same? is it warm enough/south enough to vacation in the winter?

 

[Snowdogyyz]

Thank you! That may be our next trip. The general Wilmington NC coastal area. How’s the vibe different/same? is it warm enough/south enough to vacation in the winter?

I haven’t been to the outer banks since I was 13/14 so hard to compare. Wilmington is a pretty cool visit. Southport also very nice. Lots of great restaurants. Not much beach driving though unless you hit Freeman Park near Carolina Beach. Bald Head Island is pretty cool- you ferry over and only golf carts allowed on the island itself. Myrtle Beach is 45 minutes to an hour depending on which beach you’re at- if that’s your thing! We love to rent ocean front, park under the house and spend all week fishing and swimming with breaks for restaurants, coffee shops, etc.

Unfortunately it can be a little cool in winter if you like spending time on the beach. I’m going in November and that’s probably as late as I’ll go.

 

[TheShark]

Never need an excuse to buy anything Milwauke, but this trip was as good as any to start getting more organized and check some needed gear off the list. tools, air down, air up, etc in the new box.

Still need to install the JTopUSA Bimini.

The 2 Door is a challenge to pack gear. Especially in the summer when you plan to have the top off. The recovery boards are 2” too long to go in the rear behind the rear seats. I might trim them at some point. They barely fit the way I put them. but overall happy with the set up. It will evolve over time and use.

Do like I did, ditch the rear seats and you have a surprising amount of room. Looks like I might get my JTopUSA Bimini top the first week in August was hoping to have it for our trip in May but obviously that didn't happen. We will be back in the OBX in Oct, looking forward to it.

 

[TheShark]

I haven’t been to the outer banks since I was 13/14 so hard to compare. Wilmington is a pretty cool visit. Southport also very nice. Lots of great restaurants. Not much beach driving though unless you hit Freeman Park near Carolina Beach. Bald Head Island is pretty cool- you ferry over and only golf carts allowed on the island itself. Myrtle Beach is 45 minutes to an hour depending on which beach you’re at- if that’s your thing! We love to rent ocean front, park under the house and spend all week fishing and swimming with breaks for restaurants, coffee shops, etc.

Unfortunately it can be a little cool in winter if you like spending time on the beach. I’m going in November and that’s probably as late as I’ll go.

We were in Southport/Wilmington last weekend. Hadn't been to Wilmington in a couple of years, amazing how much the riverfront has changed in just that short time. Thankfully our favorite German restaurant is still there. Southport is great, as you said many fine restaurants and we took a drive down to Sunset Beach. Did a little off roading in the Bronco at Boiling Spring Lakes Preserve which is really nice.

 

[Snowdogyyz]

We were in Southport/Wilmington last weekend. Hadn't been to Wilmington in a couple of years, amazing how much the riverfront has changed in just that short time. Thankfully our favorite German restaurant is still there. Southport is great, as you said many fine restaurants and we took a drive down to Sunset Beach. Did a little off roading in the Bronco at Boiling Spring Lakes Preserve which is really nice.

No doubt on Wilmington- it has changed quite a bit! We love the Southport area. Just a cool little downtown- always something going on. I’ll have to che k out the preserve next time I’m down that way!

 

[SeaVee]

This thing is a beast in the sand:

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