Outer banks info for first-timer

tonypowell · Joined: 07 May 2000 Posts: 1

Ive got the second half of December off so Im contemplating driving down the coast from Baltimore to Florida. One stop I really want to make is the Outer Banks since I hear its some of the best East coast sailing spot. What I need to know is whats the best way to tackle it? Can you drive the whole length or do you need to go inland, where are the best spots and where can I camp? Is there a good guide to sailing and camping on the Outer Banks on the web somewhere?

I plan to spend at least a couple days theer on the way down and perhaps on the way back up to Baltimore. Im also not an expert sailor. Id prefer to keep to safer sites and definitely not on the open ocean.

Any help is appreciated.

Tony

MikeLaRonde · Joined: 11 Jun 2001 Posts: 768

hey Tony

check out

http://www.insiders.com/outerbanks/

You can drive the whole way only with the help of 2 ferries that take you and your car. one goes like 3 times a day, the schedule is on that site.

ricsurf · Joined: 07 Mar 1990 Posts: 2

Just back from 6 weeks in Avon. Unusually warm, but Im not sure you can count on that for the end of December (left on Nov 30 and he water was about 60).

The Outer Banks are beautiful and can have great windsurfing. Unless you are used to the ocean, you will probably be better off in the sound.

As for the drive, going south from hatteras is fun, but quite slow because of the slow ferries. Very scenic. 4-wheel drive expands what you can get too.

Definitely I nice drive and really a special place. Pretty quiet in the winter.

If interested in more, you can email me at Ricsurf@aol.com. Also I think there is stuff on the net (OuterBanks.com?)

Have fun.

rick

1aloop · Joined: 09 Jun 2000 Posts: 62

On your way down stop in Nags Head, at windmill point is a popular sail spot, good in S. to N. wind, if there is to much east in it the water gets blown out and to shallow. Farther down in the town Waves at Hatteras Island Sail shop about the same thing with the wind, so if it is NE.wind go farther down, Canadian Hole maybe or Avon, somewhere south of the light house. Frisco woods camp ground in the town of Fisco is a good place to camp and sail if the wind is NE. if it is S or SW the water gets blown out. If you stay there and the wind is S or SW drive back up to Canadian Hole or Waves to sail. The weather and water are still very warm and the wind has been good. This week end looks to be great.