ghost crabs – Outer Banks Blue's Vacation Tips

Top 10 Planning Tips: Outer Banks Beach Vacation

Top 10 Planning Tips for your Outer Banks beach vacation

Planning for your vacation sets the stage for getting the most out of your vacation, even if your plan is to be as lazy as you can be.

When my family vacations we tend to plan in two stages. The first stage is all about thinking ahead to: what will we need for the trip and what will we need when we get there. The second stage is all about what are we going to do when we get there (activities). READ MORE

Stolar Memories 7/16/18

Good morning and thanks for stopping by Everything Outer Banks to check out Memory Monday. Each week we provide you photo memories of our guests and they are always great. Some would call them Stellar. That takes us to our title this week as these pictures were brought to us by Kelly Stolar so we have named this week’s blog “Stolar Memories.” Get it?

Indeed Kelly stayed with Outer Banks Blue a few weeks ago and had a great time as you can see from these shots.

On the list of activities for the Stolar family included walking the dogs on the beach. Keep in mind Outer Banks Blue has more than 50 vacation rental properties that accept dogs at no extra charge.

There is also a shot of a ghost crab. No vacation is complete without a nightly hunt of these nocturnal creatures that burrow into the sand through holes they dig down deep into the sand. It is great fun taking a flashlight out to the beach at night and chasing these fast movers around the sand. Many times these little guys will be seen running into the ocean. They do this to keep their lungs moist so they can breath properly, but an interesting fact is that the crabs will drown if they stay in the water too long. Unlike popular opinion these crabs cannot live in the water.

There is also a shot of the Stolar famil in front of the Currituck Lighthouse taken at the Heritage Park in Corolla. That is a great day trip for someone to consider during their vacation. Lots of history to explore, and the climb up the lighthouse is spectacular.

The final shot is from the entire group doing some stand up paddleboarding and kayaking. This activity (stand up paddleboarding) is taking the Outer Banks by storm and taking a tour of the west side of the Outer Banks is a wonderful family activity. Here’s a link to a company that offers this service to guests.

Thanks Kelly for sending along your pictures for our Memory Monday. It sure looks like you all had a great time. We look forward to serving you again soon.

All the best from the beach!

Enjoying the Beach!: Memory Monday January 23, 2017.

Enjoying the beach!

Happy Monday everyone. We hope your teams won yesterday and are in the Super Bowl in two weeks. Lots of Pittsburgh Steeler fans here on the Outer Banks and among our usual guests so we feel for you, but we are very excited for Atlanta Falcons’ fans today who get to cheer for their team in the biggest football game for just the 2nd time in history.

It is an overcast, but very warm day here on the Outer Banks today with temperatures in the 60’s A Great day to fly a kite, or take a quiet stroll on the beach.

Speaking of which that brings us to this week’s Memory Monday photo submission. Susan Spencer of Pickerington, Ohio provides us this week’s pictures of kite flying and ghost crab hunting. Two great pastimes here on the OBX for our visitors.

Susan and her family have stayed with Outer Banks Blue several times over the years including twice in 2016 and she’s coming back again this spring. She is a regular in the rental property “Aurora.”

We thank Susan for sharing her photo memories and hope she makes many more when she returns in 2017.

All the best from the beach!

Top 10 Activities for Kids on the Outer Banks

Every parent desires to build memories with their child and what better way to build memories than when you’re on vacation. Going on vacation can get costly especially if you have kids, but fun doesn’t have to be expensive. Here is a list of activities you can do with the kids for little to no cost while you are staying in the Outer Banks.

Go Crabbing

This is a fun activity for all ages. When I was a young child we would go crabbing in the sound all the time. There are a few things you will need for this activity. First you will need a bucket, a net, some raw chicken, and some string (strong enough to hold the chicken.) Once you have this you will want to cut the chicken into chunks and tie the string around it. After that you are ready to go. Once you get to the sound dump your chicken into the water while holding onto the string. Soon enough you will have a crab gran onto the chicken. Scoop the crab out of the water with the net and place it in the bucket with water. Once you have had all the fun you can handle you can release the crabs you have caught. You are able to keep them as long as they meet requirements. I would check with a local bait and tackle shop to see what the requirements are as they may change.

Visit a Lighthouse

Making a trip to the lighthouse can be both fun and educational. There are three different lighthouses to choose from here in the Outer banks. First you have the Currituck Lighthouse in Corolla, then you have Bodie Island located in South Nags Head, and last you have Cape Hatteras which is located in Buxton. The kids will enjoy climbing to the top and seeing the view.

Visit the North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island

This would be a fun rain day activity. Many places you visit will have an aquarium close by but the kids always seem to enjoy going. At the aquarium kids will be able to see alligators, otters, and the largest collection of sharks in the state. They will love the touching tank full of stingrays and the hand on sea turtle rescue exhibit. If you go when it is not raining make sure to check out the nature trail and the sound side pier.

The Island Farm in Manteo

After visiting the Aquarium make sure to stop by The Island Farm for a fun and educational experience for the whole family. Here you will be able to experience island life as it was more than 150 years ago. Children will get the chance to dress up, play with toys and games from the 19th century, and play and feed the farm animals. Be sure to check their event page online before going. They offer special programs such as ox-drawn wagons rides and wash day on the farm only certain days of the week.

Visit Jockey’s Ridge

What could be more fun than climbing a large sand dune?! Nothing! That is why visiting Jockey’s Ridge is on our list! Kids will love running up the large sand dunes and then rolling down. Be careful though! In the summer the sand can get hot.

Visit the Wright Brothers National Memorial READ MORE

Happy Groundhog Day!: Memory Monday February 2, 2015.

Happy Groundhog Day!

Well Punxsutawney Phil woke up early this morning and saw his shadow so it looks like it is 6 more weeks of winter for us all. With that in mind today we share the photos of Nick Pompei of Warrington, Pennsylvania who stayed with Outer Banks Blue in the Nags Head Vacation Rental property “High Tide” this Thanksgiving and shot these remarkable “long exposure” shots of Jenette’s Pier at sunrise.

Now that is something we can look forward to every day….an Outer Banks sunrise.

Thanks Nick, we look forward to serving you and your family again soon.

All the best from the beach!
By Tim Cafferty, President, Outer Banks Blue Realty Services

Photo Memory Montage: Memory Monday November 24, 2014.

Photo Memory MontageThis week’s Memory Monday Photo memory comes to us from Andrea Ehret of Easton, Pennsylvania who stayed with at Outer Banks Blue us this past August in the vacation rental property “Dreamer’s Paradise” in Corolla. We actually should say “Photo Memories” because Andrea has taken some amazing pictures and shares with us 6 of the best shots we’ve seen in a while.

Who doesn’t enjoy a Corolla Wild Horse Tour?

Sunset at the Whalehead Club in Corolla

RUN….you are going to get wet!!!!

Shell store on the beach!

Seeing Double

Who are you looking at?!

Thanks Andrea for these great photos. We look forward to helping you make more memories on your next visit to the Outer Banks!All the best from the beach!By Tim Cafferty, President, Outer Banks Blue Realty Services

Tag: ghost crabs