Offshore Fishing – Outer Banks Blue's Vacation Tips

Water Wonderland: Surfing, Kayaking, & Fishing in the Outer Banks

split photo of surfers, a kayaker, and a fishing rod and a fish

Nestled along the eastern coast of North Carolina, the Outer Banks is a breathtaking water wonderland that has something to offer for every kind of water lover. With its pristine waterways, rolling waves, and abundant marine life, this breathtaking stretch of coastline is a true paradise for surfers, kayakers, fishermen, and anyone who loves being on the water. READ MORE

Fishing for Fun and Food in the NC Outer Banks

Right off the coast of Cape Hatteras, two mighty currents collide.

One is the warm-water Gulf Stream, flowing up from the Gulf of Mexico. The other’s the Labrador Current, which carries much cooler water down from the Arctic Ocean. READ MORE

Discover Nature with Outer Banks Land and Sea Tours

Whether it’s your first time vacationing in the Outer Banks or you’re a regular visitor, one of the top ways to get to know North Carolina’s special barrier islands is to take a tour. Plenty of small group excursions highlight the best of land and sea in almost every area of the Outer Banks. Here are some of our favorite tours:

Lighthouse Tours

There’s something about a historic lighthouse that can transport you back in time in an instant. Two different kinds of historic lighthouses occur throughout the barrier islands, and maritime aficionados will enjoy visiting both of them.

The Outer Banks has three tall or “coastal” lighthouses that were built to warn passing ships about dangerous offshore shoals: Bodie Island lighthouse (built in 1872), Cape Hatteras lighthouse (built in 1869), and Currituck Beach lighthouse (built in 1875).

The two “harbor lights” lighthouses were built to help ships pass through to safe anchorage: Bald Head Island lighthouse, or “Old Baldy,” was built in 1797 and Ocracoke lighthouse was built in 1823. As you tour these lighthouses and take in the unique and rugged geography around them, you’ll get a real appreciation for why lighthouses are such a beloved part of North Carolina’s history.

Kayak Tours

Kayaking is a truly special way to experience the Outer Banks. Miles and miles of calm waters and pristine beaches invite you to explore. Guided kayak tours are available throughout the islands, and tour exertion levels can scale up or down to fit almost anyone’s ability. Before you begin your kayak tour, an experienced guide will show you how to safely and easily navigate your kayak, and will give you an overview of what you can expect to see.

Popular kayak tours include gliding past downtown Manteo and Ocracoke Village, birding and nature tours through quiet canals, taking in spectacular sunsets, and dolphin spotting. Kayak tour companies are spread throughout the Outer Banks, and the largest is Kitty Hawk Kites. Kitty Hawk Kites has a variety of popular tours, so it’s a good idea to call in advance to reserve your spot for their nature, sunset, or overnight pack trips.

Deep-Sea Fishing

One of the biggest draws to the Outer Banks is offshore fishing for large fish such as tuna, swordfish, and mahi-mahi. Charters accommodate groups of up to six people, so splitting expenses with two other couples or another family is a nice way to make this a cost-effective activity. Your charter captain will take you out to the Gulf Stream at dawn, an exhilarating experience in itself, and set you up with everything you need to land a good fish story — and a delicious dinner. Bring plenty of food, drinks, sunscreen, and motion sickness remedies. White, long-sleeved shirts, polarized sunglasses, and sun hats are also a good idea.

Paddleboarding

Standup paddleboarding is a relaxing way to experience the Outer Banks from the water. Paddleboarding is easy to learn and can be adapted for almost any fitness level. As one of the largest watersports outfitters, Kitty Hawk Kites rents paddleboards, provides lessons, and offers paddleboard tours of Kitty Hawk, Duck, and Manteo. You’ll receive about 15 minutes of simple instruction heading out behind your tour guide through the peaceful Sound waters. Paddleboarders frequently have close-up dolphin encounters, so just relax, paddle slowly, and enjoy the views.

Dolphin Tours

Speaking of dolphins, Outer Banks dolphins have a reputation for being just as excited to see people as people are to see them. A daytime or sunset dolphin cruise is the best way to spot friendly Atlantic Bottlenose dolphins as well as seabirds, turtles, and other wildlife. Paradise Dolphin Cruises is a popular dolphin-spotting choice for Outer Banks visitors. Their large catamarans are comfortable, shaded, and handicapped accessible, and their captains have a solid reputation for finding as many dolphins as you care to see.

Jeep Tours

With the top down, the sun on your face and the wind in your hair — is there a better way to experience Nature’s beauty than from a classic safari Jeep? Jeep tours in the Outer Banks allow you to cover plenty of ground while keeping you connected with the sights and sounds of these special surroundings. Corolla Jeep Adventures offer several ways to experience the Outer Banks from a safari Jeep. You can even reserve a Jeep for a 25-mile off-road self-guided tour where you’ll see wild horses, historic villages, lighthouses, and much more.

Touring the Outer Banks by land or sea is the perfect way to get to know North Carolina’s barrier islands. Whether you take a leisurely self-guided tour or follow an experienced guide along local roads, trails, or canals, a tour of the Outer Banks will be an enriching experience you’ll never forget.

Special Family Memories: Memory Monday September 29, 2014.

Special Family MemoriesThis week’s Memory Monday Photo submission comes to us from Robbie Dusing of Inwood, West Virginia who stayed with Outer Banks Blue this past July in the vacation rental property “Beachcomber’s Paradise.”This collage of memories lets us know that Robbie’s family had a great time on the Outer Banks.There is nothing like a family vacation on the Outer Banks to recharge your life batteries.Thanks Robbie for sharing. 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

Outer Banks “Wicked Tuna” premiere

Wicked Tuna North vs. South Premiere on The OBX! Tomorrow night (Sunday, August 17th) the National Geographic Channel premieres a new series that spotlights the Outer Banks offshore fishing industry in “Wicked Tuna North vs. South,” but an exclusive number of Outer Bankers got a sneak peek preview this past week. Outer Banks Blue’s reporter on the scene (me) was invited to attend the premiere.Wicked Tuna is a television series that is hugely popular and been running on the National Geographic Channel for the past three seasons. The show is based out of Gloucester, Massachusetts and follows the exploits of Bluefin Tuna fishermen that chase the monster fish in hopes of bagging thousands of dollars. “Wicked Tuna” is Nat. Geo’s most viewed program.Bluefin tuna are the most desired fish for sushi and the overseas markets, particularly Japan, are willing to pay $30 or more per pound for the fish that weigh in at several hundred pounds. Wicked tuna chronicles the adventure of catching these behemoth fish.Last season’s top boat (F-V Tuna.com) was able to bring in more than $126,000 worth of Bluefin tuna over the course of the 13 week television season 3 of the show.Trying to build on the success of the original show, this new series, “Wicked Tuna North vs. South,” brings some of those captains from Gloucester to the Outer Banks to put their fishing skills up against the best the Outer Banks has to offer and the premiere showed that the show is going to be hugely entertaining. The Outer Banks enjoys a Bluefin fishing season each year beginning in the winter months and continuing until the fishing quota is met in the early spring.The filming for the series took place in the spring out of the fishing village of Wanchese and highlights the local fishing boats “Wahoo,” “The Doghouse,” and the “Fishin Frenzy.” Local captains and mates were introduced in the show along with the already known captains and mates of the northern vessels. Local Captains Reed Meredith, Greg Mayer, and Britton Shackelford will be introduced to “Wicked Tuna” viewers in style and are soon to become very famous.

“Fishin’ Frenzy” headed to the fishing grounds

In the first few minutes of the series that will air Sunday night Captain Greg Mayer and his mate Nick Gowitzka open the Outer Banks Bluefin Tuna fishing season in a unique way. You will need to watch the show to see all of his antics, but Nick opens the season with

a bottle of champagne and a 12 gauge shotgun READ MORE

Tag: Offshore Fishing