Tighe/Coach
What is the Hatteras Area like? Would it make a great vacation spot?
Jim
Hatteras Area
Moderator: MK
Hatteras is by far one of my favorite vacation spots on the Continental US. There is a description in Destinations that covers it pretty well. Here's some points from our recent trip.
This time of year is warm there. We were in board shorts every day cept the first two. When we first got there a cold front had us in full suits for the for two days.
Like the Gorge there are considerable sailing sites along about 80 miles of the outer banks. Also like the Gorge, the wind can be non existent in one area, or gusty and nukin steady somewhere else.
Conditions vary based on wind direction. You can sail ocean side waves, small chop, or glassy, yes truely glassy flat water.
The sound side of the island is scattered with long grassy islands. These create perfect flat water heavens. The islands go from grass to a foot of water so you can rip right along the shore ( on a kite board) is mirror like water when the wind is nukin. It was a blast kiting along, head off the wind a bit and crank a big turn in the butter up wind and spring. No need to send the kite, you put so much tension in the lines that you're flying high and floating down.
Housing in the off season is cheap. We were in a brand new 4 bed, 3 bath house with Jacuzzi for $75 for the week! (for 6 of us). Restaurant food is hit and miss. Better off buying food and making feasts.
Sounds like the summers can get pretty busy.
For non kiters or windsurfers or non wind days....beach combing, body surfing, surfing, hang gliding lessons at kitty hawk, light house tours, fishing, catching some rays, shop browsing, sand castles, etc.
The lower island is a beautiful place. Lots of sun bleached shingles homes on stilts and dunes. The northern part of the island is a bit more like S. Padre with a bit more of a commercial feel and more options for non wind activitites, eg. shopping etc.
The wind is steady...like a fan.
To drive out isn't bad. Two people, straight thru, minimal stops, about 22 hours. Try to time it so that you go through Penn. and Western Maryland in daylight. It is some of the most beautiful driving I've done. The northern Appalachian Mtns are amazing.
I'm definately going back.
Pictures...hmm. I know there was a fair bit of video taken though most of it was on the water so it wouldn't give the best view of the place.
This time of year is warm there. We were in board shorts every day cept the first two. When we first got there a cold front had us in full suits for the for two days.
Like the Gorge there are considerable sailing sites along about 80 miles of the outer banks. Also like the Gorge, the wind can be non existent in one area, or gusty and nukin steady somewhere else.
Conditions vary based on wind direction. You can sail ocean side waves, small chop, or glassy, yes truely glassy flat water.
The sound side of the island is scattered with long grassy islands. These create perfect flat water heavens. The islands go from grass to a foot of water so you can rip right along the shore ( on a kite board) is mirror like water when the wind is nukin. It was a blast kiting along, head off the wind a bit and crank a big turn in the butter up wind and spring. No need to send the kite, you put so much tension in the lines that you're flying high and floating down.
Housing in the off season is cheap. We were in a brand new 4 bed, 3 bath house with Jacuzzi for $75 for the week! (for 6 of us). Restaurant food is hit and miss. Better off buying food and making feasts.
Sounds like the summers can get pretty busy.
For non kiters or windsurfers or non wind days....beach combing, body surfing, surfing, hang gliding lessons at kitty hawk, light house tours, fishing, catching some rays, shop browsing, sand castles, etc.
The lower island is a beautiful place. Lots of sun bleached shingles homes on stilts and dunes. The northern part of the island is a bit more like S. Padre with a bit more of a commercial feel and more options for non wind activitites, eg. shopping etc.
The wind is steady...like a fan.
To drive out isn't bad. Two people, straight thru, minimal stops, about 22 hours. Try to time it so that you go through Penn. and Western Maryland in daylight. It is some of the most beautiful driving I've done. The northern Appalachian Mtns are amazing.
I'm definately going back.
Pictures...hmm. I know there was a fair bit of video taken though most of it was on the water so it wouldn't give the best view of the place.
Tighe
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jim lehman
- Posts: 64
- Joined: Mon Dec 09, 2002 10:14 pm
- Location: rochester
Hatterass Area
Tighe,
Thanks for taking the time to fully answer the question. Sounds like we will try to get down there this summer. I wanted to make sure there was plenty for my wife, so I could kite surf while she did her thing.
Jim
Thanks for taking the time to fully answer the question. Sounds like we will try to get down there this summer. I wanted to make sure there was plenty for my wife, so I could kite surf while she did her thing.
Jim