Spring on the Outer Banks
With the first day of Spring coming up on Friday, the snow flurries and cold winds of winter already seem like a distant memory. Shops are restaurants are beginning to open their doors again, and water and air temperatures are steadily on the rise.
Spring at the beach brings a comfortable climate with consistently breezy conditions. While it’s true you won’t want to go for a dip in the ocean (without a wetsuit), there are many reasons to visit the Outer Banks during the increasingly popular shoulder season. Spend each day in leisure walking the uncrowded beaches, or if you prefer, fit more into each day with little to no traffic on the roads. Vacation rental rates are down, so shoulder season visits are budget friendly as well as fun. Consider the following activities on your vacation:
Collect shells and beach glass on empty beaches. With fewer beachgoers, there is more to be found. Tip: Try hitting the beach after a storm – you will be amazed at what washes up.
Many beaches are open to 4-wheel drive vehicles in the off-season. Check to see if your town requires any permits, then head to where the pavement meets the sand and keep on driving.
Photo Courtesy Jennette’s Pier
Fishing is at its best in the Spring and Fall, and consequently there are many fishing tournaments to watch or participate in. If you’re new to angling, head to one of the many piers dotting our coastline; they will set you up with everything you need.
Attend a full host of Spring events from the culinary delights of OBX Taste of the Beach to the sweet tunes of the Mustang Spring Jam. Most festivals and community events occur in the shoulder seasons because of the comfortable temperatures and chance for those who work nonstop in the busy summer season to kick back.
Have a bonfire right on the beach. Slightly cooler nights are the ideal time to be warming your toes and roasting hotdogs. Just make sure to check out your town’s bonfire rules.
Shops, restaurants, and even local landmarks are opening for the year but are lacking the crowds. Visit your favorite restaurant or find a new one, search for clearance deals, or enjoy a well known site like Jockey’s Ridge Crossing sans the waves of visitors.
Let your pup romp on the beach with more relaxed leash laws. Fido loves vacations too!
Birdwatching is a very popular activity during the shoulder seasons, as many species of birds frequent the Outer Banks during these times. We recommend visiting a local preserve to see the largest variety of avian life.
Spring is a great time to sign up for a marathon or 5K. You will appreciate the cooler temperatures and be able to really take in the scenery without the traffic congestion. Check out the First Flight 5K and Flying Pirate Half Marathon to start.
If you’re a watersports enthusiast, this may be the perfect time of year for you. Breezier days mean wind sports like kiteboarding and hang gliding are in full swing. The sound waters also warm up faster than the ocean does. Even if you aren’t ready to step onto a board or take to the skies, these sports can be fascinating for spectators. A trip to the beach this Spring marks your chance to see the Outer Banks in a completely different light.
Author: Lexi Holian
Born between the ocean and sound on North Carolina’s Outer Banks, Alexi Holian can’t remember a time when she wasn’t writing. Along with contributing to island publications like My Outer Banks Home, The Wedding Guide to the Outer Banks, and Outer Banks This Week, she has covered everything from Miami food festivals to St. Barth sailing for travel and hospitality brands around the world.
