parkcitygal

We're a family of 4 (kids-13 & 11) and are looking for a beach vacation destination in NC. Here is what we like to do on vacation:

1. Hang out on a great beach
2. Boogie Board
3. Shell hunting
4. Eat good seafood!!!

We're looking to rent a nice quiet beach house or condo on a quiet, not very populated beach, with restaurants nearby.

We'll be flying in so it would be nice to be within an hour of an airport.

We also like to play mini-golf, horseback ride...we just don't want the attractions in our back yard. The history of NC is really interesting to us...we're looking forward to the lighthouses and battleships!

We had zeroed in on Ocean Isle, NC until we found out that the beach was East-West and therefore not very good waves.

I need some direction for my search and I'm sure once I find a "destination" I'll have lots more questions regarding restaurants, etc.

Thanks in advance for all your help!

GoTravel

What month?

East/West beaches of Ocean Isle are fantastic because you can watch the sun rise and set over the water (well, sort of).

Pretty much Memorial Day through Labor Day ALL NC beaches will be busy but the first week or so of June and the last week of August will be less busy.

parkcitygal

We're planning our trip for the 2nd week of August 2007. We know it is the busy time but its less crowded on certain beaches where most of the rentals are homes and low-rise condos compared to someplace like Myrtle Beach (which is way to crowded for our tastes).

SAnParis

I don't think the fact that the Brunswick Islands face South, rather than East, would have much impact on the waves. They will be fine for Boogie boarding. As far as the horseback riding, that is something you see more of in SC & Ga. Perhaps somewhere closer to Wilmington since that is where you would likely fly into, for more varied dining. OI is actually my least favorite of the 4. Holden for the fewest people, least commercialization. Oak Island for the best amenities. Sunset & OI are somewhere in between. Many folks rent their cottages a year in advance, I'd start looking now. Try www.ncbrunswick.com. From any of those islands you can easily get to Wilmington or Southport also.

Brian_in_Charlotte

For what you're looking for, I'd think the Outer Banks is a better idea. You can fly into Norfolk and drive there in a couple of hours. Lots more wave action up there.

GoTravel

Lots of areas of Myrtle Beach are not crowded at all but that is another story for another day.

The Outer Banks are quite a drive from most airports because of the isolation of the islands but they are less crowded in many parts.

My suggestion would be a house on one of the Charleston beaches such as Sullivan's Island or Isle of Palms. I would probably skip Wild Dunes because that is one of the busiest weeks of the summer.

Edisto Island is another great beach that isn't too crowded (very few hotels) but it is about an hour south of Charlston.

parkcitygal

Where in the Outer Bank Islands? I was looking at homes in Corolla and they're huge and very expensive (at least the ones left for our dates).

GoTravel

Your dates are peak season and the best rentals are probably already gone or will be by February 1st.

Most people put down a deposit for the following summer while they are vacationing.

motor_city_girl

I saw that SAnParis topped my Holden Beach thread. I highly recommend checking it out. Still what I would call relatively undiscovered. WAY less crowded than MB.

I would be happy to tell you more if you are interested.

Brian_in_Charlotte

Duck & Corolla are pricey. Further south are Nags Head, Kill Devil Hills, Hatteras and Ocracoke and get less and less crowded as you move south. www.outer-banks.com

parkcitygal

What airport would I fly into if I chose the Outer Banks as a destination?

SugarPlum

You could look into Topsail Island. It's about a half hour north of Wilmington, and meets all of your #1-#4 requirements. We prefer the north end of the island (it's about 25 miles long), the section known as "North Topsail Beach". Mostly single family homes, with several larger condo complexes (Villa Capriani - nearer to the bridge to the mainland; and St. Regis or Topsail Dunes - about 5 miles north of the bridge).

Topsail puts you within easy reach of Wilmington - battleship, history, Ft. Fisher aquarium, shopping, etc. There are several other NC towns that you could easily visit also. Topsail is pretty secluded, but still has a variety of restaurants, a sea turtle hospital, WWII history (served as a military post) and at least one mini golf place...

We've been going there for many years, and it remains my favorite NC beach.

wliwl

parkcity:
You fly in and out of Norfolk, Virginia.

The houses on the Outer Banks are big - many are set up to be shared by more than one family. Do you have friends who might want to split a house?

Just so you are clear about crowds - The most crowded will be Kitty Hawk, Nagshead, Kill Devil Hills because they have public access to the beaches. The least crowded will be Corolla south to Southern Shores and south of Nagshead.

Our favorite area is Duck. It's just right. Not too crowded, not too far from things.

Here are some rental agents to check out:
resortquest.com
elanvacations.com

Any condos in Corolla, Duck or vicinity will be fine too. They are not monstrosities.

FlyingMaltese

There are some nice hotels near Corolla. Hampton Inn and Suites and Sanderling are on some nice beaches. This is another option if you do not want a big house. There is a tiny airport near those hotels, too. Although, you will be flying tiny planes to land in Corolla.

smeadows1978

You should look into Atlantic Beach/Morehead City. Its very family oriented and isolated enough to not be insanely crowded, even during peak season. Beach rentals are reasonable, with a good range of prices depending on what you want. The NC State Aquarium is just down the road as is an old Civil War fort. The ferry to Ocracoke is about an hour away, with horseback riding right on the beach next to the ferry dock. And two of the best hidden gems are seafood places in Morehead City--one is called Captain Bill's and the other is the Sanitary Fish Market and Restaurant. They're actually next door to each other! You can fly into RDU and be at the beach in less than three hours.

GeorgeW

I have just returned home from a week's vacation with my family at Topsail Island, a beach resort I have enjoyed for almost forty years since I was a seven year old lad. Topsail is within 45 minutes of airports in Wilmington and Jacksonville. This year I took the kids to the aquarium at Fort Fisher and next year plan to take them to the Battleship North Carolina which is docked on the Cape Fear River. Topsail is uncrowded, even in the peak months of July and August. Seafood is widely available at several restaurants (II Beauchaine's is best for fine dining, Riverview in Sneads Ferry is best for Carolina fried seafood) and there are several places which sell fresh seafood for you to cook on your own.

I would be happy to answer any questions you might have.

Dukey

If you want a beack=h along the OB that isn't terribly crowded even at the very height of the season then you might consider Hatteras Village.

Realty companies include www.sunrealtync.com and www.hatterasvacations.com

There is a wide variety of places to rent from small to 6-7 bedroom places with pools and elevators.

It isn't nearly as busy as the beach in Avon which is only a few miles north and it is also a short ferry ride from Ocracoke.