Judy

Looking for a beach vacation which includes swimming and I've heard Outer Banks water is rough? Any feedback?

carolyn

Yes, you can swim there. Yes, some days it is rough, but other days it can be as calm as a swimming pool. The public beaches are good about posting flags when the conditions are bad.

If the rip tides are bad, a red flag will be posted and you'll get yelled at by the life guards.

I lived there for a year, and vacationed many, many years there, and only once encountered a day so rough swimming wasn't allowed.

Kathy

We have vacationed in Duck for many summers and the ocean is definitely swimmable. The above poster accurately describes the conditions.

Whitey

Feel free. I swim off shore all the time, especially when I'm hungry.

Judy

Thanks Whitey, that's what I was afraid of!!!!! And thanks for the info about the swimming.

Whitey

Judy, can I smell your juicy foot?

pamr

Judy, my family & I have spent almost every summer weekend there for the last 2 years. The water is generally (9 times out of 10) "rough" enough for good, fun, safe boogey boarding. The water in the Buxton area is beautiful - emerald green & very clear. As to sharks... I don't know of many beaches where they are not a problem. The OBX has some of the nicest beaches I have been to (I just wish they had palm tres!!) and there are both guarded areas & many places where you can have a good chunk of beach to yourself. You might also want to consider the Crystal Coast of NC ( around the Beaufort area - be sure to go to Shackleford banks) and further south in the Wilmington area - Kure Beach & Atlantic Beach.

pamr

Whoops - Atlantic Beach is on the Crystal Coast. Wrightsville Beach is another beach near Kure beach. Anywhere on the NC coast is nice! We live in Va. Beach, Va. & prefer the OBX any day!