Looking for Uncrowded Beaches in May...does North Carolina fit the picture?
 

Looking for a place to fly to for our anniversary. <BR>We're looking for UNCROWDED, clean beaches, boat rentals, hiking, fishing,etc. Nothing fancy, but I don't think I want to camp. We don't want to spend a fortune on a place to stay, big resorts aren't really our thing anyway. We're more willing to spend $$$$ on activities. Good food also. <BR>I am thinking about possibly North Carolina. Ocracoke maybe? Don't know much about it or any of the surrounding areas. If you fly from New Orleans where do you fly into? Do you need to rent a car? What is the weather in May/June like? <BR>Originally thought about Maine, but the blackflies and cold weather scared me off.<BR>THANKS<BR>

Oh, it will probably be uncrowded during the off-season, because it can be darn cold in May! The water will be too cold to swim in. If you're interested in outdoor/water activities, you should consider somewhere farther south. Even the panhandle of Florida can be chilly in May (especially on the beach with the wind).<BR><BR>

Cape Hatteras (which begins just south of the rather crowded town of Nag's Head and ends at Ocrakoke, is a good bet for what you're looking for. Almost all of the accommodations are cottage rentals, many of them quite nice, which would have off-season discounts at that time of year. Getting "second row" off the beachfront brings the price down considerably. Boat rentals and charter-boat fishing are plentiful. A rental car is absolutely necessary.<BR><BR>Flying in? Raleigh/Durham is the primary airport in the region, but you'll have several hours of driving from there. Probably your best bet, though.

I can only speak from experience about the outer banks of northeast NC, from Hatteras to Corolla. Water through mid-June is still a bit nippy but warming quickly as Summer progresses. Memorial Day weekend will be crowded most places. Mid-June is beach week for thousands of high schoolers. Personally, I'd go for the week before Memorial weekend, or late June. Norfolk International Airport (ORF), Raleigh-Durham (RDU), and Wilmington airports are closest. About 1.5 hour drive from Norfolk to Kitty Hawk or Duck via new expressway.<BR><BR>Duck to Corolla, as well as Rodanthe to Hatteras, probably fit what you are looking for.

Norfolk is definitely the closest, but far.

Janet,<BR><BR>The outer banks (including Ocracoke, but you should also consider the Sanderling Inn in Duck, some ways north of Ocracoke). For the outer banks, I think your airport choices would be Raleigh (still about 4-5 hours from the outer banks) or Norfolk/Virginia Beach, which I think would be closer than Raleigh, at least for the northern part of the outer banks.<BR><BR>One alternative, based on the criteria in your post, is Ocean Isle NC, and particularly, a small & funky/charming hotel called The Winds (I think their web site is www.thewinds.com). Ocean Isle is a relaxed, clean beach--you won't see much in the way of crowds in May, and the weather should be decent. The island is separated from land by the intracoastal waterway, so there are quite a few boating opportunities; you can fish from the beach, pier or boat. You could fly into Wilmington NC or Myrtle Beach--either is about 45 minutes to an hour away. For hiking you may want to consider Island hopping--the barrier island next to Ocean Isle is called Sunset Beach (and it is a fantastic place, but the accomodations are mainly fairly large houses and no neat hotels like The Winds), and from the west end of Sunset Beach you can walk (at high tide) to Bird Island, which is absolutely uninhabited except for the creatures that give it its name and a "mailbox" for visitors to record thoughts, messages. Just North of Ocean Isle is a great little port town, Southport--some antique shops, a few hearty places to eat (e.g., The Provisions Company), and a killer view of the salt marshes and inlets.<BR><BR>Either place would be good for an anniversary getaway, with the emphasis is on natural beauty as opposed to resort-type attractions. If you haven't seen the outer banks, there is more to do there (several lighthouses, Wright Brothers Memorial and Museum, Jockey's Ridge is an incredibly high sand dune with the option of hang-gliding. But if you want a true getaway to a lesser known area, consider Ocean Isle and The Winds.<BR><BR>Have a great time! And happy anniversary.

You are likely to find real nice people there - not that there aren't nice people elswhere, but I had a really pleasant experience:<BR><BR>I left my small backpack on top of my car at Cape Hatteras and forgot about it, so it subsequently flew off at some point.<BR><BR>A local person found it, found my address, and mailed it to me at their cost!<BR><BR>For a natural beach experience, Okracoke is a real pleasure.<BR><BR>Have a great time!