We've often vacationed (summer) at the Maryland beaches (north Ocean City). We enjoy many things about it (close to home, wide beaches in some parts, great waves, some good restaurants), but increasingly we've come to enjoy it less (mainly because of the crowdedness-- plus we don't enjoy the honkey-tonk).

I'm wondering how the Outer Banks might compare in terms of crowdedness. E.g. are the beaches very crowded in summer months? Are the restaurants terrifically crowded? What's the surf like? (E.g. though we've enjoyed Kiawah very much, we really miss not having waves.) Is the beach (say in Corolla or Duck) as wide as the good wide parts of the MD beaches? Or does one feel "on top of" other people?

Any specific comparisons of the two areas greatly appreciated!

Your experience in the Outer Banks will vary depending on where exactly you end up staying -- it's a loooong coastline. However, generally speaking:

- OBX beaches are generally not as crowed as Ocean City. There's no boardwalk and no high-rise hotels and condos. Most people stay in rental houses and low-rise hotels.

- That said, there are areas of the OBX that are busier than others. Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills and the northern area of Nags Head are the most commercial. Duck and Corolla are less busy, and areas south of Nags Head (where the national seashore starts) can seem positively secluded. Nevertheless, in the busier areas, you will still find heavy traffic at times, and a line to get into the more popular restaurants.

- The surf in the OBX can be pretty heavy -- definitely heavier than Kiawah, and sometimes heavier than Maryland. Last time we were there, (stayed in South Nags Head in September, following a nor'easter type of storm), we were unable to go in the water most days because the black flag was flying (and the lifeguards enforce it) due to heavy surf and riptides.

- When you head further south, and especially into the national seashore, you can have a stretch of beach to yourself. The water seems to take on a greener hue, and seems clearer and warmer (but that could just be my winter-weary soul talking...).

I personally perfer the OBX to Maryland, but I'll take Kiawah (despite it's lack of surf) over either of them because of the access to Charleston. It's nice to have choices!

It all depends on the weather off shore. For instance, last July at Isle of Palms (near Kiawah) the surf was very active most of the week (almost too active for kids).

Having said that, you have a very good chance of active surf (sometimes very active) in the outer banks. I wouldn't be concerned about that.

South Carolina beachs are superior to all. OBX can be cold, critters in the water, water too rough for kids. Kiawah or Hilton Head are worth the extra hours on the road. We have always experienced good surf there.

Thanks for responses. Am continuing my research.

By the way, in the 3-4 summers that we've spent at Kiawah (which we've enjoyed, especially the biking and the food), the ocean has been virtually flat calm-- great for little kids, but not so fun for these big kids who love to body surf. I know, of course, that if there're storms and such the surf even at Kiawah can be rough, but the norm is placid water.

I think that Corolla might fit the bill for us-- less crowded than Ocean City, but still not more isolated than we'd want. (Don't want to have to drive far for food, etc.) About how wide is the beach at Corolla and Duck?

Now the trick will be to find pleasant accommodations just for one couple. I know that most things are for large groups in that area.

Hoping for continued input-- and thanks for all so far.

I grew up in Eastern NC, and I would highly recommend forgoing the Outer Banks for the inland NC coast. The outer banks is harder to reach and the black flags seem to fly more often than not. Instead of OBX, check out Topsail Island. Great, affordable one family beach homes (my parents rent one almost every year) and if you get away from the city of North Topsail it's downright quiet. Also last year we had a very wide beach - although keep in mind the beaches change yearly here!

I'll argue a tad here w/Bill. If you want resorts, tons of people & to spend more $$, then the beaches he mentioned are right up your alley. Take a look @ NC nearer the NC/SC border for less people & cheaper digs. The Brunswick Island chain will have fewer people & will be less pricey (& you can likely get there just as fast as OBX). Oak Island will be busiest, most everything available, Holden Beach, the least. www.ncbrunswick.com. In lieu of Kiawah, its neighbor Seabrook, may be a better alternative.

I'll put in a plug for my favorite beach, Emerald Isle on Bogue Banks. It is further south than OBX, but not as far as the beaches around Wilmington. The beach is uncrowded and un-honky-tonk (for the most part). Not much in the way of waves, though.

I vacationed with my parents for many, many years at Bethany and I loved it, but I now can't imagine going back to the southern DE or MD beaches.

Interesting to me to see these new replies.
Not interested in Seabrook-- much prefer Kiawah because of its very handsome bike trails winding gorgeously through the whole area. Also, Seabrook, like Kiawah, lacks waves and we really enjoy ocean waves.
Of the other new suggestions, I'm wondering which would have good bicycling paths, plus great surf.
Also: It's just the two of us, so we need something like a one or two bedroom condo, not a house. Does such exist at these other places?
Happy for the continued input--thanks!

If you are considering beaches further south of OBX you might look at Litchfield Resort. You can bike within the resort, or go other places. I just read in our local paper that the OBX is suffering this year because of the high gas prices, so accomodations may be more available.

The beauty of many of the Brunswick Islands is that most of the housing there consists of cottages (although some condos are available). Many have restrictions on height & number of units which helps control the number of people, as well as uncontrolled development. Perhaps you should take a look @ Bald Head Island, since it seems you prefer a more 'resort-type' atmosphere (?).

There is no comparison between the Outer Banks and Maryland's beaches. I may be biased but the beaches here in the Outer Banks are much better.

The Northern beaches, Corolla and Duck tend to be wider. The relative strength of the waves will depend on weather as someone else pointed out, though the Northern beaches tend to be much calmer due to the distance on the continental shelf. The shelf bends in as you head south. The North face of Buxton has the strongest waves of the East Coast.

Besides the beaches the Outer Banks offers great attractions like Jockeys Ridge and the Wright Brother Memorial. Also, there are several mid-atlantic maritime forest you can talk a hike through if the weather is too hot.

Nags Head Woods:
http://therealouterbanks.com/nags-head-woods.html

Jockeys Ridge State Park
http://therealouterbanks.com/jockeys...tate-park.html

If you have any questions feel free to email me.