We would like a romantic summer week near a relatively quiet beach - prefer good swimming and minimal biting insects - don't care about golfing, "sightseeing," fancy logos on towels, designer shampoos . . . just a clean and comfortable place where we can enjoy each other's company . . . We've got tons of brochures from the outer banks, etc. Some mention of undertow makes us wonder about conditions, weather, best times, etc.

Been there? Please advise . . .

Personally, the Outer Banks are my favorite East coast beach, but definitely stay in Duck which is in the northern part of the Outer Banks. It is much quieter there. Nice beaches--no crowds, nice restaurants and shopping...not real touristy, laid back and quiet. Definitely get a place right on the beach. More action and people in the Kitty Hawk area, but nothing in Outer Banks is real active compared to other East coast beaches.

Much easier to get to than the Outer Banks and in my opinion equally as nice as any beach area on the east coast is the area around Wilmington. Wilmington NC is a graceful old southern sea town which to date has been off the beaten tourist track. The town features ante-bellum homes and inns, spanish moss, and a very laid back atmosphere. The beaches in that region -- Carolina, Wrightsville, Emerald Isle, Atlantic Beach, and others -- are very beatiful. You can actually take hang-gliding lessons off the sand dunes on Wrightsville beach! I find the water to be much nicer than some other places in the south. Also consider visiting New Bern for a day.

Ocracoke Island is isolated. You must take the ferry to get there. We found it tranquil.
Also, Buxton, close to the famous Hatteras Lighthouse is close to the beach.

Any beach has undertows when the wind and tides are right - or wrong as the case may be.


But depending on when you go there, some of the beaches are semi deserted. (We were there post Labor Day.)

lived in Frisco on the outer banks for a summer and my sweetheart grew up on the island. not difficult to find a deserted beach, the sand is clean and when the tides are just a certain way the water is crystal. perfect for kite flying, bird watching, and hiking the dunes. many hotels/motels/efficencies in Buxton next to the light house - pretty dense in this spot - but there are others as you drive south down the island. interesting shops - Buxton Village Books right on hwy 12 (specializes in north carolina authors and stories as well as used books) and the Village Craftsman (by way of the ocacroake ferry) - carries the work of local artists and craftspeople. i have visited many beaches in north carolina, however i would always choose to visit the outer banks over any other. quiet and beautiful.

We used to rent a house in Nags Head on the outer banks when I was in college. It was quiet but that's a while ago. My brother loved to go to Ocracoke and spent his honeymoon camping down there. It's really pretty but I do remember that the ocean was rough. Now, living in No. Calfifornia, I don't think it was that rough----certainly not surfing stuff.

I can definitely recommend the Northern Outer Banks (particularly Corolla Light). This place is quiet, relaxing and you can bike all through the community. If you are looking for romantic, you should stay at a place called The Inn at Corolla Light (www.outer-banks.com/the-inn). This place is great. It has about 41 rooms in total and they have great package rates. Included in the rate is breakfast each morning and use of bicycles throughout your stay. The Inn overlooks the sound, but you can easily bike, walk or take a free trolley to the beach. In Inn has a nice pool, hot tub, gazebo and great walking trails leading to the Whalehouse Club. I strongly urge you to eat dinner at Steamers and Elizabeths Cafe (located in Duck). My husband and I just got back from spending 7 nights at this Inn and I think we paid about $700.00. We had a wonderful
time here and we definitely plan to go back!






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One reader very kindly sent me the following information, gently not wishing to contradict a previoous posting that contained some minor inaccuracies. As a Yankee, perhaps I am more willing to sacrifice good manners for accuracy. Forgive me, but I thought this contained such good information I wanted to share it with others. Here's the bulk of it:

"Wilmington, NC is not near many of the places that were mentioned by [another posting]. I grew up there. You cannot hang glide at Wrightsville Beach. That is at Nags Head. . . . may have it confused with Washington, NC which is a small town on one of the sounds.

In general the water will be cooler North of Cape Hatteras which is the Nags head and Kitty Hawk area. Ocracoke island is very nice, but you may have a tough time finding somewhere to stay. The Wilmington area is still nice even though it does not have everything. Beaufort/Morehead
City/Atlantic Beach is one of my favorite areas."

Besides, I find this less a criticism of the inaccuracy of some of the previous statements as a wonderful complement to it. Thank you, everyone!

The southern beaches of NC are the best. Wilmington and points south are much more relaxing than anything you'll find on the outerbanks. We go almost every year to Oak Island, 30 miles from Wilmington, just outside of Southport. It has wonderful small ocean front cottages at a more reasonable price than you'll find anywhere else. Southport will remind you of a New England fishing village. The island is not over built with a lot of neon. Perfect for a week for two who enjoy each other's company.