ssharris: I gave you info on Nags Head in other post re your OBX questions. More private beaches are further south, but the hurricaine took it's toll in southern areas last Sept. Suggest calling local OBX police/fire to get best up to date info- not sure I'd rely on the rentla agencies for that info. I think far Southern Nags head (close to the start of the Natl. seashore) may still be recovering some (some houses) but I know Hatteras (and I think Ocakroke) are still really recovering in the villages. Don't know about Waves, Radnathe, Salvo area. BTW, no lifeguarded beaches down there. But it is more secluded the further south you go. Other areas are open as usual and in very good shape.

Thanks EMD ... very good to know!

I know from your other posts that you are considering the OBX (and I've posted w/info on that) but that you have some concerns. Have you looked into the Florida gulf keys (Longboat, Siesta)? I was on Longboal Key mid-June and while we did not have the beach to ourselves in front of the nice condo we were in, there were not many people there at all (maybe saw 4-5 people on the beach while walking in the a.m., and maybe 10-20 out on the beach w/us later in the mornings, but no one anywhere near us.) The protected sea turtles were nesting on the beach, which was pretty cool to watch . The only time we ventured off the beach was to the good bird sanctuary. It gets hotter in June, but Memorial Day might still be nice. I have no idea how many owners go to their places there over Memorial day, but the snowbirds are gone by then. The water was brilliant and wonderful, great white sand also. We stayed out from around 8 a.m. til 11, then went in
or used the covered pool til later in afternoon (due to heat and sun- sun is a big issue for us due to skin cancer issues.) There is Sarasota nearby adn things to do there, but we never made it there. It was relaxing and quiet, and water was calm. Don't know what the rents are like over Memorial day though.

Thanks again EMD .... yes, we're still considering OBX, especially the Ocracoke area. We have received other suggestions in the past for Melbourne, Florida, Sunset Beach in Tampa area & also the Longboat Key area as some options to privacy, etc. Let me ask you ... out of those areas, are you still encouraging the OBX area? Just curious. Some how we're going to make up our mind ... we're so undecisive!

I'm not sure where you live, but you should try the outerbanks, NC. It is very beautiful down there. If you go in May, begining of June, you could rent a big house for around $1,000 a week.