Hatteras Vacation: 2013 Holiday Events

There is nothing quite as wonderful as being in a small village or town during the holidays. For the locals and visitors to Hatteras Island, this time of year is filled with fun and joyous activities and events that make this place even more special than it is during the summer. From the decorations at the stores, around homes and along the streets to the chill that comes off the water each day, it is no wonder why everyone immediately gets into the holiday spirit on Hatteras Island. It is absolutely the perfect time of year to spend a weekend or a few days at one of our Hatteras vacation rentals. Here are just a few of the holiday happenings on Hatteras Island.

Santa’s Bonfire, Frisco Woods Campground, Tuesday, December 3, 2013, 5pm

One of the best things to do in the chillier months is build a big bonfire. And that is just what the Kiwanis Club of Hatteras Island does each year to kick off the holidays. This event is all about family while going on hayrides through the campground, roasting marshmallows, singing all of our favorite Christmas carols and even, dare we say it, getting a visit from the jolly old soul himself—Santa Claus! Don’t worry about dinner because there are also complimentary hot dogs, chips, cider and cookies at this FREE event. 

Breakfast with Santa, Hatteras Civic Center, Saturday, December 7, 8:30-10am

Kids love to come to the Hatteras Civic Center for Breakfast with Santa on Saturday, December 7. There are two times from which to choose—one at 8am and the other at 9:30am. In addition to having a picture made with Santa Claus, kids can make ornaments and other crafty things. Tickets are $6 for kids and $8 for adults. There is also a 50/50 raffle with tickets being sold at the event. We know how kids want to add stuff to their list and even remind Santa not to forget something. This is their chance!

Hatteras Village Christmas Parade, December 14, 2pm

What would Christmas be without a Christmas parade? Thank goodness the Hatteras Village Civic Association understands and sponsors our annual Hatteras Village Christmas Parade. While many towns have their parades earlier in the season, this parade is held just about two weeks before the big day. Starting at 2pm from Teach's Lair Marina, participants strut through the village to Hatterasman Drive-In. And, yes, Santa glides through the parade waving at all the kids. Participants decorate floats, wear costumes and even dance through the street to show off their holiday spirit. Onlookers line the street to watch everyone wave—especially Santa Claus! At the end of the parade, everyone heads to the Civic Center for home-made cookies and hot chocolate. It is a fun-filled day and one that the entire looks forward to every year.

Cape Hatteras Lighthouse Winter Climb, Saturday, December 14, 10am—3pm

Before staking a spot along the parade route, take some time and climb the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. The Winter Climb is an annual event where the lighthouse is opened for the day and those daring enough can climb the 248 steps to the top for free. This lighthouse is the most recognizable of all the OBX lighthouses and offers some of the most beautiful views of the Atlantic Ocean right around the area of the Graveyard of the Atlantic. Be sure to bring a jacket or sweater because it gets chilly up there!

Hatteras Island Has the Holiday Spirit

December is one of our favorite times on the Outer Banks. For visitors, Hatteras Island has the holiday spirit. In addition to fun events like these, there are other quaint events at retailers to make the holidays on Hatteras Island even better.

For more information on any of our Hatteras vacation rentals, email us or call (252) 987-0090.

Hatteras Island: Best Places to Eat

A huge part of vacation centers on meal times. Hatteras Island is filled with fun and unique places to eat no matter what time of day. One of the best things about Hatteras Island restaurants is that there are no chain restaurants. Not only is each place about serving good food that is freshly prepared, they offer a beachy laid back atmosphere that screams “chill out” (in a good way).

Whether you are all about seafood or are a land-lover, there is a restaurant (or two or three) to serves what you crave. Most are very reasonably priced and offer exactly what guests to Hatteras Island crave. Even though most of our guests are scattered about in our Rodanthe, Salvo and Avon, NC vacation rentals, they are very close to Hatteras Island’s best places to eat. Here are a few of our favorites.

Buxton Munch Co. Restaurant, Osprey Shoppes, Buxton. This is a great lunch stop. It has delicious wraps, sandwiches, fish tacos, smoothies and the typical things you want at lunch and even a casual dinner. We always suggest to guests to grab lunch to-go and head to the beach for the day. Buxton Munch just expanded the inside to accommodate a dinner crowd from 5:30 to 8:30pm on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays when dinner calls for a fresh wrap with local seafood and an ice cold beer.

Diamond Shoals Restaurant, 48042 Highway 12, Buxton. Let’s talk chowder!! Diamond Shoals chowder was recently voted the #1 chowder at the Hatteras Island cook-off and it very much deserves the award. This long-standing establishment is located next to the Hatteras Light House and features some of the best food on Hatteras Island. It is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner and features everything from crab cakes to fresh and local seafood to the island’s largest salad bar and kids’ food – basically a little bit of everything.  Breakfast is always good with traditional southern breakfast fares. Oh, and Diamond Shoals has the only sushi bar on all of Hatteras Island. For those who want to fix dinner at home, stop by the Diamond Shoals Seafood Market to get locally caught seafood.  Make sure you plan on eating at Diamond Shoals. Make sure to have some chowder!

Billfish Bar and Grill, Teach’s Lair Marina, Hatteras. A fairly new restaurant in town, Billfish Bar and Grill is one that is only open during the season (warm weather). Situated on Pamlico Sound, the restaurant’s guests love to sit outside and watch the fishing boats come in and the crews unload their catches. The Billfish menus offer everything for everyone from sandwiches to burgers to grilled fish and other seafood and salads. Even though the food is good, we always recommend this place because of the atmosphere. There is a large selection of beer and wine which adds to the whole thing.

Pop’s Raw Bar and Restaurant, 48967 Highway 12, Buxton. The minute you pull up to Pop’s, you know you are without a doubt in the Outer Banks. This is the place to go if you want fresh oysters, clams and other local favorites. And, yes, for you land lovers, Pop’s has burgers and other “regular” food too. Locals frequent this place so you know it is good. There is nothing like sitting down to a dozen raw oysters or freshly boiled shrimp with an ice cold beer.

Gidget’s Pizza and Pasta, 41934 Highway 12, Avon. Every guest at Shore Vacations always asks about pizza.  That would be Gidget’s. Open for lunch and dinner, it has a cozy pizzeria atmosphere with everything that you expect to get at a pizza parlor. The very best part is that they deliver! And, whether it is the first night at your Hatteras rental or a lazy evening after a full day on the beach, dinner calls for pizza or something else on Gidget’s menu. It is not uncommon for us to order lunch from Gidget’s when we want pizza.

Something for Everyone on Hatteras Island

No matter what you crave, there is something for everyone on Hatteras Island. It is important to note, however, that some are only open during our “season.” If you visit our beautiful island in the off-season (basically when it is cold), it is best to check and see if they are open. Some are open all year simply because there are locals that live here year-round and like to go out to eat too. So just check first.

Outer Banks Birding: Fall Raptor Migration

While on your fall Outer Banks vacation, grab your binoculars, field guide, and camera and then head to the Cape Hatteras National Seashore to witness the spectacular arrival of migrating raptors. Every fall, hundreds of thousands of hawks, falcons, eagles, and ospreys, which originate from summer breeding areas as far north as the Arctic, fly to their wintering habitat. Some of their destinations are as far away as southern South America.

Most raptors are soaring birds that depend on updrafts to help them travel. With model efficiency, they ride updrafts and thermals where they lock their wings and rarely need to flap them. Upon reaching enormous heights, they dive at an angle covering great lateral distances where they catch another updraft and repeat the process. These maneuvers enable them to conserve their body fat and travel long distances in just a few weeks.

Because they are reluctant to cross large bodies of water where there are no updrafts, kettles of migrating species follow well-defined land routes and shorelines as they navigate toward their southern homes. For this reason, certain geographical locations become concentration areas where these birds of prey gather prior to crossing a narrow stretch of water. These locations, such as the Outer Banks, are excellent places to observe migrating species.

Here are some species that you might encounter on the Outer Banks, plus information about their hunting and eating habits that will help you decide where you can best spot them.

Accipiters

These birds of prey of the Accipitridae family are slender with short, broad, and rounded wings and a long tail that aids their stealth flight and quick turns as they pursue other birds on the wing. They use their long legs and long, sharp talons to kill their prey, and use their sharp, hooked bill for feeding. These hawks often ambush their prey, mainly small birds, and capture it after a short chase.

Accipiters that visit the Outer Banks include the following:

Sharp-shinned Hawks: These raptors surprise and capture all their prey from cover or while flying swiftly through dense vegetation. The majority of this hawk's diet includes small birds, especially songbirds.
Cooper's Hawks (pictured): Some raptors, such as the Cooper's Hawk, remain in North America and hunt birds in backyards or any place where people set up feeders.

Falcons

Falcons have long, tapered wings and tails. These agile, high-speed divers prey on other birds and small animals.

Peregrine Falcons (duck hawks, pictured): Peregrines have been clocked diving or stooping at speeds of up to 200 miles per hour, which makes them the fastest-moving animals on Earth. These falcons feed primarily on birds that they capture in the air such as ducks, pheasants, and pigeons.
American Kestrels (sparrow hawks): This small falcon hunts by hovering or perching and scanning the ground for prey. Its diet consists mainly of insects, reptiles, small mammals, and other birds.
Merlins (pigeon hawks): Merlins hunt larger birds than themselves such as sandpipers and flickers; insects including dragonflies and moths; small mammals, especially bats and voles; and reptiles.
Harriers

Harriers characteristically hunt by flying low over open ground, feeding on small mammals, reptiles, or birds.

Northern Harriers (marsh hawks): This bird's preferred diet includes voles, rats, and ground squirrels.

Vultures

Black Vultures: These vultures are scavengers who feed on carrion, but they will also eat eggs and kill newborn animals.
Turkey Vultures (pictured): The Turkey Vulture is a scavenger also and its diet is nearly all carrion. It finds its food using its sharp eye sight and smell, flying low enough to detect the gases produced by decaying animals.

Ospreys

Ospreys: The Osprey, the only species in the Pandion group, is a fish-eating bird of prey that hunts during daylight. The Osprey's talons are adapted for capturing and carrying fish. The talon surface is course and their toes can be positioned with three forward and one back, or with two forward and two back, an arrangement used by owls but not by other diurnal raptors.
Red-shouldered Hawk

Buteos

Buteo is a genus of medium to large, wide-ranging raptors that have a stout body and broad wings. These are the soaring hawks that most people recognize.

All Buteo species are somewhat opportunistic when it comes to hunting as they will prey on almost any type of small animal. However, most have a strong preference for small mammals and mostly rodents.

Buteos that you can see on the Outer Banks include the following:

Red-tailed Hawks: The Red-tailed Hawk is carnivorous and an opportunistic feeder. Its diet is mainly small mammals, but it also eats birds and reptiles. Their prey varies with regional and seasonal availability but rodents can be up to 85% of a Red-tailed Hawk's diet.
Red-shouldered Hawks (pictured): Red-shouldered Hawks are permanent residents throughout most of their range; however, northern birds do migrate, mostly to central Mexico. Red-shouldered Hawks hunt small mammals, particularly voles, gophers, mice, moles, and chipmunks. They are also known for hunting rabbits and tree squirrels and attacking birds as large as pigeons.

Eagles

Golden Eagles: Golden Eagles use their agility and speed combined with powerful feet and huge, sharp talons to catch a variety of prey such as hares, rabbits, marmots, and ground squirrels.
Bald Eagles (pictured): The Bald Eagle is an opportunistic carnivore. Fish makes up about 56% of their diet, depending on their range, and they also feed on birds and mammals. It is common to see them scavenging their meals.
Birders from all over the United States visit Cape Hatteras National Seashore to enjoy the fall migration of these awe-inspiring birds of prey. On your fall Outer Banks vacation, take your family to one of the lookouts along the seashore where you can watch the raptors hunting in the thickets and over the waters.

Are you looking for the perfect vacation rental on Hatteras Island? Contact Shore Vacations at  1-877-866-5640.

Learn Kiteboarding During Your Vacation

Kiteboarding or kitesurfing is a thrilling watersport to enjoy while vacationing in your Avon vacation rental or Rodanthe vacation rental home. Be sure to take advantage of the kiteboarding lessons and camps offered on Hatteras Island. It is easy for almost anyone to learn!

In this article you will what kiteboarding is, why it is an ideal activity at the Outer Banks, and where to find qualified instructors.

What is Kiteboarding?

The wind is the power source for kiteboarding. The rider stands on the board and uses the harness and foot straps to control their direction, speed, and, for experienced kiteboarders, aerial tricks. The large kite attached to the board catches the wind for propulsion.

Different sizes of kites can be used in different wind speeds. The rider is required to maintain control of the kite and the board simultaneously. The sport combines a variety of activities including wakeboarding, snowboarding, skateboarding, and waterskiing. You can learn more about the basics of kiteboarding by taking lessons while you are on vacation in an Avon vacation rental or a Rodanthe vacation rental.

Kiteboarding on the Outer Banks

Kiteboarding is particularly popular in Waves, Avon, Rodanthe, and Salvo due to its long, shallow stretches of surf and its sounds.
Kitty Hawk Kites has locations in Rodanthe and Avon and offers everything you need to get started, including lessons. Kitty Hawk Kites employs certified instructors and experienced kiteboarding professionals. They also offer kiteboarding equipment packages. Ask Kitty Hawk Kites about your kiteboarding questions while staying in your Avon vacation rental or a Rodanthe vacation rental.
REAL Watersports in Waves is another great place to visit for kiteboarding instructions and camps.

Learn From the Professionals

It is important to learn kiteboarding from experts at reputable companies, especially due to safety reasons. Learn about weather conditions, essential equipment, and how to keep yourself and everyone around safe. Kiteboarding is known as an extreme sport so let the professionals show how to do it right.
For more information on activities in the Outer Banks and for information on kiteboarding camps and lessons, contact Shore Vacations at 252-987-0090.

What’s Happening in September

If you are looking for a place to vacation in during September, you are going to want to consider a Hatteras vacation rental. Not only do we provide you with an island retreat feel but we offer activities that everyone in the family can enjoy.  You can easily have a quiet vacation and relax on the beach or have an active one by go fishing, surfing, scuba diving, or even attend one of these events.

September 16-21 – If you enjoy the wind, amazing waves and good times then the Hatteras Wave Jam is for you. This event is not only a windsurfing enthusiast’s dream but an event where people of all ages can be awed by the ability of windsurfing athletes. The Hatteras Wave Jam is presented by Trade Wind Events on the beautiful Hatteras Island. Wave Jam is a part of the 2013 American Wind Surfing Tour that will also be taking place in cities like Santa Cruz, Pistol River, San Carlos, Peru, and Maui, so if you are here while this event is going on we strongly suggest attending.

September 21 – While staying in your Hatteras vacation rental, come celebrate the “Spirit of Hatteras” at the Day at the Docks. This event features local musicians Clifford Swain, Herb Price and Kalman Gancos. There are also cooking demonstrations brought to you by restaurants like Harbor Deli and Breakwater Restaurant. For the kids, there will even be a fishing tourney. Our favorite parts of the event are Chowder cookoff and the Seafood throwdown. The Seafood throwdown will feature local chefs that will use mystery seafood caught locally. The day ends with a parade of boats and lawn dancing. It is the ultimate experience that gives you the true taste of the Hatteras lifestyle.

September 28 – Summeritaville, the best way to end your summer stay in the Outer Banks. This event is held at the Koru Village in Avon and has entertainment that the whole family will enjoy. To kick off the event, our very own Jeremy Russell, an Outer Banks musician, will be performing. Afterwards, Mesmerizing Arts will amaze the crowd with their truly spectacular fire dancing skills. For the main event, The Ultimate Party Band will perform, their music will be sure to make you want to get up and dance. In addition to performances, there will be a selection of Hatteras cuisine for you to enjoy and fun activities that the kids do.  Admission:  $10 for adults, $5 for children 12-16 years of age, and free for 12 and under.

If you aren’t one for attending events then we urge you to visit the Hatteras shopping center or one of our restaurants. To hear a the complete list of vacation rentals in hatteras that Shore Vacations offers, please call us toll free at 1.877.866.5640. We are sure that you will find a hatteras vacation rental that fits you and your family perfectly while on your vacation.

Chicamacomico Life-Saving Station

The Chicamacomico Life-Saving Station Historic Site & Museum is a great historical place to visit while you are vacationing in a Rodanthe vacation rental.

Chicamacomico is the first operational station in the state. There are many other reasons Chicamacomico is a unique historical location, including the fact that it is the only location that consistently performs the complete drill that is known as the Beach Apparatus Drill, which is conducted by teams of the U.S. Coast Guard who are in active duty.

History

The United States Life-Saving Service was created by the Congress. The main objective of the service was to check for ships that were in trouble along the state’s coast.
Chicamacomico, the first live-saving station in North Carolina, was constructed in 1874 and the new station was built in 1911. Structures in the original station include the boathouse, a cookhouse, and a cistern. Structures within the newer station include a boathouse, a garage, cisterns, and a stable. In 1959, the National Park Service had the original station moved closer to the 1911 one.
The Chicamacomico Historical Association, Inc., which was founded in 1974, is now the owner of the property. The association is a non-profit organization and aims to restore and preserve these buildings as well as to educate others about the history.

Commemoration

Chicamacomico is a commemoration of the shipwrecks, rescues, staff, and events that occurred as a part of the United States Life-Saving Service. While visiting Chicamacomico during your stay in a Rodanthe vacation rental, you can learn about the history of the United States Life-Saving Service through programs, demonstrations, drills, stories, exhibits, and tours. Exhibits include artifacts, photographs, videos, displays, journals, and equipment that have been used by the U.S. Living-Saving Service. The original 1874 station has items such as rescue equipment, a Beach Drill Cart, and a Life Car. The 1911 station has many exhibits.

American Heroes Day

Chicamacomico celebrated American Heroes Day on August 1. This was Chicamacomico’s 8th Annual American Heroes Day. Many events are part of American Heroes Day including the U.S. Coast Guard Beach Apparatus Drill, the Posting of Colors by the United States Coast Guard Color Guard’s North Carolina sector, the Rescue Story of the S.S. Mirlo, a Water Rescue Demonstration, and many displays.

Museum Tours

From April to November, the Chicamacomico Historic Site and the gift shop by the museum are open. An average tour that is self-guided is approximately one hour.

For more information on the Chicamacomico Life-Saving Station in Rodanthe and for information on a Rodanthe vacation rental, contact Shore Vacations at 252-987-0090. 

Shore Vacations Grand Opening

Where: St Waves Plaza at milepost 41.5

When: Saturday, August 31, 2013 from 10:00am to 4:00pm

Call for more information: 252-987-0090

Join us at St Waves Plaza and enjoy fresh seafood and BBQ; take home prizes and giveaways; listen to music provided by Beach 104.1; and take advantage of our rental discounts.

Attention Hatteras Island Homeowners!

At Shore Vacations, we provide full-service property management and we will even customize a management program designed to meet your special needs. Whatever management your property requires, Shore Vacations can help.

Marketing

Our management services include promoting your home through internet marketing, print materials, and press releases.

Reservations

We handle your online lease preparation; process reservation payments online or by phone; collect sales and lodging tax; secure a damage waiver fee or security deposit; offer travel insurance to guests; pay credit card processing fees; and maintain records for renter accounts.

Accounting

Our accounting department will file tax reports; maintain owner account records; send owners monthly statements and revenue; prepare year-end 1099s and profit and loss statements; and transfer funds.

Other Services

Shore Vacations offer a-la-carte home services such as basic or hourly maintenance; weekly house cleaning; weekly pool maintenance; weekly bed making and placement of linens and towels; and even hurricane preparation. We also provide web marketing including Mouse on House virtual floor plan tour and a VRBO.com home listing.