Outer Banks Vacation Questions (Or Possibly Other Beach Area Recos)

Updated on November 30, 2011
L.R. asks from Carpentersville, IL
4 answers

My extended family and I are in the beginning stages of planning a week's vacation next July. We are thinking of the Outer Banks as it seems like a nice place (but we don't know anyone personally who has been there). There are 13 of us in all. Some of us were thinking it would be great to rent a private home with beach access (and ideally a pool and at least 5 bedrooms)...but some of us are concerned about there not being lifeguards on a private beach & the possibility of rip tides. We'll have kids age 11 down to 14 mos at that time. Two boys ages 10 & 11 who love to boogie board are probably the most concern - the younger ones won't go out deep at all. We don't want to be in a situation where we are hauling all of our gear in multiple cars to stay at a beach with life guards. From your experience...A) do you think it is truly best to be at a beach with life guards if you were in our situation and B) if we were to stay somewhere with life guards, does that mean then it would end up being a hotel or condo environment? (this is less ideal as our families only see each other twice a yr if we're lucky and even adjoining condos don't have a big kitchen/dining room environment for us all to share meals in and comfortably visit and such)

Appreciate all your feedback in advance...and let me know if you might otherwise recommend any of these other beach vacation spots: Bethany Beach (DE), Hilton Head, or Pensacola or Destin, FL areas. We appreciate a nice & clean vacation spot...but also appreciate not spending a zillion $$$ either.

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D.B.

answers from Charlotte on

We used to go to Duck near the Outer Banks. We had little kids in the family (no pool). The riptides and undertow were really strong - honestly, it was too hard on everyone. After two years of it, we decided that we needed to go farther down south to Wilmington to Wrightsville Beach. That water is so much easier.

Hilton Head is nice, but VERY crowded. Have you looked into Kiawah? That's a less crowded place.

To be honest, lifeguards are great, but you have to be the one lifeguarding your own children. They have throngs of people to watch. Having a calmer beach with the green flag out more often than not is what is most important.

Have a lovely time, wherever you choose!
Dawn

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K.B.

answers from Chicago on

outer banks is great - many houses are built specifically for multi-generational/multi-family rental. rent on the beach with a pool. there are not life guards - you just have to watch your kids and be vigilant. we were there last summer and had kids from 15-10 months - probably 12 kids in all and everyone had a blast.

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3.B.

answers from Cleveland on

We are going this summer, and got a GREAT deal on a house in Southern SHores. Our own pool, hot tub, and just minutes from the beach and the town of Duck.

Look up Southern Shores Realty. They were GREAT. They ask you what kind of activities you are looking for, the ages of people in your party and the amenitites you need. The only down side is you need 50% to hold the houses. But there are so many to choose from and price ranges!

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☆.A.

answers from Pittsburgh on

We have gone to Sea Colony in Bethany Beach, DE for for several years now. Very nice, family resort, highly guarded beaches and pools.

www.resortquest.com
Sea Colony Oceanfront is where we stay.

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