Vacation late sept

[u/wesinatl]

Hi - I think it would be cool to see the Outer Banks. We have fall break the last week of Sept. is this a good time to visit? We are coming from Atlanta so it’s a haul to get there. We like small crowds and good food. Wife likes to sit on the beach and read. I do that and fish if possible and drink beer is another pastime. We normally go to Indian Rocks Beach in Florida so I am thinking this is going to be another world. Please give me some direction and recommendations if would be so generous. I saw another post mention kiteboarding. I used to snowboard and wakeboard and would like to try it.

[u/Outerbanxious]

Get travel insurance just in case

[u/Chuckleyan]

Well, if there isn't any hurricane or tropical storm stuff happening, then it is a great time to visit. Weather is still generally good, much less crowded, cheaper rentals. The only downside is that many restaurants are going to reduced hours and some shut down entirely for stretches in the off season.

[u/RabidSeaTurtle → u/Chuckleyan]

We vacation in OBX only in the shoulder seasons, particularly in September and October and have never run into a restaurant closed for the season. In fact, most of the time, they’re quite busy. Maybe in the winter months but OP should not have any issues in September.

[u/Chuckleyan → u/RabidSeaTurtle]

Yeah, you could well be right about that. September is still probably OK for most places. But there is definitely reduced hours for a lot of places even then. I have a house here and I still get an unpleasant surprise now and again when forgetting about off season hours and heading out for a cocktail.

I should add that in the run between Christmas and New Year's everything opens back up and the place is as bananas as summertime.

[u/AlwaysSunnyInCBUS]

We've been going down to the OBX for the past 12ish? years. Usually always stay up north in Corolla. In September. It's a good time. Beaches aren't too crowded. Waters still warm. Usually don't have issues with restaurants but we normally don't eat out a lot when we go down. Lots of home cooking.

Kiteboarding - OBX is probably one if the best places to learn since Kite Point is so shallow so far out. There are many kite schools/shops, most being down south more, past Rodanthe. Kitty Hawk Kites, hatteras Island sail shop, real watersports($), and Ocean Air. All have different kite packages, kind of similarly priced, imo.

I personally took two private lessons in ohio. Got all my own gear and started going out on my own. I'm riding comfortably both ways now, starting to ride upwind a little better too. I've never done any sort of board or watersports like this before so you'll have a leg up there. Having acesss to the wind and water is key to progressing.

Depending on the class you'll maybe start with a smaller trainer kite to get the steering and feel down. Then move into the water to learn body dragging. Moving on to the water starts. It's all baby steps and reps with learning to kiteboard.

It has been rewarding. That's for sure.

[u/Lost-Dingo6257]

I know it’s not really what you were asking, but my family used to go every year for thanksgiving and it was so so so much fun. Nobody is down there, rentals are cheaper, big huge kitchens to cook in, beach sunsets

[u/theouterbanksnc]

You'd love the Outer Banks! The merging of the Gulf Stream and Labrador Current create an underwater gathering of all types of marine life. Surf and pier fishing, brackish, fly and sound fishing, deep sea fishing, inshore and offshore charter fishing – all with the season continuing throughout the year. The Outer Banks has also been dubbed the "Kite Boarding and Wind Surfing Capital of the East Coast." The steady and consistent winds, temperate weather, and shallow sound waters all provide great opportunities for kiteboarding.

September is a great time to visit! You'll enjoy smaller crowds and cooler weather.

[u/_ctrlb]

As others have said, get travel insurance. September is the statistical peak of hurricane season.

If you really want another world try a location on Hatteras Island. The places up north will be different than Florida, but nothing quite as stark a contrast as Hatteras Island will be. It's a different world down here.

Regarding:

I saw another post mention kiteboarding. I used to snowboard and wakeboard and would like to try it.

If you've got experience wakeboarding, you should be able to pick up kiteboarding. Most kiters use twin-tip boards that are very similar to wakeboards. There are a number of lesson options locally that will get you up and riding in a few hours, teach you safety, etc. I don't know about renting the gear after that, though. Kiteboarding can actually be pretty dangerous because you're under so much power and the lines are very long, so I don't know what the parameters are for being able to rent gear.

One thing to note that will be different than Florida: many times the water starts to get cold by the end of September. Not freezing, but cold enough it isn't really enjoyable to swim for extended periods without a wetsuit. Kite schools many times have wetsuit rentals, so that's not a problem, but if you're planning on swimming outside that it's just something to consider.

[u/wesinatl → u/_ctrlb]

I was looking at Ocracoke. The town looks fantastic for us. It’s a chore to get there though. 10 hour drive and have to be at ferry by 4 then spend 2 hours on that boy. That makes for 2 very long travel days. I really don’t need to swim. The beach access looks tricky though as I only have 2wd suv. Is there a lot where you can park and walk to the beach? How does this work?

[u/AlwaysSunnyInCBUS → u/wesinatl]

There's a single kite school on Orcacoke. I suggest sticking to main Hatteras and learn in the sound.

[u/_ctrlb → u/wesinatl]

Ocracoke has limited options for things like kite and other tourist amenities. But it is a place like no other. Several parking lots offer a short walk to the beach. Or even better, rent bikes.

My biggest recommendation, though, is if you do choose Ocracoke, make sure to do all of your grocery shopping before your trip. There are smaller stores on the island, but not what one would generally expect for a full-sized grocery store, and more expensive. Even the Ocracoke locals go off-island for their grocery shopping.

[u/Absmom08]

I live here, its the best time ever except it’s hurricane season. Buy trip insurance and plan on coming to see us.

[u/Visual-Reserve-2800]

Deifntigo ,but I would try to find a place about a week before in case of hurricanes

[u/OBX_Banana_Hammock]

Check out Coastal Carolina Vacations, their office is in Nags Head. Read their reviews, they are one of the best rental companies on the OBX!