By Henri Bauholz
The best known
beaches of North Carolina are located on the Outer Banks, a long, wild and windy stretch of barrier islands that include Kitty Hawk, Nags head Cape Hatteras and the island of Ocracoke. However there is more to the beaches of the Tar Heel State than just the Outer Banks. There is also camping at a private campground, state park or national seashore campground outside the hot and busy months of July and August. The summer is a great time to be at the
beach, but during the "dog days" of August you might prefer an air-conditioned motel room or a nice rental house. For camping try the fall or spring.
Go in September
Right after Labor Day would be ideal, especially if you enjoy swimming or surfing in the ocean. The ocean water is still warm, but the crowds of college kids and high school students has departed (schools here usually start before Labor Day), so you might find a campsite without too many problems, plus the nights have cooled off, eliminating the need for air-conditioning. September might be a nice time to try one of the campsites run by the National Park Service along the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. However, one does have to keep a watchful eye for tropical storms. But if you are a good board surfer, a distant storm might make for some good waves.
Beat The Season In June
The weather is good in June and so is the water except north of Cape Hatteras, where the northern currents dominate. There are good camping spots at Carolina Beach or Ocean Isle Beach south of Wilmington and the Gulf stream comes by these places making the water quite pleasant, even in the late spring. The weather is quite pleasant and the small, lively city of Wilmington is located nearby and makes for a good day trip. This would also be a great time for bird watchers to venture to the shores, for the avian creatures will be headed north and wearing their bright spring plumage.
Try Ocracoke Island for Opening Day
The Ocracoke Island campground run by the NPS opens on April 4th, so get your taxes done early and head for the beach to spend your surplus. Most likely you will have the windswept beaches of this unique outer banks island all to yourself. The coastal waters might still be a bit chilly for swimming, but the the lagoon at Ocracoke might not. Still there is plenty to do such as surf casting, birding or just walking along long deserted stretches of pure sand. The weather should be nice and hurricane season is still a ways away, as are the summer crowds.
About the Author:
Henri Bauholz is a professional writer covering a variety of topics, including hiking, camping, foreign travel and nature. He has written travel articles for several online publications and his travels have taken him all over the world, from Mexico to Latin America and across the Atlantic to Europe.
