03/24/22

Top Outer Banks Beach Vacations

Some of the finest vacation beaches are in North Carolina’s Outer Banks, and Ocracoke and Buxton were ranked as two of the top ten beaches in the USA! Dr. Beaches, aka Dr. Stephen Leatherman, is a coastal research specialist. He’s been compiling this list every year since 1991. He compares more than 650 beaches, and his choices are based on water and sand quality plus 50 other criteria. Ocracoke Lifeguarded Beach and Buxton’s Old Lighthouse Beach are consistently in his top ten. We understand why.

Ocracoke Lifeguarded Beach is a haven that can only be reached by sea. Part of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore, you will find lifeguards present during the season. Whatever time of year you choose to go, you will find beaches that are pristine, wild, uncrowded, and clean.

Ocracoke Lifeguarded Beach

The nights are clear and made for stargazing. Obtain a permit from the National Park Service, and you can build a bonfire on the beach. While there, visit Ocracoke’s lighthouse. With five-foot thick walls at its base, it is a sold beauty and the second oldest lighthouse in the nation.

Buxton’s Old Lighthouse Beach on Hatteras Island is another experience. This stretch of beach attracts surfers and other ocean sports aficionados. The same energy that creates superb surf carries seashells to the shore; it is a joy for beachcombers. Rent a boogie board or a surfboard. Go to nearby Kite Point, Canadian Hole, or Cape Point for windsurfing, kiteboarding, or surf fishing. Or, simply spread your towel on the beach, get into your chaise, pull out a good book, and marvel at the power of the ocean.

Cape Hatteras Lighthouse towers over beach dunes near Buxton, North Carolina, US

This is the perfect time to plan your beach getaway. The Outer Banks is made for honeymoons, romantic escapes, or a friends and family vacation. The top-rated beaches of Buxton and Ocracoke have unparalleled appeal. Make plans for your dream beach vacation today! 


12/5/17

What makes Hatteras Island oceanfront vacation homes so special

A family enjoys a beautiful sunny day watching dolphins from the deck of their Hatteras Island vacation home, Summer Solstice an oceanfront rental home in Hatteras Village on the Outer Banks of North Carolina

The magic of a Surf or Sound Oceanfront Vacation Rental Home

Imagine starting every morning of your vacation watching the early-rising surfers paddle out past the breakers as the sun makes it’s colorful entrance over the horizon, or spending your evenings watching the local dolphins make an impromptu appearance along the blue horizon. At an oceanfront vacation rental, these dreamy scenarios are an everyday reality. And when it comes to the “best of the best” of oceanfront homes, you simply can’t beat Hatteras Island, or Surf or Sound Realty.

Ocean serenity, sea oats in bloom and clouds marching across the horizon in Rodanthe on Hatteras Island on the Outer Banks of North Carolina

Famously Peaceful Beaches

Hatteras Island is renowned for its beaches, which extend for roughly 50 miles from the Bonner Bridge to the tip of Hatteras Inlet. Tucked just behind the dune line, an oceanfront vacation rental provides a front-row view to this stunning shoreline, which is world-famous for its natural condition and lack of crowds. You won’t find any busy boardwalks, throngs of people, or beachfront businesses on Hatteras Island, but you will find miles of peace and quiet in veritably every direction.

Beautiful ocean views from the dining and great room in Hatteras Grander, a Hatteras Village oceanfront vacation rental home on the Outer Banks of North Carolina

Incredible Oceanfront Homes

In each of Hatteras Island’s villages, there are a select number of vacation rental homes that have front row access to the beach and the ocean views. Surf or Sound Realty is proud to represent the island’s largest and best collection of these oceanfront homes. From charming three bedroom retreats that are perfect for small families to exquisite 9 bedroom sandcastles that boast all the amenities of a world-class private resort, our portfolio of homes is beautifully varied, and can cater to vacationers of all tastes, sizes, and preferences.

Veranda and patio by the private pool and tiki bar at Bramasole, at Bramasole, an oceanfront vacation home in Avon in Hatteras Island on the Outer Banks of North Carolina

Top Quality Amenities

In addition to the stunning ocean vistas that come complimentary with every oceanfront vacation rental, many of our homes also feature the most coveted guest amenities, including private swimming pools, tiki bars, indulgent hot tubs, game rooms with pool tables, wet bars &  tv stereo systems, theater rooms with real stadium seating, cozy gas fireplaces, and more. Best of all, with ample decks overlooking the shoreline and plenty of gathering spots where the ocean views serve as a backdrop, guests will soon discover that at an oceanfront home, the endless Atlantic views are always a part of the vacationing scenery.

Reserve Your Oceanfront Rental Today

From the ability to stroll out to the beach at any time of day or night, to enjoying the best sea breezes the island has to offer, there’s a lot to love about an oceanfront vacation rental. Secure the best spot on the island, and peruse our vast collection of oceanfront properties that are scattered throughout our world-famous island, from Rodanthe to Hatteras Village.


03/30/17

Boating on Hatteras Island

boating girls

You would expect that a vacation destination that’s surrounded by hundreds of miles of water would have a booming boating culture, and when it comes to Hatteras Island, you’d be exactly right. The island’s roots have long been tied to boating, from the first wave of tourists in the 1930s who would commission locals to take them on fishing and duck hunting trips, to the charter and tour companies that provide more modern expeditions today. And as a result, all a visitor has to do to join in the fun is to contact a local marina or charter boat, step aboard, and dive right into the scene.

So where can you go, and what can you do while you’re on board one of the countless vessels that call Hatteras Island home? There are plenty of options for exploring the seemingly endless waters, ensuring that vacationers of all tastes can craft an Outer Banks boating experience that exceeds all expectations.

Charter Fishing

As any seasoned visitor knows, Hatteras Island is one of the best destinations in the world for fishing, and with a fleet of inshore and offshore charter fishing businesses at multiple marinas, it’s easy to dedicate a half or full day to enjoying island fishing at its very best.

Offshore vessels venture out to the Gulf Stream — a warm water major current that’s found roughly 15 miles off the island shoreline. In these deep and clear blue waters, anglers can target the big prize catches, including marlin, Mahi, tuna, and sailfish, depending on the season. For a fishing adventure on a smaller scale, visitors can also embark on an inshore fishing trip. These boating excursions target the ocean, sound, and inlet waters that are closer to the island in search of tasty species like cobia, trout, bluefish, flounder, and sheepshead, and can even veer off course for a little clamming or island-hopping while en route.

Boat Tours

Boat fans who’d prefer a more relaxed and thorough exploration of the island will also find a wide range of boat tours available at multiple Hatteras Island areas. Often offering different themes, (like dolphin cruises, sunset cruises, or eco-tours), these adventures present the island landscape in an entirely new perspective — from the vantage point of the wide Atlantic Ocean or Pamlico Sound waters. A must for kids and families alike, a boat tour is a truly inspiring way to see all the highlights of Hatteras Island.

Commandeering your Own Vessel

Vacationers who come to Hatteras Island with their own vessel in tow will find plenty of opportunities to explore on their own steam as well. The village of Hatteras has more than a half dozen marinas to load up on supplies and fuel, and virtually every major community on the island has a public or private boat ramp for visiting mariners’ use. With nice wide channels that connect with the open water within minutes, mariners are always a quick and easy trek away from endless on-the-water adventures.

Ready to discover your inner island mariner? Then get your crew down to Hatteras Island. With a centuries-old and inherent love of the water, the island-wide boating scene of Hatteras Island is genuinely the best on the Outer Banks.

Bringing Your Own Boat

What if you’re already an avid boater and you have a boat of your own? A number of our vacation homes have private docks. Just be sure to check the description as the drafts vary.

DockSailin DockLaytonDockWildwind DockOntheWaterfrontdock_backlanding dock_waveslanding dock_paradisecove dock_tarpon dock_carolinabelle dock_bonitolanding dock_dreammaker dock_castncrew dock_sandysoles dock_summerwind dock_30milesout dock_sunkist dock_arrowheaddockPenguin

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


11/14/16

Hatteras Island is Becoming a Popular Wellness Destination

Hatteras Yoga, Warrior Two at Sunrise - photograph by Daniel Pullen

Hatteras Yoga, Warrior Two at Sunrise – photograph by Daniel Pullen

A healing seashore atmosphere, two new yoga studios, professional massage therapists, and fresh local food markets in most of its seven villages are allowing vacationing guests to escape the hustle and bustle of their urban and suburban lives and nourish their mind and body on island time. “The island has a very calm, relaxed energy. Our clean air and water, bright, starry skies and vibrant sunsets set us apart from other commercial wellness resorts.” explains Cena Jennette, who returned to her native Hatteras to raise a family after years living, and teaching yoga in cities all over the East Coast and California. She opened Hatteras Yoga Studio in 2015 and has been overwhelmed by support from both the local yoga community and visiting yogis from all over the world. Vacationers don’t just stumble upon the studio while they’re here; they get away with the intention of practicing; bringing with them their favorite yoga mats, open minds and infectious energy. The influx of health-focused visitors allows for international guest instructors at the studio, who in-turn energize the local community. One of Hatteras Yoga’s most popular offerings is private yoga sessions on the beach or in a guest’s private vacation home. “They’re a great way to celebrate upcoming weddings, milestone birthdays or to just spend time really connecting with loved ones in a peaceful place.”, said Jennette.

Hatteras Saltworks

Another newly forged business on the island, Hatteras Saltworks, creates local sea salt by gathering clean, nutrient-dense sea water at the intersection of the Labrador and Gulf Stream currents just offshore. While most sea salt manufacturers bake or boil their water, Hatteras Saltworks’ unique solar evaporation technique may take over 45 days, but it allows for optimal nutrient retention. The result is a soft, flakey product. “Clean air, solitude, salt water everywhere — and a natural beauty that can only be found on an isolated sand bar…” are all reasons to appreciate life on Hatteras Island, according to Hatteras Saltworks co-owner and operator Brian McMahon.

There’s something nourishing about eating food raised in the wild, and local seafood markets are the place to get just that. A true family affair, Harbor House Seafood Market in Hatteras is run by Vicki Harrison and her husband Robert. Their passion for seafood and the culinary arts is evidenced in the carefully prepared meals and sides you can purchase alongside the local fresh-caught seafood in their market. Their children Graham and Alana both work in the market preparing food, helping customers and fishing inshore and offshore to provide the store’s inventory. If you don’t know how to cook something, don’t worry, just ask Vicki. She will describe preparation in such mouth-watering detail, you’ll rush out with your stomach rumbling (if that hasn’t already happened from the rich smell of crab cakes cooking when you walk in the door).

A week-long stay in a premier vacation home offers access to amenities like hot tubs, private swimming pools, saunas, and outdoor gathering spaces for taking in the sea air, sunrises and sunsets. Surf or Sound Realty has the largest number of oceanfront homes on Hatteras Island and has been providing premier vacation homes for wellness-seeking vacationers since 1978.


08/24/16

Short Stays Make Hatteras Island Vacations Flexible

Family Enjoying Beach

Vacation rental homes on the  Outer Banks  are known to be rented by the week, but did you know that most of our 450+ homes are available for partial week reservations?   Have you ever felt like you need a vacation  but just can’t stay for an entire week,  or that one week just isn’t enough? We know how important vacation time is to families and we want   you to   have a vacation that fits your needs. Partial week stays at a percentage of the weekly rate are a great solution.

If you’re interested in a  partial  week rental:

SCHEDULE: Look at your calendar, talk to friends and family and decide what times you are available to visit.

SEARCH: Look for homes that meet your criteria and have availability during the time you’d like to visit.  

LIST: Create a list of your favorite homes or use our convenient Beach Bag feature to make one for you – you can even share it with friends!

HIT  THE  BOOKING WINDOW: The partial stay booking window is within 14 days Labor Day through Memorial Day and 7 days during the Summer and Holidays.  Once you’re in the window  check to see what’s still available in your list!

CALL:  one of our knowledgeable vacation  specialists (1-800-237-1138) to work out the details!

  
Consider These Family Stories:
  

The Richardsons spend a week in July every summer in the same 8 bedroom oceanfront house. They love it. The kids spend all day   rotating between the beach, pool and game room, and the home’s multiple levels allow all 15 family members  to spread out and not ever feel crowded. No matter where they are in life they know they will have this annual family vacation to come back to.

Two years ago, the heartache of leaving Hatteras Island at the end of vacation  got to be too much and Tom and Sherry decided they needed to find a way to get back to their happy place before July. They called Surf or Sound Realty to talk about options for Fall and that’s when they learned about  partial week rentals. They found out that after Labor Day a partial week rental can be booked in an available home  within 14 days of arrival with the owner’s approval. Perfect. They aimed for a long  weekend in October, went on the  website at the end of September to  search for available homes and called to book  a 4 night stay in a beautiful 5 bedroom soundfront home with a fireplace and hot tub. July sunrises over the ocean and October sunsets on the sound.  Life is good.

  

The Talons make the trek to Hatteras Island from Quebec every April to take advantage of the stellar kiteboarding conditions. After two years they realized that a week wasn’t quite enough so now they book a two week stay or longer. Since they have flexibility in their time off, they will often add a few days to the  front of their trip or after depending on what is available in the home (and what the wind forecast is).

There is a three-night minimum for partial week stays and during peak summer seasons and holidays partial rentals can only be made 7 days in advance. Click here for complete description of the prices and policies.

 


07/20/16

Hatteras Island Named Top Beach for Horseback Riding

horseback riding on the beach

Young Riders Enjoying Their Hatteras Island Horseback Riding Experience

Riding alongside the ocean, salt air blowing through your hair,  sun setting over the dunes. It’s the stuff of fairytales. It also happens to be one of the lesser-known activities available to you and your family on Hatteras Island. Our beaches are the perfect spot for horseback riding, in fact,   Hatteras Island was named one of the top 5 places in the country for horseback riding on the beach by Drive the Nation!

Here’s more on the two  locally owned companies offering this service:

Hatteras Island Horseback Riding

Hatteras Island Horseback Riding is open year-round and all of their riding is done on the beach in the Cape Hatteras National Seashore and Recreation Area. Since 2006 they have  specialized in offering safe rides for families and those with very little horseback riding experience. For $190 total the whole family can enjoy the two horses at the beach for an hour. They also offer summer sunset rides and can accommodate those with special needs and all ages!

Equine Adventures

Equine Adventures  is located in Frisco and offers a two hour guided group trail ride through the maritime forest to the beach. Riders will enjoy a 45 minute beautiful trail ride through the woods, 30 minutes on the beach, and 45 minutes back through the woods to the barn. Rides are $120/per person in the summer and riders  must be 10 years of age. All experience levels are welcome.

Call or email to schedule this memorable event today!

Hatteras Island Horseback Riding
252-216-9191 |willemwish@centurylink.net

Equine Adventures
​252-995-4897 |  info@equineadventures.com


02/24/16

Top 7 Free Activities on Hatteras Island

While the snow is still melting around the country, we wanted to help get you in the right state of mind. Let’s talk vacation. And not the crazy expensive lavish one. The real one that you can not only afford, but which will create so many meaningful memories. They say the best things in life are free, and we tend to agree here on Hatteras. Without further ado, here are a few recommendations of some things to do that won’t break the bank while you’re staying with us.

1 –  BEACH |  It’s obvious why you chose this beautiful place. And there’s nothing better than just taking it all in with friends and family. With miles of pristine coastline, there’s no shortage of serenity.

  

  2 –  LIGHTHOUSES |  The Cape Hatteras Lighthouse is the world’s tallest brick lighthouse standing at 208 feet tall. Known for its black and white candy cane stripes, its beam of light spans 20 miles into the ocean, protecting one amazing stretch of land. While there is a fee to actually climb the lighthouse, the grounds, Hatteras Island Visitor Center, museum, book store, shaded picnic area,.75-mile nature trail and beach ramp access to Cape Point are free, making this an attraction offering a little something for everyone. Note: You can also check out Bodie Island and Ocracoke Island Lighthouses on either end of the Seashore as well!


3 –  PEA ISLAND NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE |  
Located on the north end of Hatteras Island, the bird list for Pea Island Refuge consists of more than 365 species; the wildlife list of 25 species of mammals, 24 species of reptiles and five species of amphibians. The Visitor Center is chock full of state-of-the art exhibits and is totally free to check out. With walking trails, wildlife displays, birdwatching, and seasonal guided canoe tours.

4 –  GRAVEYARD OF THE ATLANTIC MUSEUM |  The Museum is dedicated to the preservation, advancement and presentation of the maritime history and shipwrecks of the Outer Banks from the earliest periods of colonization to the present day, which greatly emphasize the 1524-1945 period. If shipwrecks and history are your thing, you will absolutely dig this expedition. While this attraction is free, donations are welcome.

5  –   FERRY RIDE |  The Hatteras/Ocracoke Ferry is one of the most popular of the seven coastal ferry routes run and managed by NCDOT. Free, with no reservations required, this island-hopper runs 365 days a year and is a great way to jet on over to Ocracoke Island for the day. You’ll catch a number of folks boarding in cars, trucks, bikes and on foot for a scenic ride offering views of sun, sand, surf, water and wildlife. Dolphins love springing up beside the ferry when the water’s warm, so keep your eyes peeled!

6 –  GET YOUR ART ON |  Let the inner artist in you come out to play. Hatteras is saturated in creativity! Check out local artisan works in these lovely one-of-a-kind island galleries: Kinnakeet Clay Works, Pea Island Art Gallery, Blue Pelican Gallery, SeaWorthy Gallery, Indian Town Gallery, and other hidden gems you’ll surely find along the way with galleries in each village on the island.

7 –  WATERSPORTS + FISHING |  Shallow sound waters and great ocean wave action have made Hatteras Island a prime destination for folks who enjoy kiteboarding, windsurfing, surfing, boogie boarding, kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding. You’re sure to fulfill some lifelong adventure dreams right here…and for free! Always be on the lookout for clinics and demo days where you can try these out at no cost. If you try it and rock (like we know you will), many of the local establishments offer super affordable classes and even rental equipment that they’ll deliver right to the door of your rental home.


08/28/15

8 Reasons to Love Fall on Hatteras Island

Fall on Hatteras Island

Some places it’s the turning color of the leaves, or the start of football season. On Hatteras Island fall is marked by cooler comfortable  evenings  and warm golden  light. The waters’ warmth lasts into October, the pace slows down a bit after the full swing of summer.  Residents and visitors take a deep breath and pause to  enjoy what for many is the most savored time of year on the Outer Banks. Here are some of the best things about Fall on Hatteras Island, won’t you join us?

Beach Bonfires
Allowed with a permit year-round, beach bonfires bring a warmth that’s especially welcome when the air is a bit cooler in the evenings on the beach. Whether roasting marshmallows for S’mores or just hanging out and telling stories in its glow – there’s something comforting  about gathering around a fire with the people you love the most.

Beach Bonfires

Fall Restaurant  Fare
It’s harvest season. Pair that with the bounty the sea brings this time of year and you’ve got the perfect recipe for fall feasting at locally-owned Hatteras Island restaurants.

Fishing
Speaking of fresh catch, fall fishing is a favorite pastime of many residents and generations of visitors to Hatteras Island. Whether you charter a boat off shore, paddle  a kayak  out in the sound, or cast a line from the beach or one of our piers – fishing is truly fantastic  in the fall.

Fall Fishing

Golden Sunsets and Color-drenched Sunrises
Because of its position in the sky and the increasingly shorter days, sunrises and sunsets in the fall a spectacle to behold. Set against the golden sea oats or the fluffy marsh grass, the silhouettes and skies of fall please  photographers and sky-watchers of every caliber.

Surfing  and Kiteboarding
Hatteras Island claims  the best surfing and kiteboarding on the East Coast, and wind and wave conditions are particularly good in Fall months. Rodanthe and Buxton are the most popular spots for surfing and uncrowded breaks can be found up and down the island.

Surf Season

Fireplaces
When you aren’t gathered around a bonfire outside, you can gather in your home’s great room around the gas-log fireplace to tell stories, play games or watch a movie.

Hot Tubs  
Find respite from the crisp night air by slipping into your warm hot tub, listening to the waves and taking in the stars  in the island’s unpolluted night sky.

Fall Festivals and Events
With a festival or event nearly every week, there are many wonderful ways to get involved and get inspired by the food and music of the region. Here are just a few, check out our Event Calendar for a full run-down of what’s happening.

Island Art Show –  October 10, 2016 in Rodanthe
Come out and enjoy the work of over 20 local artists and their wares, enjoy live music, lunch, and a raffle. Show is FREE and raffle and food proceeds benefit local causes.

Outer Banks Triathalon – September 17 – 18,  2016 in Manteo
An annual racing  event,  Individual athletes and relay teams exhibit various ranges of skill and expertise.  2 days of inspiration, excitement, relationships and achievements.  USAT Sanctioned event includes custom designed finisher medals, SWAG, and post race party with free beer and food for all Finishers.

Day at the Docks – September 16-19, 2016  in Hatteras
A celebration of Hatteras watermen with seafood cooking demos, fishing boats and gear, fishing industry skills contests and competitions, live music and games for children.

ESA Surfing Championships – September 18-24, 2016 in Nags Head
The largest amateur surfing organization in the world hosts the season’s “grand finale” where the best of the best surfers go head to head.

Outer Banks Bluegrass Festival – September 20-24, 2016 on Roanoke Island
4 days of down home cookin’ and good ‘ole Southern pickin’ featuring National Bluegrass Artists Rhonda Vincent, Sam Bush and Sam Vincent in a beautiful outdoor waterfront venue.

OctoBEERfest – October 1, 2016 in Avon (Pangea Tavern)
Gather at Pangea Tavern (I mean the German beer hall) for German food, beer specials, and live music. Cheers to fall!

Hatterasity Bluegrass Festival – October 6-8 in Hatteras Village
A three  day Bluegrass Block Party featuring local food and talent, with regional and national bands playing bluegrass and Roots music. An event for food, fun, family and community.

Duck Jazz Festival – October 9, 2016  in Duck
Free day-long festival showcasing national, regional and local jazz musicians on two stages.

Outer Banks Seafood Festival – October 15  , 2016 in Nags Head
A  fun and educational experience promoting, honoring and celebrating the area’s seafood heritage and community. You’ll find cooking demonstrations, educational booths and, best of all, the chance to eat fresh, local seafood from more than a dozen restaurants.

Fish Like a Girl Charity Fishing Tournament – October 15, 2016 in Avon
The Avon Pier’s all girls fishing tournament. A portion of proceeds will go to support the Hatteras Island Cancer Foundation.


07/31/15

Tips on Creating the Best Outer Banks Beach House Meals

Surf or Sound Beach House Dinner

The afternoon sun begins to lower in the sky, the kids start to wander in from the beach, and  the  family shoppers  have just returned from the market with pounds of fresh local produce and seafood. It’s time to begin the annual ritual of cooking a bountiful vacation meal.

Whether you have a family full of chefs or you prefer to keep things as simple and lazy as possible, vacation meals create rich, fond memories, that can be summoned up on even the coldest Midwest winters day.  We’ve gathered our favorite advice from experienced guests and chefs to help you plan the best culinary experience for your family.

Preparation

While you don’t have to have every detail of  your menu planned out, it does help  to prepare a bit ahead of time.

Start a Pinterest board with your favorite recipes and meal ideas and invite family members to contribute. Check out our Delicious Beach Eats and Great Beach Drinks boards on Pinterest for inspiration.

Bring your recipes with you.  Don’t worry if you can’t find what you want to cook online.  Take  a photo of your grandma’s best seafood recipe  card or your favorite magazine clippings with your phone so you can access them  away from home without the risk of losing family heirlooms. You can even upload the image to pinterest.

Assign meal nights ahead of time. Make a list of everything you’ll need and ask family members to sign up to bring items like spices, cooking oils and special sauces so you want have to buy everything once you get to the house. Some families like to assign nights ahead of time so that each group has a specific meal to prepare for. Even kids can get involved, helping to prepare ingredients, set the table, and decorating.

Breakfast

Fresh brewed coffee, bacon, eggs, sausage and pancakes? There’s nothing better than coming home from a long sunrise stroll on the beach to the smells of breakfast cooking. Some families have traditions where the first to rise in the morning gets breakfast started for the group. Others keep it casual with everyone preparing their own breakfast as they get up. However you like to do it, vacation is a good  time to try new things and treat yourself. Try this recipe for Everyday Granola  from Epicurius, it can be made  ahead of time and makes a great addition to  yogurt.

Ingredients

  • 3 cups old-fashioned oats
  • 1 cup coarsely chopped pecans
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened shredded coconut*
  • 3 tablespoons (packed) brown sugar
  • 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/4 teaspoon (generous) salt
  • 1/3 cup honey
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 1 cup assorted dried fruit

Preheat oven to 300 °F. Line rimmed baking sheet with parchment. Mix first 7 ingredients in large bowl. Stir honey and oil in saucepan over medium-low heat until smooth. Pour honey mixture over oat mixture; toss. Spread on prepared sheet. Bake until golden, stirring every 10 minutes, about 40 minutes. Stir granola  and  cool. Mix in fruit.   Can be made 1 week ahead. Store airtight.

Lunch

Mid-day is the perfect time  to try one of Hatteras Island’s local restaurants or sandwich shops or picnic at the beach. If you had an early start it might also be a great excuse to take a break from the beach to make a sandwich and a cool drink. Try this recipe for Best Gazpacho from the New York Times. You can make a large batch ahead of time so that when lunch time hits, you have something that will cool you down, quench your thirst, and satisfy your hunger all at once.

Ingredients

  • About 2 pounds ripe red tomatoes, cored and roughly cut into chunks
  • 1 Italian frying (cubanelle) pepper or another long, light green pepper, such as Anaheim, cored, seeded and roughly cut into chunks
  • 1 cucumber, about 8 inches long, peeled and roughly cut into chunks
  • 1 small mild onion (white or red), peeled and roughly cut into chunks
  • 1 clove garlic
  • 2 teaspoons sherry vinegar, more to taste
  • Salt
  •  ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil, more to taste, plus more for drizzling

Combine tomatoes, pepper, cucumber, onion and garlic in a blender (If necessary, work in batches.) Blend at high speed until very smooth, at least 2 minutes, pausing occasionally to scrape down the sides.  Add the vinegar and 2 teaspoons salt. Slowly drizzle in the olive oil. The mixture will turn bright orange or dark pink and become smooth and emulsified, like a salad dressing. If it still seems watery, drizzle in more olive oil until texture is creamy.

Strain the mixture and discard the solids. Transfer to a large pitcher or bowl  and chill until very cold, at least 6 hours or overnight.

Before serving, adjust the seasonings with salt and vinegar. If soup is very thick, stir in a few tablespoons ice water.  Serve in bowls or glasses, over ice. A few drops of olive oil on top are a nice touch.

Dinner

Laughing with family you see just a few times  a year  over a glass of wine while you  prepare the evening meal is an experience unto itself.   Dinner in a Hatteras Island  vacation rental home has so many  options. Many guests choose to  divide cooking duties among the larger group with each  person or small family  in charge of a different week night. Some families have theme nights, a Polynesian Luau by the pool or a Mediterranean tapas night. Some folks even bring a folding table and a grill down to the beach and dine oceanside. It’s hard to beat the sound of the crashing waves as a dinner soundtrack and younger kids can continue to expend energy running on the beach.

Tapas Night

Tami Vogel is lucky to have chefs in the family – Pictured is their version of tapas night.

Try this  lowcountry boil  for a fun, no-fuss meal that will have everyone satisfied.

Here are even more top  tips from our  experienced guests!

The first day we make a shopping list and go get groceries for the week. – Brittany M.

Anytime someone goes to the store we always ask if we need anything and they pick it up. We used to keep track of what we would buy and divide the expenses at the end of vacation…but it’s so much nicer to just pick up whatever is needed and don’t worry about it. We are all family. – Carlene O.

The ladies in our family get together several months before vacation and plan the menu for the week. Then, each family chooses a night to cook. We also divide up set-up and clean-up. If you cook, you don’t do clean-up or set-up. We put money in a “grocery pot” for the week, and take money out of it to purchase groceries. It works well for us. – Sharon W.

Each family signs up for a dinner (we’re parents plus three married children with their own kids for 4 dinners). Then we have an eat-out night, an “everyone pitches in” night, plus a left-over night on the last night. The first night is often brought from home–lasagna (frozen homemade) or tacos or something with little prep time needed. Probably our favorite beach (dinner) meal is a mixed seafood dish in seafood stock (often clams, crab legs and crabmeat, fish, shrimp and mussels) with linguini or fettucini. Everyone brings items to share for lunches, breakfasts, snacks and desserts. If a family wants to do a big breakfast like sausage gravy and biscuits, they usually do it for everyone. And of course there has to be an “Apple Ugly” morning! And in our family it is ‘traditional’ that we finish the ice cream on the last morning. As to chores, those not cooking usually clean the kitchen after a meal (voluntary basis)  – Carol M.

Thanksgiving turkey dinner! The family is scattered now, so we take advantage of the ones we get to see for vacation. Plus the frozen turkey works as a great ice pack on the trip down!! – Sherri M.

One year I did a surprise Hawaiian Luau and brought outfits for everyone, had great food and we even had a scavenger hunt. It was fun! – Carlene O.

(On nights the family isn’t cooking)…  we have pizza nite, everyone chips in night, on your own night, usually each family goes out, and then leftover nite or clean the fridge out nite usually the last day – Ranae F.

Fish tacos or take a folding table down on the beach about 4pm, make lots of fun appetizers, dinner for the kiddies and hang out all together until bedtime for kids. The best. – Ellen H.