Whispering Sands #3

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Play or Watch Others Play in the Waters at Canadian Hole

Canadian Hole is a public area located 1.5 miles south of Avon on Hatteras Island. Windsurfers and kiteboarders who travel to the Outer Banks from around the world spend most of their vacation playing in the Pamlico Sound waters at Canadian Hole. If you are driving by this location on a windy day, pull into the public parking area and take some time to relax and watch the surfers and boarders. Many of them are very talented at their sports and are fun to watch. If you can catch this area near sunset, it is a great photo opportunity with the sails in the sky and the sunset in the background.

Go Shopping at Hatteras Landing

Located in Hatteras Village next to the ferry docks, Hatteras Landing is a great shopping area where you can pass the time while you wait in the ferry line, or just stop and browse when you have a bit of extra time. Hatteras Landing Provision Company, Graveyard Deli and Market, Birthday Suits, Surfside Casuals, Farmer's Daughter and Kitty Hawk Kites/Carolina Outdoors are the shops that are featured in this fun shopping area. A local beach style is reflected in most of the inventory of these popular shops. For more information, contact Hatteras Landing at (252) 986-2205.

Watch Birds and Wildlife at Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge

Located on the north end of Hatteras Island, Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge was founded in 1938 as a winter preserve for snow geese. Today, the refuge is managed by the National Park Service and consists of 5,915 acres attracting almost 400 observed bird species. Naturalists, birdwatchers and fans of the sea turtle all frequent the Refuge during their trips to the Outer Banks. There is a Visitor Center on-site as well as a trail leading along the sound marshes in the area. There is no charge for this attraction, but don't forget to bring your insect repellent! For more information, contact the Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge at (252) 987-2394.

Take a Photography Adventure with Your Camera

Instead of purchasing postcards to take home with you as souvenirs of your Outer Banks vacation, take a photography adventure with your own camera. Whether you choose to photograph the various Outer Banks lighthouses, different species of birds, sunrises and sunsets, boats or any of the other many highlights of the Outer Banks, the natural beauty is sure to come through in your photographs. You can take your original photographs home and show them to all of your friends, or frame them and hang them in your house so you will always have a reminder of the Outer Banks!

Have a Beach Campfire

One more great thing about the Outer Banks is that on a clear night when the stars come out, you can see them all. A great way to relax and see all the stars is to have a beach campfire. Take your family down to the beach just before sunset and set up your chairs, refreshments and firewood. If you would like, bring a few roasting sticks and some marshmallows. Once the sun goes down and the stars come out, you will be amazed at the view. If you are within a few miles of one of the four Outer Banks lighthouses, you will be able to see the flashing light as it makes its rotation. Don't forget to build your fire away from the dunes and vegetation, and clean up after yourselves when you are done. Enjoy the stars (and the marshmallows!)

Tour the Chicamacomico Lifesaving Station

Located in Rodanthe on Hatteras Island, the Chicamacomico Lifesaving Station is one of the original seven lifesaving stations built on the Outer Banks. The original station opened at the current location in 1874 and became a storage shed in 1911 when a larger facility was built next to it. Crews at this station guarded the Hatteras Island northern coast for more than 70 years. Today, the lifesaving station is a museum of lifesaving equipment, awards and artifacts and volunteers are on staff to give guided tours. The station is open from Easter weekend through the Saturday after Thanksgiving from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Various programs are available during the summer months and admission is free, though donations are accepted. For more information, contact the Chicamacomico Lifesaving Station at (252) 987-1552.

Watch a Performance at the Outer Banks Music Showcase

The Outer Banks Music Showcase opened in the summer of 2004 and has been a popular entertainment destination for visitors and locals. The audience is entertained by various local performers who blend music with comedy to create family-friendly shows. Several music genres are presented including country, show tunes, pop, 1950s and 1960s, gospel and patriotic music. During the peak season, two performances are held each night. The theater is located in Kitty Hawk at Milepost 4.5 on US Highway 158. Tickets start at $19.95 for adults and $11.95 for children twelve and under. For more information, contact the Outer Banks Music Showcase at (252) 261-7505.

Go Windsurfing in the Calm Sound Waters Throughout the Outer Banks

There are several great sound side locations on the Outer Banks where you can go windsurfing. Canadian Hole, located between Avon and Buxton, is the most popular because of the wind and water conditions in the area. Nags Head sound side access at Milepost 16 and Jockey Ridge State Park's sound side access are popular spots to launch as well. If you don't know how to windsurf but would like to try it, you can take lessons at numerous places on the Outer Banks. If you are in the northern Outer Banks, you may want to try Kitty Hawk Watersports of Nags Head at (252) 441-2756. If you are on Hatteras Island, you can take lessons from Windsurfing Hatteras at (866) 995-6644 or Hatteras Island Sail Shop at (252) 987-2292.

Go Hiking on the Hammock Hills Nature Trail

Located north of Ocracoke Village, the 0.75-mile Hammock Hills Nature Trail will take you on a 30-minute walk through various sections of the Island, including sand dunes, maritime forest and a salt marsh. Signs along the trail teach about various plant life surviving in the Ocracoke weather and elements. You will want to remember your camera and insect repellent before you take this hike, and don't forget that snakes may be hiding in the underbrush. The trailhead is located just across Highway 12 from the Ocracoke Campground.

View the Sunrise Over the Atlantic Ocean

How many days of the year do you go to the beach before the sun comes up, sit in your beach chair with a cup of coffee and wait for the sun to rise? Have you ever tried it? While you are on the Outer Banks, make yourself get up early one day and head to the beach. Either watch the news or go on the Internet the night before to find out the exact time of the following day's sunrise - in the summer, it is normally between 6:15 and 6:45 a.m. Grab your chair, your coffee and your camera, set your alarm (it's only one day, you can do it!), and get out there! It will be one of the most beautiful things you will see during your stay on the Outer Banks.