A review of water activities for kids on North Carolina's Outer Banks
Water Worlds of the Outer Banks
For a thorough introduction to the aquatic life of the Outer Banks, a visit to the North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island is a must.
At the "The Graveyard of the Atlantic" exhibit, a scuba diver answers questions from young visitors who peer inside a 285,000 gallon sea water tank where hundreds of fish swim with sharks around a model Civil War wreck.
"The fish survive only because we keep the sharks well fed", says the diver, "though they will feed on the old and injured ones."
Over at the "Close Encounters" touch tank, kids scramble to pet a stingray.
"Before we put the stingrays into the tank, we trim the poisonous barbs from their tails - just like you cut your fingernails," explains a volunteer.
At the "Coastal Freshwater" exhibit, a local grandfather standing in front of a glass-caged cottonmouth explains how stubborn these native snakes can be. "One of them got tangled in my neighbor's fishing nets and he couldn't get him out of the boat," he said.
A safe way to see these snakes and other creek and salt marsh dwellers up close is from a kayak. Cottonmouths, who don't like their paths crossed will bounce off boats that get in their way.
For more challenging kayaking, try paddling the ocean waves. Ocean fishing is popular too as the Outer Banks is one of two places in the world an angler can land a 1,000 pound Atlantic Blue Marlin. For more manageable catches, families head to the popular Avalon Pier in Kitty Hawk or Jennette's Fishing Pier in Nags Head for flounder,croaker and small bluefish.
Surfers, swimmers and sunbathers of all ages will appreciate Dr. Beach's two Outer Banks nominations for the country's top 10 beaches: Ocracoke and Cape Hatteras National Seashore, America's first beach and a Frommer's guide favorite.
While driving along the beaches, keep an eye out for shipwrecks which can be viewed at low tide.
A visit to the Maritime Museum in Manteo allows kids to see artifacts recovered from Blackbeard's flag ship, Queen Anne's Revenge. Five thousand shells from around the world and a chance to explore various boats and equipment used aboard round out the visit.
Refreshments and Relaxation
When it's time for nourishment, head to nearby Poor Richard's Sandwich Shop and Pub for reasonably priced, tasty seafood sandwiches. Inside, check out the giant scoreboard that records hurricanes passing through the area.
From the water side back deck, you can see the Elizabeth II on the Roanoke Sound, a 16th century composite replica of British sailing ships that ferried settlers to the new land. On board, guides in period costume portray living conditions experienced by the sailors.
North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island is open year round 1-866-332-3475.
Jennette's Fishing Pier - April to November (252) 441-6421. Avalon Pier, milepost 6, Kitty Hawk (252) 441-7494.
Ocracoke Island - a good day trip on the free Hatteras - Ocracoke ferry (252) 928-6711.
Roanoke Island Festival Park (252) 475-1500.
North Carolina Maritime Museum - free admission - dates and hours vary (252) 475-1500.
Elizabethan Gardens - open year round (252) 473-3234.
The Lost Colony Outdoor Drama - 8:30 pm, mon-sat, summer (252) 473-3414.
Other Activities:
- Equine Adventures - for horseback riding along the beach or scenic trails (252) 995-4897.
- Alligator Run Wildlife Refuge - free admission, open daily during daylight, good hiking trails and bear, duck and alligator spotting (252) 473-1131.
- Pea Island National Wildlife refuge - free admission, open year round in daylight hours, offers hiking, bird watching and guided canoe tours (252) 987-2394, (252) 987-1118.
