Get excited to visit one of the best beaches in the united states!

The beginning of all Outer Banks trips, or OBX as the locals call it, starts with knowing what you’re hoping to do on your trip. When we talk to guests about their beach visit we always like to get a sense of their activities before making a general packing list.

Why do you need a good packing list for your beach vacation?

Well, nothing can ruin a beach trip like forgetting something or not having the right gear. It’s important to plan and make sure you have everything you need for your travels. Our vacation rentals are in Salvo which is an amazing small town on the north part of Hatteras Island. We love it there, BUT there aren’t large department stores and the main regular-size grocery store is about 25 minutes south in Avon or 45 minutes north in Nags Head.

We definitely like to prepare our guests so they have an amazing visit especially since many of our guests are on their first beach trip. Remember you’re not going to an all-inclusive resort. You will definitely want to pack appropriately so you can take advantage of your time.

What amenities does your vacation rental house provide?

Not all rentals are equal when it comes to the amenities and supplies they offer. On my first trip to the Outer Banks, our house didn’t have linens, soap, trash bags, toilet paper, or any recreational supplies like beach toys, bikes, coolers, beach chairs, etc.

To this day I’m still a little shocked at how we arrived to an expensive oceanfront rental and the mattresses were bare and there weren’t any supplies whatsoever. The kitchen cabinets were completely empty!

How do you find out what your beach house?

The best way to make sure you know what your rental house will provide is to check with the property manager or owner. Most of the time they’ll have a list of items that come with the home so you can plan accordingly.

What are standard vacation rental amenities in the Outer Banks?

Luckily with more homeowners using Airbnb and VRBO the amenities provided are getting better by the season. Hopefully the days of real estate companies charging a fortune and not providing any value to guests are over.

The type of amenities you need to be aware of in a vacation rental

There’s a big difference in preparation between house staples like:

• trash bags
• dish soap, paper towels, aluminum foil,
• cooking essentials like oil, salt, pepper
• laundry detergent, and dryer sheets
• bedding, linens, bath towels, pillows, shampoo, and body wash
• cleaning supplies
• at least one roll of toilet paper!

Versus more luxury amenities (which we provide for our guests) like:

• beach gear, luxury linens, coolers, beach games,
• beach cruisers/beach bikes
• kites, and boogie boards
• water bottles
• spare feminine hygiene products
• razors, sun screen, phone chargers
• beach umbrella

Be prepared for any kind of weather on the Outer Banks

It’s important to be aware that Outer Banks weather can vary greatly from day to day and by season. It’s best to look up the average temps for your beach trip dates so you know what type of clothing and supplies to pack. We typically see warm days in May – September, but temperatures can drop significantly at night so bring layers.

September and October days can be especially cool, so make sure you pack some light long sleeves and a jacket. Also, bring rain gear just in case!

Remember you’re on a barrier island so it can get quite windy (which is why it’s one of the world’s best wind sport destinations). Our Nor’easter storms can bring in cold rainy weather in otherwise really warm seasons.

Travel light but don’t forget the important stuff

A first aid kit, your phone charger, and a few basic tools can come in handy during your stay. Specialty food and sporting equipment is often hard to find in small towns like Salvo where we’re located, so be sure to pick that up on the way.

Don’t forget the snacks!

I can’t tell you how often I see families arriving to OBX in a foul mood because the kids or the driver forget to eat and don’t want to extend their travel time by stopping at a restaurant.

Stock up on some easy-to-carry snacks like trail mix or granola bars for quick meals or energy boosts while exploring the Outer Banks

Make sure to pack fun items

We have tons of dolphins, sea turtles, deer, and other wildlife you can watch with a decent pair of binoculars. What about stand-up paddle boarding, surfing, or in my case kitesurfing? There are some great places to rent larger equipment like Real Watersports and Duck Village Outfitters, but if you have it you can certainly bring it.

Do you need to make reservations or purchase a permit?

This is a tricky one. If you plan to do activities like crabbing, fishing, or hunting then you should check with NC Wildlife Resources Commission for rules and regulations. You may need to purchase special permits if you want to hunt on the beach or fish in certain areas.

Also, some parts of Cape Hatteras National Seashore require reservations or special permits to access certain areas. Check the park website for details.

Are you going to have a beach fire at your vacation rental?

You will want to pack firewood and print your beach fire permit, which is free, and keep it with you at all times. You can download that here.

Are you going to drive off-road during your visit?

I only recommend this if you have a legitimate four-wheel drive car or truck and have experience driving in sand. Getting towed is expensive and takes a long time. If you’re driving off-road check your spare tire before your trip, pack an air compressor (I like the tiny Milwaukee ones), and a shovel. You can buy your OHV permit for the Hatteras National Seashore here.

Is your vacation rental pet friendly?

I recommend planning for the fun stuff and not-so-fun. Pack pet toys and extra medication in case something comes up. I always bring dog beds and toys to keep my dogs from chewing on a table leg or something like that. If your dog has separation anxiety pack a crate. You don’t want to finish your vacation by replacing a couch.

The beaches in Hatteras are usually not too crowded even during the summertime but you’ll want to keep your dogs leashed when out of the beach house.

Make rainy-day packing lists

We provide board games and cards in our vacation home but they are great ideas to keep everyone entertained while you’re there.

In conclusion

Your beach house rental amenities will vary greatly, so the best bet is to pretend you’re packing for an indoor camping trip. We provide most of the amenities in our vacation home and what we don’t provide is easily rented or picked up at a local grocery store.

Plan for what you’re going to do during your trip to the Outer Banks, then go room-by-room and write a list that works for your family.

I start with:

Meal planning

Kitchen

Bedroom

Personal hygiene

Then pet supplies

Safety items

Then move on to the fun stuff like recreational equipment (in my case it’s a car full of kiteboarding gear).

Don’t forget to make reservations and print permits for beach fires. Nothing ruins an evening quicker than a ticket for not having paperwork on hand.