Seafood and the Outer Banks just go hand in hand; it literally just makes sense you know? Locally sourced seafood is something that many locals pride themselves on and we’re willing to bet you didn’t know that most seafood goes by the season! Some types of fish and shellfish are available year-round, but some types are best and only available during certain seasons. To make it easier for you, we’ve come up with a handy guide on which seafood you can get fresh during certain months of the year and some that are available all year round! We wouldn’t blame you for planning a vacation for specific seafood seasons (here’s looking at you, soft shell season.)

Seafood for Spring & Summer Season on the OBX

Mahi Mahi

April-July

Mahi-mahi often goes by the name “dolphin” (not Flipper), “dolphinfish”, and “dorado”. This summer season fish has a sweeter flavor and is a favorite due to its diversity in cooking options.

Our Favorite Way to Enjoy:

Beer Battered and fried at Mahi-Mahis in Nags Head.

Brown Shrimp

July-September

Shrimp is one of the most popular seafood items in the U.S. Brown shrimp is among the most popular shrimp species and what you’ll typically see in seafood markets. While brown shrimp are mostly caught during the summer months, you can usually find them at most local restaurants since they can be frozen to preserve freshness.

Our Favorite Way to Enjoy:

In Shrimp ‘N Grits at NC Coast in Duck.

Softshell Crabs

April-June

Softshell crab season is arguably one of the favorite seafood seasons here on the OBX. Softshell crabs are blue crabs that have recently molted their shell; allowing you to eat the entire body. While the softshell season is short, many locals buy softshells in bulk to freeze and be able to enjoy in the coming seasons. We recommend heading to a local restaurant on the OBX to enjoy soft shell crabs in all their glory as it’s important to clean them properly. If you’re up for the task of cleaning them and cooking them yourself; here’s a quick video on the process.

Our Favorite Way to Enjoy:

As a sandwich at The Kill Devil Grill in Kill Devil Hills.

blue crab in hands

Hard Shell Crabs

June – September

Unlike soft shell crabs, hardshell crabs have to be picked to enjoy the meat inside the shell. Hardshell crab harvesting typically happens in the Albemarle Sound. Steaming is the preferred cooking method. Hardshell crabs are not to be confused with crab legs. Alaskan and snow crab legs are not caught locally on the Outer Banks. If you want local snow or Alaskan crab legs; you’ll have to go to Alaska or Maine to indulge. If you don’t know how to pick hard crabs, Southern Living has a great guide to help beginners.

Our Favorite Way to Enjoy:

Steamed for you to take home from Austin’s Seafood in Nags Head.

Flounder

August – September

Flounder are probably one of the funniest fish species to look at. They typically dwell on the bottom of the ocean and camouflage themselves in the sand to hunt their prey. Unlike most fish that have eyes on both sides of their heads, flounder only have eyes on one side. This late summer season fish is perfect for kids and picky eaters since this fish has a mild flavor.

Our Favorite Way to Enjoy:

Fried on a sandwich from Sam & Omie’s in Nags Head.


Seafood or the Fall & Winter Season on the OBX

Fresh OBX oysters are popular seafood for the colder season.

Oysters

October – March

There’s a saying that oysters are best enjoyed during months that end in -er; which isn’t far off! Oysters are typically harvested from October to March. However, steamed oysters are usually enjoyed during the late fall and early winter season from October to December.

Greentail shrimp are a fall season staple in regards to OBX seafood.

Green-tail Shrimp

September – November

Green-tail shrimp are some of the most sought-after shrimp in the country, let alone on the OBX! This fall season seafood is sweeter more subtle flavor in comparison to brown shrimp. You can usually find green-tail shrimp in brackish marshes versus in the ocean.


Seafood Found Year-round on the OBX

Yellowfin Tuna swimming in the blue. Tuna can be found year round on the OBX.

Tuna

Tuna is probably one of the most popular fish on the Outer Banks as it’s available during any season. The most popular species are yellowfin, bluefin, bigeye, and blackfin.

Fresh clams on ice. Clams are a local OBX seafood that can be found year round.

Clams

Clams are also a common shellfish that you can find on the OBX year-round. They’re most active and easier to find from June through August, but almost all local OBX restaurants serve clams year-round.

Even though we’re well into the new year, it’s never too late to come up with a resolution! Why not change up your New Year’s resolution this year? Instead of making the usual pledge of getting a gym membership, why not make an investment resolution on the OBX? (Or, if you’re ambitious, do both!) Owning a second home on the Outer Banks could be an easy and profitable New Year’s Resolution.

Own A Piece Of Paradise

Owning an OBX vacation home is like owning your own piece of paradise! Your mornings can be spent sipping coffee and watching the sunrise over the ocean. You’ll be able to make memories with your own friends and family at your Outer Banks home. Additionally, you’ll give other families the opportunity to make memories on the Outer Banks as well!

Make a Quality Investment

Investing in a vacation home on the OBX can be a great move financially. Even more so when you list your home with Resort Realty. We have over 34 years of experience and are locally rooted. We’re are leader in the OBX vacation rental industry and we make sure you get the most out of your home. We’re always here for you and give you the best advice on making your home profitable. We ensure that your guests are happy and content during their vacation!

Our Professional Staff Has You Covered

At Resort Realty, we’re blessed with some of the best staff on the beach. We all want to make sure your home is taken care of and you get the maximum profit out of your investment. The Resort Realty family will make sure your home gets the rentals it deserves and shines in its best light!

See Why Our Homeowners Love Us

We aim to keep our homeowners as pleased as our guests! See why listing your rental home with Resort Realty is the best choice you could make.

“…I very much appreciate your high standards and the attention that you have given to our homes.  It certainly brings peace of mind.  Especially during the busy rental season, with every little thing that can go wrong, I’m confident, cleanliness isn’t going to be one of them if you are in charge.  Thank you so very much.” –  Property owner of a Duck vacation rental home

“Thank you Resort Realty for a successful season with 16 rentals! This is my first year with Resort Realty and this was the most rentals I have ever had in the 30 years that I have owned the property. I truly appreciate everything you all do and I’m looking forward to next year!” – Property Owners of a Nags Head vacation rental home

Make This New Year’s Resolution Count

Make your New Year’s Resolution of owning a vacation home on the Outer Banks come true! Take a look at all of the homes for sale on the Outer Banks. When you find the perfect vacation home and you’re ready to make profit on your investment, contact our Director of Business Development! Email debbie.harrell@resortrealty.com or calling (800) 458-3830. You can also get more information on our rental program on the Resort Realty Owner page of our website!

Everyone needs a vacation, now more than ever! If you’re planning an OBX vacation but want to save some cash, have no fear, Resort Realty has you covered. Since 1987, we’ve learned a thing or two because we’ve seen a thing or two. We’ve got a few tips on how to snag the perfect, affordable, OBX vacation.


Plan Early

Planning your OBX vacation early allows you to budget better, making your vacation affordable.


We say it all the time but we mean it! By planning your Outer Banks vacation early, you have more time to budget and you’ll get first dibs on the house of your choice. Our biggest booking days fall in December and January. Planning earlier for the vacation year ahead allows you flexibility financially, time-wise, and preference-wise.


Visit During A Shoulder Season

Shoulder season vacations tend to be more affordable than peak season vacations on the Outer Banks.


Shoulder seasons are the fall and spring months on the Outer Banks. Summer has either passed or is upon us, the weather is great, but not everyone is flocking to our beaches all at once quite yet. Shoulder season vacations come with significantly lower rates than peak season. An example? A 5 bedroom, 5.5 bathroom oceanfront Signature Series home in Salvo will run you around $3,100 for a week in mid-May. That same house goes up to almost $11,000 for the week in July! You can easily save more than half the price by taking an OBX vacation in the spring or fall months.


Take Advantage of Payment Plans

With payment options like venmo and paypal, you can pay for your Outer Banks vacation easily!


Resort Realty is proud to offer payment options like PayPal and Venmo! With PayPal and Venmo wallets, not only does it make check-out easier, but it also allows you to easily request payment from other families you’re vacationing with, allowing you to split the cost of rent and making your vacation affordable. You can learn more about our Outer Banks vacation payment plans here.


Vacation Together


This one goes hand in hand with the above. Here’s another example for you. During peak season, one of our most high-end, oceanfront Signature Series homes with a private pool can be around $21,000 which can cause some sticker shock. But let’s look at it in a different light. This house sleeps 12 people comfortably. When you divide that fee among 12 people, it comes out to around $1,700 per person. Broken down further? $252 per night per person. Again, this is for one of our standout properties. Many of our properties end up being around $71 per night per person when broken up by occupancy! Seems like an affordable vacation option when you look at it that way, right?


Avoid Hotels


While there are some seriously awesome hotels on the Outer Banks, they’re not typically the best option for an affordable vacation. For an oceanfront hotel room with a king bed during July, you’d be paying about $2,300 for the week. While that sounds like similar, cheaper pricing compared to our rentals, you don’t get all the same amenities we offer. When you rent an Outer Banks vacation home, you have access to an entire house or condo, allowing you to host at least 2 people. You’ll have access to a kitchen where you can easily prepare meals for the entire crew. You’ll also be able to relax in a living room or rec room without feeling confined to one space. Hotels can be great, don’t get us wrong…but sometimes a rental home is the best option, financially and comfort-wise.


Consider A Mini-Vacation


A mini-vacation is also a great option to save on your stay! Taking a 3-night trip to the OBX is sometimes all the time you need, especially when you live within an easy drive of the Outer Banks. Mini-vacations or partial week stays allow you the flexibility of checking in on a day that works best for you and not having to commit to an entire week. Partial week stays require a 3-night minimum. Find homes that offer partial stays here.

You don’t need a vast knowledge of seafood or to spend a whole afternoon tending to the fire pit to make this iconic summer feast. All you need is a picnic table at your beach house, beautiful Outer Banks weather, and your hungry family and friends. With the steamer pot from Mulligan’s, you can order ahead, pick up, and enjoy! These custom steamer pots are perfect for your next Outer Banks style clambake. Piled high with red bliss potatoes, corn on the cob, and a choice of seafood like lobster, crabs, clams, or mussels, your clambake will feature some of the OBX’s best ingredients. And when you spread all that goodness on a picnic table by the ocean, you’ll have an instant summertime party.

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Casual Clam Bake eating

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casual clam bake 2

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_DSC2446seafood hands

The beautiful thing about clambakes is that they can be thrown together for a casual dinner, or planned for a sharp and chic family sit down. Dress up your meal with beautiful dinner details like serving bowls, platters and placemats like these we found at The Cotton Gin, and make your OBX clambake one for the books.

formal dinner
Formal Dinner Collage

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wine cheers on beach

Make a seaside clambake part of your Outer Banks tradition! With gourmet quality kitchens, oceanfront views, and local seafood pros, any dinner will be special in a Resort Realty rental. Book with Resort Realty today and let us help you get your getaway started!

Want to share this link with your family & friends to plan your OBX vacation and clambake? Use this link for easy sharing! bit.ly/OBXclambake

Blog Graphic Clambake

When you’re planning a family vacation, a kid-friendly (and kid approved) place to stay is usually at the top of the list. Here at Resort Realty, that’s one thing you don’t have to worry about. We’ve come up with a list of the coolest houses that any kid would enjoy. From life-size chess to kid-sized pools, check out these Awesome Vacation Homes For the Coolest Kids!

Atlantic Breeze (5411) – Nags Head
Resort Realty 5411 Atlantic Breeze

Atlantic Breeze is one of the newest luxury rentals at Resort Realty! Packed with amenities like ocean views, stainless steel appliances, and beautiful decor, this vacation home is perfect for everyone, including the kiddos! There is a recreation room, pool table, shuffle board, home theater, and board games! Plus, the private outdoor pool features a kiddie pool for the little ones! A kids nook with flat screen TV and lounge chairs is perfect for a little rest between beach and pool sessions. This oceanfront oasis also features exclusive cabana service!

Landfall II (5571) – Nags Head
Resort Realty 5571 Landfall II in Nags Head, NC

Landfall II is an 8 bedroom 8 bathroom vacation home that is sure to please parents and kids alike. Not only does this home feature a tiki bar, a blackjack table, and a hot tub that adults will enjoy, kids have special amenities as well. They can play a giant life-sized game of chess or frolic around in the pool right beside it! If the kids need to get out of the sun for a little while, the game room has two arcade games along with a pool table. There’s also a theater room with a large flat screen tv and a huge couch just in case a nap is needed!

Panache (1350) – Corolla
Resort Realty 1350 Panache

Panache is the perfect place for the family that is looking for style, luxury, and fun all rolled into one! Panache is an 8 bedroom 8 bathroom vacation home that has it all; a lavish kitchen with a steamer oven for the chef that can’t wait to cook an Outer Banks seafood meal, a lighted boardwalk that leads to the soundfront, and a large 8 person hot tub. Kids will love the soundproof movie theater that is stocked with different movies and reclining theater seats; perfect for that post-beach day fog. There is also an air hockey table and a pool table so kids can join in on a little friendly competition.

Sailfish Station (5547) – Nags Head
Resort Realty 5547 Sailfish Station

Sailfish Station is a home that your little ones will enjoy! Fully stocked with pool table, multiple game arcade, private pool, and more, this is an Outer Banks vacation home everyone will love. The adults will find the stainless steel kitchen appliances and luxury bedrooms impeccable while the kiddos will love splashing around in the private pool and making use of the home theater.

Virginia Dare (5460) – Nags Head 
Resort Realty 5460 Virginia Dare

With a direct private walkway to the beach, the Virginia Dare is already a great choice for kids and parents alike! Not only does this vacation home feature luxury amenities for adults like a grilling area, luxury wet bar, and a soundside sitting room; it also has so many different features kids are going to love. The Virginia Dare features a movie theater complete with surround sound, a kiddie pool within the larger pool, and a recreation room complete with pool table, billiards table, and shuffleboard.

Pelican’s Perch (5580) – Nags Head
Resort Realty 5580 Pelican's Perch

Honestly, what’s better than having your own personal playground AND a swimming pool? Nothing! Pelican’s Perch is a vacation home that features a private pool, hot tub, and a playset sure to please any little one. This home also features a game room with a pool table and a Smart TV that allows you to watch Netflix, Youtube, and surf the internet. A horseshoe pit, bocce ball set, and a volleyball court is accessible at this vacation home as well!

Seasn’d Duck (4150) – Duck

Resort Realty 4150 Seasnd Duck

The kids will have a blast at Seasn’d Duck! With a private pool, volleyball court, putting green, and a small playhouse, there will be plenty of time spent outside running around! Formerly known as Vacation Meditation, this vacation home features amenities that adults will find entertaining as well. Season’d Duck is walking distance from the beach and also features a wet bar, access to the Kilmarlic golf course and more!

Miss Grace 5446 – Nags Head
Resort Realty 5446 Miss Grace

If you’re looking for the definition of Old Nags Head, look no further than Miss Grace. Miss Grace is a 7 bedroom, 3 full bathroom, and 3 half bathroom home that embodies the historical look and feel of Old Nags Head with modern day updates and entertainment. Adults will enjoy features like the updated kitchen and master bath in the main house while kids can go off and discover amenities like foosball and a twin loft in the connecting carriage house!

Dream Inn (5210) – Kill Devil Hills
Resort Realty 5210 Dream Inn

Welcome to Dream Inn! This 4 bedroom, 3.5 bath is perfect for your next Outer Banks vacation. The kids will love the rec room and private pool. Plus, Dream Inn has it’s own playground in the backyard! With great beachy decor and a short walk to the beach, Dream Inn will keep you and your crew happy campers this vacation!

With homes available like these and more, trying to find a place to stay that will suit everyone is a breeze. Resort Realty is proud to offer you the best vacation homes available on the Outer Banks. Book with us today and wow your whole group!

The chilly weather that’s been impacting everyone has got minds wandering towards June 21st, the first day of summer. Sunscreen, sunglasses, bathing suits, and beaches are the only things that are on the brain so when the time comes, why not book an Outer Banks vacation?!

If you’re thinking a vacation to the Outer Banks is financially unrealistic, take a look at some of our affordable, but amazing vacation homes! Resort Realty offers vacation homes with Saturday check-in and check-out for as low as $27 per night per person! Take a look at some of our affordable vacation homes and start planning your summer getaway.

Saltaire (2600) – Duck

saltaire - duck

This soundside home is perfect for enjoying the first days of summer. Saltaire is only about 500 yards away from the beach access conveniently located across the street. The sound is literally your backyard so enjoy it and go on a kayaking adventure with the kayak provided for you in the house, just make sure to bring your own life preservers! At only $36 a night per person*, grab 6 of your closest friends or family and spend a week in Duck!

 

Dolphin’s Den (1878) – Corolla

dolphin's den - corolla

Spend your first week of summer at Dolphin’s Den in Corolla! This oceanside home provides you with a little over 500 yard walk to the beach so you can spend all day in the surf and sand. With access to tennis courts you can stay active and still have fun in the sun. With a Saturday arrival and 8 people in your group, this vacation home is only $27 per night per person!

 

Nepenthe (7850) – Frisco

nepenthe

Discover Frisco and make memories that’ll last you a lifetime. Nepenthe is a 3 bedroom 2 bathroom home that boasts ocean and soundside views. With only about a 200 yard walk to the beach, there’s no reason you shouldn’t kick off your summer in thee sand. Nepenthe is also conveniently located within walking distance to dining and shopping. This home is a perfect price. With 6 people in your party, you’ll only be spending $30 a day!

 

The Sea Ranch (5476) – Nags Head

sea ranch - nags head

The Sea Ranch is the place to be to start your summer off right. This 4 bedroom 2 bathroom home has recently been updated  with a brand new kitchen and floors to make your Outer Banks vacation that much sweeter. Situated between highways, The Sea Ranch is almost 400 yards to the beach, a short walk for a long, salty day. With 8 people in your group, you’ll only be spending $24 a day during you week-long visit. With all that extra cash saved, you can take advantage of the go-karts and mini golfing that are right down the street!

 

Margaret’s Sunrise (2962) – Duck

margaret's sunrise - duck

Perfect for a small group of 4, Margaret’s Sunrise has the perfect view of the ocean. Wake up early and witness the beauty of and Outer Banks summer sunrise over the sea. This oceanfront condo offers access to a community pool, basketball court, volleyball court, tennis court and more. There’s also a walkway connecting the condo to the beach so not hot sand to burn up those feet. Margaret’s Sunrise is conveniently located near shops and restaurants, and with only spending $50 a night per person, you’ll be able to take full advantage of that luxury.

 

In addition to these affordable vacation homes, Resort Realty also offers an EZ Pay Plan. With EZ Pay, you can break up the cost of your vacation into three easy installments! To show our appreciation to our veterans and active duty, we also offer a Hometown Heroes and Military Discount on a number of different homes for additional savings. Turn that vacation dream into a reality, pack your bathing suit, and celebrate the first day of summer on the Outer Banks with Resort Realty.

*Pricing per person is based on max occupancy of the home, which is noted in the description. Pricing includes rent, tax, and administrative fees. Additional linen services and travel insurance not included. Total pricing is quoted for the week of June 17th – 21st

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