Love OBX Like a Local
It’s no secret that Netflix capitalized on the Outer Banks vibe. The phrase “Paradise on Earth” is recognized all over the world as the new tag line for OBX.
For many like myself, the Outer Banks has been “Paradise on Earth” for decades. What makes it so special? Miles of uninterrupted beach and shorelines, unspoiled marsh area of the Currituck Sound, and the friendly charm of its residents.
Tres Aguas OBX sits on Duck Road in Southern Shores, which runs parallel to the beach but is one block away from the beach accesses. Unlike other resort areas, there are no hotels or apartments nearby, even on Ocean Road which is the road that runs parallel to the beach. The Town of Southern Shores is a quiet hidden gem that most people drive by to get to Duck or Corolla. And even if tourists wanted to stop and stroll around, they cannot because the town has permit-parking areas only; no public parking is available.
Most days, I am guaranteed a gorgeous beach sunrise and a serene sunset on the Sound. In between sunrise and sunset, I can take a leisurely bike ride or walk through the Southern Shores neighborhood that is canopied by old oaks. In these leisurely strolls, I can stick to the trails, walk to the neighborhood tennis courts, enjoy the pastoral views of the Duck Woods Golf course, or bring my fishing pole to catch something off the Sound access. Southern Shores has a neighborhood charm that is unlike any of the other OBX towns while not feeling isolated like Carova or Hatteras.
Everyday conveniences, like grocery stores, restaurants, touristy amenities, and emergency medical care, are five minutes away in Kitty Hawk or in the Town of Duck. Both towns also have miles of walking trails. The Duck Town Park Boardwalk is a wooden walkway along the Sound, which weaves in an out of the marshes into the cute shops of Duck. The sunsets are magical on the Boardwalk. In Kitty Hawk, the Kitty Hawk Woods Reserve is one of largest preserved swamplands with a two-mile kid friendly loop, a playground, and numerous primitive trails.
So the next time you visit "Paradise on Earth" consider staying in Southern Shores to soak in the things that locals love about the Outer Banks.