Pet Friendly Vacations on the Outer Banks

Nothing brings me more joy than to spend a day at the beach with my Golden Retriever, Tuna. There's something about the smell in the air, the sight of the sand dunes or a glimpse of the waves crashing on shore that physically takes over Tuna's mind and body as he reverts back to a 6 month old puppy. The excitement in his eyes when we pull into a beach access is impossible not to notice. He knows that he is about to spend the afternoon chasing balls, jumping waves and rolling around in the sand. Tuna is almost 2 years old now, but he has grown up to love the beach. As a puppy, he was a little intimidated by the winter waves but he thoroughly enjoyed the sound, and many manmade ponds near our home. As soon as he grew into his skin, he was anxious to try out the ocean. And after watching his best friend, aka my husband, run full speed at the crashing waves with his skim board – Tuna’s fear disappeared as he tackled each wave with a giant leap followed by a strong paddle chasing after the only floating tennis ball in his sight.

Now, the thought of spending a day at the beach without my water dog is out of the question! If I did not live on the Outer Banks, this place would absolutely be my number one vacation destination, not only because of the pristine beaches, excellent temperatures, and peaceful communities but because of how convenient it is to bring my dog. Most beach towns have adopted lenient policies regarding dogs on the beach and more and more vacation rentals are allowing pets to cater to dog-loving families like mine. I have spent long hours trying to find another vacation destination similar to the Outer Banks to enjoy a family getaway, but nothing seems to compare.

Since I work in the vacation rental industry and I live on the Outer Banks AND I own a dog who LOVES the beach, I’ll offer some advice for vacationing on the Outer Banks with a dog:

Firstly, book your vacation home in advance. Pet friendly homes typically book earlier than others. If you want to be sure that you get a house that suites your family’s needs and allows you to bring your pet, then don’t wait until last minute because it’s likely that you’ll have to sacrifice one or some of your desired amenities. Book a house that is spacious enough for your family & your dog(s).

Secondly, make sure you know the town/beach laws regarding pets. The towns with the most lenient laws regarding dogs on the beach are; Kitty Hawk, Nags Head, Corolla & Duck. From late May to early September, I would avoid Kill Devil Hills & Southern Shores because they do not allow dogs on the beach during peak season (KDH has certain hours of the day dogs are not allowed). Here’s a link to all town/beach rules regarding pets.

Thirdly, I like to bring a beach umbrella for my dog to lay under when he’s tired from all the exercise. I also bring a jug of water and bowl so that he stays hydrated & a couple plastic bags in case the unthinkable happens. And of course a leash (even the most lenient beach towns require your dog to be on a leash when not playing in the water) . OH and I can’t forget the tennis balls & Frisbees!

The Outer Banks, in my opinion, is the perfect place to vacation. The Outer Banks has something to offer for all ages & species. Our towns are safe, our speed limits are slow and our beaches are less crowded than many other eastern shore beaches. Plus the majority of accommodations are actual HOMES so you can kick back, relax and sprawl out in the comfort of a one-of-a-kind vacation home!

Visit http://www.beachrealtync.com/ today to start planning your next Outer Banks Vacation. We have over 150 pet-friendly vacation homes to choose from!