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We are taking a family vacation to the NC area in mid October this year and I had a few questions.
We decided to go during early fall to beat the crowds and save some $$$. Is the water temp still fairly nice that time of year? From what I see it looks like the average is near 68-70 degrees in mid October. Keep in mind I'm accustomed to cold Pacific water in California during the summer to 70 would seem nice to us.
We are just looking to unwind with the kids and hang out at the beach for a week. What area would be best for that? Oak Island? Kure? Carolina?
Any must visit sites near the coast?
Is it worth a day trip to drive down the coast to check out Myrtle Beach?
Any info that would help in our trip would be greatly appreciated.
Is it worth a day trip to drive down the coast to check out Myrtle Beach?
Only if your kids want to see the ferris wheel or the amusement park things. They is nothing like that in North Carolina.
I can't comment otherwise on "which" North Carolina beach. You can do nothing but hang out on any beach. Carolina Beach has a boardwalk, but you don't have to use it.
However, the weather should still be relatively warm in October.
Kure Beach all the way, great time of year to visit but weather might be unpredictable (still hurricane season). You can Google activities in the area depending upon your interests but if you are looking to chill out while making a few driving excursions, then KB is your place. Some possible things to do... Aquarium, Fort Fisher, Ferry to Southport, downtown historic Wilmington, USS North Carolina, fishing, boating, kayaking, SUP, Sea Turtle Rescue Center, Tregembo Animal Park, great restaurants in KB and CB, uncrowded beaches, 4wd on beach at Fort Fisher and Freeman Park, miniature golf, etc. Myrtle Beach? Drove there once on first visit to NC in 2006, and will never need to go back, just not for me.
Kure Beach all the way, great time of year to visit but weather might be unpredictable (still hurricane season). You can Google activities in the area depending upon your interests but if you are looking to chill out while making a few driving excursions, then KB is your place. Some possible things to do... Aquarium, Fort Fisher, Ferry to Southport, downtown historic Wilmington, USS North Carolina, fishing, boating, kayaking, SUP, Sea Turtle Rescue Center, Tregembo Animal Park, great restaurants in KB and CB, uncrowded beaches, 4wd on beach at Fort Fisher and Freeman Park, miniature golf, etc. Myrtle Beach? Drove there once on first visit to NC in 2006, and will never need to go back, just not for me.
Thanks for all of the tips so far. Does anyone have any info on the water temp in mid october? Too cold for the kids to swim?
Thanks for all of the tips so far. Does anyone have any info on the water temp in mid october? Too cold for the kids to swim?
It should not be too cold since water retains the heat much longer than the air. This NOAA chart for Wilmington shows 79 degrees in the first part of October and 75 degrees in the later part:
I wouldn't wait until October to "beat the crowds." I go to Carolina Beach 3 or 4 times each summer and it is rarely crowded. During the weekdays the beach is empty. It is only really crowded on Memorial Day, July 4, and Labor Day weekends. (By October it is literally a ghost town and probably half the shops are closed down.)
I wouldn't wait until October to "beat the crowds." I go to Carolina Beach 3 or 4 times each summer and it is rarely crowded. During the weekdays the beach is empty. It is only really crowded on Memorial Day, July 4, and Labor Day weekends. (By October it is literally a ghost town and probably half the shops are closed down.)
Primary motivation is not to beat the crowds so much but instead to save $$$. Rentals are much cheaper during that time.
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