Beaches are a main attraction of the Outer Banks and they are why so many people visit each year. Because the beaches are so important to the tourist industry, many rules and guidelines have been put in place to protect them for future visitors. Outlined below are some key regulations that you will need to follow when enjoying the beaches.
Beach Fires – Who can resist a nice warm fire by the ocean on a chilly night while on vacation? If this is in your plan for evening activities, you must be prepared. Fires are allowed in Nags Head and along the Cape Hatteras National Seashore Recreation Area. Nags Head requires that you obtain a permit from the local fire department before all fires on the beach are started. Fires cannot be lit if winds exceed 10 knots. Fires cannot be built within 50 feet of anything combustible and the pit must be no larger than 3 feet in diameter. The Cape Hatteras National Seashore Recreation Area requires that ground fires be at least 100 feet away from natural vegetation, below the high tide line and supervised by an adult. Beach fires are not permitted in Duck, Southern Shores, Kitty Hawk and Kill Devil Hills.
Personal Water Craft (Jet Skis) – Skipping across the ocean on one of these small vessels can be great fun. General boating rules apply for basic operation in the Outer Banks. Each town has specific regulations so please reference http://www.outerbanks.org/visitor_services/beach_information/personal_watercraft.asp for more information.
Pets on the Beach – These rules apply mostly to dogs as these are the most popular pets brought to the beach. Each beach has specific regulations pertaining to pets, but general rules should apply. Dogs are allowed to be off the leash, but must be in close proximity and control of their owner. All waste must be collected and deposited in marked containers immediately. For more information and specific rules, please visit http://www.outerbanks.org/visitor_services/beach_information/pets_on_the_beach.asp
Flags and Lifeguards – The ocean is a fun place to swim, surf and body surf, but if conditions get rough, you should know your limit and not take risks. To help judge conditions, lifeguards and beach personnel will post condition flags high in the air. If red flags or red and white warning signs are posted because of high winds and surf sometimes caused by a storm, swimming is prohibited. Lifeguards will be positioned on the beaches from May 30, 2009 through Labor Day weekend, September 7, 2009 for Outer Banks towns except for Duck, where lifeguards are on the beach from May 1, 2009 through October 31, 2009. Other beaches may not have stationed lifeguards, but will have roving lifeguards on ATV’s and other all terrain vehicles. Before heading to these beaches, check with local authorities as the times and locations of lifeguards can change without notice.
Rules and regulations for beach goers should be followed at all times. For a list of other regulations not covered here, please visit http://www.outerbanks.org/visitor_services/beach_information/
Labels: Beach Guidelines, Outer Banks Beaches, Rules and Information
posted by Blog Administrator @ 5:06 AM
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