What's Your Next Surf Trip Going to Be?

Orcacock

 

I both love and hate to read this thread. It's like reading about food when you're really hungry or something to drink when you're dehydrated. But I do enjoy reading other's surf trip experiences on here, as it is something that makes me feel good and look forward to pulling one off myself in the near future, hopefully later Spring or early Summer.

I've recently been super paranoid about my job and have had major anxiety. I've been convinced that I'm going to be let go, even though it was probably never the case. So because of that, I've been hoarding money in the case that happened. I just got a ringing endorsement and feel much more comfortable. I even have about $12K I got back from a car accident back in September when the car was totaled, as well as a few thousand more in the bank. I have approximately $20K or so. Not even sure if I wanna buy another vehicle, as that wasn't my only vehicle or mode of transportation. When I do take a trip, it's gonna be somewhere worth it. I pretty much have all but one week off between mid April and mid September, because of my work schedule. So realistically I can take a couple trips. Haven't been to Oahu for 3 years now, which was my special happy place haha. Barbados sounds really frickin awesome too. Can't make up my mind. I'll be going with one or two friends, maybe even 3 of them. We've already discussed it, we just haven't put together exactly where we wanna go. Hopefully some place we haven't been though.

 

What is the time frame? Plenty to do outdoors during the day. Night life is pretty nonexistent. Choosing a good house is key.

 

I would drive. Central Florida to there is a long but very easy drive. Probably 12 hours depending on where you are starting from and your traffic to the Jacksonville area. You could either take 95 to Rocky Mount and shoot across or take the scenic route and use the ferry system.

I might be going that week as well since its my kids spring break. A lot of the best beachfronts are filling up that week already.

 

So true. You're not really in the Outer banks until you get south of Oregon Inlet. I'm partial to Buxton out of tradition but nothing wrong with Avon as CJ prefers.

Yep, not much to do at night besides walk on the beach, see the stars you might not normally see and listen to the ocean. A good house is definitely key. I would recommend going oceanfront. At the time of year you intend to go it won't be all that much more expensive. Worth it to have the ocean just steps away.

I've done both and would prefer to drive. If you fly you'll still need to rent a car and drive another three hours or so. You also won't be able to bring as much stuff like beach gear, wave surfing boarts, wetsuites (the water will be nipply in early May), etc. Flying will still consume a day in travel time.

It's a pretty long and mostly boring drive straight up I95 and then east but it's pretty straight forward. You could possibly do it in one day but we always take two stopping over in the Rocky Mount/Wilson area (plus we're three hours further than you). The second day is shorter, more leisurely and we stop here and there, have lunch, etc. Don't forget to include rest stops, meal breaks, etc into your drive time calculations. Also you probably won't be able to check in to your digs until sometime in the mid to late afternoon.

If you have more time there are many potential side trips you could take. Savannah is supposed to be cool. There's lots of other stuff along the NC and SC coast to see and do. Lots of history, lighthouses, etc. I've always wanted to make the approach from the south, visit Cape Lookout, take the ferry from the mainland to Ocracoke and spend the night there before getting to our final destination. Just takes extra time. BTW, you should at least make a day trip to Ocracoke.

 

I am debating a summer trip with my brother flying into San Fran and surfing in the area and making our way down along the coast and fly home out of LA. Also trying to catch a Mets game in either city whichever works out best. Any of you recommend any breaks out there? I've been in the San Luis Obispo area and Santa Barbara on college baseball trips but never got the chance to paddle out. I've heard good things about Ventura of course as well.

 

I'm going to drive the extra 20 minutes South to Wildwood on St Patty's Day weekend. I'm going to surf, drink and get in fights with other bikers at the Bolero.

 

Yea I've done the drive from San Luis Obispo after a baseball series at Cal Poly down to LA stopping in Santa Barbara for a few days to play UCSB. Got to take in the PCH and sites in both areas. Awesome trip and great environment. Unfortunately didn't have the time to surf but in due time. Can't imagine going to school at UCSB, the baseball stadium is not even a half mile from a few point breaks, what a dream

 

Just catching up on this here thread. CJ and Valhalla are pretty much on the money. April/May will be dead in Avon to Buxton but surf could be really good. I would make one suggestion. you can find some places in South Nags Head that puts you pretty close to Oregon Inlet bridge to "get south" and you would be close enough to town to enjoy some good restaurants, go to Manteo, hike jockey's ridge, plus some other stuff. I don't know, depends on what you are looking for, it just sounds like you will want to have more to do with her.

If not, by all means, chilling on the beach in Avon/Salvo/Rodanthe...is really cool. Bring some fishing gear to surf fish. You can still drive in to town for a day and do a bunch of stuff (go fish off of Jeanette's Pier at sunset)

 

Yea...sounds good. Spend a couple of nights in each room (like island hopping). Get more house on soundside and epic sunsets. Hopefully, there will be some good spring surf pumping for your trip.