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Hatteras vs. Emerald Isle vs. Topsail etc.

Hatteras vs. Emerald Isle vs. Topsail etc.




Help!

My wife and I have been loyal "Outer Bankers" for over 30 years. Two vacations a year - June and Thanksgiving. However, our 3 teenage children want to go "somewhere else." They are looking at places like Emerald Isle, Topsail, Wrightsville Beach, etc. Are those places really any different than the northern Outer Banks? I hear a lot of people from Western PA say that the southern beach towns are more like what Nags Head was back in the early 80s. I'm not asking anyone to "bad mouth" the towns in question. I'm just looking to see if anyone has vacationed there and can offer some comments.

Thanks!
Bob Kissell (Sarver, PA - originally from Portage, PA)


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Emerald Isle was nice, Topsail was more laid back, lots of sharks teeth to be found in the surf there, sometimes some big ones. For Kids I guess Emerald Isle offers more than Topsail but for pure beauty and relaxation nothing beats Hatteras:wink: ><))))*>






I've lived here on Topsail/Surf City all My Life but I love Hatteras.






we went to Topsail last year for the first time. similar to you, we had many years of the Outerbanks vacations and generally loved all of it. We found Topsail to be very laid back, almost rustic. Plus the water temp was 10 degrees (at least) warmer and the eroded sand from the Norther Beaches found it's way down south. At low tide, we had at least 100 yards of pristine sand. There was no KMart, Walmart, Lowes, McDonalds, Outback Steakhouse, etc. We loved that aspect of Topsail and will definitely be back. If your crowd requires the amenities of the Outerbanks and you want something different, try Emerald. I agree though, there is nothing like the Outerbanks -- we'll be back there too sometime.






I agree, try Topsail. I went twice while I was a teenager and I loved it. It depends on if your kids like to do things or just go for the beach. I was only interested in the beach. We went crabbing, fishing, and of course just sunbathing and swimming. Topsail is absolutely beautiful!






We tried Topsail a few years ago when we only had 5 days of vacation and it was a slightly shorter drive. We also liked that we could stay in a very inexpensive hotel on the beach (Topsail Beach, the southern end) with great views and easy walkout to the beach - one could practically fish off the porch. Much less commercial stuff than the KDH/Nags Head area but you don't have the sense of openess you can get on Hatteras Island with the undeveloped preserves and less regimented buildings. The beach was nice, but just more houses, felt closer together, and of course you don't have a big sound or quite the sense of being out in the ocean and away from people. Actually kind of a third experience somewhere between the commercial middle banks and the less developed Hatteras Island. But, the beach was nice and it was very convenient and accessible with side trips to Wilmington.






tell your kids to like where you take them ha ha ha






Hey Bob, the doctor I work for is from Sarver!! Loved Topsail..took my oldest one year, he was probably 16. We just stayed at the beach though and didn't do much else!! It is nice to see other areas, but we are partial to Hatteras!!!






We tried a vacation to Emerald Isle after years staying at the Outer Banks. One difference is that it faces south rather than east like most Atlantic beaches. It's a nice low-key, quiet family beach. The entire Emerald Isle beach on the Atlantic Ocean is completely filled up with cottages and houses from one end to the other (about 13 miles of nonstop houses). No "open spaces beaches" like in the OBX. There's only one area with small restaurants and shops, and we had to drive for miles to get to it because our oceanfront rental was quite far from this area. If you want the bigger stores like Walmart, etc., you have to cross the bridge back to the mainland. We prefer the natural beaches and variety of nature, lighthouses, amusements, restaurants and shops that the Outer Banks offers. Something for everyone!






Don't know about Topsail and Wrightsville, but I doubt teenagers would like Emerald Isle more. I went to Emerald Isle several times as a teenager and not much to do. I know it's built up some since then, but not anywhere near the Outer Banks.






We went to Emerald Isle several summers when I was growing up at home. Just loved the area. Nice and quiet. I guess thats why now we like Buxton, nice and quiet.

We started with Ocean City, MD when the kids were young teens. (Board walk etc..)When they were 16 and 17 we decided to try the Outer Banks (Buxton), fell in love.

I have worked with the public and in retail for a long time and when I go on vacation I want to relax. I have found the place I would like to retire to.






We are staying on Topsail this July - same thing, group wanted a change. Got a nice house for cheap (negotiating with the rental agency was a piece of cake). We'll be back to Hatteras Island, no doubt about that!






It's good to try new places and you will be building new memories to treasure. Going somewhere else occasionally doesn't take away from our loyalty to the OBX. Your family would love Topsail Beach.






Topsail is for old people, nothing for young folks !!!! U would like it but the "teenagers" would quickly become bored....Wrightsville Beach is da place for kids...Wright close to everything !! Do for the chillren :smiley40:
IMFfish


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