Tips & Tricks for Booking Your Outer Banks Vacation

Be Flexible with Your Travel Dates

There’s no doubt that summer is the most popular season on the Outer Banks. The weather is warm and fun in the sun is on the agenda. If you’re unable to find a home for the summer week you originally chose for your vacation, consider staying one week earlier or later. Being flexible with your travel dates allows you to have more vacation home options to choose from. 

One of our hottest tips is to try July! July is arguably the best month to vacation on the Outer Banks. Long hot days melt into warm summer nights, with breathtaking thunderstorms sprinkled throughout. The Outer Banks is at its peak in July, so there’s plenty to do for all ages and interests. 

If you still cannot find an available home for your group during the summer, consider visiting in the spring or fall if your schedule allows. The weather is typically very nice in the shoulder seasons. The ocean temperature is surprisingly warm throughout the fall on the Outer Banks. Rental rates are lower during the spring and fall, which means your budget may accommodate a home closer to the beach or with more amenities.

Get Notified When Your Favorite Home Becomes Available

Find a home that you love, but it isn’t available for the week you wish to travel? Another of our best tips is to join the notification list! If the week becomes available, we will send you an email to let you know. If you love the home and your travel dates are flexible, you may add your email address to the notification list for as many weeks as you’d like. There is no limit to the number of homes/weeks that you can add yourself to the notification list for!

Consider Staying Soundfront 

If an unobstructed water view is a necessity for your OBX vacation, consider staying soundfront. Staying on the soundfront offers a peaceful opportunity to get to know the other side of the Outer Banks. The most amazing perk of staying soundfront is the absolutely stunning sunsets. Most Outer Banks communities offer a walkway to the beach, so you can still get your ocean time in.

Adjust Your Bedroom Requirements or Search for Two Smaller Homes

Second, try searching for two smaller homes nearby each other. Use the map feature in the search results to see how close the homes are to one another. Many times, you will be able to find two smaller homes that are within walking distance to one another. 

Look for Homes with Access to Community Amenities

A private pool is the most requested vacation home amenity, so homes with a private pool typically book quickly. If you cannot find an available home with a private pool, try searching for a home with community pool access. Many OBX communities offer community pools that you may use during your stay, such as Four Seasons, Schooner Ridge, Sanderling, Ocean Lake, Buck Island, Corolla Light, and the Villages at Ocean Hill.

Still Can’t Find an OBX Vacation Home for 2023?

Start planning now for 2024! It’s never too early to start an OBX vacation conversation. As your family gathers to celebrate holidays or special occasions, chat about the next opportunity to make family memories on the Outer Banks. Create a trip board so the entire group can contribute to deciding on a vacation home. We accept advance reservations up to 51 weeks in advance, but some larger homes can accept bookings outside of that timeframe. Exceptions to the 51-week rule will be noted in the home details.