Outer Banks Vacation Homes for Small Groups and Shared Coastal Getaways

By McCool Travel
Jan. 08, 2021
By Charles McCool in partnership with the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau

The OBX can become part of everyday vocabulary after moving to the mid-Atlantic or growing up on the East Coast. When we relocated to the metro DC area—specifically Fairfax County, Northern Virginia—25 years ago, we began searching for beach destinations for our first summer vacation. Several coworkers recommended Outer Banks, now commonly known as OBX. After visiting, we loved the area enough to reserve more than a dozen OBX vacation rentals houses, and we are glad to offer ideas that can help future visitors and guests enjoy their stays even more.

Many people we meet have fond memories of renting a beach house, and we have encountered visitors from throughout the US who prefer experiencing the Outer Banks this way. The many convenient and exciting OBX rental houses make an excellent base for activities ranging from beautiful beaches and soft adventures to outstanding local seafood, creative coastal cuisine, and compelling history involving Blackbeard, Wright Brothers, wild horses, and Lost Colony. Vacation rentals are a standard way to travel here and deserve consideration when planning an Outer Banks visit.

For more detailed guidance, consult the How To Rent A Vacation Home guide to help narrow down your Outer Banks choices.

OBX works especially well for groups, including large families, multiple families, couples traveling together, multi-generational parties, reunions, weddings, and other gatherings. Across our own trips, we have enjoyed memorable time with our children and their friends, our grandparents (their grandparents), cousins from other states, girlfriend getaways, and even “only us” trips as a married couple. With so many property choices and pricing levels, a large house can be practical even when a large number of guests are not contributing.

OBX vacation rentals combine comfort, convenience, and value. Features such as oversized decks, porches, screen rooms, private pool areas, multiple master suites, and generously sized shared kitchens and living rooms create more connected and enjoyable group experiences.

Several companies oversee the OBX vacation rental market, and the airbnb and vrbo market is also very active. Properties range from one bedroom, appropriate for two people, through 28 bedrooms accommodating 50+ people. Four to six bedrooms is the average property size. Regardless of group size, the average per person cost for Outer Banks vacation homes is usually less than the cost of hotels, although the reservation and planning timelines differ. Start considering your travel companions and dates early to find the best bungalow for your budget.

Timing Your OBX Visit and Booking Your Rental Home

• January and February are the most active reservation months for spring and summer vacation rentals.
• Rates for OBX rental houses are particularly appealing during the off season, meaning months other than May-August. The farther a stay is from peak summer, prices can be more than 75% less than the peak summer season. Although offseason availability has traditionally been plentiful, it is wise not to wait too long as more travelers are recognizing the value of fall, spring, and winter visits to the OBX.
• Fall generally costs less than spring, while both seasons are substantially cheaper than summer. Prices also shift within the peak summer period. For our OBX family vacations, we usually stayed in mid-June, which was considerably less expensive than July and August.
• Rental company websites commonly emphasize weekly stays, but travelers seeking a long weekend should ask about availability. The traditional arrangement is a seven-day booking, Saturday to Saturday or Sunday to Sunday, with some Friday to Friday homes available. Partial-week reservations often appear close to the travel date for savvy shoppers, and more companies are beginning to provide them.

Additional Advice for Renting an OBX Home

• Our latest OBX rental was a three-bedroom oceanfront condo with keyless entry, eliminating the need to collect keys. During the pandemic, that convenience was especially welcome.
• Travelers who are flexible about location and want generally lower prices should investigate homes in Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills, Nags Head, and points south. Comparable properties in Duck and Southern Shores tend to be somewhat more premium priced than homes on Hatteras Island. Dare County’s Outer Banks includes about 100 miles of shoreline, and every village has its own character and community appeal for different couples’ tastes. That variety makes the area a convenient destination with many different experiences to choose from.
• People who can work remotely and want an inspiring setting for creativity may want to rent an Outer Banks house or condo for several weeks. An oceanfront setting provides an ideal Zoom backdrop. Requests for extended stays and multi-week rentals are increasing, and many guests ask whether the property supports remote work or remote learning and whether its WiFi can meet their needs.

Categories

Family Fun

Tags

Hatteras
Kitty Hawk
Kill Devil Hills
Nags Head
Duck
Southern Shores

Author

McCool Travel

@CharlesMcCool shows travelers how to increase travel HAPPINESS and reduce stress on every trip. For over twenty years, he has analyzed trip planning methods and strategies, and works to encourage and empower HAPPY TRAVELERS. McCool Travel also shares Outer Banks Things To Do.

Charles McCool helps travelers increase travel happiness and reduce stress on every trip. Through McCool Travel, he partners with destinations and brands to promote fun and distinctive travel experiences for highly engaged audiences. His travels have reached all 50 states in the USA, several dozen countries, and five continents. He once traveled to four continents without paying a dime; that story appears in 4 Continent Free Flight Adventure.