Seagull Says: It’s Monday—hydrate, caffeinate, and try not to throttle a tourist.

🌊 TODAY’S TIDE (Weather + Surf Report)

• 🌞Weather

  High of 86°, humidity clinging at 78%, and a southeast breeze at 7 mph just barely pretending to cool you off. There’s a slight chance of a drama storm, but mostly it’s a partly cloudy day made for beach loitering. UV Index is 10 of 11—sunscreen like your life depends on it. Sunset hits at 8:19 pm, so you’ve got time to pretend you’re not melting. Tonight dips to 77°, with 86% humidity and a full moon still doing the most at 10:54 pm.

• 🏄‍♂️ Surf Report
  Today’s waves are cute, not chaotic: about 1 ft with solid 7–9‑second periods from the southeast—basically couch‑to‑surf energy. Light SE breezes will keep things smooth through the morning, turning a bit choppy by afternoon’s stray shower round. No tubes, no drama—more like surf therapy than surf bragging rights. Bring a mini‑mast and zest for chill paddles before the rain brings the mood swings.

📰 HEADLINES + CHATTER

Because between explosions, fig cake, and 5Ks—we really said, “Why not have it all?” this week.

• 💥 Manteo Home Explosion Rocks Neighborhood
  A devastating house explosion shook Dogwood Trail in Manteo on Friday, leaving one person hospitalized with severe burns and an entire home reduced to rubble. Neighbors described the blast as sounding like an earthquake, with smoke, shattered glass, and debris blanketing the street. At least five fire departments and Dare County EMS responded, while locals stepped in to help with waters, directions to hydrants, and pure community grit. The cause is still under investigation, but the support from neighbors? Instant.

• ⚠️Heads-up in South Nags Head: Utility work is happening Monday and Tuesday near MP 17 on South Old Oregon Inlet Road. Expect some disruption as stormwater improvements continue—translation: don’t plan your peaceful beach stroll there unless you’re into cones and construction vests.

• 🏃‍♀️ Run It Back: Labor Day Lighthouse 5K Returns
  Back for year two, the scenic 5K through the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse grounds is happening again this Labor Day. Yes, the lighthouse is still under scaffolding, but that just makes it more of a coastal obstacle course. Register early for swag, bragging rights, and a medal that pairs perfectly with your sweaty glow.

• 🌳 Kinnakeet Villas Puts Down Roots for Locals
  Avon’s newest neighborhood, Kinnakeet Villas, is designed with locals in mind—offering homes under $500K and banning short-term rentals. That’s right: no weekly vacation churn, just neighbors who might actually remember your name. The first wave of homes is wrapping up, and the vibe is more “community” than “condo.”

• 🧁 Ocracoke Fig Fest Is Almost Here
  Fig preserves, fig cake, fig BBQ sauce—if you can fig it, it’ll be at Ocracoke’s 11th annual Fig Festival, happening August 1–2. Expect local vendors, a bake-off, Shakespeare, and a dance party. Yes, really. Special guest Chef Dean Neff is rolling in, and the whole weekend is basically sweet, salty, and wildly Southern.

• 🏥 Clinics Are Staying Put, Despite Rumors
  Rumblings about the closure of health centers in Manteo, Ocracoke, and Engelhard were shut down hard by the interim CEO of Ocracoke Health Center. All sites are open, fully staffed, and seeing patients. Also staying put? Dr. Shannon Sawin—so tell your cousin’s friend’s neighbor to stop spreading Facebook drama.

🎟️ MONDAY EVENTS

If you're not doing yoga, drinking wine, or yelling “BINGO!” at some point today, you're doing it wrong.

• 👻 Morning Ghost Tours
  Whalehead, Corolla – 9:00 am
  Start your week with some light haunting—because why ease into Monday when you can get spooked before lunch?

• 🌅 Soundside Sunset Festival
  Soundside Market, Rodanthe – 4:00 pm
  Local vendors, food, and that golden-hour glow that makes everything look like a vacation brochure.

• 🎨 Brew & Arts Market
  Outer Banks Brewing Station, Kill Devil Hills – 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm
  Craft beer + local art = your excuse to spend money and feel cultured.

• 🎶 Live Music – The SaltBox Café
  Kill Devil Hills – 6:00 pm
  Good food, chill vibes, and live music to remind you Monday doesn’t have to suck.

• 🎡 Waterfront Festival
  Kitty Hawk Kites, Rodanthe – 7:00 pm
  Kites, games, and more kid-friendly chaos than a sugar rush at sunset.

• ⚾ Flying Dutchmen Home Game
  TowneBank OBX Park, Kill Devil Hills – 7:00 pm
  Baseball, beach air, and hometown pride. Catch a foul ball or just catch vibes.

• 🎶 Live Music – Havana Club at the Tap Shack
  Duck – 7:00 pm to 9:30 pm
  Rock + Latin jazz = one steamy Monday night dance party under the stars.

• 🎭 The Lost Colony Show
  Waterside Theatre, Manteo – 8:30 pm
  Pirates, pageantry, and cannon fire. You know the drill—just don’t show up late or you’ll miss the boom.

📍THE BEAK OF APPROVAL

🎭Ocracoke Alive’s Deepwater Theater – The Island’s Stage with Soul

Home to local legends, folk concerts, and theatrical shenanigans that actually feel rooted in the island, Deepwater Theater is where Ocracoke storytelling comes to life. Operated by Ocracoke Alive, this cozy little venue punches way above its weight with music, laughter, and just the right amount of salt air charm.

📍84 School Road, Ocracoke, NC
(Show nights vary—check ocracokealive.org for the latest schedule)

Because on an island full of stories, someone’s gotta take the stage and tell them right.

🚨 CRIME + SAFETY CORNER

Because whether it’s a bear, a bumper, or bad directions—emergencies don’t care if you’re on vacation.

• 📱 911 Can’t Read Your Mind
  Kitty Hawk PD is reminding everyone: when you call from a cell phone, 911 doesn’t magically know your location. So if you’re on vacation, learn your address—not just the house name like “Vitamin Sea.” Know your beach access name or milepost, and if something goes sideways, send someone to flag down help. You know… like a grown-up.

• 🚗 Fender Blender at S. Indian & Shortcut
  Two vehicles tangled at the S. Indian Road and Shortcut Road intersection. No word on injuries yet, but it’s a good reminder that shortcuts rarely are.

• 🐻 Bear vs. Bumper
  A vehicle struck a bear near the 5105-block of Caratoke Highway, just south of Aydlett Road. No update on the bear, but let’s all agree: that stretch of road at night? A little too National Geographic for comfort.

  

  This section is sponsored by Southern Oak Artisan

⛱️ VACAY OR STAY

🏡FOR SALE: Play-N-Hooky Too + Oceanfront Everything

This 5-bed, 4-bath retreat in Avon is basically your one-stop shop for salt air living. With a private pool, hot tub, and direct beach access, you’re steps from the ocean and surrounded by views on every level. The top floor brings the drama with cathedral ceilings, a pool table, and a Jacuzzi-tub primary suite that screams “main character.” Multiple oceanfront decks, a screened porch for sunset spying, and $132K in rental income last year? Yes.

📍41981 Ocean View Dr #9, Avon, NC | $1,499,000

You could keep refreshing Zillow—or you could be watching the waves from your own dang house.

🌊 VACAY: Aloha Banks – Hammocks, String Lights & Sand Between Your Toes

This 2-bed, 2-bath beach cottage on the north end of Avon is your Outer Banks starter pack: screened balcony with twinkle lights, shaded hangout space with hammocks and bar setup, and a foot-wash station for when your toes revolt. Walkable to wide, uncrowded beaches and just a short flip-flop away from shops and charter spots. Bonus points for access to the Club Hatteras pool (summer only) and central AC to keep the post-beach nap crisp.

📍Avon, NC | Aloha Banks

No pets, no parties, and no need to pack chairs—just your best beach attitude.

🕵️‍♀️ HEARD AROUND, IN, OVER, or UNDER THE DUNES

Because the seagulls see everything—and they're not great at keeping secrets.

• 🏄‍♂️ A man was spotted paddleboarding in the sound with a fishing pole, a Bluetooth speaker, and a half-eaten sandwich. Multitasking at its Outer Banks finest.

• 🐴 A local teen told tourists that the Corolla wild horses are actually “government robots” monitoring beach bonfires. Honestly… we’ve heard weirder.

• 🍳 Someone attempted to fry an egg on their car hood this weekend. Let’s just say it came out more scrambled than sunny-side up.

🔗 QUICK LINKS

• ⛴️Ferry Schedule – You can’t teleport to the Outer Banks (yet), so here’s how to float your way here the old-fashioned way.

• 🐾OBX SPCA Pet of the Week (more like every 10 days): Carolina, the cat, is adorable and wants you to notice! Check her out and see if you can be cool enough to welcome her into your home!

• 🌊Live Surf Cams – For “checking the surf,” but really just spying on beach traffic and seeing who already claimed your favorite spot.

• 💬Submit a Tip or Event – Got a hot lead, weird sighting, or something the seagulls should be squawking about? Slide it our way.

🧂FINAL PEEP FROM THE PERCH

If you made it through this newsletter without digging a giant illegal beach hole or driving into a bear, you’re already ahead of the curve.

Forward this to someone who still doesn’t know where they’re staying—just in case 911 needs more than “a pink house near the dune.”

Sign up. Stay salty. Be nosy.