Seagull Says: It’s cloudy, sticky, and still better than Monday.

🌊 TODAY’S TIDE (Weather + Surf Report)

• 🌤️ Weather
  Today is shaping up to be a warm and mostly cloudy one—84° and sticky, with SW winds doing a lazy 10 mph swirl. The UV index is flexing at 8 out of 11, so if you see the sun peek out, don’t get cocky—your skin will still get roasted.

  👀 Weekend Peek

  Saturday: Starting cloudy, but don’t cancel your beach picnic—sun’ll join the party later. High of 85°, winds picking up to 13 mph from the SW.

  Sunday: The best bet of the weekend. Partly cloudy, high of 80°, and barely a breeze. This is your “pretend you live here full-time” weather.

• 🏄‍♂️ Surf Report
  Conditions are not so great today, but improve a bit in the PM with some sideshore/semi-offshore winds, but expect a little bump and wobble. The mid-afternoon low tide should help with rideability—just don’t expect it to be glassy perfection.

  Weekend surf sneak peek:
  Saturday: Smaller than earlier this week, but still loggable and clean—just time it around low to mid tides.
  Sunday: Not great. We’re talking shin to knee high and not in a dreamy longboard way. Might be a rest day unless you're desperate.

📰 HEADLINES + CHATTER

Because nothing says 'community' like public comment drama and group chat leaks.

• 🛻 Bridge Drama Update: You Can (Kind Of) Cross Again
  Old Manns Harbor Bridge is reopening Friday-ish—but with one-lane delays thanks to a $33 million “preservation project,” aka: construction zone purgatory until 2026. Portable traffic lights will do their best. Virginia Dare Bridge is still your best bet if you’ve got road rage issues.

• 🌀 Cape Hatteras Lighthouse Restoration Hits a Snag at the Top
  Apparently, the top of the lighthouse is being held together with cracked brackets and crossed fingers. Good news: you’ll still be able to visit this summer. Bad news: she’s staying scaffolding-chic and won’t be climbable until 2026. On the bright side, landscaping is looking cute, and a replica Fresnel lens is coming together—with only 432 pieces of glass (easy peasy, right?).

• 🪨 Lost Colony? Not So Lost. They Moved to Hatteras. Y’all.
  Archaeologists finally found the “smoking gun” to prove what locals have been saying forever: the colonists didn’t vanish—they relocated. New digs show permanent blacksmithing setups on Hatteras Island, which colonists weren’t hauling around for fun. Moral of the story: the word “Croatoan” wasn’t spooky. It was an address.

• 💓 Cardiac Care, Still Local—No Heartbreak Here
  Outer Banks Health is opening a cardiology practice in Nags Head to keep care local after Dr. Lindsey White’s retirement. Same trusted providers, new name, with a light renovation and a seamless transition. Your ticker’s in good hands.

• 🌱 “Thrive OBX” Replaces Costly Blue Zones Hype
  After deciding Blue Zones was too pricey, Dare County health leaders said: “We’ll do it ourselves.” Enter Thrive OBX—a homegrown wellness initiative aimed at making locals live longer, happier lives. Think fitness programs, food collabs, and actual community events (eventually). No kickoff yet, but February 2026 will be a full “Thrive Month.” 

📅 WEEKEND LINEUP: FRIDAY’S HERE AND SHE BROUGHT PLANS

If your calendar’s blank, don’t blame us.

• 🦈 Friday, May 16 – 12:00 PM
  Shark Feeding at the Aquarium (Roanoke Island)
  Get up close—but not too close—with the sharks at Graveyard of the Atlantic. Pre-reg required, closed-toe shoes mandatory, and sorry, you can’t feed Bruce yourself.

• 🎶 Friday, May 16 – 6:00 PM
  Live Music: Bar Cats Duo @ Buffalo City Distillery
  Start your weekend with spirits and spirits. These cats play, you sip.

• 🎸 Friday, May 16 – 10:00 PM
  Fletcher White @ Jolly Roger
  Late-night tunes for those who still have energy after a full day of existing in this humidity.

• 👟 Saturday, May 17 – 8:00 AM
  Stigma Stomp 5K (Currituck County Community Park)
  Run, walk, or emotionally shuffle your way through a feel-good event raising awareness for mental health and suicide prevention. Bonus: medals, refreshments, and good vibes.

• 💸 Saturday, May 17 – 8:00 AM
  Ocracoke Island-Wide Yard Sale
  Shop for treasures, tools, and questionable ceramic animals you’ll definitely regret not buying. Rain date is Sunday—unless you’re not afraid of soggy bargains.

• 🗑️ Saturday, May 17 – 9:00 AM
  Manteo Spring Litter Pickup
  Free donuts and a noble cause. Join the Magnolia Market crew and help give Manteo a little spring sparkle.

• ☕ Saturday, May 17 – 10:00 AM
  Jackie Burns Live @ Alien Java Co. (Frisco)
  Coffee + live music = Saturday morning done right.

• ✈️ Saturday, May 17 – 10:00 AM–3:00 PM
  OBX 50/150 Cross-Country Air Challenge (Manteo)
  Planes, speed, and tiny airport drama. Grab a coffee and watch pilots try not to get lost over Corolla.

• 🛹 Saturday, May 17 – 12:00 PM–7:00 PM
  Dare2Care OBX Shred Fest
  BMX tricks, skate demos, live music, and good vibes—all to support music programs for vets and the special needs community. Free to enter, donations welcome, radness guaranteed.

• 🎵 Saturday, May 17 – 7:00 PM
  Music Bingo @ Lost Colony Tavern
  It’s bingo—but make it musical. Greg Smurdel’s on the mic. Prizes and mild competition await.

• 🎱 Sunday, May 18 – 6:30 PM
  Sunday Pool Tournament @ Jolly Roger
  Chalk it up and compete like it’s Shark Week… only with cue sticks.

• 🎶 Sunday, May 18 – 7:00 PM
  Lucky 757 @ Tap Shack
  Virginia-based rockabilly band bringing the heat to wrap up your weekend. Don’t show up without your two-step shoes.

• ☁️ Ongoing All Weekend

  🪂 53rd Annual Hang Gliding Spectacular (Jockey’s Ridge + Cotton Gin)
  The longest-running hang gliding comp in the world is back and flapping! Pilots from all over are soaring off dunes and flexing their wingspan. Spectator-friendly, free, and full of sky-high bragging rights. More info here.

• 🦀 Outer Banks National Soft-Shell Week (Various Restaurants)
  It’s a week-long ode to our molting friends. Crispy crab sandwiches, creative plates, and enough butter to cancel your beach walk. Check the list of participating restaurants here.

• 🎣 Hatteras Village Offshore Open
  Big boats, big fish, and even bigger prize money ($400K+ on the line). The NC Billfish Series kicks off in Hatteras with serious competition and legendary local hospitality. Even if you’re not fishing, it’s worth the dockside buzz. Details here.

📍THE BEAK OF APPROVAL

🍽️Seanna Tavern — For when you want dinner to feel like a main character moment.
This isn’t your average beach shack. From the same crew behind Broken Plate Kitchen, Seanna Tavern in Corolla brings American classics with a glow-up—think elevated eats without the pretense. Chef Sean’s menu is all flavor, no fluff, and the cocktails? They understood the assignment.

Open for dinner Monday through Friday (breakfast + lunch return in summer), Seanna delivers urban flair with small-town friendliness. They do take reservations, and yes—you absolutely should. Because showing up unannounced and hangry is a choice.

🚨 SAFETY STUFF + SCANNER DRAMA

Where chaos meets comments, and Regina always has something to say.

• 🚨 Boater Rescue off Poyner’s Road

  Currituck deputies pulled off a textbook water rescue after a boat started sinking three miles offshore. Everyone’s safe, including the boat. Regina’s already weighed in with her usual spice, blaming yacht bros with no respect for the no-wake zone. Coinjock, watch your wakes—or face Regina’s wrath.

• 🛑 B&E in Kill Devil Hills—Bike + Blower Bandit on the Loose
  Two Trek bikes and a STIHL leaf blower were swiped in a breaking and entering on New Bern Street. If you see someone biking around town with suspicious landscaping motivation, call Detective Peden. Extra points if you catch it on Ring cam.

• 💥 Two-Car Crash + Entrapment at Shortcut & Indiantown
  Another nasty crash at that intersection. Injuries reported, and Regina’s back in the comments with a full traffic plan, emotional monologue, and possibly a petition to ban crotch rockets. Honestly, she’s not wrong.

• ⏬ TODAY-N.C. 12 Speed Limits Dropping to 35 MPH
  Seasonal slowdowns are in effect starting today. The tri-villages, Corolla, Avon, and Frisco, are all getting dialed back to 35 MPH. No more 45 until September 15. Slow down, wave politely, and pretend not to rage at the seasonal signs, or Regina will definitely have something to say about you.

• 🌪️ Surprise Storm + Possible Tornado in Wanchese
  Thursday night’s slow-moving thunderstorm dumped hail the size of quarters and flooded parts of South Nags Head. Wanchese may have gotten a taste of tornado drama, though meteorologists are still doing their “we can’t confirm” dance. Locals are, of course, blaming the tourists for the flash flooding. Naturally.

⛱️ VACAY OR STAY

🏡 FOR SALE: CLAWFOOT TUBS, COZY VIBES, AND HISTORIC MANTEO MAGIC
This 1900s charmer in the heart of Manteo proves old homes really do have better stories. With 3 beds, 2 baths, and a porch that practically begs for a rocking chair, this one blends original wood floors and ceilings with just the right amount of modern glow-up. Updated kitchen, fancy clawfoot tub, and mini-splits throughout = comfort without sacrificing character.

📍807 South St Lot 11, Manteo | $389,000 | MLS #129113

Bonus: Already killing it as an Airbnb. So whether you want to live in it or just profit off people who wish they did—you’ve got options.

🌊 VACAY: STARSTRUCK — 4X4 VIEWS, DISCOUNTED DRAMA-FREE
A New York family can’t make their OBX dream week happen, so you get the deal of the summer—if you're quick. From August 23–30, this 5-bed, 5-bath oceanfront escape in North Swan Beach is up for grabs at a discount. We’re talking pool, hot tub, steps to the sand, and all the wild horse vibes your soul can handle.

📍1973 Sandfiddler Rd, 4x4 | Starstruck

Bonus: This isn’t a scam, Karen. Twiddy has the listing remarketed. The original renters just want to recoup a little cash after insurance told them to kick rocks. Consider this your excuse to book the week, load up the 4WD, and disappear into salty bliss.

🗣️ WHAT THE GULL’S BEEN HEARING

• 💨A Corolla resident claims their HOA is trying to ban wind chimes. “They’re weaponized noise,” she reportedly said.

• 📸Word is a Manteo couple put up a “No Tourists” sign in their yard, and now it’s a selfie hotspot for—yep—tourists.

• 🏄🏻A local man is offering surf lessons but only between 6:00–6:12am because “that’s when the ocean respects him most.”

🔗 QUICK LINKS

• ⛴️Ferry Schedule – Because you can’t teleport to the Outer Banks, yet.

• 🐾OBX SPCA Pet of the Week: Mitzi is still waiting for you!

• 🌊Live Surf Cams – For pretending you care about the swell while actually checking beach crowds.

• 💬Submit a Tip or Event – Got gossip? We’re all ears (and beaks).

🧂FINAL PEEP FROM THE PERCH

Don’t do anything this weekend that ends up in next week’s newsletter. Or do. Just send pics to corroborate the tea that comes our way.

Sign up. Stay salty. Be nosy.