Seagull Says: It’s Monday. Again. We’re as shocked as you are.

🌊 TODAY’S TIDE (Weather + Surf Report)

• 🌤️ Weather
  Cloudy With a Chance of Complaints- Morning drizzle, afternoon gloom, and a 42% chance your plans will get rained on. High near 74° with that swampy 81% humidity that makes you question your fabric choices. Marginal risk of severe weather, maximum risk of frizzy hair.

• 🏄‍♂️ Surf Report
  Monday’s bringing a thigh-to-waist high E/SE swell—2 to 3ft if you manifest and believe. Conditions might be fair, but don’t wax your board in excitement just yet. Low confidence, medium vibes.

📰HEADLINES: MESSY? MAYBE. ACCURATE? ALSO MAYBE.

• 🛑 High Rip Current Risk South of Hatteras
  If your Monday plan included swimming in Frisco, Hatteras Village, or Ocracoke—how do we say this politely? Don’t. It’s a HIGH risk day for rip currents. MODERATE from Rodanthe to Buxton, and LOW from Duck to Nags Head (but don’t get cocky). Lifeguards are in off-season mode, so you’re basically on your own. Floaties and common sense highly recommended.

• 🫀 Dare to Care: Screenings That Save Lives
  Cardiovascular issues are the #1 killer, and Dare to Care is out here playing defense like champs. Started by a vascular surgeon who was tired of showing up after the damage was done, the free program brings life-saving screenings to locals. Open to folks 60+, or younger if you’ve got risk factors. Learn more or sign up at hearthealthfoundation.org/dare-to-care.

• 🚗 New DMV Office in Kitty Hawk: Less Waiting (Hopefully)
  Kitty Hawk’s getting a new DMV License Plate Office, and the people want to know: will it actually move faster? Operators Josh Bass and Denise Hall say yes—bigger space, more staff, better vibes. Target opening is mid-August, assuming all the training and ADA boxes get checked. Bless them for trying.

• 🦀 Soft-Shell Crab Week Is Coming
  May 12–17: It’s the week we all shed a little pride and chase that buttery, crispy crab perfection. Restaurants and seafood markets across the Outer Banks will be offering fresh, locally caught soft-shell crab dishes. Yes, the whole crab is edible. Yes, it’s weird. And yes, it’s absolutely delicious. More details at outerbanks.org.

🌮CINCO DE MAYO: WHERE TO TACO ‘BOUT IT

Because one margarita turns into three, and suddenly you're fluent in bad decisions and Spanish.

🪅 Spots Serving Up Cinco Vibes:

• Ortega’z – Manteo
  Southwestern flavors, wine bar energy, and hopefully a mariachi playlist.

• 3 Tequilas – Kill Devil Hills
  Name says it all. Add tacos and you’re good to go.

• La Fogata – Kitty Hawk, Nags Head, Avon
  A triple threat of classic Mexican fare and dependable combo plates.

• Bad Bean Baja Grill – Kitty Hawk
  A little spice, a lotta flavor, and possibly your new favorite fish taco.

• Plaza Azteca – Kill Devil Hills
  Known for huge portions, solid margs, and crowds who came to party.

• Los Antojitos OBX – Nags Head
  Low-key, local-loved, and delicious enough to make you cancel dinner plans at home.

• Coastal Cantina – Duck
  Tex-Mex by the water with views so good you’ll forget you’re double-fisting queso.

• Agave Roja – Corolla
  A more upscale Cinco vibe—like if your taco wore a blazer.

• OBX Tortilleria Panaderia y Taqueria – Kill Devil Hills
  Tortilla heaven. Bonus points if you leave with pan dulce for later.

📍THE BEAK OF APPROVAL

Downtown Books: Survived hurricanes, floods, and book snobs.
Downtown Books isn’t just a bookstore—it’s a literary fortress that’s weathered storms (literally). Owner Jamie Anderson turned a soggy location into a book lover’s dream, packed with hand-picked reads, cheeky greeting cards, and candles that smell like “Sexy Librarian.” Pop in for the latest beach read, stay for the charm—and maybe an author sighting or two. 📍103 Sir Walter Raleigh St, Manteo

🚓 NOT QUITE LAW & ORDER, BUT CLOSE ENOUGH

• 🔓 Escape from Hyde Correctional
  Francisco Cardenas (32) busted out of Hyde Correctional in Swan Quarter on Thursday. He’s 6'1", 130 lbs, and was doing time for drug trafficking. If you see a guy with a star tattoo on his hand who looks like he’s trying really hard not to be noticed—call 252-926-1810.

• 🚗 Rodanthe Wreck = Island-Wide Power Outage
  A solo vehicle crash at the Rodanthe roundabout knocked out power on Hatteras and Ocracoke Friday night. No major injuries, but if you were deep into Netflix and the screen went black… now you know. Power came back by midnight—spooky timing.

• 💥 Overnight Crash Between Avon & Buxton
  Early Friday morning, two vehicles collided on Highway 12. One driver was airlifted to Norfolk; the other was taken to OBX Hospital. No word yet on their conditions. Midnight driving: not for the faint of heart.

• 🔨 Breaking + Entering in Rodanthe
  Someone broke into a condemned rental on the 22000 block of NC12 and trashed the place. Vandalism under investigation. Not exactly the vacation rental glow-up we’d hoped for.

• 🧾 Identity Theft
  A Roanoke Island resident got a collections letter for tuition they never paid—and never owed. Somebody else is out here getting educated on their dime. Not cool.

• 🏦 Bank Account Larceny
  Someone dipped into a local’s bank account without permission. No, Venmo requests don’t count as consent.

• 🔥 Transformer Fire Near Waterlily Rd
  Saturday night flames on Caratoke Highway left some prom-goers possibly dancing in the dark. Shelley says, “no power for the prom.” Somewhere, a generator DJ saved the night.

• 🚓 Fender Bender Festival in Southern Shores
  A multi-car rear-ender on Duck Road gave Southern Shores a reason to pause. Bruce hopes everyone’s okay. Barbara simply says: “too. many. people.” Accurate.

⛱️ VACAY OR STAY

🏡FOR SALE: ESCAPE THE GROUP CHAT PERMANENTLY

🌊 Salt Air, Zero Pretension
Luxury without the snobby price tag. This brand-new beach cottage is one off the ocean, which means you can spill your coffee on the porch and blame it on sea spray. Premium finishes, granite counters, and uncrowded beaches so chill, even the seagulls whisper.
Bonus: it’s one of the last ones left in the Sea Glass Cottages community, so act fast or prepare to regret-scroll Zillow later.

📍27252 Sand St #8, Salvo| $409,900 | MLS #128029

🏖️ VACAY: STAY A NIGHT, FORGET WHAT DAY IT IS

🐾 Paws, Relaxation, Repeat
Oceanfront views? YES! Private pool and hot tub? DARN TOOTIN’! A beach walkway made for zoomies? ARF! Pelican Lookout delivers the ultimate getaway—and it’s dog-friendly, so your furry friends can live their best beach life too.

This 4-bedroom, 3-bath vacay spot has high ceilings, big windows, and even bigger vibes. Sip your coffee while the sunrise flexes for you, or hit the private pool after a beach walk that’s basically your dog’s Super Bowl. There's a hot tub with your name on it and a deck situation that’s giving ‘retirement goals.’

Bonus: walkable to Duck Village for donuts, dinner, and people-watching. Bring snacks, bring your pup, bring someone to carry your beach chairs—just don’t forget to relax.

📍 Duck, NC | Pelican Lookout

🕶️ HOT GOSS, SALTY AIR FROM THE WEEKEND

🐟 Someone at a fish market in Wanchese asked if flounder was “just a lazy fish that gave up.” The fishmonger blinked twice and walked away.

🧃 Overheard in a Corolla rental: “Do I need to refrigerate boxed wine if I leave it in the beach cart?” No word on the answer… or the outcome.

🛝 A kid at Jennette’s Pier reportedly told their dad, “This would be more fun if the ocean had a water slide.” Can’t argue with the vision.

🚔 A visitor in Nags Head called 911 because “someone took their beach chair spot.” Officers advised them to calm down. And maybe touch sand.

📝 FROM THE MAILBAG

Someone messaged us this weekend and said, “Y’all are hilarious—how are you not charging for this?”

First of all, thank you. Second of all, don’t give us ideas. If we start billing for sarcasm, your inbox will be the first to cry.

🔗 QUICK LINKS

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

• 🐾OBX SPCA Pet of the Week: Bear- a 12-year-old boy who wants a forever home to spend his golden years in.

• 🌊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

If the weekend left you sunburned, over-caffeinated, and slightly unhinged, you’re not alone. We’ll be back tomorrow with more news, nonsense, and neighborly side-eye. Forward this to someone who needs a squawk.

Sign up. Stay salty. Be nosy. See you tomorrow!