Why is it called the sound OBX? - See the answer (2024)

Is Outer Banks good for swimming?

The Outer Banks is ideal for water lovers, and with more water than land comprising this cluster of barrier islands, it’s easy to get your toes wet in the local swimming scene.

What is Kitty Hawk North Carolina known for?

Kitty Hawk became world-famous after the Wright brothers made the first controlled powered airplane flights at Kill Devil Hills, four miles (6 km) south of the town, on December 17, 1903.

Can you swim in the sound at Outer Banks?

People do swim in the sounds, however, it is not like the ocean. The Currituck sound is home to water moccasins which can be seen on the banks and swimming in the water. Jellyfish are problematic in both sound and ocean as the waters warm up mid summer.

Are there jellyfish in OBX?

Sea Nettle

Of the jellyfish that you are likely to see on the Outer Banks, Sea Nettles are the ones to be most aware of. These brown or red circular jellyfish are common in the summer and have long tentacles with frilly mouth-arms that can give a painful sting.

Is Outer Banks water cold?

While OBX water temperature by month varies, the average water temperature in the Outer Banks is 63 degrees Fahrenheit. Why is Outer Banks water cold? Outer Banks water is cold because southwest winds push warm water up to the surface of the Atlantic Ocean and away from the shore.

Do people swim in Currituck Sound?

The sound is considered a big playground by watersport enthusiasts. Not only can you enjoy inshore fishing or swimming, you can also go waterskiing, kayaking, jet skiing, parasailing, jet packing, boat rentals, stand up paddle baording, and a myriad of other fun things.

What is the difference between the ocean and the sound?

While the ocean is tidal, the sounds’ calm waters are dependent on wind conditions. You will consistently find much calmer water in the sound making these areas great for sitting in your beach chair and spending a relaxing day with your family.

Is the sound fresh or saltwater?

Spanning the reach between barrier island and mainland, the sound is an enormous lagoon of flooded coastal plain, a brackish blend of both saltwater from the sea and freshwater from inland rivers.

Is the Currituck Sound saltwater?

With so little contact with the ocean, Currituck Sound is essentially filled with fresh water. “Currituck is different because most of the sounds in North Carolina are brackish, which means they have a high level of salt,” explains Robbie Fearn, Director of Audubon’s Pine Island Sanctuary.

Are there alligators in Currituck Sound?

The scaly, toothy reptiles have been seen in the Pasquotank River, the Currituck Sound and in creeks and rivers along the Outer Banks. They live in Merchants Millpond State Park in Gates County and in lakes and creeks along the Alligator River in Hyde County.

Are there sharks in Currituck Sound?

At first glance, it looks on the Ocearch.org shark tracker map that a shark is in North Carolina’s Currituck Sound, just to the west of Corolla. While this scenario is possible, it’s highly unlikely. Ocearch satellite pings have a variance of about 20 miles when trying to pinpoint a shark’s location.

Are there alligators on the Outer Banks?

However, the Outer Banks is still home to the American Alligator. Alligators inhabit areas north of the refuge and in some of our waterways. You can see alligators in the Alligator River, Milltail Creek, Sawyer Lake, and in the border canals that line Highway 64/264 in Manns Harbor and Stumpy Point!

Are there sharks in Outer Banks?

Atlantic sharpnose sharks are among the most common in North Carolina / Outer Banks waters. The adults can reach 4 feet in length and are found during the summer and autumn. Chances of encountering a shark in North Carolina waters are very low.

How deep is the water in OBX?

The depth of the water in the aquifer varies, but by the time it gets to the Outer Banks it’s well over 200′ deep in most places. The water has to be treated mostly because it’s brackish.

Are there snakes on the Outer Banks?

Copperheads, cottomouths and timber rattlers are common to eastern North Carolina, including portions of the Outer Banks. Though they should be avoided in the wild, these venomous reptiles play an important role in healthy ecosystems and are effective in controlling rodent populations.

Can rattlesnakes swim in the ocean?

Rattlesnakes have no problem swimming in saltwater. They can swim equally well in freshwater as well as the ocean. In fact, rattlesnakes often swim across salty waters in places like Florida in order to get from land mass to land mass.