Page 26 - 2021 The Barefoot Guide

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LOCAL TIPS
We know you are going to love our little slice of the North Carolina coast for its natural beauty, delicious seafood, amazing restaurants and over 300 miles of gorgeous beaches.
Since we like to think of ourselves as your friends at the beach, here are a few things to keep in mind so you can “vacation like a local.” Please take a moment to also read on the adjacent page “Tips for Staying Safe at the Beach” published by the state of North Carolina.
Locals have passed down this information to children and grandchildren about ocean safety, and we wanted you to be “in the know” about jellyfish, sharks, rip currents and sun exposure. We love our ocean swims and follow these guidelines ourselves. Locals prefer not to swim at dawn or dusk when it is possibly meal time for larger fish. When swimming in Bogue Sound, we like to wear water shoes due to oyster shells, barnacles and other sharp objects that may be hard to see.
Although our homeowners have carefully maintained their beach homes and our maintenance staff has done inspections and repairs in the off season, we still wish to enlist you to help us keep your family safe while on vacation. Upon arrival, if you suspect that the deck, railings or exterior stairs have deteriorated since our last inspection or since the homeowner was last at their island vacation rental home, please do not hesitate to call us and we will send our maintenance staff to inspect and repair, if necessary, any issues you report. We also ask your assistance by not over-occupying the deck. A deck incident occurred when two dozen family members clustered at one corner of the deck for a family photograph, and the deck failed to support their concentrated weight, resulting in serious injuries. We would suggest family photos are beautiful when taken at the beach instead of on the deck, and the light is most beautiful one hour before sunset. Be sure to position your family members facing the glow from the sunset, not with their backs to the sunset, making their faces dark.
Locals also enjoy trips to the North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores, the North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort, and the always entertaining Core Sound Waterfowl Museum at Harkers Island. When you wish to have a day out of the sun or if you are faced with a rainy afternoon, these can be great adventures for all the generations traveling with you. We wish for you the happiest, safest beach vacation ever, and we are so grateful you have chosen Emerald Isle Realty to be your friends at the beach!