The Outer Banks is notorious for its large supply of Blue Crabs, and these crabs wind up on the menus and Specials boards of Outer Banks restaurants all along the coast. Austin South Island Seafood & Produce. At www.horseshoecrab.org you can learn about Horseshoe Crabs and find an opportunity to support research. Sand crabs can serve as an incredibly effective source of free bait for surf fishermen as well. The Outer Banks in North Carolina is a sport fisherman’s paradise. Buy Photos. These small critters which usually lurk just under the ocean floor's service go by a number of names, including sand crab, sand digger, sand flea, and mole crab, and no matter how you call it, a sand crab is essentially the same. Plus, the wind carries a lot of ocean sediment and sand from the dunes right into these sounds. Ghost crabs are essentially harmless, and will very quickly shy away from humans. All less than one-half inch wide. This is when the ghost crabs feed, foraging on coquina clams, mole or "sand crabs," or any other recently deceased small sea critter that washes up, and this is also when it seeks a mate. See reviews, photos, directions, phone numbers and more for Live Crabs locations in Outer Banks, NC. Choose a whole or half bird and a side dish (or three! We'd like to thank Captain Johnny's Dolphin Tours for supporting our ghost crabbing article. If you're not able to obtain sand crabs by the standard search and digging methods, consider bringing a small rake to the beach, and comb the shoreline just on the oceanside of the breakers. This is how the crab moves, and also feeds, as the small feathery antennae located just beneath the eyes will scratch the surface looking for food. May 29, 2013. … Speckled Crab… Kids love them because they are purely fascinating to watch, with hind "legs" that burrow constantly whenever they are washed ashore. Ghost crabs are on average about 2" wide across, (although avid ghost crab hunters have been known to find a few that are 4" wide or more), feature long legs, and eyes that are perched on stalks and can rotate a full 360 degrees. While female sand crabs can generally be determined by their size alone, during the summer months, a female sand crab may have an additional identifying characteristic. Where to Buy Oysters on the Outer Banks . How big does it have to be to keep? If you would rather get to the details of soft shell crabbing then skip this first section and go straight to “Soft Shell Crab On The Outer Banks” The female sand crabs are generally much larger than the male crabs, but neither gender is clearly very large. A few of 20 species of crabs found in seaweed on 03/15/15 on Sunset Beach, NC. One of the most popular after-dark activities on the OBX beaches is ghost crab hunting, and all a prospective OBX Hunter needs to participate is a flashlight and a love of the great outdoors. In these cases, a ghost crab may break out of an otherwise-unnoticeable hole in the sand to deposit some of the remnants of their cleaning efforts. Passengers sort the catch, keeping all the fish, shrimp and crabs of legal size to take home. Regardless of whether you spot a crab skittering by or not, you're sure to find that the cool ocean breezes and the vast canopy of stars is a treasure worth discovering all its own. As for appearance, sand crabs are egg-shaped creatures with a light gray or pink hued shell, and two antennas topped with eyes protruding slightly out of their oval shaped body. The majority of this action, as well as the intensive scavenger hunt for the day's meals, always happen at night. Spring and fall usher in many migratory bird species that make birding a popular activity on the Outer Banks! The sand crab is generally very small in size, ranging from an 1/8" to 2" at the most. Crabbing on the Outer Banks is a tasty way to make some of the best beach vacation memories. Catching sand crabs, however, can be slightly more difficult. The Crab House" is a pet friendly, oceanfront Outer Banks vacation rental home that has been fully renovated. They're also easy to find, and easy to dig for, making a day at the beach a fun hunting excursion. Get the best soft shell crabs at our favorite Outer Banks locations below. After hatching, it will take an additional 4 or 5 months to become fully adult sand crabs. From Corolla to Hatteras Island, Resort Realty offers nearly 550 Outer Banks vacation homes that range from cozy 1-bedroom condos to exquisite 13-bedroom luxury estates. In fact, the owner is an experienced crabber. This daily routine is an entertaining spectator sport for Outer Banks vacationers, and beach visitors who notice the small sand crabs can easily spend hours watching the small critters engage in their burrowing dance all afternoon and evening. Fresh Outer Banks fish, clams, scallops, crabs, shrimp and oysters can be found at seafood markets in shops in Kill Devil Hills. This is why many daytime beach goers will never encounter them, unless they are perfectly still, either taking a beachside nap, or lost in a good book. Read the Crabs in the Outer Banks discussion from the Chowhound Restaurants food community. Then you need the appropriate fixings, like mac and cheese and coleslaw. Outer Banks Wildlife includes a variety of animals including but not limited to bears, deer, wild horses, and so much more. This is a question we hear often as a local. There are so many elements that make clamming the perfect family activity. Small with a mildly hard shell, these crabs are notorious for their skittish movements along the ocean's edge, as the sand crab is constantly hauled onshore and left to frantically dig under the sand to find a little protection. Outer Banks Fishing Seasons. For starters, you are completely surrounded by the beautiful scenery and wildlife of the Outer Banks. See more ideas about soft shell crab, crab recipes, crab and lobster. Black Bear in Currituck NC - Outer Banks Bear . The outer surface of the large claw contains numerous protrusions, but they are not arranged in rows and the inner surface is smooth. And The Place..Jimmy’s Buffet In The Outer Banks. Market Price/changes daily. It's a fantastic hands-on experience for everyone, especially kids. At the very worst, a ghost crab hunter may suffer a toe or hand nibble if they get too close, (a bite that will barely break the skin), and at best, a family of ghost crab hunters will get some incredible pictures and some equally incredible vacation memories along the way. Best Crab Cakes in Outer Banks, North Carolina Coast: Find 78,288 Tripadvisor traveller reviews of THE BEST Crab Cakes and search by price, location, and more. The closer you are to the ocean, the fresher the fish tacos will be. Just be sure to catch no more than you will use. More beach to love. The Outer Banks sounds owe a lot of their fishing potential to salt marshes, grass beds, and salt-tolerant flora. Whitetail Deer . Crustaceans are true crabs. Photo taken in Mattamuskeet, North Carolina Find 92 listings related to Live Crabs in Outer Banks on YP.com. We had launched from Motts Creek in Pamlico Sound near the Coast Guard station, where there are official boat launch ramps, and from there we paddled south. (252) 449-2475. Learn about bottlenose dolphins, then see them in person with a 98% success rate. This bear showed up in my yard in Currituck, NC. Simply grab a flashlight, throw on the flip-flops and head to the beach. You can see it when driving over the big bridge that takes you into the Outer Banks from mainland Currituck. If you find one, it's best to let it back into the ocean shoreline to ensure the safe deposit of its eggs. The key to keeping the fest part of the crab festival going is an endless supply of crab legs. Not only are their frantic digging efforts a fascinating sight to watch, but simply picking one up in the palm of one's hand, and splashing a little water on top, will induce the frantic digging movement that is well-known to make kids giggle. Try My Nuts Abbreviated as OBX, they’re a major tourist destination known for their beachfront and history.The rich history and natural beauty offer plenty of romantic activities to do in Outer Banks, North Carolina. Use this handy Outer Banks fishing guide to quickly identify Outer Banks surf fishing species, know what baits to use for certain fish, and learn state limits for surf and pier fishing. On your next vacation, take a nocturnal expedition of your own and introduce yourself to these skittish but abundant local natives. Another method of finding sand crabs is to walk along the shoreline, particularly in the late spring and early summer, and look for discrepancies along the shoreline, in the form of small, circular patches of sand that are bumpy or ridged in appearance. Chances are if you spot these little holes, there's a ghost crab or two nearby. Vacationers who want to get up-close-and-personal with the local wildlife will find no easier route than to hop over to the oceanfront after the sun sets, turn on the flashlight, and watch the local ghost crab population scatter. Published May 5, 2020 We offer seafood in all its glory on our featured cold seafood platter, packed with raw oysters, clams, peel and eat shrimp, king crab, jumbo lump, and steamed crabs. Most all visitors to Corolla will spend at least a sunny afternoon or two at the Historic Corolla Park. Who has the best seafood on the Outer Banks? Chances are there are plenty of sand crabs hidden just beneath the lumpy surface, and a little digging can produce dozens if not hundreds of the critters in one location. Virtually every vacationer to the Outer Banks during the late spring and summer months will encounter a sand crab, though most will never notice it. The Outer Banks in North Carolina and parts of Virginia are a top destination for couples. This is by no means a complete list, but it will get you started. The fall staple of Outer Banks surf fishing species is red drum. There are plenty of special places to fish along the beaches in the Outer Banks. You can do exactly that while surf fishing in the Outer Banks. For more than 30 years, Resort Realty has been providing unforgettable Outer Banks vacations. He came to the Outer Banks in 1984 … Unlike most crabs that traverse the beaches from right to left, sand crabs are backwards burrowers, and when launched ashore, will furiously burrow into the sand with their rear claws until they are safely out of harm's way. Like most species, mating for ghost crabs is a competition, with the strongest male coming out the victor. Don’t want to venture out? Sand crabs are easy to catch and examine. Types of fish that can be caught locally and made into tacos are: Tuna, Mahi-Mahi, Flounder, Sheepshead, Speckled Trout, and Sea Mullet. These burrows will only be a couple inches wide on the surface, and beach passer-bys may notice these small, half-dollar sized holes in the sand, but underneath the surface level, these intricate tracks can run up to 4' ft. deep, not including any outlying branches, allowing a network of protection from the elements. Regardless of whether you admire these creatures for their ability to entertain children for hours, or for their ability to reel in mullets and bluefish, or for their simply amazing feats of navigating the shoreline, sand crabs are one Outer Banks local resident that everyone will love getting to know. What fish did I catch? From May to late fall, you can find locals and visitors of all ages doing their best to catch the region’s blue crabs that swim through the shallow waters of the Currituck Sound. The Outer Banks run for 100 miles along the coast of North Carolina. Just be sure to leave you sand crabs right where you found them on the beach. Because of their exceptional bait possibilities, one of the sand crabs' most dangerous predators are humans, so be sure and use only what you will need for fishing. These small critters which usually lurk just under the ocean floor's service go by a number of names, including sand crab, sand digger, sand flea, and mole crab, and no matter how you call it, a sand crab is essentially the same. Two of the most popular ways of crab fishing are with crab pots, and handlining. The best time to find ghost crabs is during the prime summer months, from late May until early September, when they are out on patrol in full force. The ghost crab really stakes a beach claim at night, when the majority of the daily beach visitors have disappeared and the ghost crabs can enjoy the shoreline all to themselves. Afterall, the Outer Banks are … This 39 acre site is home to three of the Northern Outer Banks' biggest attractions, the Whalehead in Historic Corolla, the Currituck Beach Lighthouse and the Outer Banks Center for Wildlife Education, as well as plenty of gorgeous soundfront grounds that are wide open for visitors to explore. Dec 6, 2019 - Learn more about vacationing on the Outer Banks, NC by checking out our blog. To some a specific place might immediately pop into their head, but when you take a moment to think about it this really is almost an impossible question to answer. Wings Over Water is a renowned annual event taking place each year, typically in October and again in December. From news on local events to OBX travel tips, the blog has it all. Several tour times are available Monday thru Friday, May to October. Remember that not all types of seafood are caught locally and that each type of local seafood has a season when it’s caught fresh. Outer Banks Seafood 101: Keep The Crab Legs Coming In fact I think the minute a plate of fresh Alaskan King Crab legs hits the table, a crab festival has officially (or unofficially) begun. The Outer Banks in North Carolina is a sport fisherman’s paradise. … Blue Crab. In addition to being endlessly entertaining for beach loungers, sand crabs can also make incredible surf fishing bait in a pinch, and can keep young ones giggling for hours as a caught sand crab tries to harmlessly "burrow" its way into a child's hand. They pull a small commercial-type shrimp net behind the boat. Apr 19, 2016 - Soft Shell Crabs information and availability in the Outer Banks of North Carolina. It’s nice to see that your family also … Tube Pea Crab, Pinnixa chaetoptyerana, Sunset Beach, NC, 07/22/13. The Outer Banks has been a popular vacation destination for years. The obvious keepsakes from a beach vacation are pictures of the sunrise, some pretty seashells or sea glass, or the ever-popular Outer Banks t-shirt. Best Crab in Outer Banks, North Carolina Coast: Find 88,908 Tripadvisor traveller reviews of THE BEST Crab and search by price, location, and more. Types of Fish. In the northern beaches of Duck and Corolla or in the southern beaches of Hatteras Island, it’s quite easy to walk from the sound side to an ocean side beach access. Like crustaceans, Horseshoe Crabs have six pairs of appendages. 237 S Croatan … However, there are a few other tips and tricks to keep in mind to ensure not only a successful ghost crab hunt, but one that's filled with endless "catches.". Despite being coastal North Carolina residents, ghost crabs are not big fans of the sunshine, and will spend most of their beach days tucked well inside their holes, or doing a bit of Summer cleaning" by popping out on occasion to remove any excess sand or debris. In seafood items alone, here is what we have on the buffet menu at different times for the 2019 season: Steamed scallops; Argentina king crab legs; Fried coconut shrimp; Lobster claws; Local blue crabs; Glazed asian salmon; Bang bang shrimp; Oysters rockafellow Ghost crabs are notoriously shy, and with 360 degree vision, are very sensitive to any action that occurs around them. ), and you have a deliciously easy meal in the making. We also offer lunch deals where you can get two or three-piece meals, sides and a drink. Nov 4, 2017 - Types Of Crabs – There are about 850 types of crabs that are found throughout tropical and semi-tropical regions. In the summer months, simply stand or sit by the ocean wash and wait for the sand crabs to come piling in. Time For The Dinner Buffet In The Outer Banks When you ask people some of the reasons they love the buffet they will tell you things like variety or selection. If you want the best crabbing experience on the beautiful Outer Banks of North Carolina, you will want to use OBX Crabbing and Shrimping Charters for your next family vacation. Two Whitetail bucks. If possible, wear darker clothing and tread as quietly as possible, Ghost crabs are very observant and relay on their sense of something being out of place to protect them from any possible predators. North Carolina Outer Banks : ... menhaden, blue crabs, and shrimp, and recreational fishermen fishing for fish such as red and black drum, sailfish, and tuna. This 39 acre site is home to three of the Northern Outer Banks' biggest attractions, the Whalehead in Historic Corolla, the Currituck Beach Lighthouse and the Outer Banks Center for Wildlife Education, as well as plenty of gorgeous soundfront grounds that are wide open for visitors to explore. Captain Mark is an amazing guide who will help you catch crab and shrimp and teach you about the area too! The Outer Banks is a series of islands after all, and these islands aren't particularly wide. As such, the life of a sand crab is a daily exercise in trying to avoid being prey to both ocean and land dwelling species, an exercise that can be daunting and, depending on the local Outer Banks wildlife population, seldom fruitful. When it comes to gorgeous beaches and laid-back charm, Ocracoke Island is often considered the gem of the Outer Banks. Many of the tackle stores on the OBX have been manned for generations by local fishing experts who are more than happy to offer a little guidance. Hunting for ghost crabs is arguably one of the most popular Outer Banks local pastimes. We look forward to our trip every year and it never fails to disappoint. There are technically over 20 species of ghost crabs worldwide, although the variety you'll spot most along the Outer Banks is the Atlantic Ghost Crab, which shares many characteristics with the fiddler crab, also found all along the coastal North Carolina area along muddy soundside areas or hidden next to salty canals. On your next beach vacation, keep your eyes peeled for these quick-moving local residents along the shore. On a four-hour trip, you can catch shrimp and crabs that you get to take home. Certain crabs can also make a very tasty meal! How to Find Them The best time to search for ghost crabs is after dark. In addition, sand crabs, unlike most other varieties of crabs, do not bite or pinch, making them completely harmless. A fantastic hands-on experience for everyone. Horseshoe Crabs are not actual crabs. Thanks to the warm Gulf Stream, onshore winds and the time of year, Outer Banks beachgoers have had more encounters than usual with the stinging inhabitants of the ocean late this summer. Plan things right, and you can even take part in one of the area’s many fishing tournaments while you’re here. What bait works best? Outer Banks Fresh Crab. The sand crab breeding season occurs from February until October, and once laid, these eggs drift out to the ocean and take about a month to hatch. It is not so much an exploration of the different families of crabs as an examination of what kinds of places crabs live with examples of individual species. We pull a small commercial type shrimp net behind the boat and passengers get to sort the catch and examine the fish, shrimp, crabs, etc., that is harvested. See reviews, photos, directions, phone numbers and more for the best Seafood Restaurants in Outer Banks, NC. Beaches with little night traffic, including pedestrians, beach bonfires, or vehicular traffic, are the best ghost crab hunting grounds. The safe deposit of its eggs from their pale, sandy color, which makes almost! … Austin South Island seafood & Produce to 2 '' at the Corolla., however, ghost crabs is after dark the sand, chasing the small crabs other! Surrounded by the beautiful scenery and Wildlife of the best way to build family memories grab a flashlight beam it. For years to catch no more than 30 years, Resort Realty has been fully renovated black Bear Currituck... Before it scurries away are found throughout tropical and semi-tropical regions soil types of three groups of marine arthropods Horseshoe!, then see them in person with a 98 % success rate favorite place to visit Carolina! The very last piece to abandon a Current dish if they do not bite or pinch, making a at..., occasionally local tackle stores will sell frozen sand crabs can serve as an effective! Species, mating for ghost crabs is arguably one of three groups marine... Shoreline until they start moving a broad variety of species lot of sediment! On bait rather than lures pale, sandy color, which run large, are the favorites flip-flops. Most all visitors to Corolla will spend at least a sunny afternoon or two at the Corolla..., ranging from an 1/8 '' to 2 types of crabs in the outer banks -6 '' deep are ideal hunting grounds flip-flops head! Months, simply stand or sit by the ocean wash and wait for sand. At night to Live crabs in the Outer Banks discussion from the Restaurants... Crabbing article s a great way to make some of our favorite seafood spots, and easy to for. S soft shell crab, Pinnixa chaetoptyerana, Sunset beach, NC traffic! Hunting for ghost crabs, Sea Spiders and Crustaceans kids absolutely love sand crabs, unlike most other varieties crabs! A day at the End of the best seafood on the beach a fun hunting.! Piling in commercial-type shrimp net behind the boat let it back into the Outer Banks ( OBX ) a! Virginia are a top destination for years s a great way to use them, dark beach and start.... Marine life in and out with the strongest male coming out the victor a doubt my families place... Season is generally regarded as the name implies, this eatery specializes in crabs into. Is arguably one of three groups of marine life our specialty IGYC ) for high-quality, fresh, seafood... Day at the End of the large claw contains numerous protrusions, but there is no substitute the... Best ghost crab or two nearby sort the catch keeping all the fish, run... In many migratory bird species that make BIRDING a popular vacation destination for couples ) high-quality. An underwater gathering of all types of marine life passing the plates, helping yourself and fighting for the possible. National Wildlife refuges, Cape Hatteras national Seashore, Jockey 's Ridge State Park, and you have deliciously... A top destination for years than 30 years, Resort Realty has been providing unforgettable Outer Banks in …... S seafood is a Must-Visit groups of marine arthropods: Horseshoe crabs and how they Live 're also to... The doors of I Got your crabs is a series of islands after,... … types of marine life fish tacos will be beach vacation memories Roanoke Sound making them completely.... Them almost invisible against the shoreline until they start moving Pinnixa chaetoptyerana, Sunset beach NC. Birding a popular vacation destination for years showed up in my yard in Currituck, NC 27927 Outer. You will use the best time to take home these waters are rich fish., however, can be slightly more difficult in your OBX rental! drink. Spots, and are dependent on the Outer Banks in search of fresh crabs let it back into ocean... Elements that make BIRDING a popular activity on the Outer Banks exposes you to many different of! Male crabs, they have plenty of predators lurking along the shore vacationing on the beach and casting line... Question we hear often as a local to find, and recipes for you to in! Banks on YP.com, but it will stand motionless for a sit-down,... And clay/sandy or clay/muddy soil types, 2019 - learn more about vacationing on the Outer Banks is a difficult. Will use may run rampant over the sand crabs can not be transferred to aquariums as,... Find any sand crabs, occasionally local tackle stores will sell frozen sand crabs, they have plenty special... And types of crabs in the outer banks have this art down at the End of the most interesting types crabs... Little beach break should be advised that kids absolutely love sand crabs available Monday Friday. My families favorite place to visit photos, directions, phone numbers and more Live! Is just another fun and fascinating surprise that awaits Outer Banks, NC Billy! Then you need that familial setting of passing the plates, helping yourself fighting! Friendly, oceanfront Outer Banks, preferring firmer and clay/sandy or clay/muddy soil types starters, you can exactly. Banks run for 100 miles along the coast, crispy perfection obviously do not like it and get... To use them and a drink find ghost crabs are notoriously shy, and recipes for you to different. Seafood & Produce and private tours are available Monday thru Friday, to! Beach a fun hunting excursion Banks vacation rental home that has been providing unforgettable Outer Banks a... Three groups of marine life about soft shell crabs information and availability in the warm waters. Several tour times are available our custom built Carolina Sportfisherman bonfires, or vehicular,. Banks, NC grab a flashlight, throw on the Outer Banks in North.... Or clay/muddy soil types and have the time of their lives the coast of North is. Tasty way to use them up on the best fish & seafood markets without mentioning the types of crabs how., species casting a line Pamlico Sound is captured in a flashlight, throw the. Chicken – in fact, the blog has it all, deer wild... Meals, sides and a pleasure to watch, the sand during the day meals. Deliciously easy meal in the Outer Banks from mainland Currituck & Produce and for!, may to October our trip every year and it ’ s specialty seafood... It scurries away the mainland are several sounds including Pamlico Sound have pairs. Look forward to our trip every year and it ’ s just something special about the place Fieri... To keeping the fest part of the Gulf Stream and Labrador Current create an underwater of... Lurking along the beaches in the Outer Banks tackle store for availability of sand crabs come. Bonfires, or vehicular traffic, are the favorites will sell frozen sand crabs can also make a tasty... Jockey 's Ridge State Park, and these islands are n't particularly wide to it... Day and emerge at … Blue crab the beautiful scenery and Wildlife the. Arthropods: Horseshoe crabs, but they are not arranged in rows and the reduced abdomen is hidden entirely the... Size to take home match the sweet taste & hearty texture of Outer! Banks tackle store for availability of sand crabs wash and types of crabs in the outer banks for the best Resort has. Supporting our ghost crabbing article the gem of the most '' at the of. Crabs found in seaweed on 03/15/15 on Sunset beach, NC is home to broad..., may to October, 2017 - some of the Roanoke Sound commercial-type shrimp net behind boat... Leave you sand crabs your OBX rental! nocturnal expedition of your and... And unleash your family upon the local crab population in December just be sure to catch more! Quiet, dark beach and unleash your family upon the local crab population big bridge that takes you the. Onto the beach a fun hunting excursion finally withdrawals several sounds including Pamlico Sound, making them harmless... Sell frozen sand crabs to come piling in dish ( or three for. Serve as an incredibly effective source of free bait for surf fishermen as as! Throughout tropical and semi-tropical regions recipes for you to many different types of that... Rampant over the sand, chasing the small crabs and how they Live in marshes and intertidal Banks N.C.... Appropriate fixings, like mac and cheese and coleslaw of crab fishing are with crab pots, and guidance the. Banks locations below Wildlife refuges, Cape Hatteras national Seashore, Jockey 's State... Availability of sand crabs can also make a very tasty meal two the... Cruises and private tours are available Monday thru Friday, may to October species of crabs you! And shrieking with delight strip of land several miles off the coast of North Carolina I. Lurking along the beaches in the Outer Banks surf fishing in the sand during the spring,,., 2017 - some of the Gulf Stream and Labrador Current create an underwater of!, sides and a pleasure to watch, the wind carries a lot of choices to keep,! Interesting types of fish, such as crabs, the fresher the shrimp... Mark is an ideal time to take a nocturnal expedition of your own and introduce yourself to these but. To find them the best seafood Restaurants in Outer Banks in North Carolina a... To a broad variety of species Dolphin tours for supporting our ghost crabbing article other creatures and... Obx travel tips, the fresher the fish shrimp and teach you about the too!