There’s been a lot of buzz about the recent opening of the “new” Jennette’s Pier in Nags Head. Jennette’s Pier was the Outer Bank’s first fishing pier, having opened in July, 1939. In 2003, Hurricane Isabel damaged the Pier and destroyed over 500 feet of the wooden pier. The NC Aquariums acquired the property and rebuilt it as an educational ocean pier.
1,000 foot long concrete pier
When I visited, the wind was whipping hard from the southeast and there were whitecaps on the ocean, and my first thought was how sturdy the pier felt, no swaying, just rock-solid construction. It is an all-concrete pier with three wind turbines that generate electricity. Standing at the end of the Pier, high above the ocean, it feels like being on a cruise ship.
The pier was crowded with families and fishermen. While I was there I saw several skate being pulled in, and they seemed to be the only fish biting (is a skate a fish?).
watching as skate is being released
Inside is a large gift and tackle shop, after all, it is a fishing pier at heart. There is a large modern classroom as the Pier will offer educational programs and summer camps to “inspire appreciation and conservation of North Carolina’s aquatic environments.” http://www.jennettespier.net/programs.
Upstairs are a large banquet room, kitchen and deck overlooking the ocean and pier. This area is available for special events, such as weddings or corporate meetings. The views are incredible and I can imagine any event held there will be pretty spectacular.
