At-a-Glance

Going Coastal
This authentic coastal experience features waters of crystalline purity bordering sandy, sparkling beaches. From eccentric history and legendary tales of swashbuckling pirate adventures, to ghostly encounters and exotic wild horses roaming the same shores for centuries and generations reflecting southern tradition.

To understand the real coastal experience is to feel the tranquil sea breezes gently blowing across glassy waters, to stroll the historical streets of a quaint maritime village saturated with memories of the past and to dine on “fresh from the docks” seafood at a waterfront bistro.

It is both a place and a state of mind representing a departure from the ordinary and arrival at the extraordinary.

Location
The favored Atlantic beach destination of generations represents one of the only remaining natural barrier island systems in the world. The islands consist of 85 miles of silken coastline – 56 miles of which are in the protected Cape Lookout National Seashore.

Coastal Portrait
Miles of shimmering water reflecting countless tiny suns during the day and shattering the moon into a thousand pieces at night. Lush maritime forests edging the silken coast like emerald jewels studding a royal crown. Located along the state’s southernmost outer reach, the barrier islands take a curious southward curve, blessing The Crystal Coast with beaches that course east and west – making it possible to admire the dazzlingly bright sun rise to greet the day and then slip into the shimmering translucent blue waters in the evening during a spectacular North Carolina sunset.

Coastal Towns
The Crystal Coast is home to eleven waterfront towns: Atlantic Beach, Beaufort, Cape Carteret/West, Down East, Emerald Isle, Harkers Island, Indian Beach, Morehead City, Newport, Pine Knoll Shores, and Salter Path. Each town has its own distinct charm, and Cape Lookout, while a national park, is also included in our towns section due to its significance to the area.

Atlantic Beach
A haven for sunbathers, Atlantic Beach is home to wide, pearlescent beaches and plenty of sunshine. Part of the Bogue Banks, Atlantic Beach is the oldest of five resort towns. Visitors can choose from a range of accommodations, from luxurious coastal mansions to charming beach bungalows. Fort Macon State Park, with its rich history and ecological significance, features a museum-quality coastal education center and unspoiled shorelines for swimming, surf fishing, and beachcombing. Fort Macon is ideal for active vacationers who like to experience it all.

Beaufort
Stepping onto the oak-lined streets of historic Beaufort—named “The South’s Best Small Town” by Southern Living magazine—is like stepping into a time long forgotten. The air is filled with the same salty-sweet ocean scents that have caressed the coast for centuries. While dining at a waterfront café, it’s not uncommon to see wild horses roaming freely on the Rachel Carson Reserve, just across the glassy waters of Taylor’s Creek. Beaufort, the third oldest town in North Carolina, also serves as the county seat of the Crystal Coast. The wreckage of Blackbeard’s infamous ship, the Queen Anne’s Revenge, rests just three miles off its shores.

Cape Carteret/West
Cape Carteret offers a quieter, residential experience with a focus on outdoor recreation. Nestled along the shore, it provides visitors with easy access to the coast for fishing, boating, and water sports. A great destination for those who want to enjoy the beauty of the Crystal Coast in a more serene environment, Cape Carteret is ideal for peaceful retreats.

Emerald Isle
Named “No. 1 Beach in North Carolina” by Coastal Living magazine and USA Today, Emerald Isle is known as the most prominent of the Bogue Banks. Lush greenery and miles of uncrowded coastline offer a true sense of escape. Accommodations range from quaint beach cottages to massive “sandcastle” beach houses. Spend your days dining at casually elegant restaurants, shopping at coastal boutiques, or simply relaxing by the sea.

Harkers Island
Harkers Island, a peaceful destination off the coast of the Crystal Coast, is known for its historical significance and natural beauty. A gateway to Cape Lookout National Seashore, visitors can explore pristine beaches, salt marshes, and wildlife. The island offers a glimpse into the unique coastal life of the area, perfect for nature enthusiasts.

Indian Beach
Indian Beach is a tranquil retreat along the Crystal Coast, known for its serene beaches and scenic views. Visitors can enjoy a relaxing getaway in this peaceful community, with access to nearby attractions on the Bogue Banks. Ideal for a quiet, laid-back escape, it offers a perfect destination to disconnect and embrace nature’s beauty.

Morehead City
Nestled along sparkling waters with charter fishing boats bobbing in the harbor, Morehead City is known for its diverse fishing opportunities. Home to the annual Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament, Morehead City is a hotspot for both fishing enthusiasts and those looking to enjoy the coastal lifestyle. The town is full of art galleries, antique stores, and an array of restaurants serving the freshest seafood.

Newport
Located on the mainland of the Crystal Coast, Newport offers a tranquil escape with access to natural beauty and local history. The town is nestled near the Croatan National Forest, providing visitors with miles of scenic trails perfect for hiking, biking, and wildlife observation. Newport also offers easy access to nearby coastal attractions, making it an ideal spot for those who prefer a peaceful setting while still being close to the beach and other Crystal Coast destinations.

Pine Knoll Shores
Once the site of land owned by the descendants of Theodore Roosevelt, Pine Knoll Shores is known for its peaceful residential atmosphere and eco-friendly focus. Designed with minimal impact on the native maritime forest and sand dunes, it’s one of the state’s most ecologically sensitive towns, making it ideal for nature lovers.

Salter Path
Salter Path offers a serene escape along the Crystal Coast, with beautiful sandy beaches and a tranquil atmosphere. Known for its historical charm, it’s a wonderful place to disconnect, recharge, and enjoy all that the coast has to offer.

Cape Lookout
A designated National Seashore, Cape Lookout National Park offers miles of undeveloped beaches and the opportunity to observe wild horses. With the iconic Diamond Lady lighthouse, visitors can take in the unspoiled beauty of the area, accessible only by boat. Cape Lookout is also a designated Dark Sky Park, providing an incredible opportunity for stargazing under the clear, unobstructed night sky.

Historic Heritage
An eccentric history steeped in swashbuckling pirate tales, romantic mysteries, deep-rooted maritime heritage and wartime triumphs and tragedies, the sea breezes wafting in from the ocean are still alive with the memories of the past.

From ghostly excursions through the Old Burying Grounds and leisurely strolls among the painstakingly preserved buildings at Beaufort Historic Site, to a gentle ferry ride to the seashore to view historic Cape Lookout Lighthouse and a firsthand look at the treasures excavated from Blackbeard’s flagship, the Queen Anne’s Revenge, slipping into a historical frame of mind is easier on The Crystal Coast.

Eco Escapes
The natural beauty of The Crystal Coast lends itself to awe-inspiring ecological escapes. 56 miles of unspoiled shoreline on the National Seashore surround Cape Lookout Lighthouse, an island with no development, no traffic, no pollution and no worries.

There is a variety of rare and endangered species including the Loggerhead, a marine turtle that lays its fragile eggs in the sand, and the Piping Plover, a tiny shorebird found hopping daintily along the shore.

Those with an independent spirit navigate the intricately laced inlets and waterways zig-zagging through The Crystal Coast with guided kayaking and canoeing excursions available for every interest and schedule. There are paddling trails from Morehead City to Beaufort and ending in Harkers Island, as well as a paddle trail from White Oak River in western Carteret County to Bear Island. Guided tours are available for explorers wishing to fish, kayak, bird watch, wreck dive as well as a multitude of other eco-interests. For the bird watching enthusiast, the spring is an excellent time to view shorebirds from the majestic Tundra Swans to egrets and White and Glossy Ibises, while the fall is the peak time for viewing Sharp-shinned Hawks and Peregrine Falcons.

Deep dives
One of the two spots in North America where the warm waters of the Gulf Stream caress the coast creating what divers that flock to The Crystal Coast call a “wreck diver’s dream” with near-perfect conditions for an experience unlike anywhere else in the world.

Known as the “Graveyard of the Atlantic” and the “No. 1 Dive Destination in North America,” there are more than 2,000 vessels that have made their watery graves along the North Carolina coast. During WWII, German U-boats frequently targeted merchant vessels sending them to their final resting places 100 feet beneath the sea, viewable by divers thanks to the stunningly clear, warm waters with average temperatures around 80° F and more than 100 feet of visibility.

Year-Round Fishing
The Gulf Stream current graciously provides The Crystal Coast with the same warm translucent blue waters that have for so long blessed the Caribbean. These warm waters provide The Crystal Coast with the longest fishing season on the Atlantic coast. Forming a rainbow of colors in the sapphire blue water, the fish caught along The Crystal Coast include bluefin tuna, yellowfin tuna and big red drum. They “grow ‘em big” on The Crystal Coast with record setting marlin and bluefin tuna weighing in between 300 and 1000 lbs.

False albacore, red drum and sea trout angling are popular in the fall months; striped bass and bluefin tuna in the winter; cobia in the spring and white and blue marlin, sailfish, dolphin and wahoo are intensely abundant in the summer.

There is a range of options for those wishing to try their hand at catching a “big one” including private chartered fishing excursions or the more affordable, family friendly, headboat fishing trips that can take up to 100 people. For those wanting to take more “booty” home than just the fish, there are several fishing tournaments on The Crystal Coast with cash prizes.

Accommodations
On the Crystal Coast, you’ll find accommodations as diverse and unique as the destination itself. From charming seaside cottages and condos to spacious beachfront estates ideal for family reunions or group getaways, there’s something for every group size and budget. Historic inns offer a romantic escape, while a variety of hotels and lodges provide comfort and convenience for all types of travelers. Whether you’re seeking a peaceful retreat or an active adventure, the Crystal Coast offers the perfect place to call home during your stay.

Scrumptious Sea-fare
After a hard day’s wreck diving or surf fishing, visitors to The Crystal Coast tend to work up an appetite. With more than 150 locally owned restaurants to choose from, finding the right taste to tame any appetite is an easy task. Generations of restaurateurs have put their life’s passion into their cooking. It is not uncommon to find that the present owner of a Crystal Coast restaurant is the great-great grandchild of the original owner – keeping treasured crab cake or “Down East” lemon pie recipes handed down through the family on the menu to introduce to new generations of restaurant goers.

From elegant candlelit beachside dinners touting gourmet meals of Yellowfin Tuna Puttanesca and Porterhouse Au Poivre, to casual bistros with light gourmet sandwiches, to the “Napa Valley of Oysters” and drive-in shrimp burger stands, to down home seafood hideaways offering menu items as simple as “flounder” or “grouper” with all the fixin’s (including the inevitable basket of fried heaven known as the hushpuppy), visitors leave their diets at home and enjoy all the tastes that The Crystal Coast has to offer.

Visitor Information

The Crystal Coast Tourism Development Authority and Visitor Center
3409 Arendell Street
Morehead City, NC
Phone: (252) 726-8148

8401 Emerald Drive
Emerald Isle, NC  28594
Phone: (252) 393-2008

Website: www.crystalcoastnc.org
Facebook: Facebook.com/CrystalCoast
Instagram: @TheCrystalCoast
Twitter: @CrystalCoast_NC
Hashtag: #MyCrystalCoast

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For More Media Information:
Lea Komitzky
MMGY NJF
crystalcoast@mmgy.com
(212) 228-1500