In like a lamb and out like a lion is a great way to describe the month of May in Emerald Isle. Let’s find out why. First, the daily high temperature increases from a comfortable 74°F at the start of the month to a delightfully warm 80°F by the end of the month. Daily low temperatures increase by 9°F, from 59°F to 67°F. Most importantly for beachgoers, water temperatures rise from 68°F on May 1st to 75°F by the end of May. Bottom line, while only a few bathers may swim in the water on May 1st, you and thousands of others will run into the ocean on Memorial Day and say, “EI, EI, aaah.”
Second, with the uptick in air and water temperatures comes a massive increase of vacationers. Emerald Isle may have 5,000 vacationers on May 1st. By the end of the month that number jumps to 60,000 which makes the town’s 4,000 permanent residents say, “EI, EI, OMG.”
Third, these increases in air and water temperatures and vacationers put a lot of pressure on the local businesses. On May 1st, you can open the door and walk into my Flip Flops Donut Shop & More, place an order for donuts, kettle boiled bagels, kronuts and coffee while kibbitzing with me. Come Memorial Day, you’ll be standing in a building long line and good luck getting more than a “Hello” and “Thank you” out of me. We go from 4 to 7 days and we expand our menu. This year, we will debut breakfast sandwiches-you’re gonna love my breakfast bialy- you get to be your own barista and make a latte with whole or almond milk and we will be re-introducing our online pre-order system.
Fourth, options for getting outdoors expand throughout the month of May. Things kick off with the annual “Bike the Banks” bike ride on the first Saturday in May. The event features three rides; 10, 50 and 100 miles. The premier century ride, at 100 miles, is an out-and-back ride that will take the cyclists from the Emerald Isle Community Center down Bogue Banks to Fort Macon, then back to Atlantic Beach, over to Morehead City, through Beaufort and ending on Harkers Island in Down East Carteret County. The 50 miler is an out-and-back ride to Fort Macon. This ride begins at the Community Center, goes to the Point in Emerald Isle, then down the island to Fort Macon and back. The 10-mile fun rid is designed to highlight the Emerald Bike Path which receives some of the proceeds. This more leisurely ride for adults and families also begins at the Community Center and follows the Emerald Isle Bike and Pedestrian Path to the Eastern Ocean Regional Access parking lot in Emerald Isle, near mile marker 15. Both the century ride and the 50-mile rides begin at 7:30 a.m. The 10-mile ride starts at 8:00 a.m. Registration is $40 per rider for the 100 and 50 mile-rides and $25 for the 10-mile event.
Fishing takes off in May. Bluefish, Atlantic bonito and Spanish mackerel arrive in early May and as the waters warm throughout the month, the bluefish bite again will be strong with both snappers and choppers dominating the inlets, piers and surf and the Spanish bite will really get going. Offshore yellowfin tuna, wahoo and mahi-mahi will be caught in greater numbers as we progress through the month.
If you play golf and are staying on the island, there is no reason not to travel east to the Crystal Coast Country Club in Pine Knoll Shores. This semi-private coursenow has owners with deep pockets and it shows. The course is in great shape and the clubhouse has had a major facelift. Non-members can get a mid-day tee time for $43 tomorrow, May 1st. If you want a tee time on May 31st, better make it soon and prepare to pay $110.
Fifth, the number of events increases greatly in May. In addition to the aforementioned “Bike the Banks, ” the annual Beaufort Wooden Boat show is this weekend. There will be dozens of handcrafted wooded boats on display and families can take free sailboat rides together. The Marine Corp Air Station hosts its annual Air Show on May 11th and 12th. You and your family can get up close and personal to dozens of historic and modern aircraft as well as a wide array of military vehicles and equipment. The skies will light up with jet afterburners, jet takeoffs, wingtip pyrotechnics, sky-diving demonstrations, all culminating with a massive fireworks display. As always, the U.S. Navy Blue Angels will provide the grand finale both days! The following weekend is all about Beach Music. The Beaufort Beach Music Festival kicks off things on May 17th and 18th. On Saturday, the 18th, Atlantic Beach joins in the fun with its own Beach music Festival. So grab your beach chair, cooler and partner and shag your way through the weekend.
So, now that you see how little ol Emerald Isle will go from a quiet coastal village on May 1st to a roaring vacation destination by Memorial Day, it makes sense to say 'May comes in like a lamb and goes out like a lion.' Come join in the fun. If you have a thought, leave it in the comments below and do subscribe to Emerald Isle Vacation Home Specialist. It’s free. Thanks so much for reading!
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