Your Bucket List
Here in Emerald Isle, NC, you will find a vast assortment of activities that will keep the entire family engaged and excited. The area is not only home to clear waters and breathtakingly beautiful beaches, but also to a diverse culture, ecosystem, and history. If you are ready and willing to explore the awesome offerings of this unique area, its activities and sights will make a marvelous addition to your must do list.
Scenic Boat Tours
Boating in and around Emerald Isle on Bogue Sound and the surrounding islands of the Crystal Coast has always been a favorite pastime for locals and guests alike. This North Carolina boating paradise offers endless opportunities for exploration and adventure. Spend a day exploring the sound, then venture out into the Atlantic or head inland up the White Oak River. Whether you have your own boat or need to rent one, there are plenty of marinas and local business that are ready to help. You can even reserve a private charter for a scenic tour of the coast, book half or full day fishing charters or schedule an eco-tour. Crystal Coast Ecotours offers full, half-day, and two hour customized eco-tours of the Crystal Coast. Dive in and explore the hidden natural treasures through snorkeling or dolphin watching.
On the Crystal Coast, we are privileged to have both coastal and inshore waters that are begging to be explored. Make plans to spend a day on the water on one of our local fishing charters such as Captain Stacy, Carolina Princess and Emerald Isle Adventures. .Jump on The Pelican with Captain Paul to explore, and jump in to get up close and personal with the sea life of our local waters—another “Must Do” while here in Emerald Isle.
Outdoor Activities
Emerald Isle and its surrounding areas are perfect if you enjoy participating in outdoor activities. The Crystal Coast is known for being one of the top rated scuba diving destinations. The reason? There are more than 600 shipwrecks. With ships from the Spanish fleets of the 1500s to modern day remains, the area truly deserves the nickname “Graveyard of the Atlantic.”
In season, outdoor activities in and around Emerald Isle are all about the B's: Beaches, boating, birds and biking.
The off-season in Emerald Isle begins in the fall around the first week of September and continues through most of May, allowing for secluded days by the sea. The hot summer sun gradually changes into gentle fall breezes, creating the perfect weather for leisurely strolls along the beach. If you’re lucky, you might even see a pod of dolphins or catch a rare glimpse of a whale passing through our waters.
Nature lovers will enjoy the area’s many parks and outdoor activities. Visit Fort Macon State Park in Atlantic Beach for fun and educational activities including fishing, tours and exhibits. Spend a day at the North Carolina Aquarium in Pine Knoll Shores exploring the wonders of the coast and all the sea creatures that call it home.
Some of the best fishing can be found on the Crystal Coast. Spend an afternoon fishing atop Bogue Inlet Pier or enjoy one of the area’s biggest fishing tournaments, the King Mackerel Bluewater Fishing Tournament, held each October in Swansboro.
Enjoy fun-filled days of food, arts and crafts, music and other various activities at any one of the many Crystal Coast events and festivals taking place throughout the off-season. From the annual North Carolina Seafood Festival held each October in Morehead City to the Wine and Food Weekend held in Beaufort each April.
Bottom line, in the offseason, can enjoy the following activities during your Crystal Coast vacation: Parasailing Surfing Kayaking Golf Scuba Diving & Paddle Boating.
Local & Unique Shopping
The area is home to many different types of stores, so you will find yourself right at home if you are accustomed to shopping during your vacations. Many of these stores such as those at Emerald Plantation or at Flip Flops or the Emerald Isle Wine Market offer a remarkable assortment of antiques, collectibles, and hard-to-find items that simply cannot be described.
Enjoy Local Wildlife
If you are a wildlife enthusiast, you will be overwhelmed by the sheer diversity and complexity of the area’s local bird species. Pelicans, egrets, gulls, warblers, and herons are all located within this vast ecosystem. The North Carolina Birding Trail is fun for the whole family, and you will have the chance to view some of these elusive species from the Emerald Isle Woods.
History, Art & Culture
If history is your thing, you will love visiting Cape Lookout Lighthouse. The lighthouse was established in 1859 and was just named “Best National Park Beach” in 2016 by the readers of USA Today and 10Best. Cape Lookout sits on the Southern Outer Banks and is a national seashore. This means it is protected and maintained by our National Parks Service. It is a definite “Must Do” while here in Emerald Isle—maybe you’ll even get a glimpse of the wild horses that frolic through the green marshes and beautiful beach.
To learn more about what lives under the water in our parts, you will want to add the North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores to your list. Take a dive into our natural sea life and discover all the unique animals that live here. You will get a glimpse of river otters, sting rays, sharks, rare sea turtles, and more.
And a trip outdoors would not be complete without a stop at Fort Macon State Park. This historic landmark is also home to a Civil War fort. After exploring the fort, enjoy all the park has to offer. Swimming, guided tours, or fishing offer activities for everyone.
For those that enjoy history and culture combined, the Emerald Isle area is home to a number of museums and art galleries. The Mattie King Davis Art Gallery and North Carolina Maritime Museum are just some of the locations that will give you a taste of the area’s unique heritage and history.
I enjoy calling Emerald Isle "home" and I especially enjoy speaking the praises of my adopted home to all newcomers and vacationers alike. When you seek more information on how to create your bucket list in Emerald Isle, go to my website at www.EIHomesforSale.com and request a free copy of my Guide to Living in Emerald Isle. Or text your email address to: 919-308-2292.
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