The following is a guest post from contributor Sara Upton and does not reflect the views or experiences of either Chandra or Dave
Emerald Isle is part of a string of cities located along the Bogue Sound. Together, they make up the Crystal Coast, the southernmost tip of North Carolina’s Outer Banks. This location features miles of clean, sandy white beaches, sparkling surf, and plenty of adventures for exploring.
Beach & Fishing
Because of Emerald Isle’s close proximity to the Gulf Stream, both the surf and inner coastal areas allow for diverse fishing opportunities, most notably snapper, black drum, marlin, and halibut. If you ask around at some of the local bait shops, the owners are always friendly, and happy to give you tips on where the locals have had the most luck recently.
Trip Tip: The Bogue Inlet pier has always been a popular spot for fishing. Before heading out, check their website for daily photos and live video. You can see how busy it is, check the tides, and even view recent catches. Also, make sure you have an up-to-date fishing license, and know the local fishing laws.
The Wild Horses at the Rachel Carson Estuarine Reserve
This herd of 33 horses occupy a small island off the coast of Beaufort, just 20 minutes east of Emerald Isle. Reachable by private boat, ferry, or paddling boat, visitors are able to view these incredible animals in their natural environment. Truth be told, our group’s initial purpose in this area was to explore some of the calmer areas with our kayaks, because some of us didn’t have as much paddling experience. We took a random turn into what we thought was a cove, but actually opened up to the Beaufort Channel. When we started looking around, we were shocked to see a handful of horses to our right, staring back at us. Once they realized we weren’t a threat, they went right back to grazing.
Trip Tip: Bring a good camera! You have to be respectful of the animals and keep your distance. It can be hard to really capture their beauty with a subpar camera.
Pine Knoll Shores Aquarium
The Pine Knoll Shores Aquarium offers visitors the opportunity to learn more about the local marine life. Guests can interact with stingrays, watch the river otters play, and observe several species of sharks within their shipwreck-themed enclosure. They can also see dozens of different species of fish and a rare white sea turtle. The aquarium is a fun way to learn more about North Carolina’s efforts towards environmental conservation and protecting the local wildlife.
Trip Tip: A group of three marine biologists host a daily show, where they emerge themselves into the large shipwreck enclosure with several species of sharks. Using a specialized mask that connects speakers and a microphone, the divers can answer the audiences’ questions from inside the tank. If you call the aquarium ahead of time, you can find out when the dives are scheduled for that day.
Historic Beaufort Tour
Beaufort recently tied for “Coolest Small Town” in the USA by Budget Travel Magazine and rightfully so! A historic tour along the waterline and local neighborhood reveals houses and shops built as far back as the 1700’s. They have been beautifully maintained and restored. You can learn more about the shipping history of the city as well, at the Maritime Museum.
Trip Tip: Plan on having a meal here. There are dozens of superb restaurants that line Taylor’s Creek. You can finish your day watching the dolphins travel inward for the night, and the sun set over the sound.
The Food
Emerald Isle is also home to some of the freshest, most mouthwatering seafood around. From the beach stand on the corner, to the five-star restaurants, you’re sure to have a fantastic meal you won’t soon forget. We stopped at a nearby martini bar, Kathryn’s, expecting nothing more than a few drinks and appetizers. We were pleasantly surprised with the full menu and amount of fresh seafood options they offered. We were thrilled when our meals ended up tasting as good as they looked. Their Seafood Coquina was as beautiful as it was delicious.
Trip Tip: If you have an idea of a specific restaurant you want to visit, give the location a call ahead of time. Many establishments close for a portion of year during the off-season.
If you’re looking for a sleepy beach town filled with character and historical charm, break out your flip flops and let your hair down, Emerald Isle has everything you’re looking for and more.
About Sara Upton
Sara Upton enjoys writing, cooking, and is currently studying to become a massage therapist. She lives in Atlanta, Georgia with her husband and two dogs, Pickles and Gravy.
