Discover a place where white sandy beaches, historic seaports and pristine nature combine seamlessly. Where boaters and golfers, sun-seekers and Civil War buffs all find happiness. Where everyday life becomes something truly spectacular. Discover the Crystal Coast.
A collective name for the North CarolinaŐs Southern Outer Banks, the Crystal Coast spreads from Cedar Island in the east to Swansboro in the west, and from the Bogue Banks in the south and up north to New Bern. It includes the beautiful beach areas of Atlantic Beach and Emerald Isle as well as the historic towns of Beaufort and Swansboro. This extraordinary coastal area boasts some of the best beaches on the East Coast, but lacks the crowds and traffic which plagues many coastal communities. And it is all set in one of the most historically important areas in North Carolina.
From swashbuckling pirates to Civil War battles, this region has seen some interesting times. Tour important Civil War sites, such as Fort Macon, which was bombarded by a Union landsea operation, or the battlefield of the famous Battle of New Bern, in which Union forces took control of the important city.
New Bern, the second oldest town in North Carolina, offers a wonderfully scenic historic district, fine dining, specialty shops and more, all within the quaint downtown. Take in the historic sights, beautiful gardens and waterfront views on a Historic Trolley Tour.
The historic town of Beaufort, incorporated in 1722, is in fact the third oldest town in North Carolina, and features many Civil War as well as colonial highlights in its historic district. A tour of the waterfront town with its oak-lined streets, Victorian homes and quaint atmosphere is one of the best ways to capture the essence of days gone by.
Just three miles off the coast of Beaufort are the remnants of one of the regionŐs most famous visitors, Blackbeard the pirate. At the bottom of the sea lay BlackbeardŐs infamous ship, the Queen AnneŐs Revenge. Just discovered in 1996, archeologists have recovered artifacts from the watery grave and they are now on display at the North Carolina Maritime Museum in downtown Beaufort.
Deep diving is one of the most popular activities for visitors and locals, due to the warm waters of the Gulf Stream, and plentitude of wrecks to explore. In fact, there are more than 2,000 vessels underwater. And with water as warm and clear as Caribbean seas, it is an experience like no other.
There are hundreds of other ways to explore the multiple waterways surrounding the Crystal Coast, as well. With the longest fishing season on the Atlantic Coast, anglers can enjoy year-round success on the rod. Multiple species pass through these waters, all of which can be found grilled, steamed, blackened and fried at area restaurants. From gourmet plates to mom-and-pop delights, dining options are quite varied, but youŐre guar
If your vacation goal is solitude, getting away from it all is easy to do on the Crystal Coast. Navigate your own kayak or canoe around the undisturbed shoreline of the Cape Lookout National Seashore. Fiftysix miles of shores surround the Cape Lookout Lighthouse, and it is all undeveloped, quiet and beautiful.
So whether youŐre here to learn about times past, explore the serene beaches of our coast, or just sit on a beach towel and let your worries melt away, we hope you have a wonderful time discovering the Crystal Coast.
Enjoy your stay!
