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The Crystal Coast has long been a world-class tourism destination, and its popularity as a vacation hot spot continues to grow. With beautiful beaches, sounds, and rivers surrounding the county, the Crystal Coast offers abundant boating, fishing and other water recreation activities. Combine the natural beauty, outdoor recreation activities and abundant wildlife with a temperate, four-season climate, and the Crystal Coast offers something for everyone throughout every season of the year.
During the summer, the ocean waters are warm and inviting. Visitors enjoy 23 miles of public Bogue Banks beaches, anchored by Fort Macon and Atlantic Beach on the eastern tip of the island and Emerald Isle anchoring the western tip of Bogue Banks. Cape Lookout National Seashore and the famous Cape Lookout lighthouse attract hundreds of thousands of visitors from all over the world to the pristine beaches and historic settlements of uninhabited historic Portsmouth and Cape Lookout Villages.
The shoulder seasons offer some of the best fishing and shelling on the East Coast, as well as paddling experiences that are simply extraordinary. Numerous golf courses, tennis courts, public boat accesses, hiking and cycling trails, and hunting preserves beckon outdoor enthusiasts.
The Crystal Coast offers many fun experiences for the entire family:
- The North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores
- The North Carolina Maritime Museum in Historic Beaufort
- The Core Sound Waterfowl Museum on Harkers Island
- The popular Morehead City and Beaufort waterfronts.
Visit The Crystal Coast Visitor Center’s website to learn about events, things to do, and where to eat and stay.
“The Crystal Coast offers one of the most diverse visitor destinations of any place in America. Our pristine beaches and waterways offer a wide variety of unique outdoor experiences, and remarkable culinary and entertainment experiences abound throughout the county. A trip to the Crystal Coast will be something that you will want to replicate year after year. Visit us at www.crystalcoastnc.org.”