Most times when we’re chasing anything on Adventures Beyond Boundaries, it’s usually waterfalls, new Sniffspots, hikes, or road trips. But this time, we were chasing summer fun in Emerald Isle, along North Carolina’s Crystal Coast. For those not familiar with the area, think emerald green waters and a small-town beach vibe just waiting for your arrival.
I’m not one to visit the same place twice, but some adventures are worth a second visit to explore even further. Last summer, my family and I visited the Crystal Coast for the first time, spending three nights getting a taste of the area. Was it worth visiting again? Absolutely.
Here are the micro-adventures we experienced in Emerald Isle and the surrounding area this summer—chasing all the fun, sunshine, and memories we could fit into a week along North Carolina’s beautiful Crystal Coast.
Emerald Isle Beach
Emerald Isle Beach is one of the beaches tourists gravitate toward when visiting the Crystal Coast. Why? It’s generally less crowded than many beaches along the eastern coast, and the water is more than inviting. Emerald Isle Beach offers the perfect setting for beachgoers looking for some body-boarding fun, especially with its large, crashing waves.
One childhood favorite of mine that you can find at Emerald Isle is the sand crab. My daughter absolutely loved digging for them to see how many she could get in one handful. I have to admit, it became addicting to me too. At one point, we both had 30 sand crabs in our hands!
If you have little kids, they are sure to love this mini-adventure right on the beach.
Dog-Friendly Beach Fun
Many of the beaches around Emerald Isle are dog-friendly, with leash requirements that vary by location and time of year. On Emerald Isle Beach, dogs are allowed throughout the entire day, which meant North didn’t have to miss out on any of our beach adventures. Dogs must be kept on a 6-foot leash, and owners are responsible for cleaning up after their dogs while visiting the beach.
North found her best life waiting for her on the sand.
The evenings gave her cool sand beneath her toes and a little playtime along the shoreline where she could get her feet wet. North loved digging in the sand (and please fill in those holes if your dog digs!). It was so much fun watching her dig along the shoreline.
Her head tilts were nonstop as the water rushed in and filled the holes she had just worked so hard to create. Completely confused about how this was happening, she kept digging.
And digging.
Her efforts kept me smiling.
That’s my girl!
The Point
If there’s one place you’ll want to check out while visiting Emerald Isle, it’s The Point.
This is where Emerald Isle comes to an end and the Atlantic Ocean meets Bogue Inlet. Because of the converging bodies of water and strong currents, this is not a swimming beach. Please do not attempt to swim or allow your dog into the water here. The currents and tides are nothing to play around with.
But don’t let that keep you from experiencing The Point!
This is where you’ll find gorgeous sunset views, a shoreline that seems to go on forever, and shells galore. It’s the perfect place to slow down, take a walk, and simply take in the beauty around you.
Parking for The Point is limited, so plan accordingly. Many people know about the incredible sunset opportunities, and the small parking area off Coast Guard Drive fills up quickly. Parking is free and available on a first-come, first-served basis.
We arrived around 7 PM to beat the crowds and give ourselves plenty of time to walk out to The Point. You’ll have to walk approximately a half-mile before reaching the sandy dunes and wooden pathway leading toward The Point, but trust me—it is worth the visit!
And if you’re anything like me, you’ll probably want to have your camera ready. Between the shoreline, the dunes, the shells, and the sunset, there are plenty of opportunities to capture a little bit of Emerald Isle magic.
North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores
The North Carolina Aquarium is another favorite of ours and a fun spot to visit when the sun is blazing and you’re looking for some simple but super interesting fun. The aquarium isn’t as big as others we’ve visited in the past; however, it has some unique offerings that are worth seeing with your own eyes.
I especially loved the stories behind the two bald eagles that now call this aquarium home. One was hit by a semi-truck, losing one side of his wing, while the other flew into an electrical wire that cinched his wing.
While the stories that brought them to this aquarium are sad, what shines through is the care they received and their survival against all odds.
If you get there at the right time, you’ll even get to witness them taking a bath with the water hose. It was one of those simple moments that brought me pure joy.
Parasailing
If there’s one activity you must join in on, it’s parasailing over the Crystal Coast. It is an exhilarating and fun experience for everyone. Imagine being lifted by the forces of the wind high into the sky, where you get to experience a bird’s-eye view of the area.
I booked our parasailing trip through Beaufort Parasail. Our captain and his assistant were, bar none, fabulous. They shared with us a little history of the area, along with local tips on where to go, where to eat, and some of the locals’ favorite beaches.
Radio Island Beach
One of those beaches they shared with us was Radio Island Beach. The beach is located at 501 Marine Drive in Beaufort, North Carolina, approximately 25 minutes from Emerald Isle Beach.
This is a local favorite and came highly recommended by our parasailing captain. While most tourists are unaware of this beach, the locals are not. That means the beach fills up quickly.
We made sure to arrive early each day, following our captain’s recommendation, to grab a spot closest to the entrance. Otherwise, you’ll be carrying your beach gear for a bit—and in 100+ degree heat, this was not ideal for us.
We came to love this beach immediately.
The water was calm and bay-like, with no worries about major waves knocking you over. Imagine floating in the water with no cares in the world. My daughter, mother, and I walked the shoreline looking for shells.
Ah, but be aware of the tiny crabs! They love to pinch your feet if you wade in the water along the shoreline. It actually became a game between us and a few other families. There’s also a few small schools of fish that like to swim around your feet.
But don’t worry—they’re harmless!
Lost Treasure Golf and Raceway
If you’re looking for an evening activity, I highly recommend Lost Treasure Golf and Raceway in Salter Path, NC.
They offer two different 18-hole mini-golf courses to test your putting skills, along with go-karts and other activities. We didn’t try out the go-karts, but we did play two rounds of mini-golf on two different evenings.
There was a perfect evening breeze that reminded you the sun had finally gone down, and it was so refreshing after soaking in the heat all day. We found the evenings to be fairly busy, but that didn’t stop us from playing a few rounds of mini-golf.
It was a simple kind of fun—and we were completely game for it!
Half-Day Cruise with Marsh Cruises
If there’s one activity you must do when visiting the Crystal Coast, it’s a half-day cruise with Marsh Cruises.
We spent half a day cruising the Crystal Coast and stopping at several different spots along the way. It was such a fun experience that I decided this adventure deserved a post of its own.
Read the full Marsh Cruises adventure → COMING SOON
You won’t want to skip this one!
SAVE AND PIN FOR LATER.
