Emerald Isle, NC

Emerald Isle located on the Bogue Banks of North Carolina which is part of the Crystal Coast is an awesome Beach Destination. The beach is spacious and never packed. We went down last time on the 4th of July weekend and we counted maybe 50-60 people as far as the eye could see. Emerald Isle is a non commercialized beach, which means you will find no Big Box Stores like Walmart, Target etc on the Island. You also will not find any McDonalds, Burger Kings etc, while they are close by they aren’t located on the Island.

The majority of your dining will be via eating at the locals mom and pop style diners and restraunts. Which really adds to the atmosphere of the Island. They claimed in 2000 that the population of Emerald Isle was around 3800 people. Everything you need is for the most part on Emerald Isle, unless your needing High End Electronics or something that you would need to go to best buy or some other store for. But then again you can get all of that 30 minutes away in Moorehead City.

There are many Minature Golf locations, Many places to buy swimming gear, surf boards, boogie boards, skim boards, food and beverages, prescription meds. As already stated most anything needed can be bought, minus a few adds and ends.

The oceanfront is lined with both large and small homes. While there is a condominiums scattered about, there are no oceanfront hotels and those are not High Rise, and Emerald Isle has maintained a family-oriented atmosphere.

If your looking for peace and quiet and would love to get away with your family and little children, then this beach is perfect. The kids can run up and down the water without you ever losing site of them. Find shells, see manta rays, go crabbing, surf, skim board, build the biggest sand castle you can dream of.. all without people an arms length away.