Crystal Coast

Map of Crystal Coast. The Crystal Coast extends southwestward fromCape Lookoutto the New River Inlet.

InNorth Carolina,theCrystal Coastis an 85-mile stretch of coastline that extends from theCape Lookout National Seashore,which includes 56 miles of protected beaches, southwestward to theNew River.The Crystal Coast is a popular area with tourists and second-home owners in the summer, with a name coined by theCarteret CountyTourism Development Authority.

The absolute boundaries of this coast are often disputed, but the main area includes all the majorCarteret Countybeaches(those onBogue Banks,which face south). It also includes eastern portions of Carteret County, such asHarkers Island,Down East andShackleford Banks,as well as the northernOnslow Countybeaches(Bear Island/Hammock's Beach), and a fewportsalong theIntracoastal Waterway.Some tourism marketing describes the region as theSouthern Outer Banks,to draw a connection to the main barrier islands of theOuter Banks.

The main communities include the coastal resorts ofAtlantic Beach,Emerald Isle,Indian Beach,Pine Knoll ShoresandSalter Path,as well as the inland (sound-side) ports ofBeaufort,Morehead City,andSwansboro.Besides the many quiet beach communities and numerous shops and restaurants in the area, other major attractions includeFort Macon State Park,which protects a series of historic coastal forts used from the early 19th to the mid 20th century, and theNorth Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores,one of three such aquariums located along the North Carolina coast. A population of feralBanker horsesis located on Shackleford Banks, and several protected areas, includingHammocks Beach State Park,Cape Lookout National Seashore(including the ghost town ofPortsmouth) lie along the region as well.

Tourism

The crystal-water beaches that give the area its name

Beaches

The Carteret County Tourism Development Authority coined the name of Crystal Coast, to highlight the appeal of its waters. This body is also known as the Crystal Coast Tourism Authority.

The area has more than 100 restaurants and many hotels, including the Doubletree Atlantic Beach, the largest full-service hotel on the coast of North Carolina. Beach cottages, which are often rented out for a week during the summer, are also popular here, especially in Emerald Isle. Numerous properties are held as second homes by people with full-time residences in the interior of the state, such as in the cities of Kinston, Goldsboro and the capitalRaleigh.

Many areas in this region have public access to the beaches, with one of the most popular being an area known as "The Circle" in central Atlantic Beach. It is a collection of shops, houses and amusement rides along the ocean at the end of the causeway from the bridge to Morehead City. Redevelopment is replacing the central area of rides with high-rise apartments, new restaurants, and shops.

Diving and fishing

Diving and fishing also attract visitors to the Crystal Coast. This is one of the two spots in North America where the warm waters of theGulf Streamapproach the coastline, creating a "wreck diver's dream" with near-perfect conditions, according toScuba Divingmagazine. The North Carolina coast is known as the "Graveyard of the Atlantic;" more than 2,000 vessels are recorded as having sunk along here.

DuringWorld War II,German U-boats frequently targeted and sank merchant vessels in this area. The clear warm waters enable divers to view them 100 feet beneath the sea. In the 21st century, theLionfish,a venomous non-native invasive species with sharp spiny fins and brick red bands covering its body, has been found in these waters, alarming conservationists. Lionfish were previously thought to inhabit only the tropical and subtropical waters of the South Pacific,Indian Oceanand theRed Sea.Diving activities includeunderwater photographyclinics as well as shark and spear fishing dives.

The proximity of the Gulf Stream makes the Crystal Coast a popular fishing destination. The warm waters provide this area with the longest fishing season on the Atlantic coast. One of the largest fishing tournaments in the world, theBig Rock Blue Marlin Tournament,is run from Morehead City. Other fish caught along the Crystal Coast includebluefin tuna,yellowfin tuna,red drum,false albacore, sea trout, striped bass,cobia,sailfish,dolphinandwahoo.Several private charters operate fishing excursions. Headboat fishing trips can take up to 100 people, making them more affordable for more families.

Morehead City and Atlantic Beach

Entrance to Fort Macon

TheNorth Carolina Seafood Festivalhas been held for over 30 years and is one of the largest festivals in the state. It is held near the port of Morehead City; the other state port is Wilmington.

In Atlantic Beach,Fort Maconis a major draw for itsCivil Warhistory; it is the second most-visited state park in North Carolina. During the war, the fort changed hands several times between Union and Confederate forces. Afterward it fell into disrepair but was restored in 1934 as a part of the state park system, during a period of public investment in infrastructure and parks. During World War II, the federal government took over the fort, using it to protect a number of important nearby facilities.

Returned to the state, the park preserves a protected beach. One of three North Carolina aquariums is at Pine Knoll Shores, with the other two in Manteo and Fort Fisher. All three have been recently renovated and enlarged. The “Living Shipwreck” features a life-sized replica of a German U-352 submarine andBlackbeard’s infamous ship, theQueen Anne's Revenge,which was found nearby off the coast a decade ago.

Beaufort and Harkers Island

HistoricBeaufortand Down East Carteret County are known for their history and culture. Beaufort (pronounced "Bo-furt" ) is the third-oldest Anglo-European town in North Carolina, after Bath and New Bern. It is the site of the North Carolina Maritime Museum, the official repository for all the artifacts discovered on theQueen Anne’s Revenge.Displays include seashells from around the world, with 5,000 specimens from more than 100 countries. At the museum's Watercraft Center, volunteers build and restore boats in an effort to preserve the Crystal Coast's tradition of "backyard boat-building."

Feral horseon Shackleford

On nearbyHarkers Island,the Core Sound Waterfowl Museum displays and helps preserve the island residents' practice of decoy carving. Skilled artisans carve a perfect replica of different varieties of ducks from a block of wood. Residents used the wooden ducks as decoys during duck hunting season. Trips to visit the black-and-white diamond pattern lighthouse at Cape Lookout can also be made from Beaufort and Harker's Island. NearbyShackleford Banksis home to herds offeralhorses, known asBankers.

Neighbors

TheCore Soundshoreline communities east ofBeaufortare known as the "Down East" area of North Carolina. As they are in Carteret County, they are technically part of the Crystal Coast. The beaches and islands north of here, starting withPortsmouth IslandandOcracoke,are known as theOuter Banks.

South of the Crystal Coast is an undeveloped stretch of coast around the mouth of theNew Riverthat is part of theCamp Lejeunemilitary base near Jacksonville. The next developed area to the south isTopsail Islandin Onslow County.

Places

Map of Carteret County with municipal and township labels

The following are thecommunities,islands,military bases,andparksmost commonly associated with the Crystal Coast:

• Atlantic
• Atlantic Beach
• Beaufort
• Bogue
• Broad Creek, North Carolina
• Cape Carteret
• Cape Lookout National Seashore
• Cedar Point
• Emerald Isle
• Fort Macon
• Harkers Island
• Indian Beach
• Morehead City
• Newport
• Peletier
• Pine Knoll Shores
• Salter Path
• Sealevel
• Shackleford Banks

See also

• Inner Banks
• Intracoastal Waterway
• Outer Banks

External links

• Crystal Coast Civic Center - Maps
• Crystal Coast Vacation Planning
• History and Events