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Call Us: 252-240-7368
Atlantic Beach on North Carolina’s Crystal Coast is the ideal destination to unwind and explore, well away from bustling seaside crowds. This low-key setting, connected to the mainland across the Bogue Sound via the Atlantic Beach-Morehead City Bridge, showcases relaxed beaches, hiking trails, fishing, and surf. Known for over a century as a “local’s beach,” Atlantic Beach in Carteret County is a family-friendly vacation getaway where guests can experience welcome local touches, history, and year-round seaside activities.
The Crystal Coast prides itself in saying that no matter where you go, a friendly smile will be there to greet you. You will truly find people who go out of their way to make you feel welcome here. Create memories by strolling the boardwalk, building sandcastles, taking a pirate tour, or visiting the historic Fort Macon State Park. Just feel the breeze off the sound or sea and sink your toes into the Atlantic Beach experience. Our Casago Atlantic Beach vacation rentals team is eager to welcome coastal enthusiasts to North Carolina’s Southern Outer Banks!
Atlantic Beach, NC is a laid-back beach destination on North Carolina’s Crystal Coast, offering easygoing enjoyment without the crowds. Its quiet beaches and beauty are captivating, making for a remarkable family-friendly seaside getaway. Framed by crystal clear water, the coast along Atlantic Beach slopes gradually into the ocean, resulting in remarkable beaches and inviting tidepools at low tide. Its nearly 1,000 foot pier is an inviting spot for fishermen, as well as an excellent place to walk and admire the spectacular sunrise or sunset. Additionally, the Beaufort Inlet, connecting Bogue Sound to the Atlantic Ocean, is a gateway to world-class fishing just off Atlantic Beach’s coast.
Atlantic Beach is the oldest commercial town on Bogue Banks, and one of five communities spanning the 30-mile barrier island in Carteret County. Started as a series of fishing villages, and now offering 85 miles of pristine shoreline, Bogue Banks is home to Atlantic Beach on the eastern end, Pine Knoll Shores, Salter Path, Indian Beach, and Emerald Isle to the west. For history buffs, Historic Fort Macon, built in the 1800s, is on the eastern end of Atlantic Beach and regularly ranks as the second most visited park in NC.
It’s easy to see how Appleton Oaksmith first visualized this idyllic spot as a seaside resort in the late 19th century. Early bathing pavilions, ferry trade, and entertainment furthered interest in the area, and by the 1930s “Atlantic Beach” opened for business. Today, Atlantic Beach continues to attract families, wildlife enthusiasts, deep-sea fishermen, and watersports aficionados in search of a restful beach vacation destination.
Beyond the beach, young explorers will be captivated by the area’s swashbuckling past. Indeed, part of the aura along North Carolina’s Southern Outer Banks is a legacy of pirates and shipwrecks in nearby Beaufort. This includes a display at the North Carolina Maritime Museum of artifacts from Blackbeard’s ship (Queen Anne’s Revenge), which wrecked just outside of Beaufort Inlet on the east end of Atlantic Beach. Pirate lore is further celebrated each Fall at the Beaufort Pirate Invasion, so be sure to grab your mateys and become part of the legend.
There are plenty of ways visitors can experience Atlantic Beach. Here you can enjoy surf, fishing or diving opportunities along the eastern end of the island, along with fresh seafood, hiking, wildlife viewing, and outdoor adventure. Booking a vacation rental in Atlantic Beach offers a chance to kick-back and relax on a coastal getaway.
Atlantic Beach, NC is a popular drive-to destination just off the Coastal Highway running along the state’s Outer Banks. There are access points to the barrier island at Morehead City, from NC-24 to the Atlantic Beach Causeway on the eastern end, and Cape Carteret on the western side into Emerald Isle. NC-58 runs along the entire barrier island.
The closest airport to Atlantic Beach, NC is the Coastal Carolina Regional Airport (EWN) located in New Bern, NC about an hour away. Presently, only American Airlines and Breeze Airways provide flight services in/out of New Bern via select limited destinations.
Additional nearby airports in the area include Wilmington International Airport (ILM) about 2 hours away, as well as Raleigh-Durham (RDU) and Norfolk International (ORF), each approximately 3 – 4 hours by car.
The weather is generally warm in Atlantic Beach, with temperatures varying from upper 80s in the summer to low 40s in the winter. Summer visitors can anticipate more humidity from about July – late August, while Spring and Fall offer the best times of the year to visit for outdoor warm-weather fun. Of additional note, turtle nesting season along the Bogue Banks runs from May thru October, with hatchlings appearing about 50-60 days after a nest is made.
There are plenty of events throughout the year on North Carolina’s Crystal Coast, from holiday lights to summer fireworks, fishing tournaments, music festivals, kites, and seafood fests. Many of the main events in and around Atlantic Beach include:
Beach driving is allowed in Atlantic Beach from October through mid-March, but only with a permit. ATVs are not allowed on the beach at any time. More information on beach driving permits for Atlantic Beach can be found at: https://atlanticbeach-nc.com/beachdrivingpermits/
