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:

• Big Rock Blue Marlin Fishing Tournament (June)
• Atlantic Beach Beach Music Festival (mid-May)
• Atlantic Beach King Mackeral Tournament (October)
• Carolina Kite Fest (October)
• North Carolina Seafood Fest (First full-weekend in October)

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/