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.
