10 Great Reasons to Live at the Crystal Coast

The Crystal Coast gets its name from its crystal-clear waters and over 85 miles of white sand beaches. It is home to charming towns, scenic islands, rich history, diverse culture, fishing, and welcoming communities, perfect for residents and vacationers alike. You can start a family, build a life, grow a business, and have a very successful career -- all with a little sand between your toes and the sound of waves nearby.

1. RICH HISTORY

Just ¼ mile off the coast of the Beaufort Inlet rests Queen Anne’s Revenge, the flagship of the infamous pirate Blackbeard -- one of history’s most notorious sea robbers. In May 1718, Blackbeard intentionally sank his vessel in an attempt to escape and avoid capture, but was eventually defeated six months later on Ocracoke Island.

The Maritime Museum in Beaufort, NC is home to over 300 artifacts from Queen Anne’s Revenge, including cannons, grenades, weaponry, livestock bones, medical devices, belt buckles, beads, and more. The exhibit also incorporates interactive displays, quizzes and props to help tell the story of Blackbeard and offer a look into what the future holds for the shipwreck site.

2. EXPERIENCE A PIRATE’S LIFE

You can also unleash your inner pirate aboard the Revenge (a 40 ft. replica ship) and participate in an interactive voyage with a live pirate show and festive music. Or experience Beaufort’s Annual Pirate Invasion (in August) and enjoy a multitude of activities such as:  invasion reenactments, sword combats, cannon demonstrations, blacksmith weapon forging, food and craft vendors, wild animals, storytellers, live music…and you’ll encounter countless pirates at every turn.

3. WILD HORSES

The Rachel Carson Reserve, comprised of several islands and marshes, is home to an array of wildlife -- including fish, reptiles, 200+ species of birds, and wild horses (brought to the islands in the 1940s). Although the horses are non-native residents, they eventually became feral and were able to live on the local saltmarsh cordgrass and fresh water that is retrieved from digging just beneath the surface.

You can admire these beautiful creatures throughout the year, as long as you have a boat to get you there! Swimming across Taylor Creek is not recommended due to swift currents, but kayaks, paddleboards, and flat-bottomed boats are ideal to access the islands (there are no docks or boat ramps on the reserve). If you don’t have your own vessel, you can rent kayaks from Beaufort Paddle or rent a ferry service from Island Ferry Adventures and Island Express.

3. BEAUTIFUL BEACHES

The Crystal Coast is known for some of the most beautiful beaches in the area. The water here is typically warmer than other beach destinations in North Carolina due to the proximity of the Gulf Stream. Atlantic Beach (named the #1 beach in NC by Coastal Living magazine and USA Today), Emerald Isle, Indian Beach, Pine Knoll Shores, and Salter Path offer multiple public beach access points, where you’re sure to find your perfect spot on the ocean sand. And with south-facing beaches, you can view a sunrise, sunset, or possibly both depending on the time of the year.

4. WATER ADVENTURES

Looking for some adventure on the water? There are so many activities to do out on the Crystal Coast, including:  fishing charters, parasailing, ferry services, scuba diving, kiteboarding, jetskiing, kayaking/canoeing, and so much more!

5. FISHING TOURNAMENT

The Big Rock Tournament is the premier sportfishing tournament on the Eastern Coast of the United States -- dating back to 1957. Located in downtown Morehead City, NC, the Big Rock Tournament invokes a sense of competition, adventure, and community within all who attend. This year’s tournament is June 5-13, 2020, and you can view daily live weigh in’s beginning June 8^th. Although winners always walk away with a handsome prize, the core of the Big Rock Tournament is focused on giving. Every year, hundreds of thousands of dollars are generated for cancer research and other local causes. Additionally, thousands of locals and out-of-town guests gather in the spirit of fun!

5. DELICIOUS FOOD

Our long history of fishing combined with North Carolina’s rich culinary culture has created a landscape of restaurants with roots as deep as the waters. Discover a wide range of delicious dishes, including fresh-caught seafood, fine dining, quaint bars & grills, American, Southern, casual dining, and so much more! No matter your taste buds, our wide assortment of dining options can fit any appetite and budget.

6. FUN LAND ACTIVITIES

Our crystal-clear waters get a lot of attention (and rightfully so), but there are countless exciting adventures to be had on land. and Amusement such as: the NC Aquarium, nightlife, movie theatres, breweries, museums, art galleries, walking/riding tours, and so much more (skydiving, axe throwing, mini golf, laser tag, parks, kids play places, Wine & Design, and escape rooms)!

7. LIGHT HOUSES

Built in 1868, the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse protects one of the most hazardous sections of the Atlantic Coast. The lighthouse is open from the third Friday in April through Columbus Day for self-guided climbs (tickets required).

Built in the late 1850s, the Cape Lookout Lighthouse is open for climbing from the third week in May to the third week in September. The climb is strenuous (207 steps to the top) and requires tickets. You will also need to schedule a ferry service to bring you out to the island and back. Check out their Facebook for weather related closures and to see if tickets are sold out for the day.

Built in 1823, the Ocracoke Lighthouse is the second oldest operating lighthouse in the nation. The current light has 8,000 candlepower (about 100k lumens) and can be seen from 14 miles out to sea. Although it is not open for climbing, the site can be visited daily.

8. EDUCATION

Carteret County Public Schools were recently ranked #1 in the state after showing exceptional improvement on the state’s annual School Performance Grade accountability measurement. “These significant increases reflect the grit and determination of our teachers in their delivery of instruction and of the students in their comprehension and hard work.” said Superintendent Mat Bottoms, “These students and employees faced adversity, social and emotional challenges, and they excelled.  I cannot say enough about the resiliency of our community and the importance our families and teachers place on each student’s education.”

9. RAISING A FAMILY

The Crystal Coast is a wonderful area to raise a family. Our coastline features an abundance of wildlife and gives children the opportunity to learn about and appreciate our natural ecosystem. It’s not every day that you can witness baby sea turtles make their way to the sea for the first time, or experience the lunar schedule and see how the waves and tides are all interconnected.

Our schools are small, which means more one-on-one attention for your child. Carteret County consistently ranks as one of the top 10 school systems within the state of North Carolina. And thinking beyond grade school, our community is just a few hours away from some of the country’s top colleges and universities.

10. FRIENDLY RESIDENTS

Once you live here, you’ll find that everyone’s story of why they decided to call the Crystal Coast home is different. But one thing that all of us have in common, is that we’re all here for the same reason: to live a relaxing and adventurous life on the coast. The off season allows local communities to reconnect with one another and the main season creates an opportunity to meet new people from all walks of life. We may live in small towns, but these unique relationships enhance our view of other cities and states, along with broadening our understanding of the world -- which can prove to be an invaluable networking opportunity later in life.