Emerald Isle

Crystal Coast, NC

family chill walkable romantic

Current Weather

9 /10
88°F
Clear
9 mph
Today's Recommendations:
• Perfect beach day - bring sun protection!
• Beautiful sunny day - perfect for all outdoor activities

Must Knows

Crystal clear waters perfect for swimming
Emerald Plantation Shopping Center hub
Caribsea rooftop bar with ocean views
Eastern/Western regional beach access
Locally-owned shops and restaurants

Sights Worth Seeing

Emerald Isle Beach Access Points

Multiple well-maintained beach access points with parking and facilities along pristine coastline.

beach access parking facilities pristine coastline
Good for: beach activities swimming families parking
Excellent beach access with good parking and clean facilities.

Bogue Inlet Fishing Pier

Popular fishing pier at the western end of Emerald Isle with tackle shop and great fishing.

fishing pier tackle shop western end Bogue Inlet
Good for: fishing pier walking ocean views photography
Excellent fishing pier with tackle shop and snack bar.

Emerald Isle Woods Park

Maritime forest preserve with walking trails, picnic areas, and diverse coastal ecosystems.

maritime forest walking trails picnic areas ecosystems
Good for: hiking nature picnics bird watching
Beautiful natural area showcasing coastal forest ecosystems.

Eastern Regional Beach Access

245 parking spaces with bathrooms, outdoor showers, picnic gazebo. Paid parking mid-April through mid-September.

beach-access parking facilities
Good for: beach access families

Western Regional Beach Access

167 parking spaces with bathrooms, outdoor showers, volleyball courts. Paid parking mid-April through mid-September.

beach-access volleyball parking
Good for: beach access volleyball

Emerald Isle Woods Park

41-acre park with walking trails and sound access for peaceful nature experiences.

nature-park walking-trails sound-access
Good for: hiking nature
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Top Restaurants & Bars

Rucker Johns Restaurant

Upscale seafood restaurant with creative coastal cuisine, extensive wine list, and elegant atmosphere.

upscale coastal cuisine wine list elegant
Good for: special occasions date night fine dining wine lovers
Premier dining destination known for creative coastal dishes.
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Floyd's 1921 Restaurant & Bar

Historic restaurant serving steaks, seafood, and classic American fare with vintage charm.

historic steaks vintage charm classic American
Good for: steaks classic dining families history
Emerald Isle institution with classic menu and vintage atmosphere.
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Emerald Isle Grille

Casual beachside restaurant with fresh seafood, burgers, and outdoor seating near the beach.

beachside casual outdoor seating fresh seafood
Good for: families casual dining beach proximity lunch
Popular casual spot with good food and relaxed beach atmosphere.
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Sanitary Fish Market Emerald Isle

Sister location of the famous Morehead City restaurant serving fresh local seafood.

sister location fresh seafood local family-style
Good for: families seafood platters local tradition groups
Same quality and tradition as the original Sanitary Fish Market.

Gear Rentals & Activities

Emerald Isle Realty Beach Equipment

Complete beach equipment rental service with chairs, umbrellas, kayaks, and delivery.

beach equipment kayaks delivery service chairs
Comprehensive beach rental service with island-wide delivery.

Emerald Isle Surf Shop

Full-service surf shop with board rentals, lessons, and quality surf gear for all levels.

surf shop board rentals surf lessons all levels
Experienced surf instructors and quality rental equipment.

Crystal Coast Watersports

Watersports outfitter with jet ski rentals, parasailing, and fishing charter bookings.

jet skis parasailing fishing charters watersports
Full range of water activities and professional guides.

Safety & Local Tips

Stay Safe & Respect Local Guidelines

  • Crystal clear waters but check current conditions
  • Volleyball courts available at Western Access
  • Sound side access at Cedar Street Park
  • Woods Park trails well-maintained

Essentials (Grocery, Pharmacy)

Emerald Plantation Shopping Center

Central hub for locally-owned businesses, shoes, books, toys, and souvenirs.

Bert's Surf Shop

Complete beach gear with two locations. Surf equipment and beach essentials.

Emerald Isle Wine Market

Local and imported wines, craft beers, and gourmet foods as you enter the island.