Emerald Isle, NC & Things to Do
The small beach town of Emerald Isle welcomes you to visit what we call, paradise. The community will welcome you like family! In addition to soaking up the sun and playing in the surf you will want to check out the many other great things to do in Emerald Isle.
Shark tooth Island
Shark tooth Island is a quick paddle from the public boat ramp in Swansboro, NC. It begins where the intercoastal waterway starts to head out towards Bogue Inlet. Because of the constant movement of water in this area you can find shark teeth all along the shore! You’ll also pass some small islands along the way, so keep an eye out for birds and dolphin!
Local Seafood
One of the questions we always get asked is where to get the best local seafood. Our answer is ALWAYS to cook it yourself! Of course the best option is to catch your own dinner! There are lots of local fisherman that run local inshore and off shore charters. Many of them provide the equipment, except the license, and take you to the best spots for what you want to catch. If catching your own dinner isn’t your thing, one of our favorite places to buy local seafood is Clyde Phillips Seafood in Swansboro, NC. It’s nothing fancy, but their seafood is always fresh and always local! (If you buy 10 lbs of shrimp you also get a discount so be sure to ask!)
Visit Horses
One of the hidden gems of this area is the horses and ponies that be found on the islands in this area! You can catch a short boat ride from Morehead City or Beaufort to Shackleford Banks. (Island Express Ferry Service is one of the many operators in the area). Shackelford Banks is home to a herd of about 100 wild horses that are believed to come from Spanish settlers! Walk the beaches of Shackelford and the island and you’re almost certain to spot part of the herd! If you’re lucky enough to see the horses, please don’t get too close to the horses or feed them- this is a wild herd! The island is also a great place to go for just a day on the beach and shell hunt. Carrot Island across from Beaufort, NC is also home to horses related to those on Shackelford. If you find yourself in downtown Beaufort, be sure to keep an eye out along the shore!
Diving
Instead of just enjoying the view, take full advantage of what the NC coast has to offer and learn a new skill! This area is consistently ranked as one of the top locations in the world for wreck diving and diving with Sandtiger sharks (don’t worry- they won’t bother you on the beach and are super cool underwater!) SCUBA diving is an amazing experience and if you’re here for a few days you can take a class locally with Olympus Dive Center in Morehead City, NC.