CrystalCoast.com logo

2026 Beaufort Hiking Spots Guide

Crystal Coast Map
Emerald Isle Indian Beach Pine Knoll Shores Atlantic Beach Shackleford Banks Beaufort Morehead City Cape Lookout Cedar Island Harkers Island New Bern
The Beach Shack - walking distance to be...

???? V A C A T I O N ???? R E N T A L ????Adorable little beach shack located in Atlantic Beach, NC. Quaint little 2 Bedroom, one with twin bunk beds and the other with a twin and full bunk bed. Living room has a couch for additional sleeping...

  • Atlantic Beach
  • 2 Bedrooms
  • 1 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 6
Beautiful 2nd Row Cottage with Pool!!

Stunning Emerald Isle Cottage on 2nd Row with backyard in-ground pool! This gorgeously appointed bungalow is a short walk to one of the most handsome beaches on the Crystal Coast. It is a bright and gorgeous well-appointed bungalow with all the...

  • Emerald Isle
  • 4 Bedrooms
  • 2 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 10
Island Ferry Adventures

Bird Shoal, Carrot Island, Sand Dollar Island & more! Dive into an exploration of some of the Southern Outer Banks’ most remote shorelines with an excursion that’s led by Island Ferry Adventures. Featuring both transport to the...

New Bern Retreat w/ Fire Pit ~ 1 Mi to D...

Feel the rich history and outdoor adventure that the town of New Bern has to offer with a stay at this 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom, elegantly modernized 1940s vacation rental home! Boasting a fenced-in backyard, Intelligent TVs, and a well-appointed...

  • New Bern
  • 3 Bedrooms
  • 2 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 12
Crystal Coast Lady Cruises

Crystal Coast Lady Cruises is a 100 ft. custom yacht that can effortlessly provide a number of family-friendly expeditions to vacationers who want to enjoy this delicate chain of barrier islands and coastal territory to its fullest. Based out of...

Shackleford Wild Horse & Shelling Safari

Take a quick and scenic ferry ride with your experienced guide over to the pristine Outer Banks Island of Shackleford Banks, which is part of the Cape Lookout National Seashore. There, you are introduced to the wild horses of Shackleford Banks. After the tour, you are directed to one of the best shelling beaches in all of North Carolina, where you can spend some time shelling your way down the beach with Cape Lookout Lighthouse off in the distance. Shackleford is well known as one of the...

Island Ferry Adventures

Bird Shoal, Carrot Island, Sand Dollar Island & more! Dive into an exploration of some of the Southern Outer Banks’ most remote shorelines with an excursion that’s led by Island Ferry Adventures. Featuring both transport to the outlying islands as well as guided tours of some of the region’s most wild spots, this tour company has a lot to offer for shell seekers, nature buffs, and everyday adventurers alike.

Island Express Ferry Service

Island Express Ferry Service LLC is the only authorized concessionaire to drop off at Cape Lookout Lighthouse and Shackleford Banks! Offering departures from both Beaufort and nearby Harkers Island, Island Express Ferry Service serves as the link between the communities of the Crystal Coast and the spectacularly beautiful and isolated barrier islands of the Cape Lookout National Seashore. Accommodating passengers who want to explore the miles of pristine beaches, exceptional fishing and...

Rachel Carson Coastal Reserve

The Rachel Carson Coastal Reserve is a stunning stretch of barely-barrier island shoreline that’s found just off the coast of historic Downtown Beaufort. Covering 2,205 acres, this collection of three islands that are found along...