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2025 Educational Activities 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
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...

Oceanfront Duplex - Sleeps 10 - Great Pr...
4.4
(54)

If a gorgeous beachfront home is your ideal choice for vacation, then look no further!! This home has pretty vistas of the Atlantic Ocean. Unwind on one of the three porches or walk out the door to take in the pristine beaches of the Crystal...

  • Atlantic Beach
  • 3 Bedrooms
  • 2 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 12
Lost Treasure Golf and Raceway - Crystal Coast

Visitors of all ages will have a blast at this destination that is designed for great times along the Crystal Coast shoreline. Professor Hacker's Lost Treasure Golf and Raceway is situated in the centrally located beach community of Salter Path, and...

Tuck Away - Stunning Ocean Front Designe...
5.0
(1)

Kick back and relax in this calm, classy, oceanfront escape. With private beach access, close by shopping and eateries you will fall in adore with Salter Path after staying at Tuck Away. This is a 5 star beach vacation experience with designer...

  • Atlantic Beach
  • 4 Bedrooms
  • 3 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 10
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...

Classic Oceanfront Beach Cottage by Ocea...
4.9
(35)

You and your family will savor this two story classic oceanfront bungalow, located only blocks from the Oceanana Fishing Pier towards Fort Macon. Please note there is additional information regarding payments and cancellations for this property in...

  • Atlantic Beach
  • 5 Bedrooms
  • 3 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 10
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...

Chadwick Cottage in Downtown Beaufort, N...

Welcome to your chic getaway in Beau Coast! This new-construction townhome offers three roomy bedrooms, 2.5 baths, and a fresh, modern design. The open-concept kitchen features sleek stainless steel appliances and ample counter space, ideal for...

  • Beaufort
  • 3 Bedrooms
  • 2 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 6
Mac Daddys

Located on the southern end of Emerald Isle, and easy to reach for visitors staying throughout the Crystal Coast, Mac Daddy’s is the destination of choice for countless fun-seeking vacationers of all ages who want a big dose of entertainment...

Temple Cottage - Dog Friendly - Walk to ...

This freshly refreshed bungalow in historic downtown Beaufort has new modern interior and all the amenities from home. The home has two bedrooms with a queen and a full size bed and a pullout couch in the living room for that additional two people...

  • Beaufort
  • 2 Bedrooms
  • 1 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 6
Morehead City Ferry Service

The Crystal Coast is best explored from the water, and Morehead City Ferry Service will take explorers to some of the most remote and beautiful corners of this long stretch of Southern Outer Banks shoreline. Launching from the heart of Downtown...

Oceanfront Condo-Sleeps 4-Newly Renovate...
4.8
(22)

Stunning expansive oceanfront condo!A completely remodeled oceanfront 1 king bedroom, 1 twin bunk. Charmingly decorated, thoughtfully appointed and has many bespoke upgrades featuring bespoke cabinetry and granite counter tops, a dining area, vinyl...

  • Emerald Isle
  • 1 Bedrooms
  • 1 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 4
J Chalk Designs

Discover a treasure or two to serve as a timeless reminder of your getaway to the Crystal Coast with a visit to one of the most unique jewelry stores in the Carteret County region, J Chalk Designs. Specializing in fine pieces that are truly one of a...

Bogue Sound

The Bogue Sound is one of the primary enticing backdrops on the Crystal Coast. Bordering all of the coastal beach towns from Emerald Isle to Atlantic Beach, and serving as a popular portion of the Intracoastal Waterway that cruises through this...

Pebble Beach G-212, Oceanside Condo in E...

Pebble Beach G-212 is a Second Floor Oceanside with Pool View 2 Bedroom, 2 Bath End-Unit Condo on 2 Levels located in the professionally landscaped Pebble Beach Oceanfront Gated Condominium Community off Coast Guard Road within walking distance to...

  • Emerald Isle
  • 2 Bedrooms
  • 2 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 4
A Place at the Beach III Family Resort.

Wonderful ocean front family resort. There is a waterslide, indoor and outdoor pools. Putt-putt, tennis, playground, hot tub. Gas and charcoal grilles. Two bedroom and 2 bath condo. Master bedroom has a king size bed and the second has 2 twins...

  • Atlantic Beach
  • 2 Bedrooms
  • 2 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 6
Lookout Cruises

Visitors can enjoy the Crystal Coast’s most coveted and hard-to-reach shorelines, or just embark on a breezy cruise of the open waters in search of dolphins and sunsets, with a trip that’s guided by Lookout Cruises. This local tour...

Radio Island

Visitors cruising along US Highway 70 in between the towns of Morehead City and Beaufort will briefly travel over a small parcel of land that makes a momentary appearance in between the two on-the-water bridges. This small slip of terrain is known...

Sound side property in Atlantic Beach!

Escape to tranquility in this striking 2-bedroom apartment located on the serene sound side of Atlantic Beach. Embrace island living at its best with water vistas and painless access to sandy shores.2 Bedrooms: Ideal for modest families or couples...

  • Atlantic Beach
  • 2 Bedrooms
  • 1 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 6
Beaufort Pirates Revenge

Jump aboard the pirate ship "REVENGE" at 600 Front Street in Beaufort, North Carolina. Our interactive voyages offer fun and adventure for families and swashbucklers of all ages. Come join our crew, take part in a pirate adventure, and enjoy festive...

The 11 Best Beach Toys for Summer 2025

Here is a list of some of our favorite beach toys for kiddos. We gravitate to unique, high-quality toys that inspire creativity. Some of these toys are classics, and some add a twist.

Elizabeth Bell House, Soundside House in...

Elizabeth Bell House is an adorable 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom, soundside home located in the pretty town of Beaufort with impressive vistas of the sound! This gorgeous home is one block away from the Beaufort Waterfront where you can find plenty of...

  • Beaufort
  • 5 Bedrooms
  • 2 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 6
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 Beaufort, the Crystal Coast Lady is specifically built for the purpose of sightseeing and dolphin watching. Visitors can enjoy exploring the beautiful downtown beaufort are, plus unbeatable perspectives of the region’s vast array of wildlife...

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 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...

Beaufort Pirates Revenge

Jump aboard the pirate ship "REVENGE" at 600 Front Street in Beaufort, North Carolina. Our interactive voyages offer fun and adventure for families and swashbucklers of all ages. Come join our crew, take part in a pirate adventure, and enjoy festive music guaranteed to unleash your inner pirate. But be warned; we may need to enlist your expertise to man the water cannons and help defend our ship!

Morehead City Ferry Service

The Crystal Coast is best explored from the water, and Morehead City Ferry Service will take explorers to some of the most remote and beautiful corners of this long stretch of Southern Outer Banks shoreline. Launching from the heart of Downtown Morehead City along Evans Street, patrons who utilize Morehead City Ferry Service for a cruise or a taxi ride to the outlying barrier islands will be treated to full afternoons of sun and fun along the pristine sand.

Fort Macon State Park

Fort Macon State Park, located outside the eastern borders of Atlantic Beach, is one of the most visited and highly acclaimed destinations along the Crystal Coast, and for good reason. The expansive 389 acre park, which features gorgeous inlet...

North Carolina Maritime Museum at Beaufort

Dive into a wealth of coastal artifacts, folklore, and legendary figures with a visit to the North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort. Operating as one of three maritime museums along coastal NC, this distinctive site is known for its unique...

Beaufort Historic Site Visitor Center and Museum

Soak up the centuries-old history of beautiful Beaufort with a visit to the Beaufort Historic Site. Renowned as the third oldest town in North Carolina, there’s a lot of history to explore in this quiet Southern Outer Banks community, and...

Tryon Palace

The impressively grand Tryon Palace is easily one of New Bern's most famous local attractions. With a central location on the outer edges of downtown, and bordering acres of riverfront, this historical recreation of a late 1700s governor's palace...

Located in a charming but unimposing brick building in the heart of downtown Morehead City, the Arts Council of Carteret County is the region’s premier resource for discovering a wealth of local talents that call the Crystal Coast home.  

The Attmore-Oliver House is a unique destination on a historic Downtown New Bern walking tour, and is a stately 1790 home that has been transformed into a small museum, as well as the home base of the New Bern Historical Society administrative...

A tempting spot for both art lovers and history buffs, the Bank of the Arts is an eye-catching site in downtown New Bern that’s as renowned for its impressive façade as it is for its wealth of ever-changing attractions and activities.

There's a reason why Beaufort earned the title of the "Coolest Small Town in the USA" by national publication Budget Travel Magazine, and one of the driving forces behind this honor is Beaufort's dedicated preservation of its history, orchestrated...

The isolated Cape Lookout National Seashore has a wealth of hidden treasures, from wild horses to incredible seashells, but one of the Core Banks’ most unique destinations is the Cape Lookout Village Historic District. Located just inland of...

Trace the historic roots of Harkers Island and its centuries-long life on the water with a visit to the Core Sound Waterfowl Museum & Heritage Center. Located in the heart of Harkers Island along Island Road, (an authentic Crystal Coast...

Start your Crystal Coast adventure with a scenic trip exploring some of the Southern Outer Banks’ best beaches, courtesy of an expedition provided by Crystal Coast Ecotours. This experienced, educational and all-around fun company treats...

The Crystal Coast Tourism Authority has been instrumental in introducing newcomers to this picturesque stretch of barrier island beaches and barely-inland maritime communities, and serves as an essential tool for visitors to discover this remote but...

The Havelock Tourist & Event Center and Marine Corps Aviation Exhibit, located just off of US 70 and close to the Havelock Chamber of Commerce is a must-stop for travelers who are new to this region of the Inner Banks. Stocked with military...

Resembling a cross between a train depot and a mariner's port, The History Place is certainly an excellent first stop for anyone who wants to learn a little more about the fascinating inland and barrier island history that is found in abundance...

The John Wright Stanly House is a unique stop along a historic New Bern exploration, and is a stately 1780s home that was designed by the same architect who created Tryon Palace, found just a block or two away.

The Marine Corps Air Station at Cherry Point located in Havelock is a local institution that was founded in July of 1941, just months before the attack on Pearl Harbor, and which celebrates an honorable tradition as a marine training facility and...

Located just four blocks away from Tryon Palace in the heart of Historic Downtown New Bern, the New Bern Academy Museum presents a unique peek into the often tumultuous history of this small North Carolina town.

Located on the outskirts of the historic downtown area, the New Bern Battlefield Park is a unique destination that served as the site of one of the largest battles in the Craven County area during the Civil War.

Visitors exploring downtown New Bern can’t help but notice the impressive City hall which looms over the city landscape. This unmistakable landmark, which still serves as the home of local government offices, has a unique story and history...

The North Carolina History Center, which is part of the extensive Tryon Palace, is a new 65 million dollar complex which transports visitors back in time to explore New Bern’s more than 300 years of local history.

Step aboard an 18’ bateau (flat-bottom skiff) for a 2-person private tour through remote areas of the Rachel Carson Reserve. Your 3-hour tour begins and ends on the Beaufort Waterfront and explores the natural history and ecology of the 4 main...

The Shackleford Banks is part of the Cape Lookout National Seashore, and is a barrier island system that is found just off the coast of Beaufort and Harkers Island, and which is a popular offshore beaching destination for summertime Crystal Coast...

Shackleford Banks Shelling & Wild Horse Expedition offers guests a chance to explore the best of nature on the Cape Lookout National Seashore.Board a ferry for a short, enjoyable road to the shore. Then spend a few hours viewing and tracking the...

More than 120 coastal communities oppose offshore drilling- the coast has spoken, and we are determined more than ever to protect our coast. Communities, elected leaders, and impacted businesses and residents along the Southeast spoke out strongly...