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Crystal Coast Communities

Known as North Carolina's Southern Outer Banks, the Crystal Coast covers an 85-mile stretch of coastal beach communities. We are proud to serve this beautiful and unique area.  Within three hours of Durham, Raleigh, and Chapel Hill, the Crystal Coast is the place to live while still being connected to it all. From a second home or investment property to your permanent home, we can help you find your dream beach house! See a list of Crystal Coast communities below to learn which will be the best fit for you!

Click Here to for a Crystal Coast Visitor's Guide.
Click Here for Crystal Coast Road Trip Tips.
Click Here for Crystal Coast Getaway Locations.

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Atlantic

Located on the northern part of the Crystal Coast, Atlantic NC is a small town bordering the Cedar Island National Wildlife Refuge. Atlantic is on the Core Sound and offers plenty of outdoor activities and wildlife.

Atlantic Beach

This barrier beach is on the Atlantic Ocean and Bogue Sound with ocean saltwater surrounding you! The perfect blend of shop, work, and play can be found at Atlantic Beach. From walking beach trails and fishing piers to an oceanside boardwalk, Atlantic Beach and its residents make everyone in town feel right at home. You can find everything from colorful oceanfront houses to quaint sound side cottages, making your perfect home possible at Atlantic Beach.

Click Here a learn about Atlantic Beach Pie.
Click Here to read about Fort Macon at Atlantic Beach

Bear Creek

Located just south of Swansboro, Bear Creek is bordered on the northeast by Queen Creek and Hammocks Beach State Park, Bear Creek to the south and the Intracoastal Waterway running along the East. These surrounds provide plenty of opportunities for outdoor water activities! 

Beaufort

"America's favorite small town" is listed right on the Beaufort NC website and that title covers it all! North Carolina's fourth oldest town gives Beaufort unique southern charm throughout. Boardwalks, antique shops, island and more, Beaufort has everyone's needs covered. There is even an annual Beaufort Music Festival which has taken place each May for over 30 years. Live music is performed by local artists, as well as some bigger names. Check for each year's events to see who is coming through! 
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Click Here to read about The South's Best Small Towns - Beaufort.
Click Here to read the News & Observer's feature on Beaufort.

Bogue

Known as "a gem of solitude", the community of Bogue, NC is on the sound side of the Crystal Coast. A town that was built to maintain its southern character and charm, Bogue stands out as being truly unique.  From cotton fields and watermelon stands, to the Bogue Field Marine pilot training camp, Bogue keeps its small town feel while the hustle and bustle of busy summer beaches are just miles away. If you are looking for a coastline home that is more personal than touristy, Bogue is for you! 

Broad Creek

With a population just over 2,300 Broad Creek, NC is located on the north shore of the Bogue Sound. With a lower-than-average median home value and strong public schools, Broad Creek is a good place to live while also being able to enjoy the benefits of the Crystal Coast and nearby ocean! 

Cedar Island

A large portion of Cedar Island is the Cedar Island National Wildlife Refuge. This protected land preserves the natural plant and animal life of coastal NC, and is home to many types of waterfowl. The Refuge also offers many unique trails, boating, fishing, and hunting opportunities to residents and tourists in the area. Located on the Pamlico Sound, Cedar Island is a small remote community with about 350 residents and is considered the northern most neighborhood of the Crystal Coast. 

Cedar Point

The Town of Cedar Point, NC is on the Bogue Sound and White Oak River.  Cedar Point has a small population under 2,000 and its residents tend to make their living through either agricultural production, as marine fishers, or small commercial businesses. This quaint little town has great outdoor activities such as the Boathouse Creek Walking Trails which lead right to kayak launching points and large community events, from holidays events to neighborhood parties, that bring the whole town together ​. 

Cape Carteret

Located in-between the communities of Cedar Point and Bogue, the Town of Cape Carteret has a population of just over 2,000. Cape Carteret has an established Town Hall and involved community who cares for their history and land! You can find many neighborhood activities to do throughout the year and get involved with. Much like other Crystal Coast areas, Cape Carteret is perfect for the outdoor lover, offering many water activities and hiking trails. 

Emerald Isle

Emerald Isle is a 12-mile stretch of island located on the western part of Bogue Bank. Some of the best beaches of the Crystal Coast can be found on Emerald Isle making it a popular vacation location and investment opportunity. The Isle offers many activities from kayaking to fishing off the local Bogue Inlet Pier. 

Click Here to read about the Lifestyles in Emerald Isle.
Click Here see Emerald Isle featured as a NC Best Beach. 

Gloucester

Located on the mainland just across from Harkers island, Gloucester NC has water surrounding it on three sides.  A small community of just over 500, Gloucester has the perfect small town southern feel. 

Harkers Island

Harkers Island is home to the beautiful diamond painted Cape Lookout Lighthouse and the Core Sound Waterfowl Museum. With a residential population just under 1,200, Harkers Island is surrounded by the Core Sound and offers unlimited outdoor trail and water activities. One popular event is the annual Core Sound Decoy Festival held the first weekend of December. The festival is fun for all, featuring events such as retriever demonstrations and decor competitions. Many people from all over make the trip each year to celebrate!

Havelock

Havelock is a city in Craven County of NC with a population over 20,000 residences. Home to Cherry Point Marine Corps Air Station which is the world's largest Marine Air Station, you can often see and hear aircrafts flying in and out of the area. The northern boarder of Havelock is on the Neuse River giving residents the Crystal Coast water activities mixed with the commercial flare of a small town city.

Indian Beach

In-between Emerald Isle and Atlantic Beach you will find Indian Beach. Core Sound on one side and the Atlantic Ocean on the other, Indian Beach offers beautiful sandy beaches with public access throughout making it the perfect place to vacation or relax! 

Moorehead City

Moorehead City is one of the larger communities on the Crystal Coast and the main port city of the county! From music and food festivals, to major fishing docks, Moorehead City offers local charm with commercial conveniences all along the Core Sound.  Moorehead City also hosts the Big Rock Blue Marlin Fishing Tournament which is known as being one of the best fishing tournaments on the East coast! 

Click Here for an Overview on Morehead City.
Click Here for a Guide to Downtown Morehead City.

Otway

This small community, just north of the towns Straits and Gloucester, barely touches the North River on its west. Otway is centrally located to Highway 70 giving you access to much of the Crystal Coast, both north and south.

Pine Knoll Shores

With a mix of condos, houses, and even hotels, Pine Knoll Shores has many places to stay and live while enjoying both the ocean and sound side of the Crystal Coast. Located just west of busy Atlantic Beach, you can find the North Carolina Pine Knoll Shore Aquarium, public beach accesses throughout, and some great local eats, all while living the beach life! 

Radio Island

Nested between popular Moorehead City and Beaufort communities you can find small Radio Island. Though small in size and population, Radio Island is home to marinas, beaches, fishing piers, and boat/kayaking launching points.

Stacy

Directly across from the Cape Lookout National Seashore on the mainland, you can find the community of Stacy. With its east coast running along the Core Sound, Stacy has the lively water lifestyle and hiking trails of the Crystal Coast with access to the main highway 70. 

Sealevel

With a population under 500, the northeastern community of Sealevel NC neighbors the Core Sound, Nelson Bay, and the Ceder Island National Wildlife Refuge. You can find local marinas, fishing piers, hiking trails and more at Sea Level!

Straits

With a population of over 2,500, Straits tends to be an area where retirees come to live. Straits' location is close to Highway 70, Harkers Island, the North River and the Core Sound. This prime location gives Straits modern conveniences with small town costal traditions. 

Smyrna

Smyrna NC is located north of Straits bordering Jarret Bay and the Core Sound to its East. Close to Highway 70, you are able to go to much of the Crystal Coast from this town. 

Swansboro

The "Friendly City by the Sea" is what Swansboro NC is commonly known as! This small town as all the southern charm you can dream of mixed with the benefits of coastal living. Bordering the Intracoastal Waterway and the White Oak River, residents have access to the many outdoor water and hiking activities that are popular in the Crystal Coast, while still being a drive away from the Atlantic Ocean beaches. Swansboro is also home to the Mullet Festival held in the fall each year. You can find fish frys, live music, and local vendors, for this event showing off the towns history and charm! 

Click Here to read about Winter Shelling at Swansboro.
Click Here to read an overview on Swansboro. 

Wildwood

Just west of the popular Moorehead City you can find Wildwood NC. With the Core Sound to its south and Highway 70 running through the town, this small residential neighborhood offers community conveniences with local coastal perks nearby.

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Cape Lookout Lighthouse

Photo credit: ​Cape Lookout Lighthouse | Located near Beaufort, NC | Flickr

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