EMERALD ISLE
Emerald Isle Community
Original Content by Carl Johnson
As one of the largest coastal municipal towns in North Carolina and a population of just over 4,000 residents, Emerald Isle has all of your beach living needs covered and more (How Does Emerald Isle Compare to Other NC Beach Towns? | Emerald Isle, NC). Just under a three hour drive from downtown Durham you will find yourself at the calming sands of Emerald Isle and the powerful water of the Atlantic. As a well developed town you will find Emerald Isle has all of your modern needs mixed with the vacation style homes and feelings of the beach. Emerald Isle is a great place to own a property either as a permanent home or second home and as well as a great opportunity as an investment property. This 29-mile stretch of barrier island in the southern Outer Banks is facing the Atlantic Ocean with the Bogue Inlet behind it.
As one of the largest coastal municipal towns in North Carolina and a population of just over 4,000 residents, Emerald Isle has all of your beach living needs covered and more (How Does Emerald Isle Compare to Other NC Beach Towns? | Emerald Isle, NC). Just under a three hour drive from downtown Durham you will find yourself at the calming sands of Emerald Isle and the powerful water of the Atlantic. As a well developed town you will find Emerald Isle has all of your modern needs mixed with the vacation style homes and feelings of the beach. Emerald Isle is a great place to own a property either as a permanent home or second home and as well as a great opportunity as an investment property. This 29-mile stretch of barrier island in the southern Outer Banks is facing the Atlantic Ocean with the Bogue Inlet behind it.
Map of Emerald Isle | HOME PAGE
A Beach Town that Cares
Emerald Isle lists Key Values each year that they work towards as a municipality. Below are their most current key values and together they give a great picture of the positive vision that makes Emerald Isle so great (Emerald Isle Fast Facts 2025).
Maintain the “family beach”/small town atmosphere
Maintain a low tax rate for property owners and a high quality of Town services
Prioritize community aesthetics
Healthy wide beach strand and stable Bogue Inlet
Maintain and expand public water access
Maintain excellent water quality
Cultivate a friendly, civil community and well-informed Town citizenry
Proper balance between environmental protection, quality neighborhoods, and personal property rights
With a township that has values in mind of both the people and the land, you know you are in a great place! Year after year Emerald Isle has its tourists returning and dreaming of one day owning their own slice of the Isle.
With over 75 public beach access, 25 public sound side access, and over 350 parking spots, the water is nearby and accessible to everyone (Emerald Isle Fast Facts 2025). Emerald Isle is also a popular destination to boating as it hosts the largest public boat launching facility in North Carolina with 112 vehicle and trailer spaces (Emerald Isle Fast Facts 2025).
Places to Eat and Things To Do!
Flip Flops Donut Shop - 7702 Emerald Drive, Suite D Emerald Isle, NC 28594
From their website: “ As our raving fans attest, Taste matters! We invite you to sample and enjoy the lightest, fluffiest, best-tasting donut you ever tasted. The key is adding potato flour to the recipe. Sweeter and lighter than wheat flour, potato-enriched donuts have a Fresh from the Fryer taste you’re sure to enjoy.”
Kathryn’s Bistro & Martini Bar - 8002 Emerald Dr, Emerald Isle, NC 28594
From their website: “Kathryn’s strives to provide diners with creative selections, featuring fresh, local seafood and Certified Angus Beef. This year Kathryn’s introduces the addition of Slow Braised CAB Boneless Short Ribs. Together with existing beloved entrées such as the cold water lobster tail, the Carolina Classic (Kathryn’s take on shrimp and grits), and Maryland Crab Cakes, Kathryn’s menu is sure to provide an unrivaled Crystal Coast dining experience. In addition to the menu, Kathryn’s offers nightly features, including innovative creations of locally sourced grouper and soft shell crabs, as well as filet mignon paired with a variety of seafood accompaniments.”
Rucker Johns of Emerald Isle & Wilmington - 8700 Emerald Drive, EI NC 28594
From their website: “High quality food and exceptional service in a fun and relaxing atmosphere! We are a family-owned business that first opened our doors in Emerald Isle in 1988 and Wilmington in 1993. Through the years our menu & locations have grown, but our commitment to quality has remained the same. You can always expect fresh, delicious food made in-house daily. We cut our own fries, prepare our own salad greens and our dressings are homemade. We hand cut our steaks in-house and use Certified Angus Beef, even for our hand-pattied burgers. We use all-natural turkey and ham for our sandwiches, and our coffee is Certified Fair Trade.”
The Village Market Deli Market & Gift - 7802 Emerald Dr, Emerald Isle, NC 28594
From their website: “Handcrafted sandwiches made with the freshest ingredients. An endless pantry of gourmet food items. Just the right selection of craft beers and wines… Unique artwork and gifts by local artisans. Did we mention our large selection of deli salads?? Are you still there?? You should be here!! Come see us for the best experience yet on the island!”
Circle Pizza - 7702 Emerald Drive Emerald Isle, NC
Open seven days a week, Circle Pizza has your needs covered for the perfect pizza night after a day at the beach. Pizza, salads, subs, pastas and more are hot and ready for pick up or delivery. Circle Pizza is a must when you want some great local pizza that just hits the spot!
Emerald Isle | HOME PAGE
When planning a trip to the Emerald Isle take a look at their local events and try to plan along, you don’t want to miss some of these great festivals and more.
Annual St. Patrick's Day Festival - March
Emerald Isle Fest at Western Ocean Regional Access - Thursday in June thru August
Emerald Isle Beach Music Festival - September - Food, Music, & Fun
Emerald Isle Marathon - end of October
Emerald Isle Car Show - early November
Christmas Parade - end November
Check out this video below highlighting the Emerald Isle Beach Music Fest! You don’t want to miss it!
Annual St. Patrick's Day Festival - March
Emerald Isle Fest at Western Ocean Regional Access - Thursday in June thru August
Emerald Isle Beach Music Festival - September - Food, Music, & Fun
Emerald Isle Marathon - end of October
Emerald Isle Car Show - early November
Christmas Parade - end November
Check out this video below highlighting the Emerald Isle Beach Music Fest! You don’t want to miss it!
From tranquil beach access to the Atlantic made accessible to all, to peaceful sound front homes and calming Bogue Inlet water, music festivals to donut shops, Emerald Isle is an award winning beach. It’s not wonder the Emerald Isle is always a top award winning beach and attracts more tourists each year. These tourists often turn into life long guests of Emerald Isle and find themselves dreaming of an Island beach home. If you are dreaming, Call Carl 919-880-0904, he can make your dreams into reality.
CLICK HERE to contact us today and let us see how we can make the dream of owning beach property come a reality. Want to know more about the beaches of the Crystal Coast? CLICK HERE to read o
CLICK HERE to contact us today and let us see how we can make the dream of owning beach property come a reality. Want to know more about the beaches of the Crystal Coast? CLICK HERE to read o