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How do North Carolina’s barrier islands differ from the northern Atlantic Coast?
- In contrast to the bustling boardwalks and vibrant nightlife of the northern Atlantic Coast, the barrier islands of North Carolina serve as a perfect getaway for visitors looking for Southern charm and expansive stretches of undeveloped Atlantic Ocean beachfront.
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What activities are available at Cape Hatteras National Seashore?
- For visitors looking for quieter natural excursions, the 70-mile Cape Hatteras National Seashore, NC offers fishing, surfing, boating, shelling, camping, and unique wildlife watching opportunities.
⮕ Bald Head Island
Explore sandy beaches and admire lighthouse views on a peaceful summer weekend trip.
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Where is Bald Head Island located?
- Bald Head Island is North Carolina's southernmost settlement, located at the tip of Cape Fear in Brunswick County.
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What historical significance does Bald Head Island have?
- Though the island served important roles in the American Revolutionary and Civil Wars, it is perhaps best known today as the primary location in the 1989 feature film Weekend at Bernie’s.
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What lighthouses have served Bald Head Island?
- Three lighthouses have serviced the island, including the out-of-commission Old Baldy Lighthouse, which was constructed in 1817 and is the state’s oldest extant lighthouse, offering tours today through the Smith Island Museum.
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What wildlife and natural attractions can be found on the island?
- The island is recognized nationally for its bird and sea turtle nesting populations and features 14 miles of gorgeous visitor beaches and attractions such as the Bald Head Island Club golf course, named the number two course renovation in the country by Links magazine.
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What amenities do vacation rentals offer on Bald Head Island?
- Many vacation rentals on the island provide complimentary temporary memberships to the Bald Head Island Club and the Shoals Club, which offer gourmet restaurants and marina access.
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Where can I check the weather forecast for Bald Head Island?
- See the weather forecast.
⮕ Bird Island
Walk along quiet shores and discover unusual wildlife on a relaxing spring outing.
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What is Bird Island?
- Bird Island is an undeveloped barrier island along North Carolina’s southwestern coast that has been declared as a Dedicated Nature Preserve.
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How much of Bird Island is protected?
- 1,481 acres of the island’s land is protected as Bird Island Preserve, which is home to notable populations of loggerhead sea turtles and seabeach amaranth, both threatened species.
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How can visitors access Bird Island?
- Visitors may access the island by boat at the Little River Inlet or on foot from Sunset Beach, which offers parking at Main Street and the 40th Street Boardwalk.
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What does Bird Island offer for nature lovers?
- The island is a perfect spot for nature lovers, offering day-use public walking access throughout its maritime grassland, salt marsh, and dune beach ecosystems.
⮕ Bodie Island
See the historic lighthouse and enjoy easy coastal sights on a quick visit.
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Is Bodie Island actually an island?
- Bodie Island’s name is misleading, as it has been joined to the Outer Banks peninsula since the 1811 closure of the Roanoke Inlet.
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Where is Bodie Island located?
- Today, it connects Nags Head to Oregon Inlet and is maintained as part of Cape Hatteras National Seashore, which spans more than 70 miles along the Outer Banks region.
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How does Bodie Island compare to nearby tourist areas?
- Unlike the nearby tourist areas at Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands, Bodie Island is a largely undeveloped natural paradise, offering ample opportunities for activities such as boating, kayaking, fishing, and bird watching.
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What landmarks can be found on Bodie Island?
- The 10-mile island is also home to the historic Bodie Island Lighthouse, which was constructed in 1872, and the Oregon Inlet Fishing Center, one of the region’s largest fishing centers.
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Are off-road vehicles and camping allowed on Bodie Island?
- Off-road vehicles are permitted on several beaches, and overnight accommodations are available at the NPS-managed Oregon Inlet Campground.
- Where can I find a map of Bodie Island?
⮕ Cedar Island
Visit wild marshes and admire coastal sights during a peaceful retirement escape.
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What is Cedar Island?
- Cedar Island is commonly used to refer to a group of mainland communities near Beaufort and Morehead City, though the proper island is a four-mile refuge located across West Thorofare Bay from mainland North Carolina.
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What part of Cedar Island is protected?
- Much of the island is preserved as Cedar Island National Wildlife Refuge, which was established in 1964 and offers a wide variety of entertainment for nature lovers and beach buffs alike.
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How can visitors access Cedar Island?
- The island is accessible via the Cedar Island Ferry route or NC Highway 12.
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What activities can be enjoyed on Cedar Island?
- The island offers opportunities for boating, fishing, hunting, kayaking, shelling, bird watching, and horseback riding.
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Why is Cedar Island a great travel destination?
- As the closest region to popular Ocracoke Island, the island makes a perfect day trip or secluded getaway, offering both campground and motel accommodations.
⮕ Emerald Isle
Swim or stroll scenic shores and enjoy fun family stuff on vacation.
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Why is Emerald Isle named as such?
- Emerald Isle was named for the lush green oasis it offered in the midst of the Crystal Coast’s sparkling waters and remains a beautiful refuge today.
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What is another name for Emerald Isle?
- The island is also known as Bogue Banks Island.
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What outdoor activities can be enjoyed at Emerald Isle?
- The island offers a wide variety of activities for every outdoor lover, including swimming, snorkeling and scuba diving, sailing, windsurfing, and kayaking.
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Where can visitors find a quiet beach experience?
- The Point offers a quiet beach haven and minimal crowds as compared to beaches on nearby resort islands.
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What attractions are available for families?
- The family-owned Salty Pirate Water Park provides thrills for young visitors.
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What are some popular recreational spots on Emerald Isle?
- Other popular recreational spots include the Bogue Inlet Fishing Pier, the 41-acre Emerald Isle Woods Park, which features a disc golf course, and the secluded Cedar Street Park.
⮕ Harkers Island
Go boating or explore maritime heritage on an affordable, quiet summer trip.
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Where is Harkers Island located?
- Harkers Island is located approximately half an hour from Emerald Isle via US-70 and Harkers Island Road.
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Who are the residents of Harkers Island?
- The island features an unincorporated community of residents known as “hoi toiders,” who speak a unique dialect of English and are descendants of original 18th-century settlers.
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What is Harkers Island known for today?
- Today, the island is a major center for waterfowl enthusiast tourism.
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What museums or cultural sites can be found on Harkers Island?
- The island is home to the Core Sound Waterfowl Museum and Heritage Center, which showcases waterfowl art and carvings.
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What other notable sites are on Harkers Island?
- Other notable sites include the National Park Service Visitor Center for nearby Cape Lookout National Seashore, which showcases a park documentary film and children’s activities.
⮕ Hatteras Island
Discover historic sites and admire ocean views on an exciting fall beach trip.
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Where is Hatteras Island located?
- Hatteras Island divides the Pamlico Sound from the Atlantic Ocean and is the largest island within the Outer Banks region, spanning nearly 48 miles.
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What makes Hatteras Island a great travel destination?
- With year-round mild temperatures, accessible beaches, and a wide variety of laid-back tourist activities, the island is the quintessential North Carolina getaway.
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What national park is located on Hatteras Island?
- The island is the primary site of the 72-mile Cape Hatteras National Seashore, which also spans nearby Bodie and Ocracoke Islands and offers eco-friendly outdoor activities such as boating, windsurfing, and kiteboarding.
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What villages and attractions can be found on Hatteras Island?
- Seven villages on the island offer attractions such as the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum, the Hatteras Island Ocean Center, and the Oregon Inlet Life-Saving Station, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
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What is the tallest lighthouse in the United States?
- The Cape Hatteras Lighthouse is the tallest extant lighthouse in the United States.
⮕ Knotts Island, North Carolina
Explore countryside roads and enjoy wildlife sights during a cheap weekend getaway.
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What is Knotts Island?
- Knotts Island is a small, marsh-filled island that is home to an unincorporated community offering true local charm.
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What bodies of water surround Knotts Island?
- The island is surrounded by the North Landing River, Currituck Sound, and Knotts Island and Back Bays.
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How can visitors access Knotts Island?
- The island is accessible from Virginia Beach via Princess Anne Road.
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What equestrian activities are available on Knotts Island?
- Private seasonal equestrian lessons and children’s camps are offered at Willowgait Farm.
⮕ Masonboro Island
Visit this undeveloped preserve and discover unusual sights on a quick boat trip.
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What is Masonboro Island?
- Masonboro Island is North Carolina’s longest undisturbed barrier island, stretching 8.4 miles along the state’s southern coastline within New Hanover County.
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How is Masonboro Island protected?
- The island is preserved as Masonboro Island Reserve, which is overseen by the North Carolina National Estuarine Research Reserve and is designated as a North Carolina State Natural Area.
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What ecosystems are found on Masonboro Island?
- Its natural ecosystems are a mix of dunes, marshes, and tidal flats and provide an important nesting area for threatened loggerhead sea turtles.
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How can visitors access Masonboro Island?
- Visitor access to the island is restricted to boat, kayak, and canoe travel, with private ferry service available from several ferry companies.
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Is camping allowed on Masonboro Island?
- Overnight camping is permitted at several sites throughout the island.
⮕ Oak Island
Go fishing or enjoy beach walks with kids during a summer family trip.
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Why is Oak Island a great family vacation destination?
- Oak Island is the perfect destination for families looking for a classic North Carolina beach vacation, offering more than 60 public beach access points and seaside attractions such as old-time ice cream parlors and miniature golf courses.
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What historic sites can visitors tour on Oak Island?
- A number of historic sites are available for touring, including Oak Island Lighthouse, the state’s most recent lighthouse, constructed in 1958.
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What are some family-friendly attractions on Oak Island?
- Popular family attractions include the Oak Island Nature Center and the Ocean Education Center, which offer natural history exhibits and programming, and the community-supported Oak Island Skate Park.
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What piers can be found on Oak Island?
- Two ocean piers span the island’s shoreline, including Oak Island Pier, the state’s tallest pier, and the Ocean Crest Pier.
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What recreational activities are available for parents?
- Parents can shoot the green at the Oak Island Golf Country Club, designed by renowned architect George Cobb.
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What movies were filmed on Oak Island?
- Visitors can tour the filming locations of feature films such as I Know What You Did Last Summer or Crimes of the Heart.
Plan Your Trip
Table of Contents:
- 1. Bald Head Island
- 2. Bird Island
- 3. Bodie Island
- 4. Cedar Island
- 5. Emerald Isle
- 6. Harkers Island
- 7. Hatteras Island
- 8. Knotts Island, North Carolina
- 9. Masonboro Island
- 10. Oak Island