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Town in North Carolina, United States
Photo: User: (WT-shared) Haem85 at wts wikivoyage, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Atlantic Beach is a small town of 1,500 people (as of 2016) in the Crystal Coast region North Carolina. A popular seaside vacation town since the 1920s, Atlantic Beach is on Bogue Banks, part of the southern Outer Banks chain of barrier islands, between Bogue Sound and the Atlantic Ocean. The nearby communities of Pine Knoll Shores and Salter Path are often considered to be part of Atlantic Beach.
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Fort Macon is a five-sided brick and stone fort with 26 vaulted rooms, which was used during the 18th and 19th centuries to protect the area from naval attacks by pirates or enemy warships. Today the site features exhibits about the fort's history, restored quarters, and occasional re-enactments. Guided tours are available. Visitors can also fish, hike, swim and picnic in the park grounds surrounding the fort.
The aquarium takes visitors on a tour of North Carolina’s amazing aquatic life "from the mountains to the sea." The journey is arranged in five galleries: Mountain, Piedmont, Coastal Plain, Tidal Waters and Ocean. Among the 38 innovative exhibits are re-created shipwrecks that showcase the diverse marine life attracted to these sunken vessels. The 306,000-gallon Living Shipwreck display in the Ocean Gallery features a three-quarter-size replica of a German U-boat that was sunk off Cape Lookout in World War II. The Queen Anne’s Revenge duplicates the 18th century artifacts in Beaufort Inlet thought to be the wreckage of the pirate Blackbeard’s flagship. Visitors also get a view of a pair of playful river otters, a roaring mountain waterfall, a sea turtle rehabilitation area, and a jellyfish gallery. Touch pools allow personal contact with stingrays, hermit crabs, whelks and other creatures. The Aquarium offers an array of activities and field trips, and has facilities for weddings, celebrations and meetings. Visitors also will find a large gift shop and a snack bar.
The only movie theatre in town, with four screens, snack counter and arcade games.
Daily sailing and kayak rentals, group and private instruction, sunset sails and dinner cruises. Sailing classes are $60-90; ocean cruises are $45-75; hourly rentals are $10-15 for kayaks and $30-40 for sailboats.
Fishing pier attached to the Oceanana Family Resort.
Deep-sea fishing cruises, shark fishing, 24-hour overnight bottom fishing trips, moonlight cruises and harbor tours, and privately chartered tours. Deep-sea cruises are $45 for shark fishing, $60 half-day, $90 full day (adult prices); overnight trips are $160.
Swamp decor and atmosphere- including Spanish moss, cattails and swamp sounds- with a panoramic view of Bogue Sound. Emphasizes fresh, in-season vegetables and seafood; the homemade potato chips, crabcakes and tableside s'mores are popular, and Thursday is sushi night.
Praised by many for having the best shrimpburgers on the island ($4.95 for a large).
Not always open off-season, so it's best to call ahead to check their hours. Oceanfront fine dining serving Harkers Island littleneck clams, crabcakes, conch fritters, steamer pots and other local seafood delicacies.
Fine dining in a casual atmosphere, with plenty of fresh seafood. Locals know that the best nights to come are Monday and Tuesday, when the restaurant offers two entrees for the price of one.
Right near the center of town, is a bar and restaurant that is an AB tradition. It attracts all kinds of folks, from locals to tourists, and features pool tables and liquor. Cash only, but there is an ATM.
Located on the Atlantic Beach circle; events include weekly pool and dart tournaments, video games and more.
Suites with efficiency kitchens, dining, living and sleeping areas with oceanfront decks. Outdoor pool. Pets welcome. Golf packages available.
Outdoor pool. Upscale condotel with reasonable daily rates. Microwave, fridge, hair dryer, coffee maker, tile floors, granite counters, designer interiors, some with full kitchen. Close to restaurants, shopping, beach, Fort Macon, NC Aquarium, Crystal Coast Jamboree.
Aquatic decor with fish murals, boat slips and dock, and the highest health department rating on the beach (100%). $65-90 peak season, $45-60 off-season.
Highway 58 (mile marker 8.5). All rooms are oceanfront with private balconies. Highly recommended for its reasonable prices, friendly service and convenient location. Outdoor swimming pool. On-site restaurant called The Clam Digger, open all day, serving fresh local seafood, and a cocktail lounge called the Cutty Sark.
111 suites. Outdoor swimming pool, fitness center, free hot breakfast.
An oceanfront family resort with a private beach, outdoor pool and kiddie pool, attached pier and complimentary tropical breakfast during peak season. Standard rooms are $75 peak season, $62-75 off-season.
Along the 28-mile stretch known as the 'Crystal Coast'. Indoor and outdoor pools, picnic areas, and basketball and volleyball courts. Stay in a two-bedroom guest villa that accommodates up to six people.
Motel rooms and efficiencies (microwave, stove, refrigerator, and full bathroom) starting at $69. Outdoor pool, picnic area, cable and HBO, boat and RV parking. Convenient to restaurants, shopping, and entertainment.
200 oceanfront or oceanview nautically-themed rooms. Private 600-foot pier, indoor and outdoor pools. Two restaurants: Shades by the Sea, and Molly's Beachside Bar and Grill.
Motel rooms, efficiencies (stove and refrigerator, washer/dryer and full bathroom), and one- and two-bedroom units (full kitchen and dishwasher, washer/dryer and two full bathrooms).
All rooms oceanfront, outdoor swimming pool and hot tub, lagoon with waterfalls and fountains.
A local chain (North Carolina plus Myrtle Beach) offering beachwear, surfing gear, skateboards and accessories.
Atlantic Station Shopping Center. If you want a kite to fly on the beach, this should be your first stop; they also sell banners, flags, windsocks, and games. The shop sponsors a kite-flying group in the area on weekends, and a kite-flying festival in late October.
The most direct way to reach Atlantic Beach, if you're coming from the direction of Raleigh, is down US-70 to Havelock. Atlantic Beach is on NC-58, which runs the length of Bogue Banks.
Read in the guideThe island of Bogue Banks is only 26 miles from one end to the other, but due to the reduced speed limit, you'll need about 45 minutes to travel the entire length.
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New Bern · Regional · EWN
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