Gems of the South: North Carolina’s Crystal Coast 2-Day Itinerary

A visit to North Carolina’s Crystal Coast is much more than a beach vacation, even with 85 miles of pristine shoreline seducing you to stay and play.

Often referred to as North Carolina’s Southern Outer Banks – the Crystal Coast is full of opportunities to languish beachside, toes in sand; enjoy a multitude of water sports: scuba, snorkeling, surfing, kayaking, and SUP (stand-up paddle boarding); explore the unique natural habitats of these barrier islands with a trip to Harkers Island and Shackleford Banks via ferry (check out Day 1’s itinerary); and learn about the coastal sea life and conservation efforts at the North Carolina Aquarium in Pine Knolls Shores.

First off, it’s time to hit the water because that is why you’re visiting the stunning Crystal Coast! After a morning walk on the beach, head to  HotWax Surf Shop (several locations in the area) where you’ll face a tough choice – should you kayak, SUP or surf? Hot Wax will set you up with rentals and an experienced waterman as your guide. Hot Wax is a true water sports company with real equipment and watermen that use the same equipment that you’ll be using and, they’re not only about rentals, they also offer surfing instruction and a surf camp.

Once we were set up with equipment, our group of five piled into the car and drove a short distance to meet our guide where we would put in. Everything except the paddling is done for you and, if you capsize, fall off your board, need a tow, or run aground in the oyster beds, your guide will be there to assist.

Our hour in the sparkling waters of Bogue Sound along the Intracoastal Waterway went far too quickly.

Steer clear of the oyster beds!

Sun-kissed and happy with water sports checked off the list, the perfect afternoon outing on a sizzling summer’s day is a short drive up-island to the North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knolls Shores to see thousands of aquatic animals, explore shipwrecks without getting wet, take a behind the scenes tour to learn about the important work of saving sea turtles, and become beguiled by tales of pirates and shipwrecks like I did.

Did you know that the North Carolina coast is one of the world’s top wreck diving locations? Over 600 shipwrecks have been documented since before the days of Blackbeard, whose ship the Queen Anne’s Revenge was discovered in Beaufort Inlet in 1996. Divers have easy accessibility to numerous wrecks due to  good visibility, warm water, and their nearshore location.

The Living Shipwreck exhibit with a replica of the U-352, a famous World War II submarine and the first U-boat sunk by the U.S. Coast Guard off the North Carolina coast.

No matter where your travels take you, aquariums provide hours of entertainment and learning opportunities for all ages. There’s something about being enveloped in cool darkness with only the aquatic life illuminated that draws you into the hushed mystique of the underwater world.

All three North Carolina Aquariums are involved in rescue, rehabilitation and release of sea turtles. Blaise was our excellent guide on a Behind-the-Scenes tour which gave us a closer look at the work they do. We learned about the many dangers that sea turtles encounter during the summer hatching season when hundreds of sea turtles come ashore in North Carolina. These loggerheads, leatherbacks, ridleys and green sea turtles lay eggs by the hundred, then return to the sea. Thousands of hatchlings emerge, but the odds are against them. Animal and human raiders target the eggs in the sand-covered nests. On the trek to water’s edge, hatchlings are vulnerable to predators and the disorienting effects of manmade light – there are laws against parking lot lights, etc. that lure the baby turtles away from their instinctive path to the water. Sharks and whales are threats in the ocean. Even larger perils lie close to shore, where boat propellers, hooks and nets can be lethal, discarded balloons and plastic bags can cause fatal blockages, and polluted water can poison them. Estimates on the odds of survival to maturity range from 1 in 1,000 to 1 in 10,000. {Source: Sea Sea Turtles on the Coast}

The Pine Knoll Shores aquarium acquired one of its most popular inhabitants through rescue. Volunteer sea turtle monitors found Nimbus, a rare white loggerhead, as a hatchling that didn’t make it to the ocean with its nest mates in 2010. Nimbus, who has a cleft palate, is now a permanent resident who can be seen near the “Sea Turtle Rescue” exhibit. Aquarium programs include Night Trek, a summer beach walk with the possibility of spotting turtles as they nest; Turtle Tuesdays; and an August celebration of Nimbus’ birthday.

Nimbus, the albino loggerhead sea turtle.

Striking a pose in front of the metal sculpture at the entrance of North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knolls Shores with fellow writers: Danielle Villegas, Efraín Villa, Shelly Rivoli, me, and Debbra Brouillette.

Head back to your awesome beach vacation home for a dip, followed by wine with your sunset view.

Then, if you can pull yourself away, journey up-island again for a dinner of fresh-caught, local seafood at Off the Hook on the waterfront in Morehead City.

Goodbye beautiful house! Goodbye Crystal Coast!

 Planning a vacation? Pin this collage to your Pinterest boards.

Disclosure: My two days spent exploring North Carolina’s Crystal Coast were hosted by Bluewater Vacation Rentals and The Crystal Coast Tourism Authority – thank you for making my first trip to North Carolina so memorable. As always, all opinions expressed are my own.