Getting Oriented

Getting Oriented

You could pick a destination and stick to it, but touring the entire Carolina coast is doable in a few days, especially during spring and fall when traffic is lighter. Drive here from nearby locales or fly into airports at Wilmington, New Bern, Myrtle Beach, SC, or Norfolk, VA, then rent a car. A car is essential for navigating the coast here, as little public transportation is available. State-operated vehicle ferries and smaller private ferries run between islands and provide an enjoyable, relaxing tour. Boat touring is another option. Dozens of marinas line the shore and the Intracoastal Waterway runs the length of the North Carolina Coast.

The Outer Banks. Long stretches of wild beach are intermingled with small towns on this ribbon of sand. The north end is a tourist mecca of shops, resorts, restaurants, beach cottages, and historic sites. Quiet villages and open, undeveloped beach mark the south end where travelers often hear nothing but surf and shorebirds. With just one two-lane road stretching the length of the Outer Banks, locals speak of mile markers instead of street numbers.

Cape Hatteras National Seashore. With challenging waves, myriad fish, and the mighty Cape Hatteras lighthouse anchoring the south end, this wide-open beach is a surfer's playground, an angler's dream, and a history buff's treasure.

The Crystal Coast & New Bern. History here ranges from Colonial sites to the birthplace of Pepsi, while extensive ocean, sound, and river fronts please boaters, anglers, water-sports lovers, and those who just want to relax on a big Southern porch with a glass of sweet tea.

Wilmington & the Cape Fear Coast. Part cosmopolitan, part old-fashioned Southern charm, the Cape Fear region has attracted people from all over the world since explorers first landed here in the early 1500s. You can still cast a line off an old wooden pier or spend the day roaming art galleries and wine bars.