Beautiful Atlantic Beach features close proximity to the major employment centers of Morehead City, scenic Fort Macon State Park, and the famed Atlantic Beach circle and classic boardwalk, which is home to many restaurants, shops and nightlife options as well as the opportunity for hiking and bird watching at Hoop Pole Creek Nature Trail.
With miles of coastline, both on the sound and the ocean, numerous boat slips, marinas and several neighborhoods with interior canals, which have waterfront homes with private docks available, Atlantic Beach is a paradise for boating, fishing and kayaking. Boaters and nature enthusiasts appreciate that there are several natural areas nearby Atlantic Beach, such as Shackleford Banks, Rachel Carson Reserve and Cape Lookout, which can only be accessed by boat, a local ferry service or kayak.
Things to Do in Atlantic Beach
There are many opportunities for charter fishing in Atlantic Beach, as it is located nearby the Gulf Stream. This factor, along with the close proximity to Beaufort Inlet, has made the adjacent locale of Morehead City a perfect site for the North Carolina Seafood Festival, as well as the Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament, which has been held there every year since 1957.
History buffs will appreciate that the Civil War-era Fort Macon State Park is located on the far eastern edge of Atlantic Beach, and that Blackbeard’s famous pirate ship, the Queen Anne’s Revenge, is located directly offshore. Discovered in 1996, the wreck sits in about 28 feet of water. Legend has it that Blackbeard ran the ship aground in May 1718, just after blockading the harbor at Charleston and turning down a pardon from the governor. Over 300,000 artifacts have been recovered since then, and the ship is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Surfing or fishing off the wooden fishing pier is another good option in Atlantic Beach, as is a visit to the North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores, located nearby. When it’s time to recharge or unwind, there are also a variety of restaurants, nightlife options, hotels, and shopping centers to choose from.