Emerald Isle

Emerald Isle is a beach resort on the Atlantic coast of North Carolina, just south of Morehead City. It is in the Southern Outer Banks of North Carolina on the island of Bogue Banks, in an area known and marketed as the Crystal Coast.

Get in

Emerald Isle is about 1½ hours off of I-95, the closest interstate highway for north/south travel. From the east, US-70 is the main route to access Emerald Isle.

There are two main routes to drive in and out of the isle:

• From North/South, exit I-95 onto US-70 East at Selma (alternatively, you can take I-795 South to US-70 in Goldsboro). From East/West, follow US-70 East towards the coast. Follow US-70 East to Kinston, NC. In Kinston, turn right onto NC-58; NC-58 offers a scenic and rural route to Emerald Isle. Emerald Isle is approximately 1½ hours from Kinston via NC-58. This route will allow you to enter Bogue Banks on the Emerald Isle side of the island.
• From North/South, exit I-95 onto US-70 East at Selma (alternatively, you can take I-795 South to US-70 in Goldsboro). From East/West, follow US-70 East towards the coast. Follow US-70 East to Morehead City. Turn onto NC-58 towards Atlantic Beach, and cross the Atlantic Beach Causeway onto Bogue Banks. You will enter Bogue Banks on the Atlantic Beach side of the island via this route; follow NC-58 for approximately 22 miles to Emerald Isle.

Get around

Emerald Isle does not offer public transportation options; however, taxi companies do operate on the island.

The main road through Bogue Banks is NC-58; the majority of businesses and accommodations are on or accessible via NC-58. This road runs the entire length of the island, from Emerald Isle to Atlantic Beach. Although only 26 miles long, the speed limit on the road varies between 35 mph and 45 mph, so it can take up to 45 minutes to travel the length of the island.

Bike paths run along Emerald Drive and down Coast Guard Road. Great for walking or biking! Bikes can be rented through any of several local agencies! Also great for walking or biking is along Ocean Drive. This is the first road back from the beach, running parallel to the beach. Very small road, 25 mph. Very little traffic! For the most part, only walkers or bikers can travel this road continuously, as there are dead-ends occasionally with bike trails across. Walk the beach to and from your daily excursions!

See

• The water on the west side of the isle ("the Point") during high or low tide. But don't swim in it--the current is dangerously powerful.
• Take the classic "long walk on the beach" but at night when the stars are out.
• Look out for military jets as they fly over the isle out to the ocean and back, during routine drills.
• Views of the Emerald Isle Bridge, and of the soundside towns of Bogue, Cedar Point, and Cape Carteret from Emerald Isle Woods Park. The park is on the west-end of the island off Coast Guard Rd.

Do

• The state of North Carolina operates one of three North Carolina Aquariums at 1 Roosevelt Boulevard in Pine Knoll Shores, 15 minutes from Emerald Isle on Bogue Banks. The Aquarium is open from 9AM-5PM daily, and offers unique exhibits on aquatic life in North Carolina, from the Mountains to the Ocean. The Aquarium also offers numerous live exhibitions, such as live dives in the Living Shipwreck exhibit and shark feedings, as well as hands-on programs for children and youth.
• Brave the waves in a rented kayak, inflatable raft, or boogie board. If you're looking for something a little more natural, body surf.
• Deep-sea diving - explore some of the world's best diving.
• Skim board.
• Fish.
• Walk the beach. Emerald Isle offers numerous public access points to the Atlantic Ocean.
• Catch a movie. Emerald Plantation shopping center has a 4-screen cinema. The theatre is independently operated and accepts only cash, so make sure you have cash available for the movie ticket and refreshments (there is an ATM in the lobby for emergencies). During the week, the cinema offers evening showtimes (7 and 9PM for most movies), with additional afternoon matinee shows during the weekend. Tickets can, however, be purchased with a credit card online.
• Enjoy the town on the new bike paths that run along Emerald Drive.
• Emerald Isle Woods Park is on the west end of town down Coast Guard road. The park offers heavily-wooded dune trails and a wonderful wooden walkway to Bogue Sound, as well as the Emerald Isle Bridge and Bogue Sound. You can also launch kayaks off the floating dock.

Buy

• Emerald Plantation, 8700 Emerald Drive. Features the grocery store (Food Lion) and a variety of shops, including a movie theatre, book store, toy store, excellent scrapbooking store, lots of lovely gift shops, clothing and jewelry stores, and also restaurants and coffee shops! 
• Bell Cove Village, at the first intersection after crossing the bridge. A shopping center featuring the authentic Italian restaurant "Portfino", TLG Frozen Custard, and several gift stores.
• There are two "Bert's" Surf Shops, a local favorite!
• Several beach supply stores throughout Emerald Isle for souvenirs, towels, suits, and the traditional Hermit Crab. Most stores offer cages, sponges, and all else necessary to care for the crabs.
• Hot Wax Surf & Paddle Sports (Hot Wax Surf Camp), 200 Mallard Drive (3rd right after bridge MM20 1/2), ☏ +1 252-354-6466. Daily in season. 

Eat

• Michaelangelos, in Emerald Plantation Shopping Center. Local favorite pizza place featuring pizzas, pastas, and subs.
• Rucker Johns, in Emerald Plantation Shopping Center. Another local favorite for a great variety of American fare.
• Great Wall, wonderful local Chinese food, including shrimp and scallop dishes. Located in town center near Bogue Inlet Dr on the South side of Emerald Dr.
• Kathryns Martini Bar & Bistro, across from the post office on Emerald Drive. Also has wonderful fare if you are looking for great drinks, food and atmosphere.
• Flipperz, in the K & V plaza. Cozy little family owned gem with American fare and lots of special touches.
• Sweet Spot, across from Mike's Place on Emerald Drive. The Sweet Spot serves hand-scopped Hershey's Ice Cream treats, and has a great selection of candies (including most any flavor of salt water taffy you can imagine).
• Circle Pizza, at the 3100 block on the ocean side offers pizza, pasta, and free delivery.
• The Village Market, 7802 Emerald Dr. (down the main drive next to the Reel Outdoors Fish & tackle), ☏ +1 252-354-6592. 8AM-6PM. Great deli with Boars Head cuts and sandwiches , a menu on the website, call ahead or eat outside on in the lovely sea air. 
• Flip Flops Donut Shop, 7702 Emerald Dr (Down the main drive, shortly after the Bogue Inlet Pier. Should be on your left if coming from the west.), ☏ +1 252 424 8171, FlipFlopsDonuts@gmail.com. One of the best local dessert shops around. They serve donuts and other desserts for a fair price, but they are quite delicious. Highly recommended. (updated Dec 2022)

Drink

• 1 The Emerald Club. Local bands, great drinks, and always something happening on the weekend. 
• Emerald Isle Wine Market (within the gas station at the first light after crossing the bridge). Huge selection of wines. 

Sleep

There are only a few small hotels on the Emerald Isle side of Bogue Banks; most of the hotels on Bogue Banks are located on the opposite side of the island in Pine Knoll Shores and Atlantic Beach.

The majority of accommodations in Emerald Isle are condominium, duplex and beach house accommodations. Most rentals, especially during peak-season, are weekly. There are several realty companies in Emerald Isle who specialize in weekly and long-term rentals. Note that Emerald Isle is primarily geared toward family vacations. Many rental companies on Emerald Isle do not rent properties to student groups or others not accompanied by adults.

Go next

• Swansboro is about 15 minutes from Emerald Isle on NC-24. Swansboro has many unique shops along the waterfront, specializing in crafts and nautical-themed items. Yana's Ye Olde Restaurant offers old-fashioned breakfast and lunch items in a classic drug-store lunch counter setting. The Church Street Deli has incredible chicken salad sandwiches.
• Morehead City is about 30 minutes from Emerald Isle on US-70. Morehead City has numerous seafood restaurants and shops along the waterfront.
• Beaufort is about 45 minutes from Emerald Isle on US-70. Beaufort has a restored shopping district along the waterfront, and numerous historical sites and settings related to the town's close proximity to the wreckage of Blackbeard's ship, Queen Anne's Revenge.