The Beacon | 2013

The

Beacon

Get your forks ready Fresh local produce and just-caught seafoodwith easy recipes!

Your vacation guide to the Crystal Coast

Throw out your line Tips from locals on reeling in a big one

The Best

of the

Hitting the waves Watersports for all ages on the coast

Beach

Exploring the Cape The lighthouse, wild ponies and the pristine beaches of Cape Lookout National Seashore

The top 10 things-to-do here on your summer vacation

Exclusive S

ings av

30+ coupo ns for over $8 00 in savings at local restaurant s, activities a nd shopping!

Fun in the sun since 1986

(252) 354-2323 | BluewaterNC.com

Share your vacation memories with us Find us on Facebook Facebook.com/BluewaterRealEstate

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SMARTPHONE

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(252) 354-2323

Welcome

36

to North Carolina’s Crystal Coast!

4 Arrival & Departure 6 Household Tips

10 Trip Interruption

Top 10

Vacation

11 Rental Gear

12 All About Our Coast

Musts

13 Beach Bucket List

14 Getting in the Water

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18 Beach Access

21 Pets on the Coast

22 Cape Lookout Seashore

24 Tide Chart

27 Exclusive Guest Coupons

36 Reeling in a Big One

40 Ways to Save

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41 Seasonal Events

44 Taste of the Coast

COVER PHOTO BY Graham Hunt GrahamHuntPhotography.com

46 Natural Beauty

53 SOBX Crossword

54 Nightlife

We are so excited to welcome you to our island paradise! You will find that this Bluewater Beacon is your essential guide for finding where to go and what to do on the Crystal Coast. If you are already thinking about next year’s vacation and would like to reserve your vacation home for the same week next year, just drop by our office or call us at (252) 354-2323. Our team is also here if you need local recommendations!

Need to contact us while you’re here?

Reservations Maintenance Housekeeping Linen Service After-Hours Help

(252) 354-2323 (252) 354-6128 (252) 354-6130 (910) 378-1834 (252) 354-2323

*follow the menu prompts to reach our after-hours emergency service for all departments including housekeeping, maintenance and linen services.

Emergency Fire, Police and Rescue - Dial 911 Emerald Isle Primary Care Emerald Isle Police Indian Beach Police Salter Path Police Pine Knoll Shores Police Atlantic Beach Police

(252) 354-6500 (252) 354-2021 (252) 247-6700 (252) 247-6700 (252) 247-2474 (252) 726-2523

For advertising opportunities, please contact our marketing department at (252) 354-2323 or marketing@bluewaternc.com. The Bluewater Beacon is a publication of Bluewater Associates of Emerald Isle. We endeavor to ensure the accuracy of this publication; however, we cannot be responsible for any misinformation or typographical errors included.

Getting Here

Office Hours

Open daily off-season: 8:30 to 5:00; in-season: 8:30 to 6:00 Check In: 3:00 P.M. Check Out: 10:00 A.M. year-round Emerald Isle Office | 200 Mangrove Drive (252) 354-2323

Breezy drive-thru check in and check out available during the summer!

Winter after-hours arrivals: Lock box at 200 Mangrove Drive Summer after-hours arrivals: Islander Suites, 103 Islander Drive Emerald Isle Year round after hours departures: Drop slot at 200 Mangrove Drive Atlantic Beach Office | 610 Atlantic Beach Causeway (252) 726-3105

Year round after-hours arrivals: Lock box at 610 Atlantic Beach Causeway Year round after-hours departures: Drop slot at 610 Atlantic Beach Causeway

Lost and Found Bluewater is not responsible for personal Items left behind; however, we will make every effort to locate anything you forget. We will attempt to find your item as a courtesy and just request that you provide us with a credit card to cover the cost of shipping. Report lost items to (252) 354-6130 or email LostAndFound@BluewaterNC.com.

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(252) 354-2323

& Heading Home

Check-out Procedures

To check out, please return the keys and key packet to the office location you checked into. In the case of condos, make sure you’ve returned all gate cards, pool and parking passes. Please note that you will be charged for any item not returned to Bluewater Vacation Rentals at departure. Occupancy of the property, including driveways, parking areas, decks, pools or outside showers is not allowed after check-out.

• • • • • •

Clean all kitchen ware and return all items to their original location Remove all food and trash from home, disposing of unwanted items in outside trash containers Clean all outdoor grills Return all furniture to original location If your home allowed pets, remove pet hair from carpets and upholstery If you rented linens or if linens were provided with the property, please remove them from the beds and put them in the provided linen bag then place it near the main entrance. The linen bag will be left for you in the laundry area or kitchen. If you’re unable to find the linen bag, bundle the linens near the main entrance.

Please leave mattress pads, comforters, blankets, and shams on the beds.

• Check closets, cabinets, drawers and under beds for personal belongings - especially clothes and charger cords!

• Turn off all lights and set the thermostat at 78° in summer and 55° in winter • Close and lock all windows and exterior doors BluewaterNC.com

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Cable Channels 2 3 4 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 78

WGN TV Guide WEPX - ION WITN - NBC WFXI - Fox WNCT - CBS Local Access News14 Carolina WCTI - ABC WUNM - PBS News14 Carolina TNT TBS The Discovery Channel Crystal Coast Now Shop NBC Univision Home Shopping Network FIT TV Wize Buys NBC Sports Network QVC C-SPAN TCM OWN WE CMT SoapNet Animal Planet HGTV Food Network Lifetime Movie Network Lifetime USA Network ABC Family truTV Hallmark Channel TBN Bravo Disney MSNBC CNN CNBC Headline News The Weather Channel ESPN BET MTV VH1 Spike TV ESPN 2 A&E TLC FX AMC Nickelodeon Cartoon Network National Geographic Fox News Nick Jr. Speed E! Entertainment VH1 Classic Comedy Central History Channel The Golf Channel Fox Sports Carolinas Oxygen

Additional Lineup online at 6 TWCEastNC.com

household tips Telephone and Internet Services

Although many of our properties provide internet access, some of them do not. If you brought your own computer and need internet access while staying with us, you can access a guest network from our lobbies. If you prefer internet access from your vacation rental, check your available networks for Time Warner Speedzone.

It is available for many parts of Emerald Isle. If you are having trouble accessing the internet that is provided to you by your vacation home, please call our Maintenance Department at (252) 354-6128.

We strive for all of our properties to have telephone service for your convenience, however not all of them do. The phone number for your rental should be displayed on the phone. If it is not, we will gladly confirm your rental’s phone number.

Most rental telephones have long distance blocked, but local calls are free.

Maintenance Service Calls

Each rental property has a guide to address general maintenance concerns posted on the refrigerator. Please report existing damage or accidental damage during your stay and any inoperative and/or missing equipment to our maintenance department as soon as possible. If you do not report existing damage to our office immediately after your arrival, you will assume responsibility for the damage and may be charged for repair.

For routine maintenance problems during business hours, please call (252) 354-6128. For emergencies after hours, call (252) 354-2323. All efforts will be made to expedite repairs, but no refunds will be made for mechanical failures of appliances, air conditioning/heating, electronics or for interruption and/or loss of utilities (including cable TV). Note: Bluewater-authorized repairmen have the legal right to enter your rental home as required to accomplish needed repairs.

Accidentally Locked Out?

If you find yourself locked out of your vacation residence during business hours, you may come to the office and borrow a key. After-hours, please call our office and follow the prompts for after hours emergencies. We will be in touch shortly to arrange entry into your home. If an agent is required to deliver keys to the property, a $50 service fee will be applied to your reservation.

Medical Services

Veterinary Services

Emerald Isle Medical Center (252) 354-6500 7901 Emerald Drive Emerald Isle, NC

Carteret General Hospital (252) 808-6000 3500 Arendell Street Morehead City, NC

Carteret Urgent Care Center (252) 808-6641 3722 Bridges Street Morehead City, NC

Beach Care Urgent Medical Center (252) 808-3696 5059 Hwy 70 West Morehead City, NC

Arendell Animal Hospital (252) 726-4998 213 Commerce Avenue Morehead City, NC

ECIM Urgent Medical Care 252-393-9007 906 W.B. McLean Drive Cape Carteret, NC

Western Carteret Medical Center (252) 393-6543 718 Cedar Point Boulevard Swansboro, NC

Brigadoon Animal Hospital (252) 393-6581 1074 Cedar Point Boulevard Cedar Point, NC

(252) 354-2323

Pet Docks Veterinary Hospital (252) 240-3885 5307 Hwy 70 West Morehead City, NC

Swimming Pools

If you have a private pool, it will be cleaned and serviced twice weekly during your stay. Some pools can be heated upon request in the cooler months. If you have access to a community pool, most are open from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Periodically, community pools are closed without notice or reimbursement for maintenance.

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Access to Bogue Sound

If you are staying in a soundfront home, you may have direct access to the sound from a private dock or a boat slip. There is a community boat access to the sound in Emerald Isle, as well as several marinas throughout the island that can offer boat ramps and trailer parking. Keep in mind that the sound is shallow, especially at low tide, when leaving your watercraft docked.

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(252) 354-2323

Housekeeping

Our Housekeeping Staff visits each home to clean and inspect between guests. If upon your arrival you do not find your rental property satisfactory, please call our Housekeeping team at (252) 354-6130 within one hour of checking in so that we may send a team to take care of any issues.

Linens

Please check your linens immediately upon arrival for correct quantity and sizes. If your linens have not been delivered by 4:00 P.M. or if your order is incorrect, please call us at (910) 378-1834 or (252) 354-2323 afterhours with the property name, address and your contact number.

Grills

Many of the condominium complexes provide grilling areas on the grounds and rentals are available for private homes. It is required that any grilling at cottages and duplexes be done as far from the building as possible and in a well ventilated area, as town ordinances prohibit the use of grills on any porches, decks, or walkways. Our strong prevailing winds can be dangerous with open flames, so take care when using a grill.

Trash and Recycling

Emerald Isle Trash Pickup Monday & Friday: Oceanside of Emerald Drive (NC 58) and Coast Guard Road, Inlet Drive and The Point Tuesday & Thursday: Soundside of Emerald Drive and Coast Guard Road (sound side) Recycling Pickup Curbside pick up is on Wednesday. Additional recycling bins are available at Merchants Park located at 8401 Emerald Drive.

Pine Knoll Shores / Salter Path / Indian Beach Trash Pickup Mondays of each week.

Recycling Pickup Biweekly curbside pickup occurs every other Thursday. Additional recycling bins are located at 100 Municipal Circle, in the parking area behind Town Hall.

Atlantic Beach Trash Pickup Monday & Thursday: Oceanside of Fort Macon Road, East of Henderson Boulevard (Mon. only off-season) Tuesday & Friday: Soundside of Fort Macon Road, West of Henderson Boulevard (Tues. only off-season) Recycling Curbside pick up is on Monday. Additional recycling bins (for plastics and cans) are located near the movie theater at the western end of Atlantic Station shopping center.

Pest Control

The Crystal Coast has an abundance of wildlife due to the ecology of our maritime area. Unfortunately, this also means that we have a large population of ants, water bugs and sand fleas. If you should experience a pest problem, please report it to our maintenance department at (252) 354-6128 so that we can schedule an exterminator. Please help control the insect problems by keeping all foods sealed up, dishes rinsed and by emptying trash cans that may contain food.

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trip interruption We hope that your vacation on the Crystal Coast is nothing short of wonderful! But if a family emergency should happen to interrupt your trip, we are here to help. If you have purchased Travel Insurance coverage, you can get details about making a claim by calling (866) 621-2070. If you have not purchased coverage, please contact our Vacation Planners for guidance.

Hurricanes and Tropical Storms

Hurricane season extends from June to November. When a hurricane approaches our coastline, the Town officials will issue either a mandatory or a voluntary evacuation, based on current conditions.

During a mandatory evacuation, vacation guests and permanent residents must leave the island and go further inland. Measures are taken to secure the exterior of the home including porch furniture, storm shutters, patio furniture and decorations. After the mandatory evacuation is executed, the bridges are secured by the state police and no vehicles are allowed on the island until the evacuation is lifted.

During a voluntary evacuation the individual can decide whether they leave the island or not, but the same measures are taken to secure the exterior of the property.

The Weather Channel issues early warnings so there is ample time for everyone to prepare.

Newspapers, radio and television stations keep the public notified about evacuations as well as re-entry information. Be sure to check our website BluewaterNC.com and Facebook page at facebook.com/ BluewaterRealEstate for additional information if a storm happens to occur during your stay.

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(252) 354-2323

Rental Gear Forget something? Or didn’t have room in the car? Call (252) 354-2323 and speak with our Vacation Planners to schedule delivery. Delivery and Pickup are always FREE! Beach Hammock $25 Express Beach Gear Deliv. $20 Pack-n-Play Play Pen $25 Double Blow Up Mattress $25 Twin Blow Up Mattress $25 Single Kayak (Daily) $24 Single Kayak (Weekly) $120 Double Kayak (Daily) $34 Double Kayak (Weekly) $170 Lay Flat Chaise Lounge $30 Hybrid Child Trailer & Helmet $40 Metal Detector (Weekly) $80 Metal Detector (Daily) $17.50 Baby Gate $15

Beach Chaise Lounge/Folding Beach Chair (Folding) Beach Umbrella Baby Jog Stroller(single) Baby Jog Stroller(double) Gas Grill (Stainless Steel) Charcoal Grill (Weber) Beach Bike With Helmet Cooler with handle & wheels Daily Beach Tent Setup DVD Player Deck Umbrella Stand Body Board Baby Gate

$30 $25 $32 $35 $45 $80 $40 $60 $15 $100 $35 $25 $25 $15

Pull Behind Bike Cart $35 Sit Under Beach Cabana $25 Beach Cart (Pull Behind) $40 Lounging in the Sun Pkg $80 Fun in the Sun Pkg $75 Basic fun in the Sun Pkg $65 Charcoal Grill (Weber) $40 Ocean Child Toddler Pkg $135 Wheelin’ in the Breeze Pkg $140 Full Size Crib w/sheet/pad $85 Sand Chair $20 High Chair $25

Remember: Beach gear of any kind cannot be left on the beach overnight. This includes tents, canopies, chairs, nets, umbrellas, etc. Any items left unattended after 7pm will be confiscated by beach patrol. Please be advised that guests are responsible for all confiscated rental gear.

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the

crystal coast swansboro

Swansboro, known as the “Friendly City by The Sea” and during your visit, you will see that it lives up to that name.

It still maintains a historic downtown section that runs along the water’s edge, where you can take a stroll through downtown, browse the waterfront shops and dine with a view. Don’t miss out on the Summer music festival and the Annual Mullet Festival held the 2nd Weekend in October.

salter path

emerald isle

Known for its history as an old fishing village, Salter Path is different because it is home to a large dune system, excellent beaches, breathtaking soundfront views and even a small maritime forest. Family beach cottages are easy to spot as you cruise through Salter Path. Be sure to stop and look at Bogue Sound; as it sparkles a magnificent blue on a bright sunny day.

Come and visit our gem of an island known as a “Family Beach”.

Emerald Isle is fun for vacationers of all ages - offering everything from beautiful beaches to water sports on the calm sound, great dinibg and coastal shops. There is a nice walking and biking trail that runs along the main highway that gives you an opportunity to really enjoy the beauty of the island. Catch stunning sunsets and sunrises (and a few fish!) from the Bogue Inlet Pier.

pine knoll shores

indian beach

Located at the center of Bogue Banks, Pine Knoll Shores offers an unforgettable experience to vacationers. Because of their community commitment to the environment, most of the area today remains unspoiled, pristine and has been designated the “Tree City USA”. Come to the North Carolina Aquarium to see the many species of fish and sharks on display in the 306,000-gallon Living Shipwreck display. You will even see Nimbus, a rare white loggerhead sea turtle.

Indian Beach is conveniently located in the middle of Bogue Banks. Its location allows easy access to the sights and sounds of Morehead City and Emerald Isle, as well as restaurants & shopping. But above all, you’ll enjoy the quiet calming expanse of soft sands and lush maritime forest.

atlantic beach Atlantic Beach is conveniently located at the most eastern tip of Bogue Banks with over 7 miles of pristine beaches to enjoy. It is proud to be home to the annual King Mackerel Tournament each September along with many other fishing tournaments and festivals including the Annual Carolina Kite Festival. With a variety of restaurants, shopping and public beach accesses, Atlantic Beach is a great place to vacation. Want to experience history while you’re here? Be sure to visit the historic Fort Macon, which was used to protect the area from naval attacks and pirate invasions in the 18th and 19th centuries.

morehead city Morehead City is a must for any vacationer on the Crystal Coast, with an abundance of activities from baseball to waterfront cocktails! While you’re here, you can enjoy fresh seafood with local flair at the restaurants and browse eclectic shops or just take a walk along the downtown waterfront. It hosts many different festivals and tournaments such as the Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament held in early June and the North Carolina Seafood Festival held on the waterfront each October. Don’t miss out on an evening at the ballpark this summer for a Morehead City Marlins baseball game.

beaufort Beaufort, the 3rd oldest town in North Carolina, is known for its Bahamian and West Indian style architecture and its close ties with a notorious pirate. It offers a beautiful sandy shore as well as stunning waterfront views and many specialty shops and delicious restaurants downtown .

You can watch the feral horses from the banks of Beaufort or board a ferry to see them in their unspoiled habitat. Hop atop the English Double-Decker bus for a tour around this historic fishing village to see Blackbeard’s home and the mysterious Old Burial Ground. You’ll see exactly what makes this coastal community so special and why it was voted Best Small Town in the USA in 2012.

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The

n atio c a V ts Mus

Beach Bucket List

From the locals and “honorary” local frequent visitors, this is a list of things you MUST do while you’re here.

1. RELAX!

There is such a thing as “beach time,” and you’ll know it when you get here. Things go a little slower when you’re on the beach and your priorities change a bit. Take advantage of the opportunity and turn off your phone, turn off the TV and computer, and really just relax and enjoy yourself. With the fast-paced hectic lifestyle we all lead, this can be hard to do. But you’ll be glad that you did when you look back at the memories and feel totally rejuvenated and reconnected.

3. Savor

With the Gulf Stream pushing warm waters to our shores, the Crystal Coast offers the longest fishing season on the Atlantic coast.

Spend the day with a local crew on a charter boat and see what fish you can reel in. Some of the most popular catches along our coast are mahi, blue and yellowfin tuna, red drum, cobia, sailfish, striped bass, false albacore and wahoo. Get a glimpse of the giants of the sea during the Annual Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament as the pros weigh their daily catch on the Morehead City Waterfront.

8.

The Crystal Coast has been named one of the ten top diving locations in North America. The ocean floor is alive at the “Graveyard of the Atlantic” with over 2000 shipwreck sites along the coastline including many World War I and II ships, the historic U-352 submarine and a breathtaking variety of sharks, exotic Gulf Stream fish and colorful shellfishes. Not your style? You can still get up close and personal with thousands of sea creatures at the North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores. Touch a stingray, watch the otters glide through the water and stare a shark in the eye during their twice daily feedings in the 306,000-gallon Living Shipwreck exhibit.

Step back in time 6.

Take a drive to the end of the island and spend the afternoon hiking, picnicking and exploring the Civil War era history of Fort Macon in Atlantic Beach. Learn more about the shipwrecks and pirates that frequented our coast aboard the English-style double decker bus in Beaufort. Stops include Blackbeard’s house, the graveyard, the courthouse and tours of the historic homes.

Try doing something NEW

9. Light up the night

The coast is just as lively after an unforgettable sunset!

Brush off the sand and order a classic cocktail from our award winning bartenders or hit the water for a moonlit dinner cruise out of Beaufort or Morehead City. If you want to stay closer to home, try a walk on the beach under the stars! Take a flashlight with you and see if you find any ghost crabs roaming the beach after dark. The tangy salt air and roar of the ocean after dark are a whole new experience.

Whether it’s trying your hand at surfing, getting up the courage to strap yourself into a parasailing harness or taking your first breath from a scuba tank, our coast is FULL of new things to try.

From jet skis to banana boats, Fly Boarding to kite surfing; there are endless options for new adventures on the coast.

2.

Hop on a boat and observe the natural beauty of the wild horses running through their natural habitat along Shackleford Banks and Carrot Island. Ferries are located in Morehead City, Atlantic Beach, Beaufort, Harkers Island and Davis. This is a favorite for both frequent visitors and first time guests. PLUS: This is a great spot to find fabulous seashells and other treasures swept in by the tide. Take a trip and explore the Cape Lookout National Seashore and climb the 163 foot tall Cape Lookout Lighthouse – once you reach the top, the view will surely take your breath away. Walk along the undeveloped coastline and discover the beauty of our unspoiled beaches.

5. Peek into the depths

North Carolina’s coastal culinary experience is unlike any other. With a deep sense of tradition, local fare and coastal atmosphere your palate is taken to new heights. Dine on some of the freshest seafood you will ever taste from the famous shrimp burger and Bar-B-Q at Big Oak Drive-In to the fresh caught seafood prepared in imaginative ways at some of the top restaurants along the coast, The Crystal Coast offers the finest in Southern Coastal dining. Join us in October as we celebrate our seafood at the Annual North Carolina Seafood Festival in Morehead City.

Reel it in 4.

Climb and Explore

Paddle 7.

Launch a kayak or stand-up Paddle Board and take in all the sights and sounds of the coastal life as you cruise through the Bogue Sound.

There are so many small islands just waiting to be explored, as well as miles of smooth intracoastal and river waterways to choose from. Whether you spend a half day or pack a lunch and take your family out for the whole day, there is no better way to experience the beauty and natural charm of our coast than from water level.

Start 10. a new tradition

There’s no better way to make memories together than by starting a new tradition.

Whether it’s a family photo, a favorite restaurant or an adventure you take together every year, traditions are the best part of family vacations. One of our Facebook Fans, Wendy Eastman shared her family tradition with us: “Aunt Wendy’s policy is as soon as we arrive - all children PLUS Aunty Wendy must find their way to the beach and jump in to over the head water fully dressed. This has become a tradition for our family.” So come together and find a new tradition while you’re here; all that matters is that it’s fun and meaningful to your family!

Need more ideas of things to do?

Check out our list of 100 FREE things to do online at BluewaterNC.com.

BluewaterNC.com

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“Shred� your boring vacation plans and hit the water for a thrill ride, Crystal Coast style.

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(252) 354-2323

Welcome back to North Carolina’s favorite family beach!

If this is your first time visiting our island, you’re in for a treat. The Crystal Coast is such a perfect name for our area – the sparkling waters, soft sands and variety of activities make our piece of coastline truly a gem.

Bogue Banks is comprised of five townships Emerald Isle at the western-most end of the island, followed by Indian Beach, Salter Path, Pine Knoll Shores and Atlantic Beach at the eastern-most end of the island. Located just east of Bogue Banks is the Cape Lookout National Seashore and Shackleford Banks, where you can catch a glimpse of the wild island ponies, explore and collect shells, and even climb the Cape Lookout Lighthouse!

Just Add Water You’ll find an endless variety of water activities to do while you’re here; surfing, body boarding and skim boarding, kayaking, parasailing and scuba diving – you name it, you can do it on the Crystal Coast. If your goal is just to soak up the sun and lounge on the beach while you’re here, you have 25 miles of pristine beaches to take advantage of. From the popular “Point” of Emerald Isle to historic Fort Macon in Atlantic Beach, you have a wide variety of beach accesses to choose from.

There are 78 public beach accesses offering sand walkways or wooden boardwalks and 32 public accesses offering parking, some even have bath houses and picnic areas!

Throughout the island, there are also several sound accesses that will allow you to launch a boat or kayak to explore the waterway.

Photo Courtesy of Graham Hunt Photography

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Surfing the Crystal Coast is a popular pastime for locals

and vacationers. Pick a day with light winds and find a secluded spot on the beach to test the waters with your board. Using a longer surfboard and practicing standing up on the beach will make learning easier if it’s your first time riding the waves.

If you’re a more experienced surfer, try the waves at The Point and around the fishing piers. The currents tend to be stronger and paddling out more challenging in these spots.

Need a board or surfing lessons? Call our office or visit a local surf shop, like Hot Wax Surf Shop in Emerald Isle.

Body boarding and skim boarding are also popular sports for beachgoers. Body boarding (or boogie boarding) is also a great alternative to surfing for kids to try! Beginners and kids will want to look for a soft board for safety, and you can pick anywhere to try this one! Just grab the board and head out over the waves to try your hand at surfing back in. Skim boarding takes a bit more practice and coordination! The objective is to catch the shoreline near low tide, so that you have a wider expanse of beach to work with, toss the board onto a shallow part of the tide, take a running leap onto the board and “skim” over the water.

Skim boards are thinner than body boards, allowing you to glide over the shallow water more easily.

The Intracoastal Waterways and rivers that empty into it make for excellent kayaking spots. You can start anywhere on the island and explore the barrier island system along the island and at either end. Swansboro is a great spot to start if you’re new, as there are several kayak companies that will not only rent you the gear, but also do guided kayak tours. Kayaking is great for beginners at water sports and generally doesn’t involve deep waters. Double kayaks are great for parents and kids or couples to ride together!

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(252) 354-2323

EMERALD ISLE

Paddle Board Tours Weekly Paddleboard Rentals Available Take a relaxing calm water, guided tour through the marshes and estuaries of Bogue Sound.

Daily Tour Times – 7 days a week Please Call for Tour Times Advanced Reservations Recommended Please arrive 30 minutes before tour begins at our shop located at 142 Fairview Drive, Emerald Isle, NC • Visa/Mastercard Accepted

For the more adventurous explorer, try parasailing! Flying high across the coastline, you will see breathtaking views of the coast like never before. You can fly single or double, and kids as young as 6 can go up! It’s a once in a lifetime experience to see our island from a “birds eye” perspective, and is something your family will remember for years to come. It’s also a remarkably safe adrenaline rush on your family’s summer vacation!

If you are looking to explore in a new way, try scuba diving. Our coastline is considered one of the country’s finest collections of shipwrecks to dive and explore. You’ll meet a lot of our locals under the water – sharks, stingrays, dolphins, sea turtles, and an endless variety of fish and plants. Our coast is home to the sand tiger shark, a docile shark that ranges from four to eight feet long. They often swim in large numbers and naturally frequent the waters BluewaterNC.com

year-round. We are blessed with the warm waters of the Gulf Stream, allowing us to be home to many exotic fishes, including the lionfish! The waters off our coast offer summer time temperatures nearing 80° and winter temperatures nearing 60°. Although there are hundreds of sunken vessels to explore, our most visited underwater spot is the German submarine “U-352.” It was sunk in April of 1942 as it patrolled the eastern seaboard during World War II. There are several dive companies on the eastern end of the coast, all of which offer beginner’s classes and various chartered tours.

Staying Safe Riptides can occur on any beach where there are waves. If you get caught in a current and feel yourself being pulled out to sea, do not try to fight it. Instead, swim parallel to the beach for a few yards. Most riptides are not very wide. Once you are out of the strong current, swim back to shore. ] 17

★ ★ ★ ★

Emerald Isle Lifeguards

Yes, You Can Learn to Surf!

Featured in the Wall Street Journal and on CNN and Fox News

Hot Wax Surf Shop & Camp Professional instruction – morning, daily, weekly camps available ages 7 to adult. Classes do book up, so call early, surfboards included.

Rentals – Island’s largest selection of surfboards all sizes, stand up paddle boards, kayaks, bodyboards, skim boards Photo & Private Video Instruction – Services We can Included come to you

Kayaks of All Kinds

SALES

Celebrating Our 20th Year Located at milepost 201⁄2 200 Mallard Dr. • Emerald Isle

252-354-6466

www.hotwaxsurf.com www.hotwaxbiz.com Email: surfguru@hotwaxsurf.com

ACTION SPORTS RENTALS & INSTRUCTIONS

Stand Up Paddleboards

Yoga

Atlantic Beach Lifeguards Lifeguards are on duty from 9:00am until 6:00pm during the summer at the Main Beach Public Access, the “Circle”.

PUBLIC BEACH PARKING Emerald Isle Eastern Ocean Regional Access $ 2701 Emerald Drive Bath house, grills and picnic pavilion Western Ocean Regional Access $ Islander Drive Bath house, grills, volleyball, picnic pavilion

Surfboard Rentals

Surfboards, bodyboards, surf trunks, rashguards, sunglasses, sandles, hats, tees – mens, boys girls, juniors Large selection of Hot Wax tees only $12.99

Lifeguards are on duty from 10:00am until 5:00pm during the summer. They are located at the Western and Eastern Regional Beach Accesses. An additional life guard patrols the beach between the two accesses.

Salter Path Salter Path Regional Access 1050 Salter Path Road Restrooms, outdoor showers, picnic tables

$ indicates fee for weekend & holiday parking during summer months

Pine Knoll Shores Iron Steamer Regional Access $ 345 Salter Path Road Restrooms, outdoor showers

Atlantic Beach Tom Doe Regional Access $ West Atlantic Regional Access $ 201 West Atlantic Boulevard 201 West Atlantic Boulevard Restrooms, outdoor showers, picnic tables. Bathhouse pavilion, playground

HANDICAP BEACH ACCESS Emerald Isle: Channel Drive, Wyndtree Drive, Page Place, Ocean Oaks Drive, Bluewater Drive, Seagull Drive, Western Regional Access, Eastern Regional Access and 3rd Street Park.

Salter Path/Pine Knoll Shores: Indian Beach Vehicle Access and Iron Steamer Regional Access.

Atlantic Beach: West Atlantic Regional Access, New Bern Avenue, Henderson Avenue and Fort Macon.

Beach Friendly wheelchairs are available on a first-come, firstserved basis from local fire departments.

Surfing Lessons

BE YOUR OWN CAPTAIN!

Family Rentals & Activities

Kayak Fishing Tours

Ca l l To d ay to Rese r ve Yo u r S k i ff o r Po n to o n Bo a t

HOT WAX ACTION SPORTS RENTALS & TOURS.

Sit-on-top and Sit-in touring kayaks, singles or doubles, Stand-up paddle boards & instruction. Fishing and Nature paddling Kayak tours. Surfing kayaks for wave riding. Surfboards & instruction.

Yoga warm ups. The Island’s Largest Water Sports Selection and Adventures. Call 252-354-6466 for Reservations and Delivery.

252-726-1 9 0 0 w w w. A h oy Bo a t Re n ta l s.co m

www.hotwaxsurf.com

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(252) 354-2323

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(252) 354-2323

Over 25 miles of soft sandy beaches, barrier islands and intracoastal waterway are just waiting to be sniffed, dug and explored! Bringing your best friend to the beach is a great way to unwind and relax. Dogs are welcome on the beach year-round, just make sure they are always leashed and cleaned up after.

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Explorin wit g the coa s t h4 f eet

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the BEACH

Tips and h in your ts for ma pet’s k summ ing the m o er va catio st of n

Does your pup love ice cream? Try this tasty, cool recipe this summer!

S OG RD O T F eam JUS e cr ic

Going Out Together

Check out the Backstreet Pub in Beaufort for great music, drinks and light fare. They will welcome dogs to join in the fun!

1 banana 32 oz. plain yogurt 2 T peanut butter 2 T honey

Blend all ingredients in a blender and freeze in muffin tins or ice cube trays.

Or freeze in a KONG for a tasty toy!

s

Freeze dog toys and treats in a bowl of water or diluted chicken broth for a summer time teaser!

BluewaterNC.com

SA TY

PINTEREST TIP!

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Beach Ru le

B EA

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The Cape Lookout National Seashore consists of 56 miles of beautifully undeveloped coastline stretching in barrier islands from Ocracoke to Beaufort Inlet.

Visiting these pristine sands is a great way to immerse yourself in the history and breathtaking scenery here. Bring your family (even your dog!) and come explore the Cape Lookout Seashore together!

spending a few hours

” M eet th e “locals

w e n y n n u s g n i h c a e R

S T H G I HE Exploring Shackleford Banks and the Cape Lookout National Seashore

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(252) 354-2323

Stop by the Harkers Island Visitor Center where you can explore the exhibits, watch the park film, walk the nature trails and more. At the Cape Lookout Lighthouse, you can soak up the sun and salt water on the beach, venture into the Keeper’s Quarters museum and climb to the top of the lighthouse for spectacular sweeping views of the coast from 160 feet in the air. On Shackleford Banks, you’ll find a

sheller’s delight; conchs, sand dollars, whelks and even the state shell – the Scotch Bonnet! It’s also a great spot to relax and watch for wild banker ponies. In Portsmouth Village, take a step back in time with a guided tour of the village, the Salter House and Visitor Center.

playing the whole day

With an entire day, you can plan an extended trip such as a short kayaking session or a private ferry tour of the seashore. You will have ample time to search for horses on Shackleford Banks and explore down to the point of Cape Lookout. Along the way you’ll see a variety of shorebirds, find a treasure trove of seashells and you’ll want to watch for dolphins and whales along the way.

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ferry services Hammocks Beach State Park | Swansboro (910) 326-4881

shackleford banks & cape lookout Island Ferry Adventures | Beaufort (252) 728-7555 Lookout Cruises | Beaufort (252) 504-SAIL Outer Banks Ferry | Beaufort (252) 728-4129 Calico Jacks Ferry | Harkers Island (252) 728-3575 Harkers Island Fishing Center (252) 728-3907 Island Ferry Adventures | Harkers Island (252) 728-6181 Local Yokel Ferry and Tours | Harkers Island (252) 728-2759

vie ws fro m t he top

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Charter Fishing – Guide Service

Crystal Coast Adventures Sound Ocean Inshore Fishing Trips Light Tackle Fly Fishing Flats Fishing Tailing Drum

“Let’s Go Fishing” Shad & Stripers Roanoke River

4 - 6 - 8 Hour Trips

View Wild Horses

Families Welcome

Capt. Dean Lamont • USCG Licensed • Fully Insured www.crystalcoastadventures.com • Cell 919-414-2452

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NOAA Tide Chart 2013 Predictions for High and Low Tides

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Handicap accessible, full shade top, padded seats and onboard restroom and a US Coast Guard licensed captain with over 22 years of experience on the local waters.

Lady Swan is docked at the Nancy Lee Fishing Center, directly off Hwy 24.

L a d y S w a n To u r s . c o m

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(910) 325-1200

128 E. Corbett Ave. Historic Swansboro, N.C.

Cell (910) 389-0746

info@LadySwanTours.com

(252) 354-2323

Take Me Out To The Ballgame!

THIS IS BASEBALL AT THE BEACH! VISIT MHCMARLINS.COM OR CALL 252.269.9767 TODAY FOR TICKETS.

CATCH THESE SPECIAL EVENTS AT THE STADIUM. MAY 29

JUNE 8

JUNE 23

JULY 14

OPENING NIGHT

U.S. MILITARY ALL-STARS

TEAM USA

“ROCK THE ROCK” WITH LIVE MUSIC

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THURSTY THURSDAYS JUNE 6, 20 JULY 11, 18, 25 DRINK SPECIALS ALL NIGHT! 35

Cast a line off a pier or in the surf Fishing is a popular pastime for the coastal locals.

From the White Oak River, creeks and inlets to the surf there is opportunity and fun to be had. No matter what time of the year it is there is always a fish to be caught so bring your fishing rods because you just might land a big one!

The most popular time of the year for fishing is during the fall months. The water temperature is starting to cool down and the days are pleasant. You can fish in the surf, off a pier, or on a charter. Just get your fishing license and pick up some tackle and bait from the tackle shop, seafood market or grocery.

September, October and November Surf fishermen can expect to catch Red Drum, Flounder, Pompano, Sea Mullet and Bluefish. Live bait is best for catching Red Drum and Flounder.

Shrimp and sand fleas are fantastic for Pompano and Mullet. Larger fish such as Spanish and King Mackerel can be caught from the pier during September and as we move through October Bluefish, Black Drum and the famous Spots are present and plentiful. November brings Speckled Trout and Puppy Drum to the surf and pier. Bottom fishing offers a variety of fish throughout the fall season including Puppy Drum, Black Drum, Bluefish, Puffer, Pompano and Sea Mullet. Shrimp bait for bottom fishing is the ever popular bait.

December, January and February Fishing begins to slow down as the water becomes cooler. But when the winter is mild and the days are sunny, fish can still be caught. Fishing off the surf can bring in Sea Mullet and Puffer fish using shrimp bait. Red Drum can be found near the beachfront and inlets with Gulp bait or lures. Speckled Trout are mainly found in creeks and Jason says he has found they love Gulp Jerk Shads and Zoom Flakes.

e h t f o h c t Ca

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Reel in all that the Crystal Coast has to offer!

Here’s some advice on seasons and methods from some of our locals: Marie (one of our vacation planners!) and her husband Jason!

Going out to sea For the Crystal Coast, charter fishing is not only a leisure sport. With the bevy of tournaments held here, our sparkling waters are a playground to many sport fishers around the world. Underwater beauties such as Giant Blue Fin Tuna, King Mackerel, Marlin, Sailfish and Wahoo are popular trophies.

Smaller fish that are caught in deeper waters include Red Snapper, Grouper, Triggerfish and Sea Bass. There are many charter services in the eastern end of the county that will offer half day, full day and speciality fishing charters. Speciality charters can include Sportsfishing, Shark Fishing and even Mahi-Mahi.

Spending the day miles out into the Atlantic Ocean and surrounded by water, just waiting for that “big one” to take a bite... vacation doesn’t get any better than that!

Many charters include your meals for the day and can accommodate several people, so you can make memories with your whole family. Try a charter fishing expedition while you’re here for an exciting and unique experience.

March through August Sea Mullet and Puffer fish start moving back in during the spring once the temperature starts warming up. During the early part of Spring, Skates are caught by using double hooked shrimp in the surf. Summer is a great time of the year for fishing and as the heat progresses there is always something different to be caught. During the early part of summer, surf and pier fishers can expect to land smaller Spanish Mackerel, Bluefish and maybe a Flounder or two. Marie and Jason have the best luck with Red Drums in the marsh during the early summer and in the White Oak River near oyster bars using live bait. Mid-Summer offers Sea Mullet and small Flounder as well as possibly catching Tarpon with live bait from the pier.

Moving through late-Summer and into early Fall we see the Spanish Mackerel, more Bluefish, larger Flounder and Speckled Trout moving in. Using Gotcha Plugs and diamond jigs for small Spanish Mackerel and Bluefish is Jason’s recommendation, although Bluefish will bite at Shrimp bait as well!

Summer is a great time of the year for bottom fishing. There is a nice variety throughout the season that includes Sea Mullet, Croakers, Pompano, Black Sea Bass, Gray Trout and Gag Grouper.

Fishing is wonderful way of passing the time and enjoying the outdoors. Fish are plentiful in our beautiful Emerald Isle area and no matter what time of the year there is always someone fishing.

As you are planning your vacation, be sure to add your rods to the list of items to pack along with your fishing license. If you don’t already have one, that’s okay. The local tackle shop provides fishing licenses for a very small fee.

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PUBLIC BOAT LAUNCHES Emerald Isle Intracoastal Waterway 6800 Emerald Drive Morehead City Intracoastal Waterway (behind Crystal Coast Visitors Center) 3407 Arendell Street

Cedar Point (Swansboro) Intracoastal Waterway 144 Cedar Point Boulevard Beaufort (Taylor’s Creek) 2370 Lennoxville Road

WHERE TO GET A LICENSE Everyone 17 years of age and older are required to have their own individual North Carolina Coastal Recreational Fishing License (NC-CRFL). Anyone, regardless of age are required to abide by the states’ recreational size and possession limits. Some licensed piers such as the Bogue Inlet Fishing Pier and Oceanana Pier require you to purchase a pass to use their facilities and because of this their pass may cover your NC-CRFL. The Reel Outdoors 7802 Emerald Drive, Emerald Isle K&V Grocery 307 Mangrove Drive, Emerald Isle Chasin’ Tails Outdoors 613 Atlantic Beach Causeway, Atlantic Beach Freeman’s Discount Bait & Tackle 108 Atlantic Beach Causeway, Atlantic Beach Also: Wal-Mart, KMart or Dick’s Sporting Goods in Morehead City!

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Using the finest in fresh All Natural Beef & Chicken, Local Seafood, & Fresh Produce.

Vegan, Vegetarian & Gluten Free menu options.

New Sunday Brunch Menu 11:00a-3:00p Off Site Caterings 16 Craft Beer Taps over 50 by the bottle

Wednesday Night, live local musicans 7:30p-10:30p Saturday Night, live blues @ 9:00p Historic Downtown Swansboro / 103 Moore Street 910.325.0501 Open Daily 11a.m.-10p.m Saturday & Sunday til midnight

SwansboroIcehouse.com 38

(252) 354-2323

Specialty coffee drinks, pastries, breads, assorted cakes & chocolate mousse.

Deli Sandwiches featuring Boars Head from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Corner of Front & Main St. Historic Downtown Swansboro Open 7 days a week 7 a.m.-6:30 p.m.

910-325-0502

StarterS

Create YOUr OWN PIZZa

Breadsticks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (4) $2 .59 . . . . . (8) $3 .99 Cheese Breadsticks . . . . . . . . . . (4) $2 .99 . . . . . (8) $4 .99 BBQ & Spicy Wings . . . . . . . . . (10) $6 .99 . . . . (20) $12 .99 Jalapeño Poppers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (8) $4 .99 Breaded Mozzarella Sticks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (8) $4 .99 Chicken Nuggets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (8) $4 .99

PePPerONI WraPS

Sizes

One Topping Additional Topping

Large

Giant

$10 .99 $1 .75

$12 .99 $2 .00

Pepperoni, Ham, Italian Sausage, Seasoned Chicken, Beef Topping, Bacon, Onions, Mushrooms, Green Olives, Black Olives, Green Peppers, Diced Tomatoes, Pineapple, Jalapeño Peppers, Banana Peppers, Anchovies, Cheddar Cheese, and ExTrA CHEESE

SPeCIaltY PIZZaS

$1 .29 $2 .49 $6 .99 $11 .69

Medium

Large

$13 .99

$15 .99

Giant

$17 .99

Signature Pizzas bacon Cheddar Ham

SaladS Garden Salad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $2 .99 Caesar Salad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $2 .99 Chef Salad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $4 .99

Choose your favorite made from scratch crust and we’ll load it up with tons of lean bacon, smoked ham, and layers of cheddar and mozzarella cheese.

bacon Cheeseburger Get the great taste of a bacon cheeseburger on a New York pan crust with everything from beef, lean bacon, savory onions, cheddar and mozzarella cheese to tangy mustard and crisp pickles.

taco Pizza

StrOmbOlI Regular Large Ham & Cheese . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $5 .79 . . . . . . . .$8 .69 Cinnamon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $4 .99 . . . . . . . .$6 .99

PaSta/dINNerS

Our original thin crust topped with seasoned taco meat, cheddar cheese, crispy lettuce, and fresh diced tomatoes.

Chicken Fajita A mouth-watering blend of spicy picante sauce, grilled fajita chicken, fresh green bell peppers, diced tomatoes, savory onions, black olives, grated cilantro, and a blend of mozzarella and cheddar cheese all served on our crispy thin crust. Ole!

Islander

Individual Large Spaghetti . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $3 .99 . . . . . . . . . . $8 .99 Lasagna . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $4 .99 Meatballs $1 extra with spaghetti – Served with breadsticks

Delicious combination of Canadian bacon and pineapple.

bbQ Chicken Contains delicious BBQ chicken, onion, cheddar, and cilantro leaves.

blt Pizza Has terrific bacon, mayo, lettuce, topped off with tomatoes.

Pepperoni max

PIZZertS Chocolate Chip Fruit Bavarian Cream

$8 .99 $1 .50

LOAD IT UP WITH YOUR CHOICE OF TOPPINGS:

A delicious blend of pepperoni and cheese wrapped in our Italian Hand-Tossed crust. Served with a side of Marinara Sauce.

One Wrap . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Two Wraps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Half Dozen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Dozen Wraps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Medium

Small $3 .99 $3 .99 $3 .99

Large $7 .69 $7 .69 $7 .69

HOt SUb SaNdWICHeS Hot Meatball Sub . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $4 .99 Hot Philly Steak . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $4 .99

A pizza smothered in pepperoni and tons of cheese – a REAL Large is max’ed out with 100 slices of pepperoni.

Veggie Fresh A special selection of garden-fresh toppings including savory onions, green olives, black olives, fresh green bell peppers, diced tomatoes, and mushrooms, topped with cheddar cheese.

everything monster A hearty combination of lean beef, smoked ham, pepperoni, seasoned pork topping, savory onions, green olives, black olives, mushrooms, fresh green bell peppers, and two layers of mozzarella cheese.

meatrageous

PrICeS SUbJeCt tO CHaNGe

A ton of pepperoni, Italian sausage, lean bacon, smoked ham, beef and loads of cheddar and mozzarella cheese on your favorite crust.

We delIVer! • minimum delivery of $10.00 All of Emerald Isle, Cedar Point, and Cape Carteret $1.00 delivery charge

Extended Areas – Salter Path, Bogue, and Pelletier $2.50 delivery charge BluewaterNC.com

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7902 emerald drive emerald Isle Located inside BP Coastal Mart 39

SAVVY SAVINGS Complimentary Holds for Next Year

FREE 3 or 6

PAYMENT PLAN

Save $

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When you have found a home that is perfect for your family, you don’t want to take the chance that it won’t be available for your favorite week! Let us know while you’re here, and we’ll hold it for you until we get rates for the following year. No money is due until the next year’s rates are published in the early fall.

Layaway Plan

Many of our homes participate in our breezy interest-free Layaway program. You can break your reservation into 6 payments with no additional fees. We even take care of making the payments for you, so you don’t have to worry about forgetting each month!

Book early to maximize your savings!

Early Bird and Military Savings

Do you book in advance, and vacation early in the year? You’re perfect to take advantage of our Early Bird savings! Ask your vacation planner if your dates qualify to save more.

Are you or a member of your vacationing group an Active or Retired Military member?

Let us know and you could qualify for additional savings on your next stay.

(252) 354-2323

CRYSTAL COAST Calendar of Events february Carolina Chocolate Festival

april

march

spring

Emerald Isle St. Patrick’s Festival Swansboro Rotary Oyster Roast

Newport Pig Pickin’ Beaufort Wine & Food Festival NC Seafood Festival Fun Fest

Wooden Boat Show

Annual Easter Egg Hunt

Beaufort Music Festival

fall september Atlantic Beach Saltwater Classic Walk to Defeat A.L.S. Crystal Coast Grand Prix Emerald Isle Day4Kids Fort Macon Reenactment Annual Flounder Surf Fishing Tournament

Beaufort Old Homes & Gardens Tour

august Sandcastle Contest

N.C. Maritime Museum

Emerald Isle & Morehead City

Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament

Outer Banks Wildlife Shelter

may

Beaufort Pirate Invasion Rachel Carson Reserve Field Trips Crystal Coast County Fair

october

summer

june

july Fireworks on the Water Buddy Peletier Surf Contest Barta Billfish Tournament Emerald Isle Bike Ride Shark Week at the Aquarium

november

N.C. Seafood Festival

Speckled Trout Surf Fishing Tournament

Swansboro Mullet Festival

winter

11th Annual Antique-A-Thon

Emerald Isle Triathlon

Emerald Isle Holiday Parade

Calcutta Wahoo Challenge

december

Emerald Isle Tree Lighting & Flotilla Morehead City Christmas Festival

Carolina Kite Festival

Crystal Coast Flotilla

War of 1812 Reenactment Gordie McAdams Surf Fishing N.C. Festival By The Sea Town of Emerald Isle Trick or Treat

january

Festival of Trees

Penguin Plunge

Core Sound Decoy Festival

New Years Crab Pot Drop

Historic Beaufort Candlelight Tour

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Let our personal shoppers shop for you!

Order ahead.

Place your vacation grocery order online prior to departing for your vacation.

We shop for you.

No need to spend your vacation shopping for groceries, our personal shoppers select the highest quality products and have them ready to pick-up or be delivered at your designated date and time.

RELAX. You deserve it!

Pick up your groceries at our store or have them delivered to your vacation destination. www.lowesfoodstogo.com Toll free: 888.537.8646 42

(252) 354-2323

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e t s a t a t e G of

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Nothing says “vacation” like a fabulous meal. Make the most of your time by the sea with some swimmingly fresh seafood. Want to try your hand at coastal fare? Check out local seafood markets and look for roadside farmer’s market stands to pair some homegrown produce to make some savory memories. Stumped on what to do with it? Check out some of our favorite time-tested recipes, passed through family and friends!

Local Fresh Markets

Clyde Phillips Seafood Market | Swansboro Cap’n Willis Seafood Market | Emerald Isle Willis Seafood Market | Salter Path Atlantic Beach Seafood Market | Atlantic Beach The Sanitary Fish Market & Restaurant | Morehead City Capt. Jim’s Seafood | Morehead City

Fried Soft Shell Crab Sandwiches

Available fresh here from May to September 6 soft shell crabs 2 cups yellow cornmeal 1 cup flour Old Bay seasoning Salt and pepper Tartar sauce, hot sauce and trimmings

Preheat fryer to 350° Soak crabs in buttermilk for 30-45 minutes . Combine dry ingredients and dredge the crabs in the mixture. Fry 4 to 5 minutes. Serve on a toasted roll with lettuce, tomato, tartar sauce and a dash of hot sauce!

Famous Tarheel Hushpuppies

From The Sanitary Fish Market & Restaurant 1 lb. fine corn meal 1 c. buttermilk 1 egg 1 tablespoon salt 1 tablespoon sugar A pinch of baking soda Stir all ingredients, adding water, to thick consistency. Drop in deep fat at 375°.

Yield: 6 servings

Baked Scallops

Grilled Oysters

A coastal favorite here in North Carolina!

From Donese Robey, Sales Assistant 2 lb. scallops ½ c. buttermilk 2 cups crushed Ritz crackers ½ c. butter, melted Salt Pepper Thyme Cayenne Pepper 1 small lemon, halved

A peck or two of fresh, raw oysters Cocktail sauce Lemons for juice

Heat grill to medium-high heat, 350° to 400°. Grill washed oysters for 8 to 10 minutes or until shells open ¼” to ½.” Remove from grill and pry open using an oyster knife. Squeeze lemon juice over the open oysters and serve with cocktail sauce. Just run the knife under the oyster to release the meat!

Preheat oven to 400°. In a large bowl combine scallops, seasoning to taste and After you “shuck,” don’t chuck - Shells can be recycled at the Western Beach buttermilk, tossing to coat evenly. Spread access in Emerald Isle . Recycled scallops evenly in the bottom of a 9x13” shells are used to build oyster “reefs” baking dish and top with cracker crumbs and to help repopulate oysters and build butter. Bake uncovered for 20 minutes and new habitats for fish, crabs and other squeeze lemon juice over it to serve. marine life.

Grandma Alice’s Shrimp Fried Rice From Kelly Nicholson, Property Manager ½ pound bacon, fried and crumbled 4 celery ribs, chopped 1 large green pepper, chopped 4 medium onions, chopped 3 carrots, diced 2 cups rice, cooked 1 ½ pounds shrimp, peeled and deveined Salt and pepper Garlic powder Soy sauce Fry bacon until crisp and remove from pan; reserve drippings. Sauté vegetables in drippings for 8 minutes, stirring constantly. Add the rice, bacon and shrimp and cook 5 minutes more.

Season to taste with salt, pepper, garlic powder and soy sauce.

Yield: 6 to 8 servings

Beach Baby Slush Punch

Grown-ups only...Omit the rum to share this tasty drink with everyone!

1 ½ c. pineapple juice 1 medium banana, cut up

½ cup sugar ⅓ cup orange juice concentrate, thawed

¾ cup rum Ginger ale soda

In a blender, combine first four ingredients until smooth. Stir in 1 ½ cups water and rum and pour into glass baking dish. Cover and freeze overnight. To serve, let stand 15 minutes and scrape 3/4 cup of the slush into a glass. Top with ginger ale.

For best results, drink with a view of the ocean.

Winberry Farms 1006 Cedar Point Boulevard, Cedar Point (252) 393-2281 | Open April - October Features Bogue Sound Watermelons, cantaloupes, sweet corn, strawberries, cucumbers, tomatoes, boiled peanuts, homemade jams, pickles and more.

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Buck’s Corner Farms 603 Cedar Point Boulevard, Cedar Point (252) 393-1009 | Open April - December

Guthrie Farm Highway 24, Bogue / Cape Carteret (252) 241-4918 | Open May - September Apples, peaches, plums, collards, tomatoes and watermelon are just(252) a few 354-2323 of the tasty finds they offer.

Southern staples run amok here including berries, cantaloupe, collards and greens, corn, honey, homemade jams and jellies, peaches, peanuts, sprite melon, squash, strawberries, sweet sotatoes, tomatoes, watermelons. Some are pick-your-own!

Keep it real

NOW BLENDING

BluewaterNC.com

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W

hen you think of what sets the Crystal Coast apart from other beaches along the coast, one of the things that comes to mind is the raw beauty of our beaches. Originally settled by Coree Indians, our coastline was later claimed by several proprietors, and then by Quaker William Borden, around 1732. The Borden family arrived into what is now Mill Creek and Newport, and built a sawmill and shipyard, then moved to Beaufort and settled there. The island was originally mapped as “Borden Banks” and remained mostly uninhabited until the 1950’s, except for a small number of whalers and fishermen.

Although Bogue Banks was developed residentially, care was always taken to ensure that commercial development was limited, and that the island would remain family-oriented and wellpreserved. In Pine Knoll Shores, 265 acres of land was donated by the family of Theodore Roosevelt, now known as the Theodore Roosevelt Natural Preserve, and is home to the North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores. Our area prides itself in carefully preserving the natural beauty of the island and takes measures to protect the wildlife, local ecology and dune systems and proactively uses renourishment of the beaches to combat erosion.

coastal preservation

If you’re not used to living in a coastal area, you might not know how important the dunes are to the survival of the island. Although they may sometimes hinder your view of the sparkling Atlantic Ocean, we love the dunes. The peaks of sand, covered in lilting beach grass, sea oats and goldenrod blooms are actually the first line of defense for homes, roadways and other coastal infrastructure during a storm. The stronger the plant system on the dune, the more sand it collects. More sand equals a stronger, larger dune and therefore more protection for the community behind it, including homes and wildlife.

In the central parts of the island, such as Indian Beach and Pine Knoll Shores, you will also see a dense maritime forest. This is a protected growth, as it is one of the most endangered habitat types in North Carolina. Take a walk through one of the hiking trails under a canopy of live oak, wax myrtle and loblolly pines that offers protection from the salt spray to the array of wildlife that call our island home. Shackleford Banks to the east and Bear Island to west also offer excellent maritime forests and undeveloped coastline and are accessible only by boat.

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(252) 354-2323

Unspoiled &

BEAUTIFUL Nature at its finest on the beaches of North Carolina

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Preserving the Sand Dunes & Foliage Use designated beach accesses Look for the CAMA Public Beach Access sign for walkways and sand paths to the beach. Avoid walking through the dunes and damaging them.

“Keep off the dunes” Walking or playing on the dunes can damage the dune vegetation. It is crucial to the survival of the dune for the plants to stay well-rooted and healthy. This keeps the dune strong and allows sand to be stable and continue accumulating. Also take care to keep pets from digging in the dunes.

If you look carefully, you will see a variety of winged wonders who also call this island home!

In the intracoastal waterway and along the sound side of the island, you will see the graceful white egrets wading in the grasses and feeding on crabs, shrimp and small fishes. Another local favorite is the brown pelican. These recognizable gentlemen will be found many places throughout the coast, most frequently near docks, especially those with fishing and shrimping boats coming in. You can almost always find them in between the bridges in Swansboro, next to Clyde Phillip’s seafood market. Although they can eat as much as four pounds of fish a day, they eat mostly bait fish like menhaden, mullets and minnows, so they aren’t competing with the local fishermen.

Along the shoreline, you’ll see spotted sandpipers running along the surf, searching for small fish and crustaceans to eat. Gulls of many varieties frequent the beach as well, swooping and diving in the air and foraging everywhere for food. Emerald Isle is a key spot on the North Carolina Birding Trail, offering maritime forest, salt marsh and nearly 100 species of birds in their natural habitat, including the American Oystercatcher, Black Skimmer, terns, and warblers and woodpeckers! Bring your binoculars and get ready to find some feathery friends!

But our feathered folks aren’t the only wild visitors to the island. Every summer, the endangered loggerhead sea turtles make their way to our island to nest. We have a volunteer program in Emerald Isle that walks the 13 miles of beach to look for new nests.

Once they are located, they are marked, protected and when the turtles hatch, volunteers are present to help the hatchlings make their way to the ocean.

It is an honor for turtles to nest here. They only nest every two to three years, and lay upwards of 100 eggs at a time. They will return to the beach that they hatched on to lay their nests, so the hatchlings that survive from our beaches are turtles that will return in 15 to 20 years from now to lay their 48

nests. Nesting mother turtles come ashore mostly overnight to lay their eggs. These beauties can be up to 350 pounds, and leave a characteristic “tire-like” track behind them as they make their way to the dunes and back. After about two months, the baby turtles will start to make their way into the world.

As their hatching nears, volunteers dig a trench from the nest to the ocean, to help the hatchlings get to the water more easily. They also begin sitting watch at the nest in the evenings, waiting for the little ones to make their entrance.

Once they are ready and the area is cool and quiet, the nest will start to “boil.” The baby turtles will make their way out, mostly all at the same time, and the sand above the nest starts to resemble boiling water. Without touching them, volunteers guide the

5 Ways You Can Help the Sea Turtles

1.

Fill in all holes Digging in the sand is great fun, but be sure to fill in all of the holes when you are done. Mother turtles can get stuck or injured in them if they are left open.

2.

Remove beach items Tents, toys, chairs and other beach gear should not be left out overnight. They can be hazardous to mother turtles nesting and new hatchlings.

3.

Keep outside lights off Any lights on the oceanside of your home should be kept to a minimum. They are a distraction to mother turtles and can keep hatchlings from reaching the water. Their instinct is to head toward the light, which should be the moon over the ocean, so porch lights and flash lights can send them the wrong direction.

4.

Pick Up Trash Especially plastic bags, which the turtles think are jellyfish (one of their main food sources!). It can make them sick!

5.

Keep a distance If you should happen to find a mother turtle nesting or a turtle nest hatching, stay back at least 30 feet and turn off your flashlight and avoid camera flashes. Turn off your cell phone ringer and try to stay very quiet, and you will get to witness something rare and wonderful!

hatchlings using their trench, sometimes even digging an impromptu trench if one goes astray.

All of this effort is made to help increase the survival rate of hatchlings, which is about 1 in 1,000. They have a tremendous journey ahead of them, from the moment the egg is laid. Nests are poached by predator animals, disturbed by humans or natural disaster; Disoriented hatchlings can be easy targets for raccoons, birds, and crabs on their journey to the sea. If they make it to the water, they have a four to five day swim out to the Gulf Stream ahead of them, with a sea full of dangers. Do your part to help while you're here! ]

BluewaterNC.com

(252) 354-2323

Best Seashells to find on our coast Scotch Bonnet This is an important find - it’s our state shell! Look for the trademark pattern and a curled outer edge.

Whelk Shells and Egg Cases You’ll find three varieties here: the Lightening Whelk, the Knobbed Whelk and the Channel Whelk. Their egg cases are long, spriral chains of pods, and are a neat find!

Coquina Clams These tiny shells can sometimes be found still paired! They come in a variety of colors and patterns, and can be very tiny.

Sand Dollars

Venturing out to barrier islands and the Cape Lookout Seashore will reward more sand dollar finds! You may find ones that are still “alive” and have a velvety brownish-green exterior. Put those ones back, only collect ones that are “dead” and bleached white by the sun.

Scallops These fan-shaped beauties come in a variety of patterns in bright oranges, pinks and browns. You can sometimes find a pair, but it’s more rare!

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CrystalCoastEventRentals.com

Event Floral Design

Wedding Flowers with a Personal Touch

ELLEN LeROY Wedding Flowers PHOTOGRAPHY

With A Personal Touch 7803 Emerald Drive, Suite B Emerald Isle, NC 28594

For Your Special Day

252-354-8787

416 Cedar Point Blvd. Cedar Point, NC 50

(252) 764.2761

EMERALD ISLE’S LOCAL FLORIST

(252) 354-2323

www.petalpushersshop.com andrea.petalpushers@gmail.com

Beach & Baby Gear Leisure & Linen Rentals Free pickup & delivery!

Call ahead or go online to reserve & assure availability.

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(252) 354-2323

e h t n i Fun N U S

beach? e h t w o kn do YOU l l e w How

Across 3. A toothy, popular sight to see while scuba diving in the shipwrecks 8. Long nose, big fin, treasured catch 15. Beacon for the coast (3 words) 17. Walking on water 18. Crossed by the bridges 19. Spanish settlers, still running free 20. You’ll see this animal smiling as it cruises and surfs the waves 21. Laughs, dives in the sky and floats 22. Spanish or King 23. Popular fry candidate, one eye moves to the other side of its head as it ages 24. Plaid snail house (2 words) 26. Lives in the brightly colored, fan-shaped shells

Down 1. Lots of horsing around (2 words) 2. Waves back at the ocean in the wind (2 words) 3. Loses its velvety skin and color in the sun (2 words) 4. Retired five-sided protector (2 words) 5. Popular EI area (2 words) 6. Dark chinned fellow who spilled his gold on a sandbar 7. Graceful and bright white, lounges in the marsh grass 9. Tiny but plentiful menu favorite 10. Hangs out on the docks with friends 11. Big Rock _______ _______ Tournament (2 words) 12. Boardwalk with a view at the end of the Causeway (2 words) 13. #6’s favorite town to visit 14. Quiet, in the middle, historic fishing village (2 words) 15. Welcome to the __________ __________ 16. Holds back erosion, home to #2 (2 words) 24. Buckets of fun...for now 25. Nests on our beaches and leaves tire-like tracks behind 27. Home to the Theodore Roosevelt Natural Area (3 words)

1.ShacklefordBanks 2.SeaOats 3D.Sanddollar 3A.Shark 4.FortMacon 5.ThePoint 6.Blackbeard 7.Egret 8.Sailfish 9.Shrimp 10.Pelican 11.BlueMarlin 12.TheCircle 13.Beaufort 14.SalterPath 15D.CrystalCoast 15A.CapeLookoutLighthouse 16.SandDune 17.Pier 18.Intracoastal 19.Ponies 20.Dolphin 21.Seagull 22.Mackerel 23.Flounder 24D.Sandcastle 24A. ScotchBonnet 25. Turtle 26.Scallop 27.PineKnollShores

n w o d s e o g n n u i s l e l h t o r s when e tim

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find the ultimate in after-dark fun across the beaches of north carolina’s crystal coast

You’ve spent all day lounging in the sun and exploring the coastline. You come in as the sun starts to set and wash off the salt and sand and think to yourself. “What now?” Fear not, we’ve got plenty to keep you entertained after the sun sets here on the Crystal Coast. So throw on some flip flops and hit the road for a new nightlife adventure!

Dinner and drinks along the docks

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Along the waterfronts of both Morehead City and Beaufort, you will find a bevy of restaurants and bars that offer some of the finest cocktails on the coast! Sit for a spell and eat dinner on an open deck. Then walk along the waterfront, peeking into shops along the way. You can stop for a drink along the way and you may even hear some live local bands playing on the weekends. Want to bring your dog? Try Backstreet Pub in Beaufort for a great way to spend the evening kicking back with your pup.

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Dining in style

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Want something more exotic? Try a dinner cruise. Many of the local ferry and charter services offer a selection of evening cruises. Some feature music and dancing, others just a relaxing dinner as you cruise over the water. Special fare such as authentic southern foods, hawaiian theme luau night and BBQ buffet are just some of the options Some of the companies will accommodate you for a private evening charter as well.

(252) 354-2323

Emerald Fest Western Regional Access Thursdays 6:30-8pm

Catch a game

Swan Fest Downtown Swansboro Sundays 6:30-8pm

Relive old memories and make new ones at the baseball field. Our very own Morehead City Marlins play throughout the summer and are sure to entertain with an evening game. Grab food from their full concession stand and a cold brew from the beer garden to keep you cheering them on to a victory.

Prefer something indoors? Beat the heat with a round of cosmic bowling. Every Friday and Saturday after 9, MacDaddy’s in Cape Carteret keeps it cool with black lights, fog, laser shows and music videos! They also have a bar & grill on site with daily specials to complete your evening!

Islander Summer Concerts 103 Islander Drive Call (866) 627-9340 for schedule Friday Free Flicks 7500 Emerald Drive Town Parks & Recreation Dept.

(252) 354-6350 for details

Cool Freebies

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Fill your evening with fun without emptying your wallet with free concerts and movies! On Thursdays in Emerald Isle and on Sundays in Swansboro, free concerts featuring locals bands will fill the salty air with song. Throughout the summer, the Islander Suites will host free concerts as well! Bring your lawn chair and enjoy fabulous free tunes by the sea throughout the summer.

On the second Friday of each month, you can catch a free movie with Friday Free Flicks, courtesy of the town recreation department. Admission is free, popcorn and drinks are $1 and you’ll need to bring a lawn chair or blanket for seating.

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LARGEST ARCADE ON THE CRYSTAL COAST!

• 24 Lanes of Bowling • Largest Arcade on the Crystal Coast • Sports Bar & Grill • Cosmic Bowling • Specializing in Birthday Parties & Family Reunions • Conference Centers for Your Corporate Events

252-393-6565

www.MyMacDaddys.com

130 Golfin’ Dolphin Dr. Cape Carteret, NC 28584

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(252) 354-2323

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Bluewater Vacation Rentals invites you to share your Crystal Coast vacation photos with us for a chance to win great prizes toward your next vacation with Bluewater and have the opportunity to have your photos featured in our future marketing material! We will be accepting photo submissions from May 1st - October 31st for our 2013 While at the Beach photo contest. Go online to vote for your favorite!

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WhileAtTheBeach.com

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Like us online at Facebook.com/BluewaterRealEstate and check out last year’s photos!

Kids

Nature

ilies

Fam

Pets

Scan this with your smartphone to upload shots from your mobile device!

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(252) 354-2323

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