Crystal Coast

The Crystal Coast is a stretch of coastline on North Carolina’s central coast, centered on Carteret County and the adjacent barrier islands and sounds. It includes mainland towns and barrier-island communities and lies next to federally protected shoreline managed as Cape Lookout National Seashore.

The area is characterized by barrier islands, wide beaches, inlets and coastal marshes and supports recreational activities such as beachgoing, boating, fishing and wildlife viewing. Multiple towns along the coast provide visitor services, boat access to the islands, and connections to the national seashore.

Historically and geographically the Crystal Coast is part of North Carolina’s Outer Banks and central coastal zone; it is accessible from the state highway network and by ferry and boat services to the barrier islands. The supplied coordinates are near Morehead City on the mainland.

• Extent: Centered on Carteret County and adjacent barrier islands of central North Carolina, the region includes towns such as Morehead City, Beaufort and Atlantic Beach and is adjacent to Cape Lookout National Seashore.

What to See #

• Cape Lookout National Seashore: A protected federal seashore consisting of barrier islands, sand dunes and marshes that forms part of Cape Lookout National Seashore.
• Morehead City: A coastal town and port on the mainland that serves as a gateway for boating, fishing charters and ferries to nearby barrier islands.
• Beaufort and Atlantic Beach: A historic coastal community with beaches and a state-supported boardwalk area, commonly visited for beach recreation and fishing.