Must Do

Make sure to see the River Otter exhibit at the North Atlantic Aquarium at Pine Knolls where three playful North American river otters frolic and swim in their Piedmont habitat. You can also get up close and personal with stingrays, whelks, horseshoe crabs and other sea creatures at the two touch tanks.

Explore Fort Macon, a Civil War fortress located at the entrance of Beaufort Inlet, and Fort Macon State Park for fantastic days of family fun with swimming, picnicking and fort explorations.

Cast some great morning fishing on a Mount Maker Charter. Great family fun, too!

Stroll Beaufort’s thriving waterfront with its variety of shops and some of the area’s best restaurants.

Soar above the entire Crystal Coast area with a birds-eye view parasailing with Dragonfly parasail.

Share the spirit of adventure with Pirate Queen Paddling as you enjoy professionally guided kayak tours of the local waterways, including Beaufort, Carrot Island, Shackleford Banks, Cape Lookout and countless expansive creeks.

Go shelling on the Atlantic Beach and Crystal Coast shores.

Visit the operational Cape Lookout Lighthouse at The Cape Lookout National Seashore.

Go fishing, shelling or very primitive camping on the 56-mile inlet made up of three unspoiled barrier islands—The North Core Banks, South Core Banks and Shackleford Banks—which is only accessible by private boat or ferry.

Charter a boat or rent a Jet Ski for scenic Crystal Coast cruising.

Explore the Beaufort Historic Site, which offers a variety of tours of the historical homes, churches and buildings, such as the 1829 Carteret County Jailhouse, the Apothecary Shop, the Doctors Office and the 1796 Carteret County Courthouse.

Watch the wildlife and hear about the history of the area with Water Bug Tours in Beaufort.

Visit the Atlantic Beach Surf Shop, the oldest and most well-known surf shop in North Carolina. It offers a wide range of name-brand surfing apparel and equipment and features the largest surfboard selection in North Carolina with over 200 in stock.