What brought 16th-century explorer Amerigo Vespucci and Sir Walter Raleigh's English colonists to the North Carolina coast? Maybe they were drawn by the lure of its temperate climate, warm, crystal-clear waters, and pristine natural beauty. Modern-day explorers can battle against billfish, climb to the top of a lighthouse, or tour islands via sea kayak. If you prefer to follow in the Wright Brothers' footsteps, there's even hang gliding above the dunes.

Wild national seashores and more
on the North Carolina Coast

There's plenty to see and do all along the North Carolina coast. Scenic Albemarle Sound lies tucked within the islands' embrace. Morehead City and Bogue Banks are part of the intriguing Crystal Coast. Further south, find popular Wrightsville Beach, a stone's throw from the historic port city of Wilmington. Then there's the Outer Banks, a thin chain of islands that shelters the mainland from the rough-and-tumble Atlantic. No matter where you find yourself, coastal North Carolina makes a great year-round vacation destination.

See map of eastern North Carolina.

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