The tranquil resort and residential community of Emerald Isle is conveniently located halfway between Morehead City and Jacksonville, on an island at the western end of the Southern Outer Banks, affectionately known as the Crystal Coast. The 30 mile long island runs east to west; it faces the Atlantic Ocean on the south and Bogue Sound on the north. At the eastern end of the island is Atlantic Beach, in the middle are the towns of Salter Path, Pine Knoll Shores and Indian Beach and Emerald Isle lies on the western end. The hi rise bridge connecting Emerald Isle to the mainland is located at the intersection of Hwy 24 and Hwy 58 in Cape Carteret.
Emerald Isle was initially the home of Native Americans until the first settlers, mostly whalers, settled on the island in the 1890's. Seeing the success of neighboring Atlantic Beach, Henry K. Fort of Philadelphia bought most of the land that is today known as Emerald Isle back in the 1920's, hoping to build a luxury resort there. His daughter, Anita Fort Maulick, inherited the property and eventually sold it in 1951 to a group of seven investors from the Red Springs area of southeastern North Carolina for a total of $350,000.
Many have wondered how Emerald Isle got its name. When the original developers were contemplating the purchase of this undeveloped half of the island, a consultant from Florida was hired to advise them. This consultant asked to be flown over the property to gain a perspective on how development might occur. As no development had occurred yet and appearing from the air as a solid green gem in the middle of a sea of sparkling water, the consultant concluded, "this place shall be known as Emerald Isle".
Emerald Isle grew slowly from the neighboring town of Salter Path westward. Ferry service began in 1960, connecting the mainland to the beaches and helping spur visitors to the budding beach community. When the Emerald Isle Bridge was built in 1971, development continued, bringing in more beach rentals, attractions and restaurants to the family-oriented beach community.
Today, Emerald Isle is abuzz during the summer and peacefully serene throughout the rest of the year. While more than 3500 people are lucky enough to call the town home, in the summer the population quadruples as families flock to the Crystal Coast for the ultimate beach vacation.
From shelling to sunning, cycling to shopping, the opportunities for fun are endless in Emerald Isle. There are plenty of family attractions in Emerald Isle, including go-kart tracks, water parks, mini-golf and more. And you're never far away from the many other attractions and activities just down the road in Atlantic Beach and Morehead City.
Of course, the beaches are the main attraction in Emerald Isle - find sandy beaches, clean turquoise waters and plenty of space to spread out with a game of volleyball or just for a mid afternoon nap. There are dozens of public beach access points including a very nice one on Islander Drive just after you come over the Highway 58 Bridge to Emerald Isle. It has lots of parking, a nice boardwalk to the beach, changing rooms, picnic tables and bathrooms along with beach volley ball courts.
The sparkling waters of the Crystal Coast are host to a myriad of water activities, from windsurfing to jet skiing, snorkeling and scuba diving to surfing. The beach is a proverbial playground for those of all ages, whether you just want to splash in the wavers or are looking for some high-paced thrills. Surfers know Emerald Isle as one of the best places to surf along the Crystal Coast, with plenty of great breaks, particularly around the Bogue Inlet Pier. Go crabbing, look for shells on one of the many beaches or launch your kayak from a public access such as Cedar Street Park. Motorized boats and jet skis, as well as kayaks and canoes, are available for full and half day rentals at local businesses.
For those who love fishing, Emerald Isle has it all; surf fishing, charter boats and of course, fishing off the Bogue Inlet Pier. The North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores, in partnership with the town of Emerald Isle, began planning, design and site preparation for a brand new fishing pier complex in spring 2009 that will span the width of the island from the sound side all the way to the ocean. The pier will be 1,000 feet in length, with concrete pilings to withstand storms and timber decks to reflect tradition.
Preliminary plans include a tackle shop, snack bar, educational exhibits, classroom and meeting facilities, a fishing dock, kayak launch area and other amenities on thesound side section of the property; and bathhouses and parking for beach goers on the ocean side.
Want to explore rare and pristine maritime forests? A new walking/bike path along Emerald Drive and Coast Guard Road offers great views of the beaches, marshes and coastal ecology. Or navigate the hiking trails at Emerald Isle Woods, a 41-acre nature preserve on the sound.
Driving and horse back riding on the beach are allowed in the off- season, from September 15 to April 30, although a permit is required for vehicles. See the official Emerald Isle website to get more information. Locals and visitors alike cherish the ability to take their cars on the beach, especially for surf fishing.
Wind down the day at one of the casual restaurants serving up the best local seafood or make your own meal at home with a beautiful sunset view. Emerald Isle has a surprisingly diverse selection of restaurants with water views, eclectic eateries in a variety of cuisines and family friendly diners where hush puppies are always an appetizer.
Many popular festivals and events take place in Emerald Isle throughout the year, including the annual St. Patricks Day Festival, featuring live music, food, arts, crafts and 8k race. Other popular events are the Emerald Isle Triathlon, Flounder and Specked Trout surf fishing tournaments, the Halloween Carnival and Christmas Parade. See the Emerald Isle Parks and Recreation website for more information.
Whether you're here to get some solitude and sun or reunite with old friends, Emerald Isle is the place to go. People from all over the country are starting to discover this Carolina gem. In fact, Emerald Isle has been touted by major publications such asUSA Today, the Wall Street Journal and the Washington Post for its wisdom in protecting the environment, controlling its development and providing a unique beach environment for locals and visitors alike. It is ranked highly for its family beach image and the perfect place for those seeking a tranquil and relaxing time at the beach, with plenty of activity and adventure on the side.
Visit the towns official website here.For extensive, additional demographic and statistical data on Emerald Isle, click here.
Emerald Isle boasts an extremely diverse range of housing options - both ocean/sound front and non ocean/sound front. Waterfront single family homes in Emerald Isle range from about $750K to several million. More affordable single family homes can be found off the water ranging from $250K to $650K with the majority being less than $450K. Condos and townhomes range from $130K to over $500K.
Carteret County's 2010-2011 tax rate of $.23 per $100 of assessed value is the lowest of any county in NC. The 2010-2011 Emerald Isle city tax rate for oceanfront property is .242 per $100 of assessed value. For non-oceanfront property the tax rate is $.091. More information can be obtained at the Carteret County Economic Development website.
As an experienced REALTOR® in the area, I am already familiar with current real estate values, taxes, utility costs, municipal services and facilities, and may be aware of local zoning changes that could affect your decision to buy. A professional REALTOR® can also help you determine how much home you can afford. Allow me to suggest ways to accrue the down payment and explain alternative financing methods.In addition to knowing the local lending market and current interest rates, contact me for information on what personal and financial data to bring with you when you apply for a loan. Whether you already know which area you are interested in or are looking for some suggestions, contact me today and we can discuss any question you might have about Emerald Isle or any of the surrounding towns!
If you're thinking of selling your home in Emerald Isle NC, the first thing you should ask is "How much is my home worth?" Being educated on market trends in Emerald Isle NC gives you the best chances of selling your home quickly and for the best price possible. Keep in mind, I also have an extremely aggressive online marketing plan that guarantees your home will be advertised on a minimum of 300 premier real estate websites such as Realtor.com, Zillow, Trulia and Homes.com. Contact me today and I will be happy to give you more information about my services to sellers.
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The sparkling waters of the Crystal Coast are host to a myriad of water activities, from windsurfing to jet skiing, snorkeling and scuba diving to surfing. The beach is a proverbial playground for those of all ages, whether you just want to splash in the wavers or are looking for some high-paced thrills. Surfers know Emerald Isle as one of the best places to surf along the Crystal Coast, with plenty of great breaks, particularly around the 
For those who love fishing, Emerald Isle has it all; surf fishing, charter boats and of course, fishing off the Bogue Inlet Pier. 
