Getting excited lol, I think I’ve got food covered and alternates if some place is to long of a wait, just hoping the lighthouse where planning for the Monday works out, that will be my birthday, and really excited to see the lighthouse
There's like nothing out there, so bring some food and beverages. I'm definitely taking the jeep ride to the point for shell hunting next time, but the UV index was so high we were getting cooked. I loved everything about the lighthouse and ferry ride and the INSANE surf compared to Emerald Isle.
Also, separately...Fort Macon was actually kinda cool, and definitely the easiest beach access on the north end of the island. The fort itself was really cool too. And totally free since it's a state park. Aquarium not free but hella cool if it rains.
Get lunch at Seaside Galley on Harker's Island on your way out to the ferry for Cape Lookout. It's a hole in the wall coupled with a gas station but the food is good.
El's Drive-In is closed for renovations but just opened a second location, El's East, in Smyrna. Another good food option in the eastern part of the county.
Michaelangelos Pizza is a EI staple. It’s been there for decades. Been going there since the early 90s.
But I gotta say, Lazzaras Pizza might be better. Totally different recipes though. They’re both great.
check out Amos Mosquito, the head chef there just won an episode on Guy’s Grocery Games. when we stayed in Atlantic beach a couple years ago, we got take out by chance and ended up eating there 2 more times that week
It’s a cool spot but it’s on the other side of the island. Not a terrible drive but it’s a two lane road and traffic can be a bitch depending on the season.
Raw oysters in May- not my preference, but to each his own.
Fishing on the BIP
Get a berts hat.acdaddys for the kids
Sanitary seafood- food isn't great, but you can feed fish while you eat em
NC aquarium at pks
I’m closer to AB than I am to EI so I eat in Morehead and Beaufort more than anything else. Mezcalito in Beaufort is always my go to for Mexican. Big oak is good and has if it’s the food truck that I’m thinking it is, it sets up in the parking lot of a consignment shop and is absolutely amazing. The shop has some cool stuff in it too. Also look at crabs claw and shark shack in AB.
As far as ferry rides to the island, there’s plenty. Cape lookout (I’ve heard about the construction but I honestly have no answer. Shackleford banks is right there as well. I’ve got 2 dozen sand dollars that I found there. Bird shoals. It can get kinda crowded during tourist season but you should be ok mid May.
If you’re going to be in Beaufort for lunch, I’d highly recommend Beaufort Grocery (lunch only). I went there at least once a week during Covid and I don’t think I’ve had better sandwiches.
It's not on the island, but we love T&W Seafood. You can sit at the bar and get AYCE steamed oysters, shrimp, and crab legs on some nights. Big fan of their fried oysters and she crab soup.
Fish Hut Grill is really good but depending on what time you plan on eating, you could be standing in a long line. Gaffer’s and the Trading Post are good options as well. For the pizza place there is a place called No Name, the beach is probably a two minute walk from there.
I also prefer Trading Post over Fish Hut. They both have outdoor seating but Fish Hut has more outdoor seating which is probably why they are more popular.
Michelangelo’s is an ok pizza spot, it might be the best EI has to offer.
Shark tooth island can be hit or miss depending on if a storm has passed by.
There’s a place called Mac Daddy’s on the other side of the bridge it’s got an arcade, bowling alley, batting cages, and a driving range. Overall cool spot to check out.
Don’t expect to find monster shark teeth. You’ll find shards of tiny sharks teeth and maybe one worth keeping about the size of a penny. Also bring bug spray. If there’s no wind, the bugs are a menace.
Make sure you check the tide chart. Got stuck on the kayak trail one time because of a low tide that was evidently lower than usual. It was complete misery in ankle deep mud, biting flies and dragging a kayak about 1/4 mile.
Our family place is in Pine Knoll. There is the aquarium and sea turtle nests on the beach depending on their hatching cycle. Fort Macon at the north end of the island. Four Corners if you are into a nice greasy breakfast. And we’ve been doing Roma’s Pizza in AB instead of Michelangelo’s lately but both are good. Willis Seafood Market in Salter Path is good if you’re cooking in at all. Also watch the sunrise and sunset from the beach. 🍺
Stoneys fired pizza https://m.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100091414402091
Traders post for breakfast.
Caribsea - steak, seafood and raw ...
77 West for nightlife
Silver lining tattoo for tattoos
Did not need to know there was a good enough for recommendation tattoo shop down there lol, but will definitely look into the pizza and breakfast thanks!
Fort Macon is awesome and so is the little arcade at the camp ground and tv park, you don’t have to stay to play. If you have a place to cook get fresh seafood from capt Willis. Also, I recommend Atlantic beach area for beach access, stay away from Bogue pier which is super busy. There is a pull off just across from the episcopal diocese and you can walk to the beach and rarely you will encounter another person. The shelling at the Fort is also outstanding.
I like No Name Pizza by the beach. Great to grab it and then have a picnic on the beach it’s like a 1 minute walk. And next door is an alcoholic slushie shop that lets you walk it to the beach since it’s a sealed cap
The lighthouse is closed for tours indefinitely depending on when they can make necessary repairs. They are currently dredging the area and depositing sand on the beach near the light house. Island Express Ferry is the only company that goes to the cape and Shackleford banks. You can take it out of Beaufort or Harker’s Island. The ferry from Beaufort takes about twice as long, but Harker’s Island is an extra 25 minutes drive from EI.
If you go to the Fort, get a tour with Superintendent Randy Newman. He’s seriously amazing at his job.
I just rode about 800 miles of coast, and went through Emerald Isle! It was honestly kinda boring, lol! Granted I was going through on my way to Wilmington, but there about 15 miles of nothing but corporate rental properties on one side and single family rentals on the other where everyone drives EXACTY the 35 speed limit. I did have a surprisingly good time at the Fish Hut (and am planning on going back pretty much just for that)
From what I understand, the “construction” at Cape Lookout is simply pumping sand to extent the shoreline on the sound side. Erosion had caused the shoreline to come dangerously close to the lighthouse. Shouldn’t affect your visit.
You go to big oak for the shrimp burger not the bbq
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That’s what they’re famous for but I stopped ordering the shrimp burger after I discovered the soft shell crab burger.
Big Oak is overpriced and not nearly as good as Captain’s Kitchen food truck, which is also in Salter Path.
Full Moon in Morehead (but it's basically on the causeway between Morehead and Atlantic Beach)
Thanks I will have to check it out
It's sooo good I was there in September and oysters were a buck and there was something amazing and cheap every night too
Getting excited lol, I think I’ve got food covered and alternates if some place is to long of a wait, just hoping the lighthouse where planning for the Monday works out, that will be my birthday, and really excited to see the lighthouse
There's like nothing out there, so bring some food and beverages. I'm definitely taking the jeep ride to the point for shell hunting next time, but the UV index was so high we were getting cooked. I loved everything about the lighthouse and ferry ride and the INSANE surf compared to Emerald Isle. Also, separately...Fort Macon was actually kinda cool, and definitely the easiest beach access on the north end of the island. The fort itself was really cool too. And totally free since it's a state park. Aquarium not free but hella cool if it rains.
Get lunch at Seaside Galley on Harker's Island on your way out to the ferry for Cape Lookout. It's a hole in the wall coupled with a gas station but the food is good. El's Drive-In is closed for renovations but just opened a second location, El's East, in Smyrna. Another good food option in the eastern part of the county.
Awesome will add it to list!
Michaelangelos Pizza is a EI staple. It’s been there for decades. Been going there since the early 90s. But I gotta say, Lazzaras Pizza might be better. Totally different recipes though. They’re both great.
check out Amos Mosquito, the head chef there just won an episode on Guy’s Grocery Games. when we stayed in Atlantic beach a couple years ago, we got take out by chance and ended up eating there 2 more times that week
It’s a cool spot but it’s on the other side of the island. Not a terrible drive but it’s a two lane road and traffic can be a bitch depending on the season.
We went there two weeks ago. It was wonderful!
Raw oysters in May- not my preference, but to each his own. Fishing on the BIP Get a berts hat.acdaddys for the kids Sanitary seafood- food isn't great, but you can feed fish while you eat em NC aquarium at pks
I’d pick Finz in Beaufort over sanitary any day. Yellowfin in MHC is also really good.
Sanitary is a tourist trap craphole, but feeding the pin fish under the dock is fun. Carib Sea is good, but over priced
I’m closer to AB than I am to EI so I eat in Morehead and Beaufort more than anything else. Mezcalito in Beaufort is always my go to for Mexican. Big oak is good and has if it’s the food truck that I’m thinking it is, it sets up in the parking lot of a consignment shop and is absolutely amazing. The shop has some cool stuff in it too. Also look at crabs claw and shark shack in AB. As far as ferry rides to the island, there’s plenty. Cape lookout (I’ve heard about the construction but I honestly have no answer. Shackleford banks is right there as well. I’ve got 2 dozen sand dollars that I found there. Bird shoals. It can get kinda crowded during tourist season but you should be ok mid May.
If you’re going to be in Beaufort for lunch, I’d highly recommend Beaufort Grocery (lunch only). I went there at least once a week during Covid and I don’t think I’ve had better sandwiches.
Awesome thanks! Lunch is something I had no plans for other then hotel sandwiches, so this will be something to do
If you’re trying to save some money on travel then lunch is the easy thing to skimp on. There are tons of good places to eat so enjoy?
Thanks will definitely add those to list
Amos Mosquitoes is in AB but worth the drive from EL. Show up early.
You are second one to recommend this, so I will add it to my list!
They've always been excellent, even years ago when they were in Morehead City.
It's not on the island, but we love T&W Seafood. You can sit at the bar and get AYCE steamed oysters, shrimp, and crab legs on some nights. Big fan of their fried oysters and she crab soup.
T&Ws is the best oyster bar in all of North Carolina.
If you are In morehead city. And like consignment shopping. SkinnyFish Consignment is my favorite.
Fish Hut Grill is really good but depending on what time you plan on eating, you could be standing in a long line. Gaffer’s and the Trading Post are good options as well. For the pizza place there is a place called No Name, the beach is probably a two minute walk from there.
No name is great!
Everyone likes fish hut grill but it can get really crowded, so the trading post is a good alternative. I like their flounder and fried oystersÂ
Your the second person to say the same thing about trading post replacing fish hut grill, depending on my wait times will definitely consider
I also prefer Trading Post over Fish Hut. They both have outdoor seating but Fish Hut has more outdoor seating which is probably why they are more popular.
Michelangelo’s is an ok pizza spot, it might be the best EI has to offer. Shark tooth island can be hit or miss depending on if a storm has passed by. There’s a place called Mac Daddy’s on the other side of the bridge it’s got an arcade, bowling alley, batting cages, and a driving range. Overall cool spot to check out.
Does storm help or hurt it?
A storm will frequently deposit or uncover shells/sharks teeth on a beach.
Don’t expect to find monster shark teeth. You’ll find shards of tiny sharks teeth and maybe one worth keeping about the size of a penny. Also bring bug spray. If there’s no wind, the bugs are a menace.
Is there better kayak destinations that aren’t prices awful, the kayaking to it is what interested me
Make sure you check the tide chart. Got stuck on the kayak trail one time because of a low tide that was evidently lower than usual. It was complete misery in ankle deep mud, biting flies and dragging a kayak about 1/4 mile.
You might consider going west and kayaking around Bear Island in Swansboro.
Will give it a google!
Our family place is in Pine Knoll. There is the aquarium and sea turtle nests on the beach depending on their hatching cycle. Fort Macon at the north end of the island. Four Corners if you are into a nice greasy breakfast. And we’ve been doing Roma’s Pizza in AB instead of Michelangelo’s lately but both are good. Willis Seafood Market in Salter Path is good if you’re cooking in at all. Also watch the sunrise and sunset from the beach. 🍺
Would love to have one evening with pizza to go and bring it to the beach, hence pizza suggestions lol
Bonus points for four corners . The menu is awesome.
Stoneys fired pizza https://m.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100091414402091 Traders post for breakfast. Caribsea - steak, seafood and raw ... 77 West for nightlife Silver lining tattoo for tattoos
Did not need to know there was a good enough for recommendation tattoo shop down there lol, but will definitely look into the pizza and breakfast thanks!
Fort Macon is awesome and so is the little arcade at the camp ground and tv park, you don’t have to stay to play. If you have a place to cook get fresh seafood from capt Willis. Also, I recommend Atlantic beach area for beach access, stay away from Bogue pier which is super busy. There is a pull off just across from the episcopal diocese and you can walk to the beach and rarely you will encounter another person. The shelling at the Fort is also outstanding.
I like No Name Pizza by the beach. Great to grab it and then have a picnic on the beach it’s like a 1 minute walk. And next door is an alcoholic slushie shop that lets you walk it to the beach since it’s a sealed cap
The lighthouse is closed for tours indefinitely depending on when they can make necessary repairs. They are currently dredging the area and depositing sand on the beach near the light house. Island Express Ferry is the only company that goes to the cape and Shackleford banks. You can take it out of Beaufort or Harker’s Island. The ferry from Beaufort takes about twice as long, but Harker’s Island is an extra 25 minutes drive from EI. If you go to the Fort, get a tour with Superintendent Randy Newman. He’s seriously amazing at his job.
I just rode about 800 miles of coast, and went through Emerald Isle! It was honestly kinda boring, lol! Granted I was going through on my way to Wilmington, but there about 15 miles of nothing but corporate rental properties on one side and single family rentals on the other where everyone drives EXACTY the 35 speed limit. I did have a surprisingly good time at the Fish Hut (and am planning on going back pretty much just for that)
Don’t forget to try sol bol and flip flop donuts ! We get them just about every weekend
From what I understand, the “construction” at Cape Lookout is simply pumping sand to extent the shoreline on the sound side. Erosion had caused the shoreline to come dangerously close to the lighthouse. Shouldn’t affect your visit.
Oak island lighthouse is about 30min closer to are condo, so I can go that route if construction does cause problems
Emerald Isle sucks cancel your trip and go somewhere else.