Bogue Banks

Kim McCoury knows that the waves are better around fishing piers. The structure causes waves to break farther offshore and have enough “face” for surfers to ride for a long time. (Photo by Bryan McCoury, Rusty Hook Marketing & Design)

Bogue Banks Communities Have Unique Personalities

The beach communities on Bogue Banks are growing in popularity as well.

In 2015, Emerald Isle made the top-10 list of USA Today as one of the best summer beach destinations on the Atlantic coast. Editors wrote that Emerald Isle is “perhaps the most beautiful stretch of sand in the Carolinas.”

CNN selected Emerald Isle as one of “16 Can’t-Miss U.S. Beaches,” describing the town as a “family-oriented beach community.”

Also in 2015, a USA Today “Readers Choice” poll ranked Atlantic Beach as the No. 4 “best spring break beach destination.” (P.S.: It’s equally popular as a year-round vacation spot, too.) In July 2015, the Tripping.com web site listed Atlantic Beach as North Carolina’s “best beach.”

Somebody needs to give Pine Knoll Shores an award as “America’s Most Patriotic Beach Community,” in recognition of its grand success with “Kayak for the Warriors” each June to raise tons of money for “Hope For The Warriors,” a civilian non-profit organization supporting those who have sacrificed in the name of freedom.

Pine Knoll Shores is the only “Tree City” in Carteret County.

Indian Beach has a permanent population of 112 people, but the town is divided east and west. In the center is the unincorporated community of Salter Path.

In the olden days, a footpath connected the beach to Bogue Sound, running right past the Riley Salter homestead. According to legend, the locals would beeline down Salter’s path when the “mullet blow” occurred in the fall and the fish were running.