Discover the top outdoor adventures on the Crystal Coast! From kayaking scenic waterways to hiking coastal trails and diving shipwrecks, find your next group activity here.
Crystal Coast outdoor adventures abound, from kayaking and coastal hiking to unmatched diving excursions and epic stargazing. The Crystal Coast is shaped by water, representing 65% of the beautiful area. This water wonderland is complemented by numerous hiking and paddling trails in and around the Croatan National Forest, Cape Lookout National Seashore, and Fort Macon. Shackleford Banks is home to the wild Shackleford horses who roam freely in their unique coastal habitat and is a rewarding kayak destination. Hiking trails in Crystal Coast provide unique terrain and scenery for leisurely to advanced excursions. No matter your group’s interests, you are bound to appease everyone with a trip to Crystal Coast.
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Paddle boarding in Crystal Coast
Crystal Coast Kayaking Adventures
Explore the waters along the gorgeous Crystal Coast on kayaking excursions, offering conditions for beginner paddles to advanced boaters. Paddling the Sounds is a fantastic way to sightsee for different vantages and scenery with your group. Shorter voyages are great for first-timers and beginners. In contrast, intermediate and advanced paddles cater to thrill-seekers and more proficient kayakers.
Easy Paddles
Beginners should consider one of the four shorter paddle trails for a leisurely and scenic experience. Whitehurst Creek is a 2.3-mile paddle and birder’s paradise, offering gorgeous scenery teeming with seabirds. North River Estuary is a quiet, four miles of tall marshes known to contain prehistoric pottery. Nelson Bay is a 5.2-mile kayaking excursion along the still waters of Nelson Bay that begins at Salters Creek Ramp. Travel along picturesque shorelines, showcasing local flora and fauna for a relaxing water adventure.
Paddle from the Beaufort Waterfront across Taylor’s Creek to the Rachel Carson Reserve and glimpse the wild horses in their natural habitat. This easy paddle rewards kayakers with one-of-a-kind coastal scenery and unique wildlife for unforgettable group experiences.
Intermediate Paddles
For those seeking more adventure, 10 scenic paddle trails offer a diverse range of picturesque journeys. Kayak eight miles from Harkers Island Bridge to Smyrna past some of the most breathtaking houses along Whitehurst and Sleepy Creeks. Belles Island has several sandy beaches, perfect for a quick break or lunch.
The Whale Creek paddle affords kayakers exceptional views of a 19th-century whaling community where wild horses graze and roam freely. During a Browns Island paddle, you can also view wild horses, grazing cows, and eagles on the four-mile uninhabited island.
Advanced Paddles
Nine advanced paddle trails provide thrill-seekers with many diverse adventures, including the 17.22-mile White Oak River Paddle Trail, with five trail landings to break up the adventure. Cedar Island National Refuge, a wintertime habitat for migratory waterfowl, is also a fantastic area to kayak, especially for those interested in birdwatching. The 13-mile paddle trail journeys along 11,000 acres of marshland and 3,500 acres of pocosin and woodlands.
Water safety considerations include tides and weather conditions, so plan accordingly. Leaving a float plan with a trusted person detailing departure and return times, intended paddle route, and emergency contacts is also advisable.
Hiking Trails in Crystal Coast
Hiking Trails in Crystal Coast for Epic Exploring
There are plenty of hiking opportunities for groups seeking dry land excursions. From leisurely strolls through the Emerald Isle Woods Trail to the more challenging terrain of Cedar Island National Wildlife Refuge Trail, there are seemingly countless hiking trails in Crystal Coast.
Fort Macon State Park’s Elliott Coues Trail meanders 3.2 miles through scenic marshes, pristine maritime forests and the natural beauty of the Croatan National Forest. Hikers and bikers enjoy sharing this mixed-use trail.
For an easy yet scenic expedition, Willow Pond Trail at Core Sound Waterfowl Museum and Nature Trail provides hiking and walking opportunities on a 1/3-mile loop trail surrounded by maritime forests and coastal plants.
Those visiting the NC Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores can trek along the Roosevelt Trail, 1.25 miles accessible from the Aquarium. This easy trail is a short loop that crosses high dune ridges, borders and an expansive marsh, offering exceptional views.
Diving Attractions in Crystal Coast
Crystal Coast Diving and Snorkeling Adventures
Wreck divers, treasure hunters and explorers come from around the world for the exceptional diving spots in Crystal Coast. The area is known as the “Graveyard of the Atlantic” due to thousands of shipwrecks amassed over the centuries. Consistently voted #1 Wreck Diving in North America, diving enthusiasts refer to the area as a “wreck diver’s dream,” affording some of the most transparent waters off the East Coast.
More than 2,000 vessels rest at the depths of the Atlantic. Tour companies like Discovery Diving Company, Inc., Encounter SCUBA, Olympus Dive Center, and Serenity Charters provide groups with equipment and knowledgeable guides for one-of-a-kind underwater experiences, including snorkeling and scuba diving. In addition to exploring shipwrecks, divers can also partake in underwater photography clinics and shark and spearfishing dives. The temperate 80-degree waters and more than 100 feet of clear visibility make this region a top scuba-diving and snorkeling destination.
Discover more unique Things To Do in Crystal Coast, NC, and start planning your next group adventure today!
Cape Lookout National Seashore
Crystal Coast outdoor adventures include a trip to the beautiful expanse of Cape Lookout National Seashore, which features 56 miles of protected Atlantic shoreline and one of America’s oldest lighthouses. The area boasts an IDAP (International Dark Sky Park), perfect for exceptional night sky viewing and stargazing under some of the darkest skies on the East Coast. Groups can take a three-mile boat ride to the barrier islands of the park for activities that include wild horse watching, shelling, fishing, birdwatching, camping, lighthouse viewing, and historic village tours.
Visit the Cape Lookout Lighthouse and explore the 1873 Lighthouse Keeper’s House for island history during your group visit. Four species of turtles are protected on the national seashore. Visitors can glimpse logger head turtles during mating and egg-laying season from May to June during hikes and leisurely beach walks.
Croatan National Forest
The Croatan National Forest has vast hiking trails within 160,000 acres. The abundance of wildlife and easy hiking appeal to all age groups. Comprised of bogs, saltwater estuaries, pine forests, and raised swamps called pocosins, the Croatan National Forest provides outstanding natural amenities to explore. Spot native wildlife, including deer, black bears, turkeys, ospreys, and alligators during wild excursions. Hiking trails in Crystal Coast include those in the Croatan National Forest. Pack a picnic and meander along the Neusiok Trail, Patsy Pond Nature Trail, Neuse River Trails, or any other coastal jaunts for a great way to see the varied wildlife.
Fort Macon State Park
Fort Macon is a pivotal Civil War site that became North Carolina State property in1924 after falling into disrepair post-war. Subsequently, Fort Macon became the state’s first functioning park in 1936. The natural surroundings of this historic Fort include exceptional hiking trails among salt marshes and dune fields. It is also home to over 300 species of birds for epic birdwatching opportunities. A popular jaunt at the park is along the Elliot Coues Nature Trail. This moderate 3.2-mile loop traverses the region connecting the fort to the beach swimming area. Travel along salt marshes, through maritime forests and coastal dunes. This trail is shared by bikers and hikers, making it a fantastic multi-use trail for all abilities and interests. Those seeking an easy hike can walk Yarrow’s Loop, a quarter-mile trail with signage about common plants and animals and picturesque views.
Shackleford Banks
Shackleford Banks is a barrier island near Cape Lookout National Seashore. Shackleford horses are a wild herd, now exceeding 100, that has called the island home for over 400 years. Other native wildlife found here includes scallops, crabs and loggerhead turtles. Explore the impressive wildlife and coastal scenery during a hike along the Shackleford Banks Trail, an easy, one-mile sandy path naturally created by the wild horses. Those seeking an adventurous route can kayak to the island from a public boat launch on Lennoxville Road in Beaufort. The five-mile round-trip affords spectacular views, varying water conditions and the spoils of Shackleford Banks.
The area’s abundant native wildlife and scenic beauty are unparalleled backdrops for incredible group experiences. No matter your group’s interests, Crystal Coast outdoor adventures provide numerous opportunities to explore by foot or boat for extraordinary sightseeing and fun outdoor activities.
Looking for even more ways to make your family reunion unforgettable? Visit Crystal Coast and start planning today!
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