Ocean

Summer brings with it warmth and high humidity. The season also offers the opportunity for heat weary folks to escape to the mountains or beaches for a well deserved rest. In North Carolina, there are several beach destinations worth visiting; nine top sites are featured here.

1. The Outer Banks — Perhaps the most well known of all the beaches in the Carolinas, the Outer Banks offers much history as well as attractive beaches. You can visit the spot where the Wright Brothers first took flight in Kill Devil Hills as well as the first European settlement on Roanoke Island.

2. Bald Head Island — Got feet? You’ll need them here as no cars are allowed on the island. You can use an electric golf cart to get around, however.

3. Atlantic Beach — Located on the eastern end of the Bogue Banks this resort is part of the Crystal Coast. Historic Fort Macon State Park is a popular nearby attraction.

4. Figure Eight Island — Got money? You’ll need it to visit this private, exclusive resort.

5. Oak Island — Located in Brunswick County, below Wilmington, Oak Island is one the few south facing beaches along the east coast. Lots of golf courses in the area including at least one champion course.

6. Sunset Beach — Just three miles in length, Sunset Beach is the southern most of the Brunswick Island beaches. The only link to the mainland is a one lane pontoon bridge. Wow!

7. Carolina Beach — Located between the Cape Fear River and the Atlantic Ocean, Carolina Beach features shopping, a boardwalk, a state aquarium, and the Carolina Beach State Park.

8. Topsail Beach — If beachfront high rise developments turn you off, then this is the place for you as strict zoning laws rule the land. During the 1700s pirates roamed the nearby waters. No word on whether Blackbeard’s treasure has ever been found.

9. Wrightsville Beach — This busy beach is frequented by Raleigh area residents as it is the closest beach to the state capitol. Still, out of state visitors find it to be a favorite resort.

From the Virginia border to South Carolina, North Carolina’s beaches offer visitors much more than sand and ocean breezes. Pick one of these destinations and you will truly have plenty of fun in the sun!

Matt is The Article Writer covering topics as diverse as aviation, business, customer service, food, marketing, travel, and writing. Please visit his site today for more information: http://www.thearticlewriter.com

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Visting the Outer Banks of North Carolina affords the traveler an opportunity to take in a wide variety of historical and recreational activities. Ocracoke Island, situated in the Morehead City area, is one such destination that is big on both. See why this “not too easily accessible” island is a favorite for many, including you.

You know that Ocracoke Island is unusual when you find out that it is not accessible by car. Ferry service from nearby Cedar Island brings visitors to the island five times per day and in the summer months a free ferry, run by the state, brings visitors from Hatteras Island to Ocracoke every half hour.

As a barrier island, Ocracoke is rich in history. Blackbeard, the pirate, frequented Ocracoke and shopping — as it is for many visitors — was his chief aim. Too bad that he did not actually pay for his plunder and, ultimately, he met his demise off of Ocracoke Island in 1718 at the tender age of 38. Truly, his sins found him out.

Lighthouse admirers will find a real treat on the island. In 1803, the first Ocracoke lighthouse was built [it actually stood on nearby Shell Castle Island], but it was done in by lightning in 1818. In 1823, a new lighthouse was built and it still stands today. Ocracoke Light is also the oldest working lighthouse in North Carolina, its light warning ships with a fixed beam that reaches 14 miles into the Atlantic.

Beyond historical interest, Ocracoke Island offers what most people want when visiting the ocean: beaches. As part of the Hatteras Island National Seashore, the island boasts 16 miles of clean, windswept beach property. Swimming, boating, and fishing are chief activities, but birding, cycling, and camping are also strong pursuits. Visitors can choose to swim in the ocean or in more sedate Pamlico Sound; both locations are popular for birders, fishermen, and boaters as well.

If you are planning to visit the North Carolina coast, then Ocracoke Island is worthy of a look. Collect some seashells and sand dollars, do some shopping, and visit the lighthouse. You can stay in a bed and breakfast inn, a cottage, a motel, or a condo. You will go away from Ocracoke feeling refreshed and relaxed, exactly what every vacationer deserves.

Matt is The Article Writer who writes for magazines, newsletters, web content, ezines, and more. You can view a sample of his work at http://www.thearticlewriter.com

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