Visitors who want to be close to the beach, but who don’t necessarily want to pay the prime oceanfront prices, can enjoy an easy-going respite close to the shore with a stay at the Parkerton Inn. Located just inland of Emerald Isle in the small town of Cape Carteret, guests will be close to those cool ocean shorelines, a number of golf courses, and unique destinations like Downtown Swansboro, while enjoying just enough amenities to stay comfortably for a night, weekend, or even a week.

The Parkerton Inn is low-key and simplified, but has a nice host of amenities to keep guests accommodated, including a seasonally operational outdoor pool with a wide sundeck, a large parking area for vehicles of all sizes, and free coffee in the lobby every morning for a bright start to every day. The individual rooms are streamlined but comfy, with free wireless internet access, cable TV, microwaves and mini-fridges, and even kitchenettes in special upgraded rooms / suites. Both the oceanfront and the region’s favorite small towns are an easy drive away, and several golf courses are found in the immediate surrounding neighborhood as well, providing plenty of entertainment options. With a modest price tag and a central setting, the Parkerton Inn can accommodate all varieties of budget-conscious travelers.

Cape Carteret
(252) 393-9000
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Shackleford Wild Horse & Shelling Safari

Shackleford Wild Horse & Shelling Safari

Take a quick and scenic ferry ride with your experienced guide over to the pristine Outer Banks Island of Shackleford Banks, which is part of the Cape Lookout National Seashore. There, you are introduced to the wild horses of Shackleford Banks. After the tour, you are directed to one of the best shelling beaches in all of North Carolina, where you can spend some time shelling your way down the beach with Cape Lookout Lighthouse off in the distance. Shackleford is well known as one of the best shelling destinations on the East Coast. 

Crystal Coast Lady Cruises

Crystal Coast Lady Cruises

Crystal Coast Lady Cruises is a 100 ft. custom yacht that can effortlessly provide a number of family-friendly expeditions to vacationers who want to enjoy this delicate chain of barrier islands and coastal territory to its fullest. Based out of Beaufort, the Crystal Coast Lady is specifically built for the purpose of sightseeing and dolphin watching. Visitors can enjoy exploring the beautiful downtown beaufort are, plus unbeatable perspectives of the region’s vast array of wildlife, shorelines, and on-the-water views. The Crystal Coast Lady is equipped with a restroom onboard. 

Island Express Ferry Service

Island Express Ferry Service

Island Express Ferry Service LLC is the only authorized concessionaire to drop off at Cape Lookout Lighthouse and Shackleford Banks! Offering departures from both Beaufort and nearby Harkers Island, Island Express Ferry Service serves as the link between the communities of the Crystal Coast and the spectacularly beautiful and isolated barrier islands of the Cape Lookout National Seashore. Accommodating passengers who want to explore the miles of pristine beaches, exceptional fishing and shelling, wild horses, and the Cape Lookout Lighthouse, Island Express Ferry Service serves as the gateway for one of the most unforgettable adventures along the North Carolina coast.

Lookout Cruises

Lookout Cruises

Visitors can enjoy the Crystal Coast’s most coveted and hard-to-reach shorelines, or just embark on a breezy cruise of the open waters in search of dolphins and sunsets, with a trip that’s guided by Lookout Cruises. This local tour company that calls the central town of Beaufort its home port offers a far-reaching range of adventures that will have coastal fans of all ages soaking up the sun and enjoying the best of the Southern Outer Banks.