Emerald Isle THE GEM OF NORTH CAROLINA’S COAST The tranquil resort and residential community of Emerald Isle is located on the western end of the Southern Outer Banks Island called Bogue Banks. Bogue Banks Island is 30 miles long, with Atlantic Beach at the easternmost end, Salter Path and Indian Beach in the center, and Emerald Isle on the westernmost end. Emerald Isle’s reputation as a “Family Beach” is well deserved and continues year after year to lure families looking for a peaceful ocean getaway to remember!
The original developers of Emerald Isle have been praised by USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, and Washington Post for their foresight that has protected this island from the overgrowth that plagues most beach resort areas. Emerald Isle is one of the few beaches left on the Outer Banks that still provides an unspoiled family atmosphere for permanent residents, absentee property owners, and vacationers alike. As tradition has it, the road that later became Emerald Drive was originally built in a serpentine path to spare the old live oak trees that covered the island. “Emerald Isle By the Sea” grew slowly westward as roads were pushed and paved through the sand. The beach side gives plenty of sand for play while the sound side offers calm waters for swimming, fishing, kayaking, and shelling.
Today, Emerald Isle is thriving and growing with a permanent population just below 4,000, as well as a seasonal population of 16,000 during peak tourist season. The Bogue Inlet Pier is newly renovated and a highlight spot for scenic shots. Walk the length and watch for dolphins or even a whale and check out what the fishermen are catching or cast a line yourself. Emerald Isle residents and visitors today still enjoy a relaxed ocean atmosphere with enough to do to keep from being bored on rainy days, but not so much that you get the carnival feel that exists in many larger ocean resort areas. Our sandy white beaches remain unspoiled and unpopulated. Our warm, gentle ocean waters remain unpolluted.