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Atlantic Beach

Atlantic Beach has island vibes and is all about surf, sand, and fun! When driving onto the island from the Atlantic Beach Bridge, you’ll find funky local businesses along the causeway offering waterfront brews and live music; surf lessons; skating gear; offshore fishing charters; lunch, produce, and sweet treats; boutique clothing; and late-night shagging.

Atlantic Beach Circle

The main beachfront gathering area at the end of the causeway is called the Atlantic Beach Circle, or ‘The Circle’ as locals call it. Here you’ll find beachfront dining, brews, big screen TVs, karaoke, and live music at places like the newly renovated and expanded Tackle Box Tavern and Bite at the Box serving beachfront food and a direct ocean view. A couple of doors down is Idle Hour Biergarten where you can sit at outdoor picnic tables, sink your toes in the sand, and enjoy light fare and live music. Bahia Beach House and Surf Bar is just across the street and offers outdoor dining and ocean breezes on their front porch while Crab's Claw Restaurant is a truly beachfront restaurant right on the boardwalk and features dining on the back deck overlooking the sand and surf.

From The Circle, step foot onto the sand for a game of beach volleyball or play in the waves at the lifeguarded beach. Forget anything? No worries! The nearby surf shops and local beachfront shop Davis Beachwear have you covered. There are paid public parking spaces throughout The Circle and also outdoor showers as you transition from the boardwalk to the sand. Next to the Crab's Claw Restaurant, there is more paid public parking with
restrooms, outdoor showers, and another beach access area. Crystal Coast Brewing is even within walking distance and offers local craft beer, a backyard social gathering space, and weekly yoga.

Atlantic Beach Town Park
& Oceanana Fishing Pier

Within minutes from the Atlantic Beach Circle, is the new Atlantic Beach Town Park featuring a playground, splash pad, mini-golf, skate park, basketball court, and field where family-friendly events like the Friday-night free Summer Movie Series take place. Also within minutes from the AB Circle, you can visit the Oceanana Fishing Pier and Restaurant for fresh seafood, pier fishing, and live music or eat soundside at Food-Network-featured Amos Mosquito's.

Fort Macon State Park

Just down the road at the tip of the island is Fort Macon State Park. As you explore the pentagon-shaped fort and stroll through its corridors, you can take in history, the panoramic views, and brilliant sunsets. There are beach facilities, trails through the dunes, areas for fishing and areas for swimming, or you might want to just pull up your beach chair, rest in the beach sand, and look out at Shackleford Banks as you watch the boats come and go through Beaufort Inlet. While you’re enjoying the beach, take time to walk up and down searching for seashells, shark teeth, and ghost crabs. You might even see marked sea turtle nests as this is a popular sighting along the beaches of Atlantic Beach. Be sure to also enjoy one of their many events like the regular cannon firings or the free summer music series.

Fort Macon State Park features two distinct parking areas. The park facilities in the first parking area on your right include hundreds of free parking spaces, picnic gazebos, outdoor showers, indoor showers for a small fee, a concession stand, an oceanfront gazebo, and a lifeguarded beach. The second parking area is at the very end of the park near the fort itself and features more free parking. This beach is right at the inlet, and although it is not a swimming beach, it is very popular for fishing, shelling, and boat watching. There are restrooms inside the fort facilities and also water spigots and a water fountain at the parking lot entrance.

Music and Events

Atlantic Beach is home to several events throughout the year like the Beach Music Festival, International Food Festival, Stargazing and live summer music series at Fort Macon, Atlantic Beach Town Park movies in the park, King Mackerel Fishing Tournament, Christmas Parade, Smoke on the Water Bonfire, and New Year's Day Penguin Plunge. No matter the season there is an event or festival celebrating what makes this island community so special! Also nearby in neighboring Pine Knoll Shores is the NC Aquarium where you can watch river otters play and touch a stingray! From live music to surf fishing to fun-filled events and lazy summer beach days, Atlantic Beach is a year-round destination with something for everyone.

The Beach

Atlantic Beach is known for its wide, expansive beaches, crystal-clear water, and family-friendly atmosphere. With its near white sand and turquoise water, Atlantic Beach will have you wondering if you are on a Caribbean vacation! Around here, the beach is a year-round vacation destination, and even in February and March, you can sink your toes in the sand and enjoy 70 degree weather. The summer brings warmer temperatures and a warmer ocean, but the fall brings bolder, brighter sunsets and the best fishing. As you roll into the mild winters at Atlantic Beach, you can enjoy the perks of the off season, like 4-wheel driving on the beach! Atlantic Beach is one of the few North Carolina beaches that still allows 4WD beach driving. Come stay at one of our properties and get to know this unique coastal area year-round!