North Carolina’s beaches are among the most beautiful in the continental U.S. If you grew up here, then you likely developed an affinity (even loyalty) for one or two or our beaches – and that’s where you spend most of your time when you head to the coast. But there’s a beach at the end of Bogue Banks in the Southern Outer Banks that begs to be explored.
Known locally as “The Point,” the westernmost part of Emerald Isle has a desert-sized beach filled with soft, white sand.
TripAdvisor/tpcdawg
FourSquare/Crystal T
Emerald Isle is located on one of the largest barrier islands in North Carolina. And while, at 12 miles long and with a seasonal population estimated at 50,000 residents and visitors, the island’s massive sandy oasis on the westernmost end is almost forever empty.
TripAdvisor/Emily B
TripAdvisor/Yevgeniya K
Whether watching the sun rise or set, a walk along The Point offers some quiet moments and solitude you may not always find along the rest of Emerald Isle’s 12 miles of pristine beach.
TripAdvisor/doublemdoublet
Google Maps [satellite view]
Getting there requires a beach vehicle permit (for parking), and we’d recommend four-wheel drive capability as well. There is a walkable beach access a little further up the beach, but parking could be an issue.
Google Maps [streetview]
TripAdvisor/doublemdoublet
The walkable beach access is located at the intersection of Inlet Drive and Channel Drive. Multiple “No Parking” signs are posted all around the access.
Google Maps [streetview]
What’s your favorite beach along the North Carolina coast, and why? We’d love to know!
TripAdvisor/tpcdawg
FourSquare/Crystal T
TripAdvisor/Emily B
TripAdvisor/Yevgeniya K
TripAdvisor/doublemdoublet
Google Maps [satellite view]
Google Maps [streetview]
For more unbelievable fun along the coast, head to The Incredible Sand Dollar Beach You Can Only Get To By Boat.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
