The Crystal Coast Blog

Visited by thousands of NC bound vacationers and the permanent home to many, the Crystal Coast is situated along North Carolina’s Southern Outer Banks. Comprised of the mainland communities of Beaufort, Morehead City to the east and Cape Carteret, and Swansboro to the west, the Bogue Banks barrier island towns of Atlantic Beach, Pine Knoll Shores, Indian Beach, Salter Path, and Emerald Isle are sandwiched in between. If you’re seeking the ultimate NC beach vacation escape, it’s here on the Crystal Coast of North Carolina!

NC Crystal Coast Vacation Tools

1. Beach Access Points and Maps
2. Beach Condo Developments
3. Golf Courses
4. Restaurants
5. Attractions
6. Fishing Piers
7. Things To Do
8. Annual Events
9. Shopping
10. Crystal Coast Photos
11. Emerald Isle Boat Ramps

The NC Crystal Coast – What’s Not to Love!

Comprised of pristine NC Crystal Coast beaches, historical landmarks, abundant wildlife, fabulous shopping, sumptuous local restaurants, fun-filled attractions, memorable events and awesome natural wonders, the Crystal Coast is all of this and so much more! Before you plan your NC Crystal Coast vacation trip you’ll need to search for your perfect Crystal Coast rental property. The Crystal Coast Blog is loaded with great Crystal Coast vacation resources and condo information.

Need Help Locating That Perfect Crystal Coast Rental Property?

With so many NC Crystal Coast visitors traveling from Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Virginia, South and North Carolina, you need all the help you can get to plan your perfect Crystal Coast vacation. Always mindful to protect your private information, feel free to contact the Crystal Coast Blog today! Your Crystal Coast Blogger and this resource is here to help you with planning your NC beach vacation. No strings – no pressure and completely free, email today if you need assistance!

I have received many calls and questions emailed to me from readers wanting information about Crystal Coast homes and specifically about Emerald Isle condos for rent and for sale. Most of these questions center around the local Emerald Isle real estate market, and questions about things to do in Emerald Isle.

My Personal Favorite Entries From the Crystal Coast Blog

To help provide the answers many visitors to this blog have asked, here are some of my personal favorite past Crystal Coast Blog post.

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I often receive phone calls from renters seeking a long-term Emerald Isle beach front home or condo. I’ve found most of these inquiries come from younger couples especially military couples stationed at Camp LeJeune who are looking for a long-term rental. A few of things occur during these calls.

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10 Tips to Making Your Crystal Coast Vacation More Affordable

If you have a job and your finances are such that you can afford a vacation to Emerald Isle (or any of our other beautiful NC beach towns), how can you make your trip to the NC coast more affordable? Here are a few tips to help make your Crystal Coast vacation go easier on your wallet:

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Based on current projections issued by the National Hurricane Center, it appears Tropical Storm Hanna will intensify into a hurricane before making landfall along the South Carolina/North Carolina border. NOAA’s website also indicates the developing tropical storm will make landfall shortly after midnight Saturday morning. Because major damage can occur especially on the east side of a hurricane, all precautions should be made to protect life and property along the Southern Outer Banks.

Listen to Local Crystal Coast Authorities

If you reside along the Crystal Coast towns of Emerald Isle, Salter Path, Indian Beach, Pine Knoll Shores and Atlantic Beach it is strongly recommended you be attentive to any and all announcements by local authorities as this storm approaches the east coast of the US. If orders are given to evacuate the barrier island of Bogue Banks, do so. If you have rented a beach cottage or condo on the Crystal Coast and plan to arrive this weekend, it is recommended you contact your Crystal Coast real estate agency for information about your rental prior to your arrival date.

It is obviously our prayers this storm stay far out in the Atlantic away from the coast of the US.

Do You Think the TBJ Reads the Crystal Coast Blog?

If you’re like me, I like to read my area’s local Biz Journal. In fact, even in this day and age of RSS feeds, Google Reader and news aggregators, yes I still read the paper. Archaic isn’t it. Because I have a subscription to the TBJ, I receive their daily email updates on “breaking news stories.” Well I received an email today from TBJ and it included a story entitled “Study: Few execs leave the office behind while on vacation“. Wouldn’t you know I had to go leave a comment and gloat a bit. You see, I wrote (dare I say scooped!) a post on a similar topic entitled  “Wireless Web the Most Requested Amenity for Hotel Guest“. Me thinks the writers of the TBJ are reading my Crystal Coast Blog!

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Lately I have been thinking about the direction of topics and information provided in this blog. One key element I teach every blogger is you must know who your audience is and then provide “high-value” content to your audience in your blog. That way, loyal readers will return time and again to read your fresh content.

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But What About Vacation Rentals?

According to a recent survey conducted by the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA), hotel guest believe a wireless Internet connection is the most important technology amenity when selecting a hotel. Here is a quick breakdown of leading technology amenities hotel guest rank for importance:

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And I Did All the Work for You!

I realize some of you just don’t have the time to search for the spring rental and hotel deals on the Southern Outer Banks (or some are just to dang lazy to do it!), but I decided to see for myself if all this “talk” about NC Coast spring vacation rental and hotel discounts was just that – a lot of talk. Well guess what? There are spring beach deals out there but who knows how long they are going to last. Remember – it’s first come, first served!

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I read an interesting article in the business section of the News and Observer this past Saturday. The article implied that people are waiting before they book their vacation rentals and make their hotel reservations for the Crystal Coast. It seems the primary reasons we are “sitting on our hands” is because of the economy, the gas prices and the elusive search to save a buck!

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