1 |
Watch the wild horses from afar run on Shackleford Banks and Carrot Island. New foals are joining the herd during Spring |
2 |
Search for the largest shark tooth |
3 |
Fly a kite on the cool ocean breeze |
4 |
Watch the dolphins play in the surf |
5 |
Build a sandcastle |
6 |
Explore historic Fort Macon in Atlantic Beach |
7 |
Look for the biggest seashell at low tide |
8 |
Walk down the scenic Beaufort waterfront and window shop |
9 |
Having a cooking competition at your rental property |
10 |
Soak up the sun on the white sandy beaches |
11 |
Start your own body surfing or boogie boarding competition and put your skills to the test |
12 |
Curbside pickup from our local restaurants |
13 |
Watch the boats weigh their catch at the Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament |
14 |
Strawberry picking at the local Garner Farms |
15 |
Pack a lunch and have a picnic at Fort Macon State Park |
16 |
Have a cup of coffee with your pup at Muttigans in Emerald Isle |
17 |
Sushi Night! Enjoy $5 Sushi from Publix on Wednesdays |
18 |
Snap some pictures in front of The Morehead City Murals! |
19 |
Do an online yoga or workout video on the beach! |
20 |
Go feed the turtles at The Emerald Plantation |
21 |
Walk the trails in the Emerald Forest Park off of Coast Guard Road |
22 |
Play a round of golf at Star Hill! |
23 |
Create your own sand dollar picture frame to remember your wonderful vacation |
24 |
Surprise your loved one with flowers from Petal Pushers! |
25 |
Do an in-home scavenger hunt with the kids in your vacation home! (blog link) |
26 |
Burn some extra vacation calories riding your bike on the Emerald Isle Bike Trail |
27 |
Dessert Bake Off! |
28 |
Watch the fishing charters unload the daily catch on the Morehead City waterfront. |
29 |
Take lots of photos to enter into our annual Bluewater Photo Contest |
30 |
Load up on some of the state’s best wine at the Wine Market in Emerald Isle |
31 |
Gather items to donate to local animal shelters |
32 |
Wade offshore of Bogue Sound to clam or cast a net |
33 |
Need an idea for good pictures? Walk to the end of the Bogue Inlet Fishing Pier for a wonderful view |
34 |
Enjoy coloring a Bluewater Coloring Contest sheet for a chance to win a prize! |
35 |
Witness the baby sea turtles hatch and make a run for the ocean in the early summer evenings |
36 |
Drop a crab pot off your sound front pier and check it daily for fresh crabs |
37 |
Surf Fish off the beach and see what you can catch (make sure you have your fishing license) |
38 |
Bask in the sun at Hammocks Beach State Park |
39 |
Host your own evening beach party while playing corn hole and dance the evening away. |
40 |
Take a step back in history on a self walking tour of the Beaufort Historic Site |
41 |
Play a game of beach Ultimate Frisbee |
42 |
Family Ice Cream Sundae Night with all the toppings |
43 |
Hunt for sea glass along the shore, blue and purple are rare finds |
44 |
Stroll down the docks at the Morehead City waterfront |
45 |
Interact with the Marine life in tidal pools along the coast |
46 |
Search for sand dollars in the surf |
47 |
Watch the Fighter Planes fly down the coast |
48 |
Take a walk through the shops in historic downtown Swansboro |
49 |
Write encouraging cards and mail them to the residents and staff at Crystal Bluffs Rehabilitation Facility |
50 |
Go whale watching at Cape Lookout and the Bogue Inlet Pier |
51 |
Walk out on the Point in Emerald Isle |
52 |
Check out the local catch on the Bogue Inlet Pier |
53 |
Go bird watching in Emerald Woods |
54 |
Take and Bake Crab Cakes from the Island Grille in Atlantic Beach |
55 |
Spark the romance with a walk on the beach at sunset |
56 |
Launch your kayak at the Emerald Isle boat ramp and explore the sound |
57 |
Start a game of beach football |
58 |
Find what gets washed up on shore after a big storm |
59 |
Take a sequence of photos of the sunrises and sunsets |
60 |
Watch the big ships dock at the State Port in Morehead City |
61 |
Chase Ghost Crabs along the shore after dark, they’re pretty fast and tricky! |
62 |
Play volleyball at the Atlantic Beach Circle or the Emerald Isle Beach Access |
63 |
Chase seagulls as they float on the ocean breeze |
64 |
Spend the day exploring the many islands along the Crystal Coast |
65 |
Order a fresh bouquet of local fresh-picked from Knot a Second Thought |
66 |
Unwind from an exciting day to a good book outside on the porch with a cold drink |
67 |
Write messages in the sand and let the waves wash them away |
68 |
Sit and daydream about never leaving the Crystal Coast |
69 |
Take pictures of the ocean so you will never forget its beauty. How many shades of blue and green can you find? |
70 |
Scavenger hunt for different colored shells |
71 |
Count the seconds between waves breaking on the beach, you will notice a pattern |
72 |
Look for shapes in the clouds as they blow in the breeze |
73 |
Watch the windsurfers battle the ocean’s current |
74 |
Protect our beaches and pick up trash and debris along the ocean. If you fill a bucket of trash, Muttigans offers those a free cup of coffee. |
75 |
Play a game of Bocce Ball with those around you |
76 |
Dig a hole and bury someone to their waist |
77 |
Walk under the Bogue Inlet Pier and take a family picture |
78 |
Bury your toes in the warm sand |
79 |
Take a trip to Shark Tooth Island |
80 |
Take a walk along the Emerald Isle Bike Path |
81 |
Play a game of Horseshoes on the beach |
82 |
Catch Sandfiddler crabs in the surf, before they can burry back into the sand |
83 |
Throw a cast net into the sound to see what you catch |
84 |
Walk the path through Emerald Isle and visit the shops along the way |
85 |
Look for starfish in the surf |
86 |
Put a bottle on the tree on Bottle Island |
87 |
Window shop at Blu Sail pottery in Downtown Morehead and see some incredible local art |
88 |
Create your very own treasure adventure – dig buried treasures for your friends and family to find |
89 |
Make your own unique seashell jewelry |
90 |
Order your “Bring the party home” paint kit from Wine and Design in Morehead City |
91 |
Rent bikes for a week from Bluewater Vacation Rentals so you can park the car and take a more economic ride |
92 |
Set up your vacation rental living room for a barre session with Downtown Barre Morehead City |
93 |
Enjoy the outdoors by bike on Swansboro’s 25-mile bike trail along the water and through the Croatan National Forest |
94 |
Get your blood pumping with a free online class from the Cape Carteret Aquatic Center Facebook page |
95 |
Enjoy a walking nature tour and even a boat cruise on Taylor’s Creek ending at Carrot Island boardwalk during the spring and summer months through The Rachel Carson National Estuarine Research office |
96 |
Facebook shop a local boutique like Beaufort Linen Co., COTE Boutique or GIGI & Company |
97 |
Paddleboard the Bogue Sound |
98 |
Pick up a 6 pack of locally brewed beer from Crystal Coast Brewing in Atlantic Beach |
99 |
Host a Minute to Win it game your vacation home |
100 |
Plan your next vacation |
101 |
Leave Google reviews to support Small Businesses |
102 |
Watch Chef Cherie’s cooking videos on Facebook @globallovechef |
103 |
Enter Jarrett Bay Clothing Company’s color contest – open for kids of all ages on their Facebook Page |
104 |
Binge watch the Netflix show “Outer Banks” to discover the ferry from Chapel Hill, NC to the Outer Banks |
105 |
Take it a step further and document all the mistakes from the show “Outer Banks” |
106 |
Support Carteret Health Care Foundation’s COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund by purchasing a “Carteret Stronger Together” mug for only $20 at BlueSail Studios |
107 |
Pick up a 6-pack or growler from Sharks Den |
108 |
Make a chunky knit blanket |
109 |
Have a front porch photo shoot done by a local photographer |
110 |
Curbside pickup lunch from Pizza Inn, Lazzaro’s, Circle Pizza or Michaelangelos and order an extra pizza or two for the local police and fire departments |
111 |
Play a round of frisbee golf in the Emerald Forest Park |
112 |
Have a self-care day with an at-home facial mask, manicure, pedicure, meditation, and yoga session |
113 |
Donate snacks and food at the Emerald Isle Food Lion for Backpack for Kids |
114 |
Have lunch or dinner delivered from Caribsea |
115 |
Purchase a house plant from Carolina Home and Garden to take back home with you |
116 |
Brunch to Go at 34 Degrees North in Beaufort, NC |
117 |
Pick up a free mini bottle of hand sanitizer at Bogue Sound Distillery |
118 |
The famous Beaufort Grocery is offering daily specials with curbside pickup – including their divine brunch |
119 |
Have a front porch photoshoot at your rental property with a local photographer |
120 |
Grab some fresh produce at Winberry Farm or The Market at Cedar Point |
121 |
Find a new recipe to cook from the local blogger The Blond Cook |
122 |
Create a hand-drawn beach scene with items you find in the sand |
123 |
Have a family sandcastle building competition |
124 |
Learn to Crochet, or learn a new hobby |
125 |
Have an at-home movie night filled with popcorn, candy, snacks, and the latest premier |
126 |
Comb the beach for sea glass to make your own one-of-a-kind bracelet |
127 |
Dinner for 4 at Floyd’s 1921 in Morehead City each $35 + tax |
128 |
Take a day to detach and step away from your phone and social media. Use that time to decompress, enjoy your family time. |
129 |
Pick up an order of the best wings in town from Ioanni’s Grill – they are throwing in a roll of toilet paper for orders over $10 |
130 |
Taking the boat out for the day? Promise Land Market in Morehead City is offering boat snacks to go |
131 |
Pick up a bag of ground coffee from 4Js to indulge in while here and to take some back home with you |
132 |
Have breakfast by the 2 Crazy Donuts food truck – check their Facebook page for daily locations |
133 |
Shop via Facebook and pick up a new bathing suit from The Posh Pelican |
134 |
Enjoy the “Catch of the Day” at Riverside Steak & Seafood in Swansboro |
135 |
Frosted Bakery in Swansboro is offering LIVE cake decorating classes & cupcake DIY kits with free delivery |
136 |
Have crab legs delivered from Blackbeard’s in Beaufort, NC |
137 |
Gather unique rocks, paint them and place them around town |
138 |
Mix up dinner tonight and order tapas to go from the Boro in Swansboro, NC |
139 |
Make a wind chime from driftwood and shells |
140 |
Pick up a fresh produce bundle and kombucha on tap at Salty Air Market |
141 |
If your vacation rental has a gravel driveway – paint a rock colorful colors and leave it behind to spread good vibes |
142 |
Make fresh fruit popsicles to enjoy with family and friends |
143 |
Add Crystal Coast Opoly to your Walmart Pick-Up order for hours of fun |
144 |
Let your creative juices flow with chalk and decorate your vacation rental driveway |
145 |
Take your four-legged friend on a walk on the bike path or beach |
146 |
Complete a puzzle or two |
147 |
Make a new Pandora or Spotify playlist for the beach |
148 |
Play your favorite music and have a dance party in your vacation rental |
149 |
Learn a TikTok Dance |
150 |
Make nautical ornaments with salt dough to remember your vacation |
151 |
Make a Mother’s Day Card |
152 |
Learn to Surf or stand up paddleboard |
153 |
Decorate your vacation rental properties front windows with hearts to show your support to essential works and medical workers |
154 |
Enjoy a cup of coffee while enjoying the views of the Crystal Coast |
155 |
Make an at-home electrolyte drink! So many recipes on Pinterest |
156 |
Send a postcard or handmade card to loved ones |
157 |
Have a picnic on the beach |
158 |
Gather the family and make homemade pizzas |
159 |
Don’t forget Taco Tuesday! Fresh Guacamole is a must. |
160 |
Double kayak with the one you love most |
161 |
Make a beach bucket list for your vacation |
162 |
Read a book you have been meaning to read |
163 |
Make your own Battle of the Sexes game and challenge your family to a battle |
164 |
Find an easy recipe to make home dog treats |
165 |
Use food coloring to dye sand and make sand art scenes with the kids |
166 |
Sew your own protective face mask |
167 |
Have a Starbucks copycat competition one morning to see who makes the best cup of joe |
168 |
Pick-up a plain dozen of donuts and have a donut decorating competition |
169 |
If the rain rolls in, do the rain clouds in a jar science project with your kids |
170 |
Give DIY sand paint a try! |
171 |
DIY candles with a large shell from the beach |
172 |
Leave a Facebook review for your favorite small businesses |
173 |
Make your own Bath Salts |
174 |
DIY Kinetic sand! Find tons of recipes online |
175 |
Super glue small shells to the end of bobby pins to make a cute new hair clip |
176 |
Go Facebook Live from your vacation home |
177 |
Make your own colorful hair wraps! |
178 |
Play a game of beach soccer |
179 |
Plan sunrise walks on the beach each morning |
180 |
Pack rollerblades for the bike path |
181 |
Unplug! There is a great life to be lived beyond our screens! |
182 |
Host your own luau party – order floral leis ahead of time to make sure everyone is dressed for the occasion |
183 |
Hit up a local wine shop and have a wine and cheese pairing with a few new flavors |
184 |
Paint and design your own Oyster Shell ring dish |
185 |
Make your own face masks |
186 |
Enjoy a bag of boiled peanuts |
187 |
Build a fort with pillows and blankets in a common room of your vacation rental |
188 |
Use #BluewaterNC on social media to share your photos and videos |
189 |
Start a blog about some of your most passionate parts of your life. |
190 |
Pull those deck of cards out and round up the change and have a low-stakes poker night! |
191 |
Bake homemade cinnamon rolls for brunch |
192 |
Remember when you were younger and you never wanted to nap. Well, take that nap now! |
193 |
Have morning mimosas on the beach! |
194 |
Get creative and make a charcuterie board to enjoy |
195 |
This is vacation baby! Turn the alarm off and stay snuggled in bed a little longer. |
196 |
Host a relay race on the beach! |
197 |
Take your boat out to a sandbar island in the middle of Bogue Sound for a beach day all to yourself |
198 |
Take a sketch pad and pencil and sketch your family playing on the beach |
199 |
Want to move here? Start virtually house hunting with one of our agents! |
200 |
Have a blast and make memories that will last a lifetime! |