When planning a getaway to the Crystal Coast, summer often comes to mind first, with its sun-soaked days by the water. But what if we told you that fall is an equally charming time to visit? While the temperatures might dip slightly, the magic of autumn brings many activities that make the season irresistible.

Milder temperatures create the perfect setting for outdoor adventures without the hustle and bustle of peak-season crowds. You can also take advantage of some fantastic fall specials by booking a vacation home with Bluewater Vacation Rentals. From fall fishing and beautiful sunsets to bike rides and festivals, here are the top ten fall activities that will make your visit unforgettable. Get ready to experience the coast like never before!

1. Watch the Sunset at the Point

Thanks to our unique south-facing beaches, you can watch the sunset and sunrise on the Crystal Coast. With gorgeous red, orange, blue, and purple skies, watching the sunset with people you love is the perfect way to spend your fall evening. To do it like a local, grab a beach blanket and some drinks and head to the Point (the westernmost tip of the Island) in Emerald Isle. The beach is a local favorite for fishing, surfing, beach driving, and, of course, watching the sunset. There are a few ways to get to the Point: You can park at the free public lot located at the corner of Coast Guard and Station roads, and then walk a few blocks to the beach access, ride a bike on the Emerald Isle bike path and park at the access, or you can buy a beach pass and drive your 4×4 onto the beach (https://www.emeraldisle-nc.org/217/Beach-Driving-Permits)

2. Fall Fishing

Here on the Crystal Coast, fall is one of the best seasons to cast a line. The cooler temperatures of the water bring in fish like snapper, bluefish, flounder, and red drum – which is North Carolina’s official state saltwater fish. The most popular spots to fish are the Bogue Inlet Pier in Emerald Isle and the Oceanana Pier in Atlantic Beach. Day passes for the piers are $15 with both offering bait and tackle for purchase, as well as rod and reel rentals. Even if you’re not into pier fishing, it is fun to walk down and see what others are catching and enjoy the beautiful view of the Crystal Coast waters!

With the fall migration of mullet to warmer waters and the shrimp leaving the creeks to deeper spawning grounds, the predators are out to capitalize, are you? It’s time to go surf fishing! Grab your rod and reel, bait (be it artificial lures, bottom rigs, or the famed Carolina rig with live bait), and a trusty beach chair, and get ready to catch dinner. With a variety of fish, such as Speckled Trout, Red Drum, and Sea Mullet, on the menu, you’re sure to have a great time. (Pro tip: Buy fresh shrimp from local seafood markets for bait, so if there’s more fishing than catching, you still have dinner in the evening!)

If you still need the proper equipment, there are plenty of local tackle shops to choose from. In Emerald Isle The Reel Outdoors is the place to go, in Atlantic Beach Chasin’ Tails is a great spot. They offer a variety of bait, tackle, and marine supplies to help you get started on your fishing journey. You will also need a fishing license – which can be bought in the tackle stores or online. Once you catch the perfect fish, it’s time to enjoy a delicious dinner from hook to pan for your family and friends. What a great way to end a day full of fishing!

3. Shop Local at the Farmer’s Market

Want to enjoy some farm fresh food on the Crystal Coast? Look no further than the Olde Beaufort Farmers’ Market! This farmers’ market, surrounded by beautiful live oak trees, is the perfect place to experience the delicious food and beautiful art that Crystal Coast local small business owners have to offer. From fresh vegetables and seafood to handmade pottery and jewelry, you’ll have everything you need while staying at the Crystal Coast! It’s also an opportunity to make new connections and to find your new favorite bakery or boutique that you can visit again when you come back. The market is open beginning the second weekend in April through the third weekend in November, where local small business owners set up their booths every Saturday from 9am-1pm to meet new faces and greet old ones – you don’t want to miss it!

Spend your fall getaway at the historic, must-see destination on the Crystal Coast – Cape Lookout! Since it is accessible only by private boat or a ferry ride, make sure to plan a day dedicated to visiting this beautiful national seashore. The ferry takes off from Beaufort or Harker’s Island through the Island Express Ferry Service, so be sure to reserve your spot in advance. Watching the wild horses stroll around Shackleford Banks on the ferry ride is a highlight for many. Once there, you will easily be able to follow the paths and boardwalks that lead to the National Park’s Services visitors center as well as the Cape Lookout site. There are plenty of park rangers around the area to help answer any questions you may have and guide you to the shoreline. The original keeper’s quarters have been converted into a museum for you to explore and learn more about the lighthouse’s rich history.

There are plenty of fun activities to enjoy once you arrive at Cape Lookout, including –swimming, fishing, birding, camping, surfing, and picnicking. The lighthouse is currently closed for climbing for a restoration project, but the view is worth the wait once it opens again to the public. Shelling is also a popular activity thanks to the number of great finds along the shoreline – knobbed whelks, bay scallops, scotch bonnets, and more. Instead of walking the long distance down the shoreline to look for shells, you can either take a shuttle or rent a four-person UTV to explore more of the island on your own.

Cape Lookout is designated an International Dark Sky Park, so if you wait until dark on a clear day before heading home, you’ll see an exceptional number of stars. Don’t wait, book your ferry ride over to Cape Lookout this fall to enjoy the peaceful waters and natural beauty this national seashore has to offer!

6. Surf’s Up!

Want to catch some waves this fall? The water stays plenty warm on the Crystal Coast and you shouldn’t need a wetsuit until mid-October. Many believe fall is the best time of the year to grab your surfboard and hit the waves!

If you’re a more experienced surfer, you will enjoy the bigger swells that the southwest winds bring during the fall. For those who want to try their hand at surfing or maybe want to expand their skills, there are plenty of places on the Crystal Coast to take lessons. In Emerald Isle, the EI Surf Company or Hot Wax Surf & Paddle Sports offer one one-on-one or group surfing lessons for both kids and adults. They provide boards for you to use at the lesson, so don’t worry if you do not have your own. In Atlantic Beach AB Surf Shop and Marsh’s Surf Shop offer lessons, so don’t hesitate to branch out and try something new – you might love it!

Another fantastic fall activity is kitesurfing- which combines wind power with a large kite to pull you across the water on your board. With the southwest winds in full force during the fall season, the Crystal Coast is the perfect spot to kite. Between the ocean, the sound, and islands, there are conditions for every kiter. If you’d like to take kite surfing lessons this fall, check out Crystal Coast Wind & Water Adventures in Indian Beach.

Whether you’re a pro or a newcomer, spend your fall getaway on the Crystal Coast and ride some sick waves.

7. Bike Along the Crystal Coast

Whether you’re biking around your neighborhood or through the beautiful Crystal Coast landscape, fall is the perfect time of year to take your bike out for a ride. The cooler and less humid Autumn air allows for an ideal outdoor adventure. There are plenty of beautiful bike trails to choose from here on the Crystal Coast.

If you’re staying in Emerald Isle this fall and want to explore the town without having to drive, the Emerald Path is the perfect bike trail to take. It is an 11-mile path that extends from Indian Beach to the Point at Bogue Inlet. This path is a great way to access all the town’s popular spots while also enjoying the scenic views. The Fort Macon State Park Trail is also a great biking trail as it offers views of the ocean and the maritime forest. If you want to bike through a beautiful downtown area full of shops and restaurants, visit Beaufort or Morehead City. These areas are very bike-friendly, and once you arrive, you can park your bike on the boardwalk by the water and explore.

Biking along the beach is also a wonderful experience. Bring your bike down to the beach at low tide and ride on the hard-packed sand.

If you don’t have a bike of your own there are many bike rental companies to choose from all along the Crystal Coast. There are Beach Wheels Bike Rentals, Beachside Bikes, Beaufort Bicycle, and Isle Cycle.

8. Experience the NC Seafood Festival

Here on the Crystal Coast, the NC Seafood Festival in Morehead City is the largest three-day festival in North Carolina – it was even ranked nationally in the top 200 “Must See” festivals by the International Festivals & Events Association! From amusement park rides to delicious seafood, this event is one you will not want to miss this fall.

Happening on the first weekend in October, more than 200,000 locals and visitors come to experience the joy that is this festival. With free admission and over 200 vendors, there are many fun activities you and your family can enjoy. You can start your day by indulging in a wide variety of seafood served in many ways – like St. Egbert Catholic School, which serves delicious shrimp pitas and has the longest-running stand. Not only can you eat the food, but you can watch chefs demonstrate how to cook the food as well. Throughout the day, you can take part in plenty of games and carnival rides such as flounder flinging, oyster shucking, and riding the Ferris Wheel. You will get unlimited access to these fun rides when you participate in the Armband Friday Fundraiser, which helps to raise money for Carteret County schools. To end this fun-filled day, pull out a beach chair and watch the fireworks display as you rock to some live music.

Come down to the Morehead waterfront and help celebrate those who provide us with delicious seafood all along the Crystal Coast.

9. Have a Scary Good Time Trick or Treating on Ann Street

Halloween is the time of year for you and your kids to have fun, dress up, and, best of all – trick or treat! Here on the Crystal Coast, in historic downtown Beaufort, Ann Street is by far the most famous place to take your kids out for candy.

More than 1,000 children and adults walk the street that is decked out with ghoulish decorations to receive some delicious treats. Residents get incredibly creative and go all out for this holiday with eerie ghosts, silky spider webs, and carved pumpkins on their front porches.

Put on your best scary costume, grab your jack-o-lantern, and have a blast on Ann Street this Halloween.

10. Get Crafty with Wine & Design

What better way to spend a relaxing fall evening than painting and sipping on some wine at Morehead City’s Wine & Design? From painting and resin projects to stained glass and blanket making, you can create something unique that you can bring home as an awesome souvenir from your beach vacation. It might seem daunting at first to have to paint the majority of apiece freehand, but there are artists there to help you step by step along the way. This is not just a place for adults to sip wine and get crafty. They also offer an Art Buzz Kids program where your kids can have fun and let their imaginations run wild. It’s a great way to spend quality time with your friends and try your hand at something new that you might end up loving!

Now is the time to start planning your Crystal Coast fall getaway! Start by finding the perfect vacation home at Bluewater, and come on down to the coast!