CityView Magazine - Fayetteville, NC
Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/1498193
CityViewNC.com | 13 "It's just a quaint little place," says Norris, taking a break from a bike ride on the boardwalk " just to see if the water was still here." He's in shorts and a knit shirt — not exactly what he might be wearing back at his real estate business in the Triangle. Norris is happy to recommend restaurants and bars to visitors, with a little insider info on the clientele. Norris says Beaufort is "an incredibly friendly place," noting that a lot of New Englanders have recently discovered its charm. "You can sit on your front porch, and when cars go by, they just expect you to wave at them," he says. Fishing for fun e beaches and towns of the Crystal Coast offer a blend of history, family fun, water sports and nature. Other towns considered part of the tourism brand include Harkers Island, Salter Path and Newport. An area dubbed Down East includes rural waterfront communities east of Beaufort and promises a slower pace. e fishing boats at the docks offer day trips and longer for those who want to try their skills at reeling in a big one. e Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament is among the largest and longest-running sport fishing contests in the nation. is year's tournament is scheduled for June 9-19 from 710 Evans St. on the Morehead City waterfront. Call 252-247-3575 or go to thebigrock. com/ for more information. You don't have to compete; just celebrate someone else's catch at the weigh-in. Beyond the surf and sand — if you really need anything beyond those basics — the Crystal Coast offers an array of family activities, good food, shopping, nature excursions and other fun to keep the family on the move during a summer vacation. Here's a sampling: • Capt. Ron's Island Tours: 103 Cedar St., Beaufort. underfish13@gmail.com or 984-209-0724. Book e Wanderer for a tour of the Beaufort waterfront, observing wild horses, dolphins and an array of birds. e Cardinal Sin offers a fishing charter inshore or offshore. • Island Water Sports: 1960 Salter Path Road, Mile Marker 12, Indian Beach. aborden57@gmail.com or 252-247-7303. WaterSports Rentals at the Emerald Isle-Indian Beach town limits offers Jet Ski and kayak rentals. Kayaks can be delivered free to Known as the Fisherman's Paradise, Morehead City offers some of the best fishing spots on the East Coast.