All You Need to Know About Surfing in Emerald Isle, NC

All You Need to Know About Surfing in Emerald Isle, NC

Have you tried surfing during your Emerald Isle beach vacation? North Carolina’s Crystal Coast has everything you need for a great day out on the water. Beautiful beaches? Check. Seasonal swells? Check. Surf shops, lessons and rentals? Check. Whether you bring your own board or rent one, surfing is a fun and family-friendly beach activity. Book an oceanfront Emerald Isle rental so you have close and convenient access to the Atlantic Ocean right outside your door. All that’s left to do is get out there and get wet!

Surfing on the Crystal Coast of North Carolina

As part of the Southern Outer Banks, the Crystal Coast of North Carolina is gaining popularity with novice and expert surfers alike. Emerald Isle and the other Crystal Coast beaches on Bogue Banks run east-west, so that means the beaches actually face south. The ocean’s waves depend on the tide and wind direction. Depending on the conditions, you can catch some really good swell thanks to seasonal currents, passing tropical systems, and offshore nor’easters. You can find the current conditions by doing a quick Google search that brings you to several Emerald Isle surf condition reports and websites. You can also see it for yourself with Emerald Isle live cams from eilivesurf.com and the pier cam at Bogue Inlet Pier

Popular Surf Spots in Emerald Isle

Emerald Isle local Mike Crews, a veteran surfer and owner of Hot Wax Surf and Paddle Sports, says the area’s best surf season is August through December. Many of the locals and visitors prefer to surf near the pier where the waves tend to be bigger due to friction of the nearby wooden pilings. Bogue Inlet Pier in Emerald Isle is considered the area’s home break because of the combination of pilings and sand formations that create waves and break, according to Crews. (Just remember that if you’re surfing by the pier, you need to stay at least 50-100 yards away from it.) Not only do surfers frequent pier-adjacent breaks but also at public spots like the Eastern Regional and Western Regional beach access points. Sandbars can move frequently based on storms, so surfers are constantly on the move along the coast looking for the best waves. 

Emerald Isle Surf Shops & Lessons

Emerald Isle’s local surf shops are wonderful resources to get you started on your surfing adventures. Stop by and check out what they have to offer. Don’t be shy, go ahead and ask questions! Surf lessons are a great way to learn the basics and get comfortable in the water. You can take solo lessons, family-friendly lessons, group lessons and more.

EMERALD ISLE SURF LESSONS

Serving the Crystal Coast beaches of North Carolina. 

(252) 764-2233

More info here.

BERT’S SURF SHOP

8202 Emerald Drive, Emerald Isle, NC 

(252) 354-2441

More info here.

HOT WAX SURF SHOP

200 Mallard Drive, Emerald Isle, NC

(252) 354-6466

More info here.

SOUTH SWELL SURF SHOP

8204 Emerald Drive, Emerald Isle, NC

(252) 354-7175

More info here.

Emerald Isle Surfing Video Footage

Here’s some drone footage of an Emerald Isle surf session for your viewing pleasure. Check it out! We hope it motivates you to get out there and try it for yourself on your next Emerald Isle beach vacation. 


HAVE YOU TRIED SURFING ON THE CRYSTAL COAST?

All You Need to Know About Surfing in Emerald Isle, NC

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