Water

World Class Coast

The coasts in eastern North Carolina are home to numerous quaint towns that are great destinations for anglers, boaters, scuba divers, shoppers, and beach goers looking to unwind. Ranked in U.S News & World Report as a Best Vacations destination, ENC provides a “family-friendly vacation to a Nicholas Sparks-inspired getaway." Carteret County's Crystal Coast and Onslow County's North Topsail Beach are the perfect beach destinations.

Rivers and Waterways

Settling between the Outer Banks and the Inner Banks, the Pamlico Sound is the largest sound on the east coast. The Pamlico Sound and ENC’s Neuse River, provides some of the best watersports activities on the east coast with perfect conditions for sailors, kayakers, and paddle boarding enthusiasts.

Elegant Golf Courses

Courses in ENC challenge golfers with premium accuracy playing through beautiful cypress trees to waterfronts. With more than three dozen public and private courses throughout the region, you will find an abundance of options that challenge even the most experienced players.

Nature Trails and Exploring

Find yourself exploring trails in unique ecosystems encountering deer, trees lined with spanish moss, and the occasional black bear. Croatan National Forest, the third largest National Forest in North Carolina, offers over 160,000 acres along the largest sound on the East Coast, the Pamlico Sound.

Sports and Recreation

Home to East Carolina University, the Pirates compete in the American Athletic Conference. The Division I NCAA program offers spectators top-notch sporting and tailgating festivities. ENC is also home to the Down East Wood Ducks and Morehead City Marlins. The Down East Wood Ducks are a Minor League Baseball team of the Carolina League and the owned-and-operated Single-A affiliate of the Texas Rangers. The Morehead City Marlins, a premier collegiate summer league team, compete in the Coastal Plains League.

Mouthwatering Culinary Destinations

With flavors you can’t experience anywhere else, Eastern North Carolina is home to national award-winning restaurants and chefs. The secret is in the sauce and as the home to vinegar-based BBQ, the area will leave you with a new perspective on your favorite sauce. ENC is also home to award-winning chef and TV host Vivian Howard.