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Hi! The only experience I have is at Atlantic beach.We usually stay at a resort with a private beach. The one time we didn't we were able to swim at Fort Macon
Hi---We vacationed on Oak Island every summer since 1989 and NEVER had a problem parking right at the beach, for free. There are parking areas at every beach access, and there were public beach accesses every 90 feet. The beach is wide, beautiful, and never crowded. Can you tell I love the place? LOL
Yes nc beaches belong to the nc public but there are groups mostly from up north which have tried to change that. It happened in Currituck county two years ago they filed a lawsuite to make the dunes to the water private for house owners. The judge threw it out thank God above. nc law states public has legal right to access the beach. Boat ramps are vanishing right now and they are talking about using the new salt water fishing license money to protect some water front from developers and build more boat access for the public. We lost two boat ramps this year in morehead to condos. The publics rights are under attack with the large migration of developers and greed.
Yes nc beaches belong to the nc public but there are groups mostly from up north which have tried to change that. It happened in Currituck county two years ago they filed a lawsuite to make the dunes to the water private for house owners. The judge threw it out thank God above. nc law states public has legal right to access the beach. Boat ramps are vanishing right now and they are talking about using the new salt water fishing license money to protect some water front from developers and build more boat access for the public. We lost two boat ramps this year in morehead to condos. The publics rights are under attack with the large migration of developers and greed.
Excellent post. Piers are also under threat from outside interests.
The campground we stayed at on Oak Island was sold for houses--broke my heart. I'm familiar with NC's view of access to the ocean belonging to everyone and am grateful for it. Here in CT, access to Long Island Sound is very limited, and you have to pay for parking anywhere near water.
I haven't been to OI in a couple of years, but there were several well kept---and free---boat ramps in the area. Drove 700 miles one way with 4 kids every year to have a beach vacation. Heaven.
From Charlotte though that is some drive. At least 4 hours to a beach! NC doesn't look big on a map, but it sure does take forever to get to the coast. I lived in Charlotte and went to Myrtle for the day, it took us 4 hours to get there.
I Found That The Outer Banks Beaches Have Many Areas To Park, Some Have Bath Houses. Thats One Thing I Love About The East Coast Of Nc, Back On Long Island You Have To Pay $$$$$ Just To Park, And Alot Of Eastern Li You Have To Have A Residence Pass To Park. Now Down Here I Can Live On The Mainland About 15 Min From Beach And Go Down And Park And Not Get The Tickets I Used To Get On Long Island!!!!!! Ahhh Life Is Good !!!!
If you are taking a boat to the coast, that changes the equation a little. There has been lots of debate recently about the need for more public access for boaters in North Carolina. The parking for boaters while they are out on the water is also tied to the issue.
It is particularly important along the Crystal Coast where boats are nearly standard equipment for natives and of course for the fishermen from all over North Carolina. If bringing a boat is important check out this link.
There have been discussions about building a new facility near the Emerald Isle bridge. There are other private for fee launch facilities available. Some motels even have them.
A boat does provide you with access to some wonderful beaches like Cape Lookout and some nice ones in the Hammocks beach area.
However, you should be aware that lots of the water near these beach areas requires a shallow draft skiff to navigate unless you want to do a lot of pushing.
Last edited by dsobotta; 06-04-2007 at 03:23 PM..
Reason: extra word
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