Overview
Cape Carteret is a town of 2,224 people (2020) in the Crystal Coast region of North Carolina. Like Newport, it's mainly a residential community, even though it's right on the water and boasts some very nice views of the sound. Basically, you're not likely to stay here or to eat here, or really even to do very much here, but there's a good chance you might be passing through.
5 things to do · 1 places to eat
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Cape Carteret
Barrier Island Kayaks
Trips to Bear Island and the Cape Lookout National Seashore, as well as an ecological tour; all trips last at least 2.5 hours, $35-75 per person. Kayaking lessons available, and an on-site shop sells kayaks and equipment…
Cape Carteret Aquatic and Wellness
The best gymnasium facility in the area, if you feel the need to keep up your workout routine while you're on vacation. Offers free weights, LifeFitness cardio equipment, a basketball court, a heated indoor swimming pool…
Golfin' Dolphin
A lighted 250-yard driving range, 18-hole miniature golf, a batting cage, go-carts and bumper boats. Golf lessons available.
Silver Creek Golf Club
The longest course in the county, with a practice green, driving range, pool, tennis courts, pro shop, clubhouse and snack bar.
Star Hill Golf and Country Club
A 27-hole championship golf course, a Cayman driving range, tennis court, pool, pro shop, lounge and the Sandbar Grill, which serves breakfast and lunch. Private airstrip on-site.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Mar–May, Oct–Nov. Summer highs reach about 90°F; winter lows dip to about 33°F. Very hot (Jul) — plan outdoor time for mornings. Wettest: Sep and Aug. (climate data from nearby North Carolina Coastal Plain)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- EWN Coastal Carolina Regional Airport, New Bern — 26 mi away. Directions
- OAJ Albert J Ellis Airport, Richlands — 33 mi away. Directions
- RDU Raleigh-Durham International Airport, Raleigh/Durham — 127 mi away (major hub). Directions
Cape Carteret is at the junction of NC-58, which runs from Maysville across Bogue Banks to Morehead City, and NC-24, which runs between Fayetteville and Morehead City. It's also a short drive from US-70, the main road in the region, and US-17, which connects Wilmington to New Bern.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 1-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Barrier Island Kayaks, Cape Carteret Aquatic and Wellness, Golfin' Dolphin
- Lunch Mike's Family Restaurant
- Afternoon Silver Creek Golf Club, Star Hill Golf and Country Club
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
There really aren't many restaurants in Cape Carteret; people tend to flock to the surrounding communities when they want to find a good meal. There are a few around, however, if you really don't want to go far.
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Get in
Cape Carteret is at the junction of NC-58, which runs from Maysville across Bogue Banks to Morehead City, and NC-24, which runs between Fayetteville and Morehead City. It's also a short drive from US-70, the main road in the region, and US-17, which connects Wilmington to New Bern.
Get around
As with the rest of the area, you should really have a car if you want to get anywhere.
See
- The local tourism office (+1 252-393-3100) is on Highway 58 by the Cameron Langston bridge to Emerald Isle.
Do
Do Barrier Island Kayaks
Trips to Bear Island and the Cape Lookout National Seashore, as well as an ecological tour; all trips last at least 2.5 hours, $35-75 per person. Kayaking lessons available, and an on-site shop sells kayaks and equipment.
Do Cape Carteret Aquatic and Wellness
The best gymnasium facility in the area, if you feel the need to keep up your workout routine while you're on vacation. Offers free weights, LifeFitness cardio equipment, a basketball court, a heated indoor swimming pool, sauna and steam room. Classes available in Pilates, floor aerobics and water aerobics, swimming and surfing. Summer camps are given for kids ages 5-12. Personal training and weight loss planning are offered, and you can get massages (athletic, Swedish or deep-tissue, $60 for non-members). If you're just visiting, rates are $12 daily or $50 weekly.
- There are a couple of golf courses in the area:
*
Do Golfin' Dolphin
A lighted 250-yard driving range, 18-hole miniature golf, a batting cage, go-carts and bumper boats. Golf lessons available.
*
Do Silver Creek Golf Club
The longest course in the county, with a practice green, driving range, pool, tennis courts, pro shop, clubhouse and snack bar.
*
Eat
There really aren't many restaurants in Cape Carteret; people tend to flock to the surrounding communities when they want to find a good meal. There are a few around, however, if you really don't want to go far.
Eat Mike's Family Restaurant
Specializing in fresh seafood, sandwiches and salads.
Sleep
There's a lot of accommodation around Cape Carteret, but not too much in the town itself. If you want a more inexpensive place to stay in the area, there are some nice waterfront campgrounds near Cape Carteret listed on the Newport page.
Go next
The Crystal Coast area has a variety of other areas to visit:
Further afield, there are some interesting destinations for daytrips:
- Havelock, about 40 minutes north on US-70.
- New Bern, about 1 hour north on NC-58.
- Jacksonville, about 30 minutes west on US-24.
- Bath, about 2 hours north.
- Ocracoke Island, about 3.5 hours east.
Nearby
Swansboro
City / town · 17 listings · 4 mi away
Emerald Isle
City / town · 6 listings · 6 mi away
Newport
City / town · 6 listings · 13 mi away
Havelock
City / town · 4 listings · 16 mi away
Morehead City
City / town · 17 listings · 18 mi away
Atlantic Beach
City / town · 25 listings · 18 mi away
Jacksonville
City / town · 13 listings · 20 mi away
Beaufort
City / town · 16 listings · 23 mi away
My experience
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