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We offer holidays to the four corners of the globe. If you want specialist advise please phone our travel team and we will be happy to help.
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- Destinations
- North America
- United States of America
- North Carolina
- North Carolina Coast
North Carolina Coast
Barrier islands stretch the whole length of North Carolina's
coastline, with sandy beaches, estuaries and enclosed lagoons, and
some remarkable historic sites. The thin curving line of sand bar
islands, linked by bridges and ferries, shelters the mainland from
the Atlantic Ocean and has become a popular tourist destination,
with many developed holiday resorts. These are known as the Outer
Banks and include the islands of Bodie, Roanoke, Hatteras and
Ocracoke.
Much of the area has been spared over-development by its
inclusion in the Cape Hatteras and Cape Lookout National Seashores,
with wildlife refuges, stretches of undeveloped beaches, tall dunes
and salt marshes that are home to a variety of birds. Among the
historic sites of interest is Roanoke Island, where the continent's
earliest settlers, known as the Lost Colony, vanished inexplicably
shortly after their landing in 1587; and the Wright Brothers
Memorial at Kitty Hawk commemorates the world's first powered
flight in 1903.
Cape Hatteras National Seashore stretches for 70 miles (113km)
down the Outer Banks barrier islands and has a wealth of history
relating to shipwrecks and lighthouses. Once known as the
'Graveyard of the Atlantic', wrecks of over 600 ships lie in the
treacherous waters along the coast. The park's fishing and surfing
are considered to be the best on the East Coast, and beautiful
beaches provide opportunities for many different water activities.
In contrast to the shops, restaurants, accommodation, and
recreational opportunities offered by the small towns on Cape
Hatteras, Cape Lookout is a beach wilderness that is unconnected to
the mainland and remains undeveloped, offering a comparatively
pristine beach experience.
At the southern end of the North Carolina Coast in the Cape Fear
Coastal area is the beach resort of Wilmington. Although the
largest seaport on the coast, it is an attractive and friendly town
with an appealing historic district around its waterfront, and the
cobbled streets and boardwalk lined with cafes and restaurants have
a welcoming atmosphere.
Information & Facts
Climate
Situated midway between New York and Florida, the 'Crystal
Coast' of North Carolina is well-placed to have the seasonal
weather of the north, but south in latitude enough for extremes to
be counteracted by the influence of the offshore Gulf Stream. The
coast averages 212 days of sunshine a year, has a low rainfall and
snow is a great rarity. Summer breezes keep temperatures balmy and
humidity at bay. The area has often been hit by hurricanes, but
this does not deter holidaymakers from enjoying the great vacation
weather.
Language
English is the most common language but Spanish is often
spoken in south-western states.
Money
The US Dollar (USD) is the unit of currency and is divided into
100 cents. Only major banks exchange foreign currency. ATMs are
widespread and credit cards and travellers cheques are widely
accepted. Travellers cheques should be taken in US Dollars to avoid
hassles. Banking hours are Monday to Friday 9am to 3pm.