Jacksonville north carolina scenery12/12/2023 ![]() ![]() Hammocks Beach State Park showcases some of the most beautiful coastal terrain that North Carolina has to offer. Tours may vary based on conditions and the tide, so check with Marsh Cruises ahead of time on what’s available. Usually just a small sliver was visible above the sand, and our boys relished the thrill of the hunt. They weren’t just sitting on top, that would have been too easy. The real draw for the kiddos was the thousands of sand dollars that covered the exposed areas. The sandbar itself must have been at least five or six acres, varying between zero and 12 inch-deep water. What a great geological lesson for all of us about strong tides! It looked like an underwater plateau, and it was fascinating, at least to this Jersey boy. This one was surrounded by a 5-6 foot almost vertical sea wall of sand beneath the water. Most sort of gradually peak above the water at low tide, with the depth gradually getting shallower as you approach. I’ve been to a few sandbars before, but I’ve never seen anything quite like this. Our first stop was at a sandbar not too far from where we embarked in Swansboro. You’ll just need a pass ( info here.) I love this! Pull up the truck and unpack for a day of beach play, shore fishing, or picnicking! No headaches! If you have a 4×4, you can drive in the areas permitted at the northern-most part of the island. This makes for a very economical vacation when you split the cost, and you get to spend much more time together than you would in a hotel or separate smaller rentals. Some of the North Topsail Beach houses are huge, accommodating three to four families. House rentals in the area are another comparison I draw with Outer Banks. 1-, 2- and 3-bedroom units are available with full kitchens and plenty of space to stretch out. There is a restaurant onsite, tennis courts, and more. If you tire of the beach, try one of the three pools, hot tub or soaker tub. Villa Capriani is a gorgeous rental option, where every villa faces the water. The owner’s son also offers half- and full-day fishing trips on his 35ft multi-purpose boat, so be sure to ask about that! The store is fully stocked with any equipment you might need, and there is a restaurant on the top floor when your belly starts to rumble. Pay a few dollars per person to head out and take photos like we did, or a little more for a daily fishing pass. They are working to rebuild that part, but it is still open and still very, very long.Ĭlick here to see all of our Onslow County pictures on Facebook! Unfortunately, Flo took off a bit of the end. You’ll find spots, flounder, blues, Spanish mackerel and mullets along the edge here.īefore hurricane Florence it was over 1,000 feet long and was one of the longest piers on the North Carolina coast. You’ll see that we found a dad fishing with his boys when we visited last. This is Seaview Fishing Pier, and it is a stellar place for fishing. A place where you can unplug and enjoy a beach vacation without all of the hoopla. To me, that is heaven sent!In fact, it kind of reminded me of what most of the Outer Banks used to be. ![]() There are vacation rentals here for you to enjoy, but the beach isn’t built up and you’ll find the least crowding here. This part of the island is the least commercialized. When we visited, we saw a lab chasing balls along the shoreline, having a blast! The beach is so wide and great for lounging, playing frisbee with kids, building sandcastles, and playing in the water. Pick up a bottle after your tour and enjoy it later. We may have purchased a few bottles before leaving. I’m a big fan of top-shelf bourbon, and Walton’s was right on the “Mark”. Walton’s also makes their very own bourbon, and we got to sample some. Their spirits are all distilled five times which makes for a clean taste with no hangover. They also have straight moonshine, as well as a number of flavored varieties from peach to salted caramel. I, for one, had never heard of such a thing. Take Junior Walton’s Premium Select, for instance. When you taste the spirits that Walton’s produces you can taste this history, and the distinction that comes with it. Located about 15 minutes west of downtown Jacksonville, an area in Onslow county that used to contain a number of stills during prohibition that weren’t quite as “public”, Walton’s Distillery seeks to combine current best practices with wisdom of distilling forefathers of old. Monday through Saturday – the tours run every 30 minutes and tours and tastings are free. They’ve got an interesting story. It’s a fairly informal place, and we appreciated that. We’ve been on a few distillery tours in our day and we’re always looking for that extra something that’s sets one establishment apart from another. Visit Walton’s Distillery for a not-your-run-of-the-mill tour with not-your-run-of-the-mill spirits. ![]()
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