Emerald Isle Realty Beach Vacation Blogs

Our family has been coming to Emerald Isle since before I can even remember. One of the first places we stayed was our beloved "blue cottage." So many great memories were made there, even stitches I had to get because I was jumping on the bed. Then there's the old family videos we have from there of us kids walking around with mops singing "Who wants cotton candy?" It's been so long since we first stayed there that the cottage isn't even blue anymore: it's pink. 

We went on a three- or four-year stretch of going to Atlantic Beach and Myrtle Beach instead, but it didn't take long for us to come to our senses and get back to a place that feels so much like home to us: Emerald Isle.

Starting in 1999 and continuing until now, our family has stayed at the Pebble Beach condos of Emerald Isle. Our routine has become almost religious. Every year we leave Garner, NC, our home, on a Sunday morning around 9:30 a.m. and set out for that little slice of paradise we like to call Emerald Isle. We meet relatives from Southern Pines and from Georgia and stop just before the bridge at McDonald's and Subway for lunch. Then we get into our three or four condos as early as possible before heading out for a little bit of time on the beach on our first day. 

From there, it's a week of craziness and fun. Our group can vary at any time through the week from 15 to 25 family members and occasionally some of our friends. But for the most part, it's a family affair -- one so large most restaurants get a long look on their face when they see us walk in the door or hear us utter a number like "22" for how many there are in our party. 

But what we love most about Emerald Isle isn't the meals out or the meals in our condos; it's that time of all of us just being together on the sands of the beach and listening to the waves of the ocean in a place second only to home in our hearts. It's where many of our best memories have been made. It's where almost all our summer vacations have been spent. We've met other families. We've met people from all up the East Coast. And it's clear to us why they come from so far: Emerald Isle is a place that has a way of forging a special place in your heart once it's become a part of your family's life.

Save from 10%-30% off* your next weekly vacation rental in Emerald Isle for the family. Check out some of our featured properties on special now!

Four Seasons West
$1,790 from $2,590.

Sea Whisper
$2,665 from $3,550.

A Penthouse View
$1,662 from $1,955.

Paradise Point West
$2,360 from $2,950.

A Peaceful Sound
$2,900 from $3,900.

Double Dolphin West
$2,500 from $3,470.

View all of our Internet Bargains posted on our specials page and choose from an array of spectacular beach homes.

The Emerald Isle Realty family has been welcoming vacationers since 1962 and we would love to welcome you too! Mention this email when calling 866.615.6877 to book or when booking online.

*Discount applies to selected properties and new reservations only.

We knew we were near our destination when we got to Swansboro. We stopped at the fruit stand near Cedar Point and loaded up on Carolina peaches, fresh corn and boiled peanuts.  As we go over the bridge, the green patches appear and the chanting from the back seat begins:”Emerald,emerald.  Look at the birds”.  

Our cottage is ready, and the grandkids are in swimsuits before we can unpack.  They have flown in from Utah and become Tar Heels for a week.  My son caught a fish for dinner and added fresh shrimp from the the nearby seafood market.  

Our plans included our annual visit to the aquarium.  This year the grandkids took the marsh tour and netted crabs and various sealife. 

Several visits to the Food Lion always meant a quick run through the commons area to feed the birds and turtles.  This was a favorite place to visit.

Both of them had just discarded their training wheels, so we rented bikes to try out the bike trail. This became a daily trek and always ended up at EIR to get an ice cream treat.   

The ocean energized us, and we soon realized we were all children again—with no clocks or deadlines, justwater, sun, sand and plenty of sunscreen.  

We met our next door neighbors and the kids became acquainted and had joint ventures planned, like nightly walks on the beach to search out crabs.  This led to a sleepover and pizza.  The adults told us they had so much fun that week, they were renting the same place, same week next year, and asked to do the same.   

We traveled to Swansboro and Hammock State Park to look for turtle nests, and then met for a meal on the waterfront.  We went back to this quaint little town another day to shop the art shops.  My daughter found a painting of the Bogue Inlet Pier to take back to her Salt Lake City home.  A trip to Yannas’ was a must do.  I was not expecting Elvis in the ladies’ room.   

The folks at Emerald Isle Realty took care of us to make this family vacation truly memorable.  I truly hope we can continue this tradition.

Shirlie Baxter
Elon, NC