Water Access & Parks

Emerald Isle's public accesses and parks have a wealth of amenities. From picnic pavilions and kayak launches to volleyball courts and playgrounds, our park system offers numerous opportunities for your family to re-create yourselves!

Emerald Isle's public accesses and parks are maintained by the Emerald Isle Parks and Recreation Department.

View the Handicap Parking Public Accesses and Parks List (PDF).

General Rules

Reservations for the parks are not required; first come first serve only. All Public Water Accesses are governed by the ordinances and general safety precautions you see here. All park hours are sunrise to sunset. Overnight parking is prohibited. Alcohol is prohibited in all town parks. Please fill in holes dug on beach. Sea turtles become trapped and emergency responders are hindered.

Public Water Accesses

Western Ocean Regional Access - WORA

Located 0.4 miles from the B. Cameron Langston Bridge, at 9803 Louise Avenue, off Islander Drive and beside Queen's Court Condominiums. Home of Emerald Isle's Summer Concert Series, the Beach Jive After 5, and Emerald Isle's Beach Volleyball Tournaments.

View amenities and other information for Western Ocean Regional Access - WORA.

Eastern Ocean Regional Access - EORA

Located 6.4 miles from the B. Cameron Langston Bridge, at 2701 Emerald Drive, between Pier Point and Ocean Reef condominiums at 2701 Emerald Drive. Site of Emerald Isle's Annual Triathlon.

Other Accesses

Parks

Blue Heron Park

Community park for the whole family. Located behind Town Hall at 7500 Emerald Drive, and adjacent to Emerald Isle Parks and Recreation Community Center.

Cedar Street Park

Sound side access located at the end of Cedar Street.

Emerald Isle Woods Park

41-acre park located at 9404 Coast Guard Road off of Coast Guard Road, turn right just after reaching Deer Horn Dunes.

Ocean Oaks Park

Located just off Coast Guard Road at the intersection of Pinewood Place and Ocean Oaks Drive in the Ocean Oaks subdivision.

Park Street Park

Sound side access with a small sandy area at low tide. Great for launching a kayak or windsurfing. Located across the street from the Eastern Ocean Regional Access. No parking is available at this location. Users are asked to drop off equipment and park at the Eastern Ocean Regional Access.

Station Street Park

Located at 11001 Coast Guard Road. A short ¼ mile walk to the beach and our infamous "Point". Take Station Street to Channel Drive to reach the beach.

Third Street Park

Located on Ocean Drive and is accessible from First and Fifth Street.

Bike Path

The Emerald Path extends approximately 11 miles from the Indian Beach town limits all the way to The Point at Bogue Inlet. The path winds through grassy areas along Coast Guard Road to Loon Drive, snakes through wooded areas from Loon Drive to the Welcome Center, meanders through the downtown district and passes the Municipal Complex at Black Skimmer Drive and ends at the eastern town limits. The bike path provides an alternative means of transportation to key destinations in Town, as well as provides an additional recreational opportunity in Emerald Isle. The path was constructed with NCDOT Enhancement assistance.

Town of Emerald Isle Paid Parking

For 2023, paid parking at both the Western and Eastern Ocean Regional accesses is being contracted through NCParkingCo.

Paid parking runs seven days a week from April 15 through September 15, 2023, and the hours are from 8 am to 6 p.m. The cost will be on a sliding scale from $2 to $4 an hour, depending on the time of the season. The maximum a vehicle will pay for the day is $16.

Questions and citation payments should be directed to NCParkingCo.

If there is an issue, you can call the company at 910-515-8825. Pay or appeal a citation.

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