Coastal Tourism

Along North Carolina’s Crystal Coast, beaches, nature and history all wait to be explored, and a new definition of vacation escape is yours to discover. From the sands of Atlantic Beach and Emerald Isle to the history and quaint accommodations of Beaufort, Morehead City and the Down East area, this unspoiled stretch of the Southern Outer Banks coast is rich with beauty, heritage and activities in, on and around the water. World-class fishing, some of the top scuba diving in the country, and the Cape Lookout National Seashore offer the perfect way to enjoy the ocean, while the North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores brings wonders of the sea to shore.

Many attractions on the Mississippi Gulf Coast have reopened following Hurricane Katrina. While some attractions were destroyed, most are making plans to rebuild in the original location. The attractions listed below are open or have have set reopening dates. These listings will continue to be updated as information becomes available.

The Coast begins at Caloundra, just one hour's drive north of Brisbane and extends to Cooloola, the gateway to Fraser Island. It takes in tranquil hinterland including the Glass House Mountains, Blackall Range, Noosa Hinterland and the Mary Valley; as well as more than 100 kilometres of beaches stretching through the coastal towns of Caloundra, Kawana, Mooloolaba, Maroochydore, Coolum Beach, Noosa and Rainbow Beach. It's holiday central for both couples and families.

The Central Coast of California comprises seven coastal counties of the Golden State, lying between Santa Cruz, two hours south of San Francisco, and Oxnard, about an hour north of Los Angeles. The Central Coast comprises some 300 miles of the state’s inimitable coastline and 14,333 square miles of spectacular—and spectacularly varied—California landscape. The region encompasses half a dozen mountain ranges, and more than half of California’s 21 historic Jesuit missions.