Harkers Island

Harkers Island is a small town of about 1,525 people (as of 2000). It's located in the Crystal Coast region of North Carolina, adjacent to (and sometimes considered to be part of) the Crystal Coast. The island, as with the rest of the Core Sound area, has strong historical ties to fishing and waterfowling.

Get in
The only main road to Harkers Island is US-70, either coming northeast from Morehead City and Beaufort, or southwest from Cedar Island and the Outer Banks. From 70, turn on Harkers Island Road, which will lead you straight there. The road winds through some very scenic spots on the way, so take your time and enjoy the trip.

Get around
You'll have to have your car to get here, so you'll probably want to use it to get around. But the island isn't huge, so bring your bike with you if you want some exercise. Privately-chartered boats can be hired here to take you to some of the outlying islands.

Do

 * The Core Sound Decoy Festival is a two-day event on the first full weekend in December. Highlights are the competitions for decoy carving, decoy painting, and loon calling. Decoys are exhibited and offered for sale; proceeds benefit the Carver's Guild and the local elementary school. Waterfowl Weekend is a free festival that runs concurrently at the Core Sound Waterfowl Museum & Heritage Center and features music, food and the coastal heritage that goes along with traditional decoy carvers' lifestyle.
 * Go fishing. There are three main marinas, Harkers Island Fishing Center, and Cape Point Marina
 * Go fishing. There are three main marinas, Harkers Island Fishing Center, and Cape Point Marina

Buy
Do you even have to ask? If you want to take home a real piece of Down East memorabilia, look for an authentic carved decoy duck.



Eat
Seafood of all types is abundant, but the real specialty around here is Harkers Island clams. They tend to get the gourmet treatment in the larger towns, but here you're more likely to find them as part of a clambake, or in the brothier local version of clam chowder.



Drink
Beer and wine are served in restaurants, but if you're looking for something stronger, you'll have to head to Beaufort and points west.

Sleep
Most people on Harkers Island are either residents, or visitors who are just passing through. Neither group has much need for rented accommodation in the area, and as a result there isn't much to be found. However, if you want to stay on the island longer and soak in the culture:



Go next

 * Cedar Island, if you want to catch a ferry to Ocracoke, is about 1 hour north on US-70. Be sure to arrive at least half an hour before the ferry departs. Reservations are required.
 * Beaufort, the beginning of the Crystal Coast region, is about 30 minutes west on US-70.