From Scotch bonnets and sand dollars to sea glass and shark teeth, North Carolina is a beachcomber’s paradise.
portsmouth island
Pilgrimage to Portsmouth
An old church bell rings, and an abandoned barrier island springs back to life. For those who make the biennial journey to this once-bustling shipping and fishing village, there's comfort in the ritual of remembering.
Meet the Ferryman of the Outer Banks
Getting to Portsmouth Island from Ocracoke has never been easy, but one family has made it possible for the past 40 years. Will the next generation continue the tradition? Time will tell.
Open-Sky Camping Across North Carolina
Drive away from the cities, away from lights, to a place where the sky is as dark as it gets — and set up camp beneath the stars.
Portsmouth Island: The Loneliest Land
Uninhabited Portsmouth Island is difficult to reach, lacks the most basic comforts, and has brutal conditions — yet is beloved by those who find comfort in its simplicity.
