Emerald Isle is the beach town at the western end of Bogue Banks, on North Carolina's Crystal Coast. The ocean beach faces south and southeast, offering good exposure to Atlantic swells. The town gets its name from the lush vegetation on the barrier island. Emerald Isle is connected to the mainland by the Cameron Langston Bridge. The spot offers good wave conditions and is less crowded than beaches further east. Bogue Inlet at the western end creates interesting sandbars.