Welcome to BeaconsReach.com!
This site is dedicated to providing useful information for Beacon's Reach owners and guests. Beacon's Reach is a family-oriented, Eastern North Carolina coastal community with exceptional recreational amenities.
Beacon's Reach Information and Photos
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Dusk beach walk at Beacon's Reach
Click to enlarge photo Photo © 2004 Bruce Carbrey
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2011 Seasonal Fun Events
Pine Knoll Shores will be hosting some holiday events that are fun for all ages, so keep these dates in mind:- Thanksgiving day November 24, 9 am - Turkey Trot
- Saturday, December 3, 10 am - Christmas Parade
- Saturday, December 3, 5 pm - Christmas Flotilla
Irene Delivers Only Minor Bruises To Beacon's Reach
The eye of hurricane Irene made its US landfall within a few miles of Pine Knoll Shores August 27, 2011, but fortunately with less ferocity than had been forecast 24 hours before. Although power was knocked out for about 36 hours, structural damage was minimal. There were lots of fallen branches to be picked up and disposed of, but only a couple of large trees were knocked down, most noticeably a large live oak at the point by the marina.
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Security Lt. Mary Hahn, always vigilant in rooting out crime at Beacon's Reach, examines
property damage allegedly perpetrated by Irene.
Photo courtesy of Dave Shapirio
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This is the worst of the damage at the marina. Unlike hurricane Ophelia, all three piers
survived the storm and boaters were able to re-occupy their slips for Labor Day weekend.
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Dunes at Maritime West BEFORE Irene . . .
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. . . and AFTER Irene. There was some erosion of the
small dune that had been developed by using sand fences over the past few years, but
the primary dune was unscathed and had no over-wash. This shows the value of beach
re-nourishment.
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In spite of Irene, we had a good turn out (and perfect weather!) for our Labor Day Pig Pickin' at the marina, featuring The Main Event Band. The event was catered by Smithfield’s BBQ, and the outstanding beach music was funded courtesy of the marina committee.
Over $39,000 Raised for Wounded Warriors by Kayak Race
More than a hundred kayakers competed in the fourth annual Kayak for the Warriors race on June 11, 2011. The 3.2 mile kayak race around the town's canal and along Bogue Sound drew cheering crowds flying American flags. All proceeds went to Hope for the Warriors, a civilian non-profit organization dedicated to meeting the needs of wounded and fallen service men and women and their families. See the web site to view photos of all the kayakers at the finish line, and see a list of all the generous sponsors.
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Pine Knoll Shores Mayor Ken Jones (right) hands over the check to Hope for the Warriors, with
some of the event volunteers in the background.
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Kayak racers jockey for position in the 2011 race.
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2011 Sand Sculpture Contest is For the Birds
Every August there's a competition for creative sand sculptures in Pine Knoll Shores, available free to the public. Spectators can vote for their favorite creation with cash donations that go to the Outer Banks Wildlife Shelter (OWLS). In the aftermath of hurricane Irene, this fine organization is overflowing with orphaned animals and could use your help.
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There's a bug on the beach! Sand sculpture is raised to a fine art at the beach in front of the Atlantis,
about a mile from Beacon's Reach.
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2011 North Carolina Seafood Festival
The Seafood Festival on the Morehead City waterfront is the second largest annual event in the state, surpassed only by the State Fair in Raleigh. The weekend of Sep. 30th through Oct 2 was packed with events including free musical entertainment, arts and crafts vendors, fishing and sailing contests, a free boat show, and of course great seafood. A special feature marking the 25th year of this event was the the 228 foot, $40 million mega-yacht SeaFair, hosting a fine arts show in its elegant salons.
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The floating art gallery SeaFair was featured at the Seafood Festival
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Annual Kite Festival
The 24th annual Carolina Kite Festival was held Oct. 29-30, 2011 at the Sheraton in Atlantic Beach, sponsored by Kites Unlimited. This free event is a great place to take the family for a picnic on the beach.
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Fall ocean breezes lift giant kites and the hearts of young and old.
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Maritime Museum
The Maritime Museum on the Beaufort waterfront is a fun place to visit any time. The fascinating Blackbeard exhibit includes artifacts from the Queen Anne's Revenge, discovered nearby in 1996. You can sign up for a variety of classes and events, even including classic boat-building.
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The beautiful rowing skiff Sophie at the 2009 wooden boat show at the Maritime Museum in Beaufort.
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It Never Snows at Beacon's Reach!
Well okay, sometimes it does. The January 2009 snowfall presented some opportunites for snowball fights by the surf.
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So does this picture in front of the dunes at Ocean Grove show a sand fence or a snow fence?
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This Ain't No Fish Tale!
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Whale sighting at Beacon's Reach. Click for video of the whale
(be sure to have the audio turned up on your computer, so you can hear him too). Here is a second video
that really gives you an idea of the size of the whale.
(Videos courtesy of David Balch; photo courtesy of Neva Scheve.)
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Fishing is Fun for All Ages
A simple trip to the bait store followed by an hour or two with legs dangling from the dock can become an adventure for kids that will be remembered for a lifetime.
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A Quit Time for Family Bonding
Click to enlarge photo Photo courtesy of Neva Scheve
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Aquarium Is Fun For Everybody
The Pine Knoll Shores Aquarium, which re-opened in May 2006 after a three-year, $25 million dollar renovation, has had capacity crowds for much of the summer. Now that the off-season is here, it is a great time for a visit this wonderful attraction that is right in our back yard. The new facility is about three times as large as the old building. A featured display is a 306,000-gallon ocean tank containing a replica of the German U-boat, U-352, which was sunk off Cape Lookout in 1942 by the U.S. Coast Guard. The new tank includes large sand tiger sharks and schools of fish found in the area. There are "touch-tanks" and a wealth of educational programs for kids of all ages. Admission is $8 for adults, $7 for senior citizens and $6 for children aged 6 to 17. Children under 6 and visiting school groups will be admitted free of charge. Aquarium web site
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The N.C. Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores
is about two miles from Beacon's Reach, and always makes a great outing.
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Clay Tennis Courts Are Popular
Beacon's Reach added two new clay courts a couple of years ago, and have been very popular with residents and invited guests. Beacon's Reach Owners wishing to play can contact the Management Office (252 247-4017) for more information. Players are asked to particularly heed the shoe requirements given in the information sheet, since shoes that are not smooth-soled can quickly damage the clay courts. Clay Court Rules
Walkway Joins Pelican Point to Sunny Shore Drive
A new sidewalk at the east end of Egret Lake now makes it easy to walk between the Administrative building and Pelican Point. This also provides the Security golf cart access without having to go on Highway 58.
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New Sidewalk at Egret Lake
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Low-Rise Fountains Improve Water Quality
The familiar tall fountains in the lakes of Beacon's Reach have given way to a new, "low-rise" design. Besides being much more reliable, the new fountains dispersal characteristics are designed to help prevent algae blooms.
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Low-rise Fountain
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Marina "Snackery" Hits the Spot for Ice Cream and Gossip
The unofficial summer gathering place for Beacon's Reach is the Snackery, overlooking the marina on Westport Drive. It's a great place to meet and greet neighbors while enjoying a cold drink. Dockmaster Dave Shapiro has a fresh stock of Beacon's Reach "fashion wear" for sale too.
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Left: Sunday afternoon at the Snackery
Below left: A dock at the marina Below: Mr. Brown Pelican supervises the marina activities (photo courtesy of Dave Shapiro) 
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An Easy Kayak Day Trip
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Brock Basin Marina,
one of the sights as you paddle along the Pine Knoll Shores canal.
Click to enlarge photo |
Kayak route map and photos
Last updated Nov. 13, 2011