This Sleepy North Carolina Village On The Coast Has Bay Views, Fresh Seafood, And Outdoor Recreation

North Carolina's coast is dotted with beautiful beaches and small, historic towns, from Hatteras Village, a secluded coastal getaway in the Outer Banks, to the best beach town in the state, Carolina Beach. One of the state's underrated coastal gems is Swan Quarter, an unincorporated little village on North Carolina's mainland. Situated on the northeastern shore of Swan Quarter Bay, an inlet of the Pamlico Sound, it's just across the Sound from the Outer Banks and Ocracoke Island. Founded in 1812, Swan Quarter — sometimes styled "Swanquarter" — developed around the fishing, oystering, and crabbing industries. Historic lore suggests the town was named either after an early state politician named Samuel Swann, though a more whimsical tale says the name is for the thousands of swans that reportedly "quartered" at the head of the bay.

Today, Swan Quarter is quintessentially coastal Carolina, with a friendly, small-town vibe despite its heavy seasonal traffic. Because it's home to a key ferry terminal, it's a popular stop for visitors catching rides to and from Ocracoke Island, one of the Outer Banks' most charming, beachy, and crowd-free spots. But Swan Quarter's also worth a stop in its own right, where you can catch the flavor of the Outer Banks without having to leave the mainland.

With two expansive wildlife refuges nearby, the area also offers some of the best birdwatching and nature photography in the state. The Swan Quarter National Wildlife Refuge is located here. With over 16,000 acres of inland salt marshes and forested wetlands that are protected habitats and the nearby Mattamuskeet National Wildlife Refuge on Mattamuskeet Lake, the largest freshwater lake in North Carolina, the region is a haven for wildlife, from bobcats and black bears to the famous swans that still grace the area.

Swan Quarter National Wildlife Refuge is home to a brackish marsh and forested wetlands on North Carolina's Pamlico Sound. Established in 1932, the refuge is a pristine landing pad for migratory waterfowl and a prime spot for birdwatching. Species spotted in the Swan Quarter refuge include the American black duck, bufflehead, northern pintail, merganser, surf scoter, and blue heron. With almost 9,000 acres of National Wilderness Area, you may see animals like black bear and white-tailed deer, as well as one of the biggest, northernmost populations of American alligators.

There are no designated trails in the refuge, and the only way to enter without a boat is via a two-mile-long gravel road off of Highway 264; it's accessible to vehicles, bikes, and pedestrians, and leads to the The Bell Island Pier, a long fishing pier. While you're welcome to float through the refuge and fish along its marshy shoreline, boats must be non-motorized. The refuge does not have a boat launch, but you can take to the water in Swan Quarter. Over 6,000 acres of marsh open to duck and coot hunting during the regulated hunting season, and crabbing is a popular summer activity.

The 40,000-acre Mattamuskeet Lake is the largest natural freshwater lake in North Carolina and the crowning jewel of the Mattamuskeet National Wildlife Refuge, which spans more than 50,000 acres of open water, forest, and marshland. It's on a famed migratory path, so each winter the area becomes a bustling stop for an estimated 20,000 waterfowl en route to warmer weather. Unlike Swan Quarter National Refuge, there are three moderate trails with observation decks for nature viewing. The Photo Blind Trail even has a photography blind where intrepid visitors can lie in wait for that winning snap.

Swan Quarter has a more remote, back-in-time feel than some of the other small towns in North Carolina. While places like Hertford, another charming North Carolina town, offer a waterfront promenade, antique stores, and ice cream, Swan Quarter's charm is more stripped-down: there's only a church, seafood markets, and a daytime diner called Quarter Deli. But if you're looking for coastal flavor without the crowds and kitsch, Swan Quarter offers an authentic, slower-paced salt-air experience.

The village has a few options for overnight stays. The Tunnell Farmhouse, a historic property renovated into a small bed-and-breakfast, is one of them. It doesn't have a website, so you have to book via phone or email. It promises a down-home experience with complimentary breakfast plus farm tours. Magnolia Inn, another short-term rental home with a classic Southern front porch and a simple phone-and-email booking setup, is located just down the street. For larger groups, Knots Landing Inn is a historic home-turned-rental right in the heart of Swan Quarter. Rent the entire five-room house and yard for about $300 per night, as of this writing.

Renting a house has its advantages, as one of the area's biggest draws is the fresh seafood pulled straight from local waters, and cooking your own seafood is the most authentic way to truly experience Swan Quarter life. Hobo Seafood, right off the dock in town, pulls in everything from bay oysters to Carolina shrimp. Just out of town, family-owned Mattamuskeet Seafood specializes in different varieties of seasonal, handmade crab cakes and other fresh catches. And, if you don't want to fillet your own, head 20 miles east to Outta Da Box, an unassuming little restaurant serving Southern meals that visitors love.