Down East
Down East
Where the Coast Still Feels Wild.
There are places where the North Carolina coast has remained remarkably unchanged. Down East is one of them.
Stretching east of Beaufort along Core Sound, this collection of fishing villages, island communities, and waterfront landscapes offers a way of life shaped by the tides, the traditions of commercial fishing, and generations of families who have called these waters home. It is quieter here. Simpler. More authentic.
From Harkers Island and Marshallberg to Davis, Atlantic, Sea Level, and Cedar Island, each community has its own character while sharing a deep connection to the water. Here you will find working harbors instead of high-rises, waterfront cottages beside historic homes, private retreats overlooking marshes and sounds, and some of the most spectacular sunsets on the East Coast.
For buyers, Down East represents an opportunity to own a piece of coastal North Carolina that remains true to its roots. Whether you are searching for a primary residence, a weekend escape, waterfront acreage, or an investment property, understanding the nuances of these communities, from water access and flood considerations to local regulations and the boating lifestyle, is essential.
At SumnerBaird | SeaGlass, we believe buying here is about far more than finding a property. It is about finding the right place to slow down, reconnect with the coast, and become part of a community where the water still sets the pace of everyday life.
Explore Down East. Discover a coast that still feels wonderfully undiscovered.


Harkers Island
The gateway to Cape Lookout and the heart of the Core Sound decoy-carving tradition.

Gloucester
A small Core Sound fishing community named for Gloucester, Massachusetts.

Marshallberg
A quiet harbor village on Core Sound with a working waterfront.

Davis
A Core Sound fishing community known locally as Davis Shore.

Atlantic
A traditional fishing village near the top of the Down East mainland.

Sea Level
The lowest-lying land in Carteret County, on the shores of Core Sound.

Cedar Island
The northeastern tip of Carteret County, home to a wildlife refuge and the Ocracoke ferry.

Stacy
A small, close-knit Core Sound community along the Down East shore.

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