This little township was once called Old Hunting Grounds because of its abundance of game including bear, deer, and fowl. It is the home of the first ferry service to the outer banks that was established by the Taylor brothers in the late 1940's as a private enterprise. The first ferry's name was the Sea Level.The service was given over to the state at a later date and moved to its current location by more modern vessels. But, the Sea Level is still afloat and working. When last heard of, she was hauling freight and people on the Amazon.

Before and during World War II, Atlantic boasted seven stores, a dance hall and a movie house. World War II brought both a Marine airbase and an Army post to Atlantic. After the war, the Army post closed; the Marine airbase downsized; the area's population became more mobile resulting in the closing of most of the stores, the dance hall and the movie house.

Atlantic has quite a bit to offer any visitor who is patient and inquisitive enough to take the time to observe and appreciate. Atlantic harbor offers great photo opportunities. If you shop for your supplies in our full service grocery store in the morning, take the time to go into the hardware store adjacent to it to listen to the locals, (listen, don't talk, but if you do; ask a question). Go to the net shop and watch a net being made or ask about decorative nets.

Take a ferry ride to Portsmouth Island to enjoy its history, go fishing or shelling or just take a quiet walk on Core Banks. You can even buy fresh seafood being brought in by the commercial fisherman that docks at Smith's or Fulcher's fish houses. Now that is fresh! Launch your boat at Eugene's and explore Core Sound and Core Banks.