Start your New Year with a splash at the annual Penguin Plunge!

The Penguin Plunge is a charitable event held in Atlantic Beach, North Carolina, where we gather on January 1st each year and jump into the ocean to support local charities. We are a non-profit dedicated to raising and collecting donations through this event for Carteret County charities!

For the 1/1/2025 event the Penguin Plunge charities are Misplaced Mutts and the Title Wave Book Mobile.

Families, friends and coworkers are invited to register as a group (largest group wins!) or wear a costume (best costume wins!).

Costume Contest

Sign up for the Costume Contest will begin in December online. Sign up will be available at the event from 10am to 11:45am. ALL our contest winners will be announced starting at 12pm the day of the event!

Sandcastle Building Contest

Take advantage of our 1st Annual Sandcastle building contest for the young ones.

Group 1: Ages 12 and Under
Group 2: Ages 13 – 17
See our Facebook page for details!

Penguin Plunge Location

The Penguin Plunge takes place at the Atlantic Beach Boardwalk in Atlantic Beach.

Penguin Plunge Registration

Adults: $15
Ages 13 and Older; T-shirt not included

Children: $10
Ages 12 and Under; T-shirt not included

T-Shirt Donations: $30
A t-shirt is included with your registration fee. Your t-shirt will be available for early pickup or at the registration table.

Sweatshirt Donations: $45
A sweatshirt is included with your registration fee and will be available for early pickup or at the registration table.

Penguin Plunge Towel Holders: $15
Don’t want to jump into the frigid Atlantic Ocean? No problem. Register as an official Penguin Plunge Towel Holder.

Need help booking your stay?

Search and compare over 700 vacation rentals, all perfectly priced to fit your budget. Book your stay online with Emerald Isle Realty or call us at (866) 586-6980.

Event dates and information are subject to change without notice. Please visit the official event website for more information.