Catch the ferry out to Ocracoke, it leaves at Swan Quarter, maybe a half hour from there. Fantastic beaches along the outer banks and lightly used that far South. You'd probably have to spend the night, don't think you could get out and back in one day and have time to do much. Also good sea kayaking all along.
Morehead City and Beaufort are nice to visit too. Been six or seven years since I've been down that way, not sure what's new.
Edit to add: if you can push for it, Ocracoke is a great place to take a quiet vacation. You're still close enough to hit Nags Head for a day trip etc.