If you were anywhere near Atlantic Beach on Thursday, January 1, 2026, you likely heard the cheers long before you saw the ocean. The annual AB Penguin Plunge returned for another New Year’s Day tradition—bringing together brave swimmers, bundled-up spectators, and a whole lot of community spirit.
We watched the action from Crab’s Claw restaurant (pinkies up for a perfectly timed Dark Espresso Martini), where the view was perfect for seeing hundreds of “penguins” sprint toward the Atlantic at exactly 1 p.m. Costumes ranged from festive to full-on outrageous, the ocean was cold (as expected), and the energy on the beach was high despite the winter chill.
The Penguin Plunge is more than a bold way to start the year. This nonprofit event raises money for Carteret County charities, with this year’s proceeds benefiting Crystal Coast Hospice House and Hand 2 Hand Down East, Inc. Every jump into the ocean helps support organizations making a real impact right here in the community.
Last year, 831 brave penguins took the plunge, and organizers are already aiming even higher. The goal for 2026? 1,000 penguins strong. I don’t know the official count, but from the looks of it, they had a great response this year.
On-site registration began at 10 a.m., with plungers heading into the ocean at 1 p.m.
If you want to see the plunge in action, we shared videos from the beach on Instagram—proof that sometimes the best way to start the year is with cold water, a good cause, and a cheering crowd.
To learn more, register, or get involved for 2027, visit https://www.penguinplungeab.org.
Image: Penguin Plunge on Facebook
