We’re so fortunate to live in North Carolina. We’ve got beautiful mountains, endless beach options, and several unique cities. This week we’ll look at North Carolina beaches to visit in the spring.
There are over 300 miles of beaches along the coast of North Carolina. They can be broken down by region, each with it’s own character and appeal. With lighthouses, small towns, state parks and aquariums you just can’t go wrong. We’ll explore some of the many options from north to south. Keep in mind that while North Carolina beaches may not be as warm as Florida in the spring, they will be a lot less crowded!
Northern Coast and Outer Banks
The 100 miles of Outer Banks shoreline are diverse and offer something for everyone. There are beaches with great public amenities such as parking, shops and restrooms. Then there are primitive beaches that allow you to explore nature in solitude such as Cape Hatteras National Seashore.
Corolla is located in northern Outer Banks. It’s known for it’s 12,000 acres of animal sanctuary, including Currituck National Wildlife Refuge, that is home to feral horses. There is a golf course, skate park, putt-putt, trails, and plenty of options for exploring with a kayak. There are a couple of hotels in Corolla, but most visitors stay in upscale rentals.
Duck is a smaller, quirky town that is a vacationers favorite. The housing options in Duck are vacation rental homes and one small inn. Privately owned unique shops are a favorite in Duck, along with the Duck Town Park and Boardwalk.
Kitty Hawk has fantastic beaches, shops, restaurants, and nature preserves all in close proximity. That’s what makes it one of the more popular vacation destinations on the Outer Banks. Kitty Hawk offers more hotel options than it’s neighbors to the north, along with vacation home rentals.
Kill Devil Hills is a popular beach town rich in activities and history. You can visit the Outer Banks Arboretum and Teaching Garden, Wright Brothers National Memorial, and 700 foot Avalon Fishing Pier. Kill Devil Hills as privately owned inns, national hotel chains, and vacation rentals.
Nags Head is arguably the town in the Outer Banks with the most to do. You spend the day lounging on the beach, or you can visit Jeanette’s Pier, Outer Banks Pier or the Bodie Island Lighthouse. A favorite attraction is Jockey’s Ridge State Park. It has an education center, mountains of sand dunes, and offers views of Nags Head along with hang-gliding.
Hatteras Island is a barrier island that contains the unincorporated towns of Rodanthe, Waves, Salvo, Avon, Buxton, Frisco, and Hatteras. It also is home to Cape Hatteras National Seashore. Long stretches of beach and access to nature make Hatteras Island a great place to vacation.
Central Coast
Atlantic Beach was named one of Coastal Living Magazine’s best beaches. Along with a gorgeous beach with easy access, Atlantic Beach offers fishing piers and the historic Fort Macon State Park. This laid back beach town has hotels, motels, condos, rental homes.
Emerald Isle has 12 miles of gorgeous shoreline and views of the Atlantic Ocean and Bogue Inlet. It is a family focused town with plenty of options for fishing and other water sports. Emerald Isle offers condos, small rental cottages, and large beach homes.
Southern Coast
Topsail Island is located south of the Outer Banks and Bogue Banks. It’s a 26-mile long barrier island that is home to North Topsail Beach, Surf City and Topsail Beach. Topsail Island is known for it’s gorgeous beaches and for being a refuge for sea turtles. Topsail Island has a few hotels, but most vacationers rent a home for week. The island does not allow high rises.
Wrightsville Beach is conveniently located just east of Wilmington. It’s known for it’s easy accessibility. surfing competitions, and kids treasure hunts and surf camps. Wrightsville Beach offers about 10 hotels, some of the national chains, along with plenty of vacation rentals.
Carolina Beach has its own unique vibe. Full of high rises condos, bright colors, bars, restaurants, live music and a boardwalk, there is always something exciting going on in Carolina Beach.
Kure Beach is quite different than it’s direct neighbor Carolina Beach, it has a small town vibe with the oldest fishing pier on the Atlantic Coast. It has an oceanfront park, Fort Fisher Aquarium, and Fort Fisher State Recreation Area. Kure Beach has a few restaurants and several vacation home rentals.
The world’s most adorable dog, Maple, on Kure Beach. This was less than a week after she escaped her long stint in a shelter in Tennessee. Dogs love Kure, but I think they’re supposed to be on a leash!
Bald Head Island is beautiful, upscale and is only accessible by ferry. No cars are allowed on the island, so everything must be access by foot, bike, or golf cart. There is virtually no commercialism on BHI, it’s a dream for nature lovers or those looking for seclusion and privacy.
Oak Island has 10 miles of wide, uncrowded beaches. Plenty of public beach parking and access points, two fishing piers, access to championship golf courses, putt-putt, ice cream, and great restaurants makes Oak Island a vacation dream for the entire family. Oak Island also offers a wide variety of vacation home rentals, there is something for almost every budget.
Holden Beach is very similar to Oak Island, but perhaps even slower paced. A wildlife haven, at Holden Beach you can kayak the Intracoastal Waterway as see loggerhead sea turtles. Spot dolphins in the surf and watching fishing boats as they come in at night. Holden Beach offers plenty of vacation home rentals, but no hotels.
Ocean Isle Beach is the place for family fun. Along with gorgeous miles of beaches, families can visit The Museum of Coastal Carolina to learn more about sea life or the Shallotte River Swamp Park for ziplining or a swamp boat eco-tour. Ocean Isle Beach is home to North Carolina Oyster Festival, Silver Coast Winery, and plenty of delicious restaurants.
Sunset Beach is the southernmost beach in North Carolina. It’s quiet and beautiful, the perfect place to reconnect with your family and nature. Sunset Beach has some of the most untouched shoreline in North Carolina. From the beach you can walk to Bird Island or go to nearby Ingram Planetarium to learn more about the sun, moon and stars.
