With 300 miles of pristine ocean shoreline, North Carolina is one of the East Coast’s premier beach destinations. The shoreline flaunts white-sand dunes and crystal waters. Spend your summer vacation enjoying all types of watersports, exploring nature reserves, and spending quality time with family and friends. Off in the distance you’ll see iconic lighthouses and astoundingly diverse wildlife—everything from wild horses and seabirds to loggerhead turtles and dolphins. Head inland to explore the intercoastal waterways, where you can enjoy even more water fun. Just watch out for alligators! From the Outer Banks to the Brunswick Islands near South Carolina, here is your curated guide to the best beaches in North Carolina.
North Carolina’s coast is split into several sections: Outer Banks, Crystal Coast, Topsail, Wilmington, and the Brunswick Islands. The beach activities are much the same for each area and what varies is accessibility, overall size and vibe. The remoteness of the Outer Banks adds to its charm. Emerald Isle of the Crystal Coast is a tried and true favorite for locals and visitors. The beaches of Topsail Island are easily accessible from Wilmington, NC. The family-friendly Brunswick Islands lie just north of the South Carolina.
Plan to stay in a vacation home as hotels are few and far between. This is sure to give you the full North Carolina beach experience. Local realty sites, such as Sun Realty (Outer Banks) and Rent A Beach, provide excellent selections.
Nags Head (Outer Banks)
Quintessential Outer Banks
Nags Head is the quintessential Outer Banks town. Houses on stilts line large sandy dunes on either side of Jennette’s pier. Having recently undergone renovations, this impressive pier is a favorite fishing spot enjoyed by locals and tourists alike. The iconic Bodie Island Lighthouse can be spotted off in the distance. For activities in and around Nags Head, consider going outside your comfort zone with ocean parasailing or hang gliding along the dunes. The town marks the start of Cape Hatteras National Seashore, which runs 72 miles along the Outer Banks to Ocracoke Island. Driving this stretch emphasizes the Outer Banks’ dramatic remoteness. With endless opportunities for fun, Nags Head is one of the most popular towns in the Outer Banks.
Where to Stay/Eat: Rent a vacation home for the week or stay in one of the island’s few hotels. Enjoy the catch of the day at Blue Moon Beach Grill. Grab a casual meal at Miller’s Waterfront Restaurant. And after a hot day at the beach, treat yourself to frozen yogurt from the Surfin’ Spoon or ice cream from Booty Treats Ice Cream.
Duck (Outer Banks)
Upscale Community, Home to Duck Donuts
With less than 400 year-round residents, Duck is a tiny upscale beach town along the north end of the Outer Banks. This town is best known as home to the dangerously delicious Duck Donuts, now sold in 24 states across the country. The community features seven miles of white sandy beaches, forests and swamps, a boardwalk, and numerous dining and shopping opportunities. The beaches are both dog-and-family-friendly, so bring the whole family. In the fall, the town holds the Duck Jazz Festival, which consistently brings in talented musicians. Duck is a great town for those looking for a quiet beach getaway with delicious restaurants.
Where to Stay/Eat: Stay at the Sanderling Resort and enjoy the spa or a vacation home for the entire family and friends. Dine at the Aqua Restaurant and Blue Point Restaurant. And no trip to Duck is complete without a visit to Duck Donuts.
Corolla Beach (Outer Banks)
Secluded Beach with Wild Horses
Corolla is a secluded beach town on the north end of the Outer Banks. A herd of wild Colonial Spanish Mustangs roam the remote beaches to the north of Corolla in the Currituck National Wildlife Refuge. Driving on some of the beaches is fair game as long as you have 4-wheel drive capability. The town borders both the Atlantic Ocean and the Currituck Sound allowing visitors to enjoy both the ocean waves and the calm waters of the sound. Corolla is also home to the Currituck Lighthouse.
Where to Stay/Eat: Book a vacation home along the water in Corolla. Grab breakfast at Lighthouse Bagels and Deli and stop at Outer Banks Boil Company for a seafood steamer pot to feed the whole family. They also cater parties!
Ocracoke Island (Outer Banks)
Wild Horses, Cute Town, & Beautiful Beaches
Rumored to be the playground of pirate Blackbeard, Ocracoke Island is a quiet island owned by the National Park Service. Home to a herd of wild horses and some of the most pristine beaches along the Outer Banks, the island is perfect balance of laid-back beauty with plenty to do. When you’re done playing in the water, climb the Ocracoke Island Lighthouse and explore the nature trails. To access the southernmost island of the Outer Banks, take a ferry and then rent a golf cart or bike to get around.
Where to Stay/Eat: Stay in a vacation home on the island. Eat in the village at one of the island’s many local restaurants. Stop at Ocracoke Coffee Company for your morning expresso. Daijo serves southern classics. 1718 Brewing Ocracoke features local brews and live music.
Kitty Hawk (Outer Banks)
Most Urban Town in the Outer Banks
Famous for being the site where the Wright Brothers conducted the first successful aviation flight in 1903, Kitty Hawk is the largest town along the Outer Banks. Here you’ll find a number of stores, restaurants, and hotels. The coastal town also has plenty of nature to explore. Access the soft sandy shores of the Atlantic Ocean from many of the town’s public beaches. Hike and bike along the trails of the Kitty Hawk Woods Coastal Reserve when you need a break from the water. For museum-lovers, venture over to the neighboring town of Kill Devil Hills and explore the Wright Brothers National Memorial.
Where to Stay/Eat: Stay at the Beachwoods Resort along the edge of the Kitty Hawk Woods Coastal Reserve or rent a vacation home along the water. Eat and drink at the Ocean Boulevard Bistro & Martini Bar or grab a burger at Jack Brown’s Beer and Burger Joint.
Emerald Isle (Crystal Coast)
Top-Rated Family Friendly Beach with Clear Waters
Emerald Isle is consistently ranked as North Carolina’s best beach. Situated south of the Outer Banks and north of Wilmington, Emerald Isle is part of North Carolina’s Crystal Coast, a stretch of coastline aptly named for its clear waters and white beaches. The family friendly destination features twelve miles of pristine shores, fishing piers and the occasional dolphin sighting. For activities off the beach, head to Emerald Isle Woods Park and explore the park’s trails and disc golf course.
Where to Stay/Eat: Opt for a vacation home large enough for the whole family as there are only a handful of inns on the island. Enjoy a nice dinner at Caribsea, a casual bite to eat at the oceanfront Surf’s Up Grill, and a drink at Kathryn’s Bistro.
Topsail Beach (Topsail)
Best for Nature and Dogs
The tranquil beach rests at the south end of Topsail Island and has a strong focus on conservation and the environment. Loggerhead sea turtles frequently nest here and the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center is in the neighboring Surf City. You won’t find any high-rise hotels and there are only a handful of restaurants here. Unplug and enjoy nature on a vacation to Topsail Beach. And bring your four-legged friend as dogs are welcome on the beach!
Where to Stay/Eat: Stay in a vacation home along the water. Eat at The Beach Shop & Grill, which originally served as a soda shop in the 1950s, and snag a sandwich at Cora’s Isle-End Deli.
Wrightsville Beach (Wilmington)
Best Beach Close to a Large Town
Just a couple miles outside Wilmington, Wrightsville Beach is a great destination for those looking to be closer to a larger town. Wilmington even has an international airport for those looking for a convenient flight in. The popular beach fills up in the summer with groups of families, friends and college students from UNC Wilmington. As with the rest of the Carolina beaches, watersports are big here. In fact, Wrightsville Beach is known as the birthplace of surfing on the East Coast. Scuba diving is also popular with over two-hundred shipwrecks just off the coast.
Where to Stay/Eat: Rent a vacation home or stay at one of Wilmington’s many chain hotels or inns. Enjoy fresh seafood at Oceanic next to the pier or at Bluewater Grill with live music along the sound.
Carolina Beach (Wilmington)
Lively Beach with Boardwalk
If you’re searching for a classic North Carolina beach that’s close enough to a sizeable town, look no further than the upbeat Carolina Beach. The lively beach is just twenty minutes from Wilmington and features a boardwalk with a variety of restaurants, shops, and even amusement park rides. In the summer months the town puts on weekly fireworks and live music. Along the intercoastal Cape Fear River, Carolina Beach State Park has a number of fishing locations and the Flytrap Trail—named for the carnivorous Venus Flytraps that live along the path.
Where to Stay/Eat: Either rent a vacation home or choose from one of the many chain hotels and inns. Stop at Britt’s Donut Shop for a donut that’s been an island favorite since 1939. Enjoy fresh seafood at the Shuckin’ Shack and grab a drink at the SeaWitch Café and Tiki Bar.
Bald Head Island (Brunswick Islands)
Secluded Upscale Island Getaway
Bald Head Island is one of North Carolina’s best beach communities. The pristine island is an hour and a half south of Wilmington and only accessible by ferry. Bald Head Island is less developed than the other beaches on this list. Here you’ll find vacation homes, a country club with a golf course, Old Baldy Lighthouse, and a nature preserve. While the village only has a handful of restaurants, consider getting a temporary membership (available by the week) at the Bald Head Island Club. Cars are prohibited on the island so opt for a golf cart or bike to get around.
Where to Stay/Eat: Stay in a vacation home on the island. Eat at Jules’ Salty Grub & Island and enjoy a glass of wine at Will O’ the Wisp, an outdoor beer and wine bar.
Ocean Isle (Brunswick Islands)
Local Favorite with Plenty of Dining & Entertainment Options
The small seaside community lies just north of Myrtle Beach and is a popular getaway spot for North Carolinians. Go for a stroll along the Ocean Isle Beach Pier. Fish along Ferry Landing Park. Learn about the area’s natural history at the Museum of Coastal Carolina. And test your putting skills at one of the several mini-golf courses. In the summers, the town puts on the Ocean Isle Beach Free Summer Concert Series. Ocean Isle has plenty of dining and entertainment options to please the whole family.
Where to Stay/Eat: Rent an oceanfront vacation home for the entire family or stay in a chain hotel further inland. Stop at Drift Coffee and Kitchen for coffee, pastries, and delicious bites. Eat at the lively Ocean Isle Fish Company which features fresh seafood and a tiki bar.
Sunset Beach (Brunswick Islands)
Quiet Getaway with Golfing & Bird Island Reserve
If you’re looking for a quiet getaway with plenty of outdoor activities look no further than Sunset Beach. This laidback beach is just north of the South Carolina border and an hour’s drive from Myrtle Beach International Airport. The community is home to several golf resorts, Sunset Beach Fishing Pier, and the Bird Island Reserve. Spend your days lounging in the sand, kayaking along the intercoastal, or bird watching in the reserve.
Where to Stay/Eat: Stay in a vacation home on the island or The Sunset Inn. The majority of the restaurants in area are just inland of the intercoastal waterway. Casual dining options include Crabby Oddwaters along the intercoastal and Fibber McGees, which serves classic pub food.
