Your Guide To: North Carolina’s Best Beaches for a Summer Getaway
Your Guide To: North Carolina’s Best Beaches for a Summer Getaway
Looking to get away and escape to one of North Carolina’s beautiful beaches? Check out our round up & see which one is perfect for you ⤵️
Make sure to follow us on Instagram and join our Facebook Community to join the conversation and follow along as we explore Asheville and it’s surrounding cities.
1. Emerald Isle
One of the best family-friendly beaches in North Carolina! Emerald Isle has 12 miles of beaches, a popular fishing pier (Bogue Inlet Pier), and 11-mile paved bike path, and plenty of beach amenities (grills, showers, picnic pavilions, parking). The best sunset spot is known as "The Point" and is located at the westernmost tip of the island! It's also the perfect spot for shelling and walking along the sand.
2. Bald Head Island
The perfect beach escape for those looking for seclusion & relaxation! The island is only accessible via a ferry in Southport, N.C (20 minutes) & there are NO cars on the island. You can get around to the 14 miles of beaches via golf cart, bike, or foot! You'll find dining options, a nationally recognized golf course, historic sites, shopping, spas and more on the island too.
3. Cape Hatteras
Look no further for miles of unspoiled beaches! Cape Hatteras is home to sea turtles, Cape Hatteras Lighthouse (you can climb to the top), four campgrounds which allow you to camp near the ocean, and so much more. Off-road vehicles are allowed in certain areas of the beach!
4. Ocracoke
"Experience a beach vacation that’s different from anything on the mainland." - Visit Ocracoke
Ocracoke Island was named America's Best Beach by Dr. Beach and is home to 16 miles of white sand beaches. It is only accessible via boat or air. Hop over to Silver Lake Harbor for shops, restaurants and places to stay. The island is known to have served as the former stomping ground of the pirate known as Blackbeard.
5. Topsail
This 26 mile long island is home to 3 beaches: Topsail Beach, North Topsail Beach, and Surf City. Relax and unwind or try out the various water activities on the island: surfing, boating, fishing, or jet skiing. This is a popular area for nesting sea turtles from mid-May -August! Check out southernmost point of the island (serenity point) for the best sunset views.
6. Corolla Beach
Corolla Beach is home to the legendary Corolla wild Spanish mustang horses and one of the most popular beaches in North Carolina's Outer Banks. With 24 miles of beach access you'll also find shopping, dining, entertainment, Currituck Beach Lighthouse, the Whalehead mansion and more. "Just north of Corolla where the famous NC-12 ends, lies twelve miles of pristine 4WD beaches.There is something special about Corolla, something that separates it from the rest of the Outer Banks: the 4×4 beaches. The 4WD area of Corolla, Outer Banks allows you to take your 4WD vehicle on the beach." - Visit Currituck
7. Wrightsville Beach
The perfect beach for watersports; you'll find activities such as: kayaking, surfing, scuba diving, jogging trails, golf courses and more. at Wrightsville Beach! There are 40 different beach access points, bars & restaurants, shops and more. Known as one of the top surfing towns in the world by National Geographic, you'll find internationally recognized surfing competitions & SUP events held here.
8. Oak Island
Oak Island offers 10 miles of beachfront and over 100 free-access public access points (at least 10 are handicap accessible). This family friendly beach has 2 fishing piers, Oak Island Lighthouse and more. "Travelers rave about both Long Beach and Caswell Beach, which feature expansive sands and family- friendly atmospheres. A quick 12-mile drive will land you in Southport, where multiple movies – including "A Walk to Remember," "I Know What You Did Last Summer" and "Safe Haven" – were filmed. Southport also offers quaint shops and lots of local seafood restaurants."
- U.S. News Travel
9. Nags Head
Another popular beach destination in the Outer Banks, Nags Head is home to endless sand dunes, fishing piers, walking trails, bike paths, a skateboard park, and hang gliding! Four wheel drive vehicles can drive the beach on the offseason (October-April). You'll find colossal sand dunes in Jockey’s Ridge State Park, boutiques, surf shops, an outlet mall, grocery stores, and great seafood & BBQ restaurants in the area too.
Related Posts
Promote With Us
Looking to be featured in one of our guides or promote an event? Click the ‘Get Featured’ button below and send us an email to learn how to get featured on Travel Guides Asheville and our social platforms. Our team will get back to you with information on our various package offers!