Ocracoke Beach Many North Carolinians know the history of piracy in their state, but far fewer visit this former pirate hideout, now one of North Carolina's least crowded beach gems. Topsail Beach, a haven for quiet beach getaways, is highly prized for its small, quiet beach community on the southern tip of Topsail Island. The city is also known for its focus on the natural environment and conservation efforts. Stay in a vacation apartment with only ocean views and a handful of nearby restaurants to keep you entertained. Located on the Outer Banks, there's a reason Nags Head, North Carolina, is nationally recognized for its oceanfront hotels, great food and entertainment, and the kind of welcoming environment the Outer Banks are known for.
The beach is pet and vehicle friendly all year round, and hosts numerous annual events, such as Taste of the Beach, Nag's Head Bike Week and the Outer Bank Seafood Festival. With the music and the oceanfront views, it's the perfect place for a romantic getaway or family vacation. A treasure of the Outer Banks, this is one of the most pristine and secluded beaches of the state. People have been flocking (in small numbers) to the 9.5-square-mile stretch of sand since the early 18th century.
In the surrounding waters, thousands of shipwrecks have been recorded and a British cemetery has even been installed in the center of the town, after a German submarine sank a British ship on the high seas during the Second World War. This seaside town offers fresh seafood from the area served in locally owned restaurants, as well as exclusive shops, fishing and beautiful sunsets. And just a short walk or bike ride away is the Ocracoke Island Lighthouse, the oldest operating lighthouse in North Carolina. From ferry trips, boating and horseback riding, this island has something to offer everyone.
Widely known as the center of Hatteras Island, this beach in Avon, North Carolina, is known for being clean, quiet, and a great place for families on vacation. Exceptional fishing and fishing can be done just a mile or two from the city limits, but you'll have to take a four-wheel-drive vehicle to get there. Because the area is so remote, shell hunters will find lots of undisturbed shells to rummage through, whether there is high or low tide. This area offers secluded and private holidays without sacrificing modern amenities in its very well maintained classic cabins.
Livability explores what makes small and medium-sized cities great places to live. Through exclusive research studies, interesting articles and original photographs and videos, we examine issues related to community services, education, sustainability, transportation, housing and the economy. We then used that experience to draw up city rankings on a variety of topics, including small cities, college towns, and our annual list of the 100 Best Places to Live. To the north, Topsail Beach is one of my favorites and is the one I choose for day trips from the triangle.
It's much less crowded than Wrightsville and Carolina, and the coastline is stunning. The waters are generally calm and turquoise and there are plenty of access areas, so you won't have to struggle to park like you would in the others. The city may not seem like a big deal, but it has some amazing restaurants that you can read about in my Topsail Island food guide. Ocracoke is for beach lovers who aren't afraid of a little originality and challenge in their destiny.
This unapologetically difficult to reach Outer Banks city is for the traveler who is prepared for things to get a little difficult around the edges. You won't find first-class golf courses (or any other golf course, for that matter), ferris wheels, or anything remotely flashy. This quiet area offers an informal atmosphere to give more prominence to its pristine and undeveloped coasts. Frisco Beach, located at the southern end of the Cape Hatteras National Shore, shows the beauty you would expect from an Outer Banks shoreline.
Located on the ocean shore of Hatteras Island, where the land slopes south, Frisco Beach offers warmer waters than some of its northernmost cousins in the Outer Banks. This is because it is perfectly situated to take advantage of the warmer waters of the Gulf Stream, which flow north and collide with the Labrador Current at the northern end of Cape Hatteras. If you've visited Wilmington, you're probably familiar with Carolina Beach, with its classic waterfront and extensive entertainment opportunities. However, you may not have heard of Kure BeachOnly 15 miles from the city center, this beach offers a quieter retreat characterized by sandy shorelines and small-town charm.
Stop to stand in line from the oldest pier in the Atlantic. See the creatures at the Fort Fisher Aquarium. Or take off your sunscreen and dance the night away at one of the free concerts in the Boogie in the Park series. Halfway between Wilmington and Myrtle, Caswell rests on the edge of Oak Island, at the mouth of the Cape Fear River.
With an 18-hole professional golf course, a working lighthouse, easy access to the charming city of Southport, and some of the less crowded shorelines of the Brunswick Islands, Caswell Beach can easily become the type of destination that visitors return to year after year. If you've never heard of Waites Island, you're not alone. Because its neighbors attract attention (Myrtle Beach and Cherry Grove), this beach easily goes unnoticed, like a teenager taking refuge in the shade of his older siblings and loud. This tranquil island is the northernmost of South Carolina's barrier islands.
Although close enough to the coast to be accessed by kayak or paddleboard, Waites is still a tranquil habitat for wildlife. In fact, Carolina Coastal University maintains a small research center on its shores. When it comes to secret beaches in the Carolinas, few are as unknown as Waites Island. You'll find Duck, North Carolina, just north of Kitty Hawk.
In fact, it's the northernmost city outside North Carolina. It got its name with good reason because of the popularity of duck hunting in the area in the 1900s. The beaches are reserved for residents and guests. There's a mile-long waterfront lined with shops and restaurants, and if you're in North Carolina, you might be familiar with Duck Donuts.
The popular chain originated in Duck, North Carolina. Do you want to know more about Duck? Learn more here. Atlantic Beach is part of North Carolina's Crystal Coast or the outer shores of the south. Coastal Living magazine has rated it as one of the best beaches. Visitors love the wide variety of places to stay and things to do, including top-notch restaurants to visit after a day at the beach.
Pier fishing is also a popular pastime, or if you're in the mood for a more active adventure, Fort Macon State Park is just a short walk from town. Get all the information on how to plan a visit to Atlantic Beach here. Wild Horses couldn't drag me far, that's the first thing that comes to mind when I think of the Corolla North Carolina. And while yes, this Outer Banks town is famous for its wild horses, there's so much more to enjoy.
This includes miles of secluded beaches, historic sites, wildlife and, of course, the incredible coastal cuisine expected of any coastal town. Topsail Beach is the southernmost of the three cities in the Topsail Island. Located in Pender County, it's about 45 minutes' drive from Wilmington or an even faster boat ride. Topsail Beach is a quiet coastal town ideal for families, with restaurants, a lively live music scene, shopping and wide beaches.
The family memories you're dying to create are exactly what you'll find on Oak Island, which is located in the Brunswick Islands. Think of dinner followed by mini golf and ice cream. Think about riding a bike and walking along the pier. And, of course, the beaches and the Oak Island Nature Center. You'll find Carolina Beach just south of Wilmington.
Visitors rave about Carolina Beach's waterfront, which has that nostalgia-filled old-time beach feel. Carolina Beach State Park offers panoramic views of the Cape Fear River. There is also a wide variety of hotels and restaurants. As they say there, there is only one Carolina beach.
Get everything you need to plan your visit here. The Wrightsville Beach Convention and Visitors Bureau rates Wrightsville as the most accessible beach in North Carolina, meaning you'll spend less time getting to and from its white sand and blue waters and more time with your butt planted firmly in the sand. This is probably the most accessible beach on the list and one of the best beaches near Raleigh, North Carolina. Bald Head Island has one of the best beaches, including North Carolina's South Beach, to go to if you want to de-stress. On any summer weekend, the beach is teeming with vacationing families, groups of friends taking day trips, and college students from the nearby University of North Carolina in Wilmington.
The narrow beach widens into a monstrous mouth, offering infinite space for beach volleyball or frisbee tournaments. Here's a short list of the best beaches in North Carolina that you should explore on your trip to the U.S. UU. Visiting North Carolina beaches in the fall can be an excellent option if you want to avoid large crowds.
Located on the southern tip of Hatteras Island, Frisco Beach is one of the most incredible beaches in North Carolina, where you can spend moments of happiness and loneliness. This is also the most popular beach for teenagers and college students taking a day trip, thanks to local universities making it a more crowded beach. Freeman Park, the northernmost region of Carolina Beach, is also one of the only beaches in North Carolina where you're allowed to drive to the sand. Ocracoke Beach is located on Ocracoke Island, which is home to many more wild, undeveloped beaches, aside from from Ocracoke.
