The 16 Best Beaches in North Carolina for Swimming, Surfing, and Sea Turtles

Stretching over 300 miles of barrier islands, North Carolina’s coast features countless charming towns to discover, drawing millions of visitors each year – and it’s easy to understand why.

Whether you’re seeking a romantic getaway, a family-friendly vacation, thrilling adventures, or simply a relaxing day in the sun, this region has something for everyone. Here are twelve of North Carolina's finest beaches.

Outer Banks

Corolla Beach

Top Beach for Families with Young Children

Located just south of the Virginia border on the Outer Banks, Corolla (pronounced “kuh-RAH-luh”) is a popular destination for families with young kids, known for its gentle waves and 24 miles of expansive, white sandy beaches.

Corolla uniquely permits four-wheel-drive vehicles on the beach year-round without a fee (though a permit is required for parking).

Interestingly, the 4x4 beaches are home to Corolla’s most famous attraction: wild horses. Descended from Spanish Mustangs, these majestic creatures have roamed the area for centuries. While it’s illegal to approach within 50 feet, several tour operators can bring you close enough for a memorable photo opportunity.

Duck

Top Beach for Families with Teenagers

Located just 15 miles south of Corolla, the resort town of Duck has a small year-round population of 500, but it becomes a bustling hub in the summer. It’s a favorite spot for families, particularly those with teenagers.

Along the town’s eastern oceanfront, shops and eateries are lined up along a six-mile path featuring sidewalks and bike lanes.

On the west side, Duck Town Park spans 11 acres of greenery, offering a playground, a public canoe and kayak launch, and a mile-long boardwalk that meanders along the Currituck Sound. The town hosts an annual jazz festival, usually held on the second weekend in October, and its beaches are private and meticulously maintained.

Nags Head

Top Beach for Hang-Gliding

Nags Head, one of the most famous towns in the Outer Banks, attracts spring-breakers and families spanning generations. Its position on Bodie Island, just a few miles south of Kitty Hawk and the Wright Brothers National Memorial, makes it appealing to aviation enthusiasts.

Summertime can bring large crowds, making off-season visits preferable. Fewer visitors mean more room for activities like fishing from the pier and hang-gliding at Jockey’s Ridge, a state park featuring the tallest natural sand dune system on the East Coast.

Average winter temperatures typically stay above 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 Celsius), so a winter beach walk can be quite pleasant.

Ocracoke Island

Top Beach for Shelling

Once a hideout for the notorious pirate Blackbeard and the site of his demise in 1718, Ocracoke Island is celebrated today for its stunning natural scenery and relaxed atmosphere.

Situated at the southern tip of the Outer Banks, most of the island is encompassed by Cape Hatteras National Seashore, a protected area managed by the National Park Service. Its beaches are fantastic for shelling, with beachcombers frequently discovering conchs, sand dollars, and Scotch bonnets.

While the waves can be rough near Cape Hatteras, the water temperature is warmer here than in northern areas, thanks to the Gulf Stream along the coast.

Cape Lookout National Seashore

Top Remote Beach

With 56 miles of shoreline to explore across a chain of undeveloped barrier islands, Cape Lookout National Seashore is the ideal destination to experience the natural splendor of the Carolina coast.

A brief ferry ride takes visitors to the park, offering activities for everyone, from swimming and shelling to touring the historic lighthouse and watching local wildlife. Shackleford Banks provides perfect conditions for swimming, sunbathing, and viewing the wild horses that inhabit the island.

Adventurous guests can explore the coastline by ATV or kayak. Designated as an International Dark Sky Park, it offers breathtaking stargazing opportunities during overnight stays at primitive campsites or seasonal rustic cabins.

Facilities at the ferry landings and cabin areas are limited. The park encourages all visitors to practice leave-no-trace principles during both day visits and overnight camping.

Crystal Coast

Atlantic Beach

Top Beach for a Day Trip from Raleigh

Located just 150 miles southeast of Raleigh on North Carolina’s Crystal Coast, Atlantic Beach is a convenient drive from the state capital and can get quite busy during the peak summer months.

Positioned on Bogue Banks, a quaint barrier island nestled between Bogue Sound and the ocean, it’s the first stop off the causeway from Highway 70, making it a great choice for a weekend getaway or an extended vacation.

With a boardwalk, fishing pier, expansive sandy beaches, and a range of offshore activities such as parasailing, kiteboarding, jet-skiing, and kayaking, it’s no surprise that this spot attracts so much attention. Plus, there are plenty of quirky souvenir shops and a wide array of restaurants.

At the island’s eastern tip lies Fort Macon State Park, where the historic fort played a role during the Civil War. You can tour the grounds and then relax on the beach, which features a lovely stretch of sand, a bathhouse, concessions, wheelchair-accessible areas, and lifeguards on duty from Memorial Day through Labor Day.

Emerald Isle

Top Beach for Upscale Visitors

Just 15 miles west of Atlantic Beach, Emerald Isle is a bit more tranquil, offering fewer hotels and more condos, cottages, and private homes. The town has a more upscale vibe, featuring art galleries, boutiques, and fine-casual dining options.

While Emerald Isle may be more laid-back, there’s no shortage of activities along its 12 miles of beach, particularly for families. You can enjoy everything from mini-golf and disc golf to paddleboarding, surf lessons, and fishing off the pier. Plus, it’s conveniently accessible from Raleigh, featuring its own causeway to help avoid cross-island traffic.

Bear Island

Top Beach for Beachcombing and Bird Watching

Only reachable by ferry or private boat, Bear Island boasts primitive camping and untouched beaches, situated within Hammocks Beach State Park – a tranquil escape from crowded beach scenes.

Teeming with shorebirds and tidal pools brimming with life, this four-mile barrier island is a paradise for beachcombers and birdwatchers alike. Marshlands offer opportunities to explore via paddling trails for kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards, which are available for rent during the season.

The oceanfront campsites are available year-round, allowing you to camp beside the dunes and under the stars almost anytime you wish.

Topsail

Topsail Island

Top Beach for Observing Sea Turtles

Located north of Wrightsville in Onslow County, the 26-mile-long Topsail (pronounced TOP-sul) was once rumored to be a hideout for the pirate Blackbeard. Today, its beaches are relaxed and family-friendly, with waters perfect for fishing year-round.

Surf City serves as the island’s commercial center, featuring well-maintained beaches and a year-round population of nearly 3,500 residents. To the north lies North Topsail Beach and Ocean City, a peaceful community established in 1949 as the first Atlantic beach where Black people could own property. To the south is Topsail Beach, a town with about 400 year-round residents and a ban on high-rise developments.

The island is an ideal nesting ground for sea turtles, and the ​Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue & Rehabilitation Center provides educational programs and public releases for loggerheads that have been rehabilitated by their staff.

Wilmington

Wrightsville Beach

Top Beach to Visit Year-Round

Located across the Cape Fear River from Wilmington, Wrightsville Beach is a fantastic choice year-round, offering a blend of urban attractions and outdoor activities.

The pleasant climate and expansive sandy shores draw families, retirees, and college students alike, while options like surf camps, sailing schools, and diving lessons keep them entertained on and off the water.

Rise early to witness the sunrise over the Atlantic, take a scenic stroll along the Oceanic Pier during golden hour, and enjoy outdoor concerts in the park during the summer. After a day of fun, cross the causeway for dinner at one of the city’s highly-rated restaurants, then catch a show or movie at Thalian Hall, a historic theater from the 19th century listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Carolina Beach

Top Beach for Boardwalk Entertainment

Carolina Beach serves as a hub of family entertainment, situated on the aptly named Pleasure Island between Wrightsville Beach and Bald Head Island along the Atlantic coast.

Its boardwalk is frequently hailed as one of the best in the United States, living up to its reputation with rides, arcade games, bike rentals, dining options, and weekly fireworks throughout the summer.

On the Cape Fear side of the island, Carolina Beach State Park features 761 acres of nature trails, campsites, and beach access. This area is also home to the Venus flytrap, and the wheelchair-friendly half-mile Flytrap loop offers a chance to see these carnivorous plants in their natural habitat.

Kure Beach

Top Beach for Crowd Appeal

From history buffs to nature lovers, Kure Beach provides a diverse array of activities to enchant every visitor.

This popular destination is filled with opportunities, such as exploring exhibits at Fort Fisher, observing marine life at the aquarium, and fishing from the pier. Kure Beach is also a hotspot for scuba divers, featuring the remnants of over 200 shipwrecks, including the well-preserved Civil War-era blockade runner, the Condor.

The Ocean Front Park & Pavilion and Hi-Tech Arcade offer families entertaining activities and events throughout the year.

Brunswick

Bald Head Island

Top Beach for Avoiding Crowds

Bald Head Island is a tranquil, car-free haven nestled between the Cape Fear River and the Atlantic Ocean, accessible only by ferry or private yacht. Once on the island, biking and golf carts are the sole modes of transport.

Consequently, the majority of the island's 12,000 acres—featuring salt marshes, maritime forests, and 14 miles of unspoiled beaches—remain pristine and untouched. For a secluded getaway for two, this spot is hard to beat.

The Bald Head Woods Coastal Reserve is an excellent location for birdwatching, and the Kent Mitchell Nature Trail offers accessible paths for various abilities. The Bald Head Island Conservancy provides guided kayak tours, tidal-pool explorations, and birding adventures. From June to August, loggerhead sea turtles nest here, and the beaches are perfect for shelling, especially at low tide.

Top Destinations in North Carolina

Sunset Beach

Premier Winter Beach

Sunset Beach is delightful at any time of year, but this coastal treasure near the southern border of the state is particularly enchanting from late fall through early spring. During these months, visitors can witness the rare spectacle of both sunrise and sunset over the water.

Approximately 1.5 miles from the Sunset Beach Pier, guests can share their hopes, memories, and well-wishes in a journal located in the Kindred Spirits Mailbox. This quaint mailbox is positioned next to a bench on Bird Island, allowing visitors to read past entries and add their own thoughts to the blank pages.

This serene beach serves as a perfect retreat for vacationers seeking a peaceful escape.

Oak Island

Ultimate Nostalgic Beach

With its ice cream shops, mini-golf, fishing piers, and expansive sandy beaches, Oak Island captures the essence of a classic beach getaway.

The ten miles of coastline transform into a haven for water sports enthusiasts, offering opportunities for kayaking, boating, swimming, and fishing. The area is also equipped with bike trails suited for all skill levels, making cycling a favorite way to discover the land. The Oak Island Lighthouse provides breathtaking views of the Brunswick Islands.

With numerous pet-friendly spots and activities, Oak Island is a fantastic beach destination for the whole family, including your furry companions.

Inland

Lake Lure

Best Beach for Dirty Dancing Fans

While the North Carolina coast is a haven for beach lovers, those seeking freshwater adventures have a fantastic alternative: Lake Lure, located less than 30 miles from Asheville in the picturesque foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

This manmade lake and its surroundings were famously featured in the film Dirty Dancing, the iconic ‘80s movie starring Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey. Relive your favorite scenes by booking a themed cabin or capturing memories at one of the movie’s filming locations. For die-hard fans, the Dirty Dancing Festival in September is a must-see event.

If that doesn’t sound like your kind of fun, you can still enjoy fishing, boating, and swimming at Lake Lure, or hike and rock climb at the nearby Chimney Rock State Park.

Explore thrilling things to do in North Carolina from the mountains to the coast, where adventures are waiting around every turn in the Tarheel state.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best beach in North Carolina?

With its well-maintained shores, absence of high-rises, and abundant activities both on land and in the sea, Topsail Island is a top contender for the best beach in North Carolina. From sea turtles and Surf City to pirate lore and scenic promenades, this beach promises an unforgettable getaway.

Which beach in North Carolina boasts the clearest water?

True to its name and situated along the Crystal Coast, Emerald Isle is celebrated for its pristine water and vibrant blue-green tones. Rare storms and gentle offshore breezes allow sediment to settle on the ocean floor, creating the clearest waters in the state.

Which beach in North Carolina is the least crowded?

Bald Head Island, accessible only by ferry or private boat, ranks among the least crowded beaches in the state. With 12,000 acres to explore, its untouched landscapes and charming neighborhoods provide a tranquil and spacious escape.

Which beach is the most budget-friendly in North Carolina?

Sunset Beach is a fantastic option for an affordable beach getaway, offering budget-friendly lodging and numerous low-cost or free activities. Stroll along the shore, take a dip in the surf, explore local markets, fish from the pier, or participate in a free event.

Which beaches in North Carolina are the best for families?

Corolla and Duck in the Outer Banks are popular family-friendly spots, featuring gentle waves, spacious sands, and a mix of natural and manmade attractions. Wrightsville's Carolina and Kure beaches also stand out for families, offering charming boardwalks, arcades, and beautiful coastlines in tranquil settings.

What’s the ideal time to visit North Carolina’s beaches?

While many North Carolina beaches are great year-round, the period from March to October is generally the best for enjoying the coast. Early spring and late fall are perfect for avoiding crowds, while warm water and pleasant temperatures attract swimmers and sunbathers from late spring to mid-fall.

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