NC Coast & Beaches

Relax At The North Carolina Coast

Experience unspoiled beauty on vacation along the beaches of North Carolina.

Worries can’t follow you to a place this beautiful. With more than 300 miles of barrier island beaches and two national seashores, the pristine beauty of the North Carolina coast is made for relaxation. Explore America’s tallest lighthouse. Tee it up on world-class golf courses. Taste exquisite seafood caught the same day. See the beauty of wild horses and indigenous wildlife in settings you can only imagine. Whether your idea of beach vacations is a full schedule of fun, or just the sand between your toes, you can find it here.

Here's more on popular destinations along our coast, organized from north to south:

Outer Banks
Whether you’re looking for a daring adventure or a more relaxing escape, the Outer Banks offers a backdrop of incredible beauty, including Cape Hatteras, one of the top 10 beaches in the nation (Dr. Beach 2012). Visit the country’s first national seashore and you’ll find a refuge for more than just wildlife. Climb any of the four coastal lighthouses, including America’s tallest lighthouse, for even more amazing views. Then watch wild horses run free along the towering dunes and stretching shores. There are so many iconic experiences found here, every trip can create unforgettable moments.

Crystal Coast
Escape to the rare, south-facing beaches of the Crystal Coast where the seascapes are as captivating as the landscapes. See relics from Blackbeard’s infamous ship, Queen Anne’s Revenge. Experience history by exploring, running and climbing through it at the Fort Macon State Park. Watch wild horses racing the shores of Shackleford Banks. And find out why Beaufort was voted America’s Coolest Small Town (Budget Travel 2012). Make your next vacation as storied as these shores.

Topsail Area
The greater Topsail area is one of three quieter beach destinations off of the southeast coast in North Carolina. Local folk legend claims the name originated from shipping merchants in the 1700s. Pirates would often hide in the channel between the mainland and the barrier island and seize merchant ships when they got close. Hidden by the island, the top sails of the pirate ships were the only clue of impending danger. Today this mostly quiet and residential area is made up of North Topsail Beach, active Surf City and quiet Topsail Beach, along with the mainland towns of Sneads Ferry and Holly Ridge.

Wilmington Area
With both village charm and a cosmopolitan lifestyle, this area offers great dining options, unique shops, a vibrant nightlife as well as Carolina, Kure and Wrightsville beaches. Walk the historic downtown river district where you can stop at a quaint café and then enjoy a stroll through beautiful gardens. Every year incredible color fills the streets during the North Carolina Azalea Festival. Kure Beach is home to the oldest fishing pier on the East Coast, where you can still cast your line out beyond the surf. And Battleship North Carolina has now become an ambassador welcoming visitors for a tour.

Brunswick Islands
Start with a sunrise and end with a sunset. It’s one of the unique features of the Brunswick Islands and the 45 miles of south-facing beaches that allow you to see both here. In between, you can fill your day with an endless array of activities including boating, fishing, golfing, shopping and dining. Or just spend a day with the family at a beach ranked the best for families in 2012 (Holden Beach by American Profile). Five islands, six beaches and four mainland towns make up North Carolina’s Brunswick Islands, each with something different to explore.

added: March 8, 2013
updated: March 8, 2013

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