The best beaches in North Carolina. Find relaxing, free-spirited moments in Carolina Beach, a family-friendly coastal city with a downright fun personality. An old waterfront promenade, a state park with the famous Venus flytrap, miles of enchanting beaches, first-class fishing, and colorful events and festivals are the perfect setting for an authentic Carolina Beach experience. Discover the state's main coastal stretches, starting from Duck to Sunset Beach.
These are 15 of the best beaches in North Carolina for your next trip to the Tar Heel State, from Duck to Sunset Beach. The Cape Lookout National Shore offers 56 miles of beach along several barrier islands. Shackleford Banks, for example, is ideal for swimming and lounging on the beach. It's also home to more than 100 wild horses. The Cape Lookout lighthouse, painted with diamonds, is also a star along this coast, which is 163 feet high.
Take a ranger-guided tour, explore the islands from the water by canoe or kayak, or bird watch to learn more about Cape Lookout and its wildlife. Plan an overnight stay at one of the park's beachfront cabins or campsites to further enjoy the pristine beauty of this coastline. North of the Cape Hatteras National Shore, in the center of the Outer Banks, Nags Head has more than twelve miles of sandy coastline and more than 40 access points to public beaches. Many are close to hotels, restaurants, bars and shops.
The area is perhaps best known for Jockey's Ridge State Park, which has the highest living sand dune on the Atlantic coast (it's alive because it keeps changing shape and size). Here you can rent a sandboard to glide across the dune, hang glide and explore a nature trail. Located on the northern stretch of North Carolina's barrier islands, Duck's beautiful beaches are the exclusive domain of residents and guests who spend the night. Rent a waterfront vacation home or stay at the Sanderling Resort, located on the narrow strip of land between the Atlantic Ocean and Currituck Sound.
You can rent kayaks, stand-up paddleboards and more at the resort's activity kiosk during the summer, or take a 4X4 tour of the famous wild horse beaches of Corolla and Carova. About 20 minutes' drive from the historic city of Wilmington, this coastal town offers different options for spending a day on the coast. On the northern stretch, you can drink tiki drinks while taking in the views from the Carolina Beach pier, or buy a day pass to drive a 4X4 to the pristine sand from Freeman Park. To the south, the Carolina Beach Boardwalk is a classic American promenade with bars, restaurants, game rooms, and places to rent bikes and surfboards.
The nearby Carolina Beach State Park offers more outdoor recreational activities, with many hiking trails, such as the Flytrap Trail, where you can see the native Venus flytrap. Located on North Carolina's Crystal Coast, across the road from Morehead City, Atlantic Beach is perfect for families. Whether you want to build sand castles or go on a chartered fishing trip, there's a outdoor activity for you. This beach is also known for nesting sea turtles, which lay their eggs in the sand from May to October.
You can learn more about the region's marine life at the North Carolina Aquarium in Pine Knoll Shores, 10 minutes' drive away. With more than 300 miles of Atlantic coastline, North Carolina is one of the country's top beach destinations. Topsail Island is a 26-mile-long barrier island off the coast of North Carolina comprised of the communities of Topsail Beach, Surf City and North Topsail Beach. Even more entertainment can be found nearby at Carolina Beach State Park, which offers a variety of hiking trails, including the Flytrap Trail, where visitors can see the native Venus flytrap. Emerald Isle, a coastal city on the Bogue Banks barrier island, is surrounded by the crystal clear waters of North Carolina's Crystal Coast.
Fewer crowded than some of North Carolina's best-known beach destinations, this barrier island south of Jacksonville has 26 miles of pristine sand. However, according to a ranking of the 21 best beaches in the world, made by National Geographic, also known as a fully qualified source, a North Carolina beach is the best. North Carolina's coastline comprises 300 miles of barrier island beaches, each with its own unique environment and variety of things to do.
