North Carolina's Best Beaches · Corolla Beach · Cape Hatteras · Cape Lookout National Shore · Emerald Island · Topsail Beach · Carolina Beach · Bald Head Island. Corolla Beach is a hidden gem of a beach located high on North Carolina's Outer Banks. The sprawling beaches are perfect for summer vacations, but the area is also known for its wild population of Mustangs, who can often be seen splashing in the waves. Some of the best beaches in North Carolina are in Cabo Hatteras.
These 70 miles of pristine beach are part of the Cape Hatteras National Shore, the country's first national coastline. It's a wonderful place to enjoy a vacation immersed in nature, including days at the beach, bird watching, fishing, kayaking and more. These protected sands are a popular spot to watch sea turtles nest, and you don't want to miss the chance to enjoy the view from the top of the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. The distinctive black and white stripes of candy make the photo spectacular, but it's also the tallest brick lighthouse in the country and the tallest in the entire state.
You'll love the view from the top of this 208-foot masterpiece. The Cape Lookout National Shore is located at the southern end of the Outer Banks, east of the Emerald Isle. Its 56 miles of beach are preserved and offer miles of pristine, undeveloped beaches to explore. As you head south to the charming town of Beaufort, you'll find another of North Carolina's most popular beaches, at Emerald Isle.
Families have been traveling to this stunning beach destination for generations. On Emerald Isle, you'll find 12 miles of pristine beaches for sunbathing, swimming, reading and relaxing. There is also a popular fishing pier that goes deep into the water. Emerald Isle is just one of many beaches in North Carolina, on what is known as the Crystal Coast.
Other great beaches include Atlantic Beach, Indian Beach and Pine Knoll Shores. If you want to escape the crowds, head to Carolina Beach State Park, which offers some hiking and beautiful white-sand beaches. The Carolina Beach area is transformed into a vibrant place with oceanfront bars and live music at night. A little further south of Carolina Beach and Wilmington, you'll find Bald Head Island.
The island is only accessible on a 20-minute ferry ride, making it feel pristine and untouched and perfect for a relaxing beach getaway. It's home to a fantastic golf course, the Bald Head Island Club, but it's also an ideal spot for bird and wildlife spotting, hiking, kayaking, and more. Surrounded by two tourist powerhouses, Wilmington and Myrtle Beach, the six beaches that make up the Brunswick Islands are a welcome getaway. Places like Oak Island, Bald Head Island, and Sunset Beach offer the feel of a small town with beaches as beautiful as those of their better-known neighbors.
The entire stretch of oceanfront communities is impressive, to say the least, but one sight you can't miss is the Kindred Spirit Mailbox on Sunset Beach. The mailbox, which surprisingly emerges from a landscape of white sand like sugar and sea oats swaying in the wind, creates a scene straight out of a movie. This barrier island is part of the Cape Lookout National Shore, a protected terrain that encompasses 28,000 acres of land and water along the North Carolina coast. While the entire national coastline is known for its pristine, undeveloped beaches, Shackleford Banks is famous for its only residents, the Shackleford Horses, a herd of wild Spanish horses that roam freely around the island.
Accessible only by boat, take the Island Express ferry to spend time in this incredibly picturesque location. Enjoy relaxed, free-spirited moments in Carolina Beach, a family-friendly coastal town with a downright fun personality. Along the North Carolina coast, you'll find beautiful open sandy beaches and the relaxed, dreamy summer atmosphere you've been looking for. With Select Registry, you'll find accommodations in some of the country's most sought-after destinations (including these beaches in Carolina del North).
An old waterfront promenade, a state park with the famous Venus flytrap, miles of attractive beaches, first-class fishing, and colorful events and festivals are the setting for an authentic Carolina Beach experience. Regardless of how you plan to explore these magnificent North Carolina beaches, it's a must that you choose great accommodations. In the north, near the outer shores, there are some of the best beaches in North Carolina, while in the south you'll find quieter and simpler beachside spots worth visiting, and even some places that may not yet be good beach destinations. North Carolina's coastline comprises 480 kilometers of barrier island beaches, each with its own unique environment and variety of things to do.
Other great beaches to consider in the Wilmington area include Wrightsville Beach, Kure Beach, and Sunset Beach. Here, on the Outer Banks of North Carolina's southern coast, Beaufort combines the arts and culture of a big city with the beauty and hospitality of a small coastal town.
