Atlantic Beach, on the state's legendary Crystal Coast, is one of the more popular places, both to its position and it faces south, shielding it from the Atlantic Ocean's wind and waves. It has a long history as one of the most popular beach resorts along the whole coast. The broad soft-sand beach is bordered by shopping and dining options ranging from burgers to high-end eateries.

If you want to fish, the Anchorage Marina features a great ramp, a great ship store, and plenty of parking for your boat and trailer. You may get to the beach from any of the 44 well-designated access points with close parking. A vibrant city with beach-themed shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues is located just off the beach. Visit Fort Macon State Park for a sample of Civil War history. With antique cannons, stone ramparts, and dark corridors, this stone fort has been meticulously preserved and is a fantastic place to explore. The North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores, with its state-of-the-art 306,000-gallon ocean environment, is a great place to visit on a wet day.

Wrightsville Beach, just a short drive from Wilmington, is a hotspot for water activities such as stand-up paddleboarding, surfing, and kiteboarding. In fact, this is the beach where North Carolina's surfing began.

The waves come in steadily and are generally gentle, making it ideal for novices. Rental boards and expert training are available at any of the several surf shops located only steps from the beach. Most novices choose multi-day surf camps to obtain a better understanding of the sport and meet other individuals who share their interests. Longboards are used for the majority of surfing, as they are considerably easier to learn. The golden sands and crystal-clear waves are ideal for relaxing and splashing about for people who are less active. The beach is long and wide, with two piers jutting out into the water, ideal for watching the dawn or fishing.

The wide-open beaches of Nags Head are noted for their golden sands and crystal-clear water, which are ideal for swimming. It was founded in 1830 and has been a favorite seaside resort for decades. Today, you may discover a wide range of lodging options, including hotels and rental homes.

The 12 kilometers of shoreline will appeal to beach walkers. Jenette's Pier, a 1,000-foot-long popular fishing hotspot, is located on the seashore. You may rent fishing gear from the pier shop if you didn't bring your own. An aquarium is also placed on the pier. A modest price is charged to walk the pier, and there is an extra fee for fishing. Jockey's Ridge State Park is nearby, featuring enormous sand dunes and the early 1870s Bodie Island Lighthouse. Invest the time and effort to climb the stairs to the summit for breathtaking views of the shore.

Carova Beach is a great place to visit if you have a 4WD car and want to enjoy a different beach experience. This beach is well-known for its wild horses, but it also has large, soft-sand beaches.

Carova is known for its miles of isolation, featuring pure white beaches, a sprinkling of rental houses, and wild mustangs that roam freely from the ocean to Carova's small residential subdivisions. Carova's solitude is easy to understand because there are no paved roads going to this holiday destination, only kilometers of sand paths along the Atlantic Ocean's edge. Travelers who adore the beach but don't want to deal with the throng go to the region in small groups, soaking up private stretches of sand and taking in the peace and quiet. This is also a fantastic place for bird watching and animal viewing, as well as one of the greatest shelling spots on the Outer Banks. Unlike the national park beaches further south, you do not need a beach driving permit to drive on the sand here. A parking permit is necessary for the Memorial Day Long Weekend through Labor Day.

Carolina Beach has located nearby the mouth of the Cape Fear River and is easily accessible from Wilmington. A historic wooden boardwalk with restaurants and beach shops runs parallel to the beach. A permanent midway featuring a Ferris Wheel and other kid-friendly rides is also available in the area.

If you don't like swimming, there are lots of other things to do here. Grab an ice cream cone and take a stroll down the boardwalk while enjoying the Atlantic Ocean, or hire a bike and go for a ride. If you really want to get out on the water, here is an excellent place to learn about stand-up paddleboarding. Dogs are not permitted on the beach from 9 a.m to 5 p.m, and they are not permitted on the boardwalk at any time. Carolina Beach State Park, which is close by, offers tent and RV camping.

Topsail Island is a 26-mile barrier island off the coast of Eastern North Carolina that is shared by Pender and Onslow counties. North Topsail, Surf City, and Topsail Beach are all part of it. It's located north of Wilmington and south of Jacksonville (and Swansboro), making it a beautiful and laid-back seaside town.

This is one of the rare spots with excellent beaches on both the sound and the Atlantic sides. This means that shallow, warm, calm seas are perfect for families with little children. Beach walkers can enjoy apparently limitless expanses of sand on the Atlantic side, while shell seekers will be rewarded with some of the greatest findings on the North Carolina coast. The waves and rolling surf are ideal for swimming. The 937-foot-long Surf City Pier is one of the main attractions. A popular restaurant and a friendly atmosphere may be found here. Mullet and king mackerel are common species found here. There is no charge for parking.

Emerald Isle is a town located in Carteret County, North Carolina. It is entirely on Bogue Banks and is part of the Crystal Coast. Emerald Isle is a coastal playground for tourists searching for the greatest range of vacation homes and days spent resting and having fun in the sun. It is known as a family beach resort.

This place is known for being one of the greatest spots along the whole coastline to view a stunning sunset. The Bogue Inlet Fishing Pier, large walking and bicycling paths, a waterslide park, and mini-golf courses are just several of the things to do on and off the beach for people of all ages. The green marine forest that surrounds the island gave it its name. Take a walk along with one of the many nature paths that make their way through the woodland to see this for yourself. There are plenty of places to stay here, with a wide range of rental houses, cottages, and condominiums located directly on or near the beach.

Bald Head Island's beautiful beaches are accessible by a 20-minute passenger boat ride from Southport's Deep Point Marina. Cars are not permitted on Bald Head Island, the only modes of travel are the tram or golf carts. If you rent a beach house, the tram is free.

Golf carts may be hired at the ferry station if you are only visiting for the day. Alternatively, bring your bike and ride your way around the 15-mile of trails. The 14 miles of soft-sand beach are undoubtedly the main attraction, but there are also a variety of things to choose from, including an excellent 18-hole golf course, hiking trails, and kayaking, or for those with less busy schedules, a relaxing spa or shopping at the cute boutiques in town is worth to experience.

Kitty Hawk's golden sand beach stretches for kilometers. Finding your own stretch of sand and building your beach outpost is simple. At one of the several beach-access locations, parking is quite straightforward and free.

When traveling from the north, Kitty Hawk is the first town you'll see after crossing the Currituck Sound bridge on Highway 158. The accessibility and availability of service are some of Kitty Hawk's best strengths. You'll discover a wide range of restaurants, grocery stores, and unique retail shops along the four-lane highway, providing everything you could possibly need for a beach excursion. The Wilbur Wright Memorial is also located near Kitty Hawk and is a great place to visit on a cloudy or rainy day.

As you go down the Atlantic coast, the beaches of these three cities merge into one another. The beach along the Atlantic, like many of the other beaches on the Outer Banks, is vast and backed by dunes. These beaches are ideal for individuals seeking some privacy and seclusion. Kitesurfing is popular in this part of the Outer Banks. Kiteboarding is most popular in the towns of Salvo and Waves. Here you'll find fantastic facilities for learning, buying gear, or simply getting out on the water.

The renowned beach home featured in the movie Nights in Rodanthe, which was moved slightly inland off the beach in 2010 due to erosion, may be seen off route 12 on Beacon Road if you are a fan of Richard Gere or Diane Lane. Or you can come across the Outer Banks' biggest commercial campsites are in the Tri Villages. In addition to camping, local real estate firms provide a wide range of cottages for rent.