Located on the state's famed Crystal Coast, Atlantic Beach is one of the most popular destinations, owing largely to its location and the fact that it faces south, protecting it from the wind and waves of the Atlantic Ocean. It has a long history as one of the top beach destinations on the entire coastline. The soft-sand beach is wide and backed by shopping and dining options that range from burgers right through to top-end restaurants. For time away from the beach, be sure to check out one of the four Walk Atlantic Beach loops. Each one takes you through different areas of town.

If fishing is your pastime, the Anchorage Marina has an excellent ramp, good ship store, and lots of parking for your rig and trailer. You can access the beach at any of the 44 well-marked access points with parking nearby. Off the beach, you'll find a bustling downtown with beach-themed shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues. For a bit of Civil War era history swing by Fort Macon State Park. This stone fort is perfectly restored and is a great place to explore, with old cannons, stone ramparts, and dark passageways.

Website: atlanticbeach-nc.com

Address: 125 West Fort Macon Rd Atlantic Beach, NC 28512

Phone: 252 726-2121

Entrance fee: free

Google rating: 4.5/5.0

Just a short drive from Wilmington, Wrightsville Beach is a hot spot for all types of water sports, including stand up paddle-boarding, surfing, and kiteboarding. In fact, this is the beach where surfing all started in North Carolina. The waves roll in here on a steady basis and tend to be gentle, perfect for beginners. Rental boards and professional instruction are available just back from the beach at any one of the many surf shops. Most beginners opt to attend multi-day surf camps to really get the hang of things and to meet some other like-minded people.

Most of the surfing is on longboards, which are much easier to master. For those less inclined to activity, the golden sands and crystal-clear waters are perfect for lazing and splashing about. The beach is long and wide, with two piers jutting into the ocean, which are perfect for catching a sunrise or for fishing. Come and explore Wrightsville Beach, one of the best North Carolina Beaches.

Website: wrightsville-beach.wilmingtonandbeaches.com

Address: 1 Estell Lee Place, Suite 201, Wilmington, NC 28401

Phone: (910) 256-8116

Entrance fee: $5.00 an hour for parking fee

Google rating: 4.5/5.0

Nags Head is known for its wide-open beaches with golden sands and crystal-clear water, perfect for swimming. It was originally settled in 1830, and has been a popular beach destination attracting visitors for decades. Today, you can find plenty of accommodation in the form of hotels or rental homes. Beach walkers will appreciate the 12 miles of beach. You will likely run out of energy before you run out of real estate.

Located on the beach is the 1,000-foot-long Jenette's Pier, a local fishing hot spot. If you didn't bring your own fishing gear, you can rent from the shop on the pier. Also located on the pier is an aquarium. There is a small fee to walk the pier and an additional charge for fishing. Nearby is Jockey's Ridge State Park with large sand dunes and the Bodie Island Lighthouse dating from the early 1870s. Invest the effort to climb the stairs to the top for incredible views up and down the coast.

Website: www.nags-head.com

Address: 5401 S. Croatan Hwy. Nags Head, NC 27959

Phone: 252-441-5909

Entrance fee: $2.00

Google rating: 4.6/5.0

If you have a 4WD vehicle and are looking for a completely different beach experience, head out to Carova Beach. This beach is most famous for its wild horses, but is also popular for its huge, soft-sand beaches. You can drive on the beach and go as far as you want to find your own piece of beach paradise. This is also a great area for bird-watching and wildlife spotting, and it's one of the best spots for shelling in the Outer Banks.

No services are available out here, so be sure to bring all your supplies with you. You do not need to have a beach driving permit to drive on the sand here, unlike the national park beaches farther south. However, for the Memorial Day Long Weekend through to Labor Day, a parking permit is required. It is Carova Beach which is known as one of the best North Carolina Beaches.

Website: www.carovabeach.info

Address: 2133 Sandfiddler Rd Carova Beach, North Carolina 27927

Phone: 252-457-1100

Entrance fee: $50

Google rating: 4.5/5.0

Easily accessible from Wilmington, Carolina Beach is right near the mouth of the Cape Fear River. The beach is backed by a historic wooden boardwalk lined with restaurants and beach shops. The area also has a permanent midway with a Ferris Wheel and other kinds of fun rides for the kids.

If you aren't up for a swim, you can find plenty of other fun things to do here.

You can grab an ice-cream and stroll the boardwalk while gazing out at the Atlantic Ocean, or rent a bike and go for a ride. If you do want to get out on the water, this is a great spot to get an introduction to the sport of stand up paddle-boarding. Dog owners should be aware that dogs are not allowed on the beach from 9am to 5pm and are not allowed on the boardwalk at any time. Camping for tents and RVs is available nearby at Carolina Beach State Park.

Website: www.carolinabeach.org

Address: 1121 N. Lake Park Blvd. Carolina Beach, NC 28428

Phone: (910) 458-2999

Entrance fee: no charge

Google rating: 4.5/5.0

With over 26 miles of beach and three towns on the island – Topsail Beach, North Topsail Beach, and Surf City – you can choose to be either in the center of the action or out on your own. This is one of the few places that has exceptional beaches on the sound side, as well as the Atlantic side. This means you can find shallow, warm, calm waters that are ideal for families with small children.

On the Atlantic side, beach walkers can enjoy seemingly endless stretches of sand, and shell seekers will be rewarded with some of the best finds on the North Carolina coast. Swimmers can enjoy the waves and rolling surf. One of the main attractions is the 937-foot-long Surf City Pier. Here, you'll find a popular restaurant and a friendly atmosphere. Typical fish caught here include mullet and king mackerel. Parking is free. You come and have fun at beaches on Topsail Island, the best North Carolina Beaches.

Website: topsailbeachnc.gov

Address: 820 S. Anderson Blvd., Topsail Beach, NC 28445

Phone: 910-328-4851

Entrance fee: no charge

Google rating: 4.5/5.0

Emerald Island or Emerald Isle, depending on who you talk to, has The Point, one of the best spots to catch a spectacular sunset along the entire coastline. Emerald Isle greets Crystal Coast visitors at the western end of Bogue Banks, offering 12 miles of pristine shoreline and incredible views of the Atlantic Ocean and Bogue Inlet. With a variety of lodging options and a focus on family fun, Emerald Isle is a haven for watersports, fishing (onshore, offshore and on the Bogue Inlet Pier), or simply sitting on the sand and enjoying the sound of the waves rolling in.

Emerald Island is a family-friendly beach destination with things to do for all ages on and off the beach, including the Bogue Inlet Fishing Pier, extensive walking and biking trails, a waterslide park, and mini-golf courses.

Emerald Island was named for the green maritime forest that covers the area. To experience this firsthand, you can take a walk along one of several nature trails that wind their way through the forest. Accommodation here is plentiful, with an extensive selection of rental homes, cottages, and condominiums either right on or just back from the beach.

Website: www.emeraldisle-nc.org

Address: 7500 Emerald Drive, Emerald Isle, NC 28594

Phone: 252-354-3424

Entrance fee: $10 Daily Pass

Google rating: 4.8/5.0

The beautiful beaches of Bald Head Island are reached via a 20-minute passenger ferry from the Deep Point Marina in Southport. Bald Head Island does not allow cars, the only mode of transport is via a tram or golf carts. The tram is free if you are renting a beach house. If you are only day-tripping, golf carts can be rented at the ferry terminal.

Alternatively, bring your bicycle and pedal your way along the 15 miles of trails. The 14 miles of soft-sand beach is definitely the main draw here, but you'll also find a range of activities available, including an exceptional 18-hole golf course, hiking trails, and kayaking, or for those with less active agendas, a day at the spa or shopping at the cute boutiques in town. Beaches of Bald Head Island promise to be the best North Carolina Beaches.

Website: www.baldheadisland.com

Address: 6 Marina Wynd. Bald Head Island, NC 28461

Phone: (910) 457-7401

Entrance fee: $23.00 for adults and $12.00 for children ages 3-12

Google rating: 4.1/5.0

The golden sand beach at Kitty Hawk runs for miles. It's easy to find your own patch of sand and set up your beach outpost. Parking is relatively easy and is free at one of the many beach access points. Kitty Hawk is the first town you come to when arriving from the north after you cross the long bridge on Highway 158 across Currituck Sound. Outer Banks vacationers find that Kitty Hawk has a little something for everyone, including fantastic beaches, plenty of shops and restaurants, and even a large section of maritime forest where visitors can enjoy quiet nature trails, and spot all those geese that the original Native Americans were referring to.

One of the great advantages of Kitty Hawk is the accessibility and availability of service. Along the four-lane highway, you'll find a great variety of restaurants, grocery stores, and interesting retail shops selling everything you could ever need for your beach outing. Kitty Hawk is also home to the Wilbur Wright Memorial, ideal for an outing on a cloudy or rainy day.

Website: www.kittyhawknc.gov

Address: 965 West Kitty Hawk Road Kitty Hawk, NC 27949

Phone: (252) 261-1367

Entrance fee: $7 for adults, free for person 15 years old and younger.

Google rating: 4.9/5.0

The beaches in the Tri Villages: Rodanthe, Waves & Salvo meld into one another as you head down the Atlantic coastline. Like many of the other beaches along the Outer Banks, the beach along the Atlantic is wide and backed by dunes. These beaches are perfect for those looking for a little solitude and seclusion. The farther south you go, the less development you'll find, as the beaches are managed by the National Parks Service.

Kitesurfing is also a big deal in this area of the Outer Banks, primarily on the sound. The main location for kiteboarding is in the towns of Salvo and Waves. You'll find excellent facilities to learn, buy gear, or just access the water. If it's windy, don't miss out on seeing something unique. Tourists can head over to Watersports in Waves and grab a table on the patio at Waterman's Grill and watch the kiters zipping across the calm waters of the sound. The Tri Villages have the main commercial campgrounds of the Outer Banks, and if you are towing an RV, this is where you'll likely find yourself set up. In addition to camping, the local realty agencies have an extensive selection of cottages for rent.

Website: www.outerbanks.org

Address: 1 Visitors Center Circle, Manteo, NC 27954

Phone: 937-996-3155

Entrance fee: $2/sightseeing pass

Google rating: 4.5/5.0