The Best Beaches Near Wilmington, NC: A Guide by County
As you may know from reading the other Wilmington articles the city is a vibrant, historical, and fun city to live in and visit. All of that is said before we even get to the beaches!
One thing to keep in mind, especially if you live in an area where counties are not that important: counties matter here a lot and play a large role when speaking about an area. Wilmington is in New Hanover County. According to the county, it is the second smallest by land mass but is one of the most populated at approximately 250,000 people. It is made up of Wilmington and its three beach towns, as well as several unincorporated villages.
While interesting to me, I am sure you are ready to learn about the beaches. Here they are, listed by county, starting with, of course, my home county of New Hanover.
New Hanover
New Hanover has three beaches in their respective beach towns: Wrightsville Beach, Carolina Beach, and Kure Beach. All have a very different vibe with a lot to offer.
Wrightsville Beach
Wrightsville Beach is often considered Wilmington’s beach, as it sits about 15 to 20 minutes from downtown. While every beach in this area has a casual vibe to it, Wrightsville is considered the slightly more upscale beach town. You will overhear it referred to as simply WB. Census Reporter lists Wrightsville with a population of 2,665 residents within its city limits.
Like all of the beaches in New Hanover, the beach itself is beautiful. There is plenty of parking, but as it fills up, it will start to cost you. If you can snag street parking, it’s reasonable, but private parking lots will cost you $20 to $30. There are several hotels on the beach as well as many Airbnbs. Two local landmarks worth knowing are Johnnie Mercer’s Pier, which stretches out into the Atlantic, and The Loop, a popular 2.45-mile walking and running path that circles the south end of the island.
Carolina Beach
Next is Carolina Beach. This is the “fun” beach. The boardwalk takes you past many bars, restaurants, shops, and an outdoor amusement park (open in the summer months). When you think of a lively beach town, this is it. Carolina Beach is the largest of the New Hanover beaches, with Census Reporter showing 6,745 residents. The town itself has a lot to offer with good restaurants, breweries, and shops. And no trip to Carolina Beach is complete without a stop at Britt’s Donuts, a boardwalk institution that locals and visitors alike will tell you is a must.
Kure Beach
Kure Beach is the furthest south and an easy drive from Carolina Beach. The two sort of flow into each other as you drive south along the coast. Typically, you’ll notice it get a bit calmer, with shops and restaurants starting to show up further apart. Kure Beach is home to Fort Fisher, an important site in the US Civil War’s history. It is also home to a North Carolina state park that includes a large drive-on beach that my Jeep and I have visited many times. The NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher is a very popular attraction for people visiting the area. You’ll also find the Kure Beach Pier here, one of the oldest fishing piers on the East Coast and a great spot for fishing or just taking in the view.
Ferry to Southport
A fun way to explore these beaches and then head over to Brunswick County is by taking the Fort Fisher to Southport Ferry from Kure Beach. The ferry operates multiple times throughout the day, with about 14 to 16 crossings depending on the season, and allows you to bring your vehicle aboard. Pedestrians are just $1, which includes all passengers in the vehicle. The 35-minute ride across the Cape Fear River is half the fun, with frequent dolphin sightings, pelicans, and scenic open-water views, making it more of an experience than just a way to get there.
While Wilmington’s own beaches are the main attraction, two neighboring counties offer fantastic beach options that are easy day trips from downtown.
Brunswick County
Brunswick County is massive compared to New Hanover County, and while some of its beaches are a longer drive, others sit right on Wilmington’s doorstep. In fact, Brunswick County borders downtown Wilmington across the Cape Fear River, putting several of its beaches within easy day trip distance.
Pender County
Pender County stretches north and northeast of Wilmington and is home to two notable beach towns on Topsail Island.
- Topsail Beach
- Surf City (best for surfing)
Getting Here
Come on down! The Wilmington area is about 5 hours south of Washington, DC and 5 hours from Atlanta. Charlotte is about three hours away. Our internal airport, ILM, holds its own with many different flight options including New York, DC, Boston, Miami, Dallas, Chicago, and many others. Head over to Google Flights and start the search!
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FAQ
The Wilmington area is home to three beaches in New Hanover County, including Wrightsville Beach, Carolina Beach, and Kure Beach. Within an easy drive, you’ll also find six beaches in Brunswick County to the south and two more in Pender County to the north, giving travelers eleven total beaches to explore in the greater Wilmington region.
Wrightsville Beach is the closest beach to downtown Wilmington, sitting just a short drive east of the city. It’s the most popular beach for both locals and visitors due to its proximity, wide sandy shores, and lively coastal town atmosphere.
No, Bald Head Island is only accessible by passenger ferry or private boat. Once on the island, visitors and residents get around exclusively by golf cart or bicycle, making it one of the most unique car-free destinations on the East Coast.
Surf City in Pender County is widely considered one of the best surfing spots near Wilmington, with consistent waves suitable for beginners and experienced surfers alike. Wrightsville Beach is also a popular local surf spot with a strong surf culture and several surf schools.
Yes, Brunswick County borders downtown Wilmington across the Cape Fear River, making several of its beaches an easy day trip. Bald Head Island and Caswell Beach are the closest, while Sunset Beach near the South Carolina border is the furthest at about an hour’s drive.
