North Carolina - all beaches

Choose the best one from 49 beaches
14
Kids friendly beaches
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49
Good for Relax beaches
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15
Pet friendly beaches
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About North Carolina

The gentle sea with the purest water and the magnificent sandy beaches of North Carolina attract more and more tourists yearly. The crystal turquoise color of the seawater sets the level of your vacation somewhere between stunning and perfect. So if you are looking for the perfect sea, this is your place!

Popular destinations

view the best beach places

Island Pines

Island Pines

2 beaches
Kite or windsurfing • Good for Sup surfing • Good for Surfing
Rodanthe

Rodanthe

2 beaches
Kite or windsurfing • Good for Sup surfing • Good for Surfing
Kitty Hawk Beach

Kitty Hawk Beach

2 beaches
Kite or windsurfing • Good for Surfing • Kids friendly
Kill Devil Hills

Kill Devil Hills

4 beaches
Kite or windsurfing • Good for Sup surfing • Good for Surfing
Nags Head

Nags Head

4 beaches
Kite or windsurfing • Good for Sup surfing • Good for Surfing
Wanchese

Wanchese

3 beaches
Kite or windsurfing • Good for Sup surfing • Good for Surfing
Whalebone

Whalebone

3 beaches
Kite or windsurfing • Good for Sup surfing • Good for Surfing
Sanderling

Sanderling

3 beaches
Kite or windsurfing • Good for Sup surfing • Good for Surfing
Ocean Isle Beach

Ocean Isle Beach

2 beaches
Kite or windsurfing • Good for Surfing • Beach volleyball
Poplar Branch

Poplar Branch

3 beaches
Wild beach • Kite or windsurfing • Good for Sup surfing
Sea Breeze

Sea Breeze

3 beaches
Kite or windsurfing • Good for Sup surfing • Good for Surfing
Sheephead Rock

Sheephead Rock

4 beaches
Kite or windsurfing • Good for Sup surfing • Good for Surfing
Carolina Beach

Carolina Beach

4 beaches
Kite or windsurfing • Good for Sup surfing • Good for Surfing
Kure Beach

Kure Beach

4 beaches
Kite or windsurfing • Good for Sup surfing • Good for Surfing
Sunset Beach

Sunset Beach

3 beaches
Kite or windsurfing • Good for Surfing • Beach volleyball
Ocean Hills

Ocean Hills

2 beaches
Wild beach • Kite or windsurfing • Good for Surfing
Avon

Avon

2 beaches
Kite or windsurfing • Good for Surfing • Good for Relax
Caswell Beach

Caswell Beach

4 beaches
Kite or windsurfing • Good for Surfing • Beach volleyball
Bald Head Island

Bald Head Island

4 beaches
Kite or windsurfing • Good for Surfing • Beach volleyball
Carova

Carova

1 beach
Kite or windsurfing • Good for Surfing • Good for Relax
Emerald Isle

Emerald Isle

3 beaches
Kite or windsurfing • Good for Sup surfing • Good for Surfing
Ocean

Ocean

3 beaches
Kite or windsurfing • Good for Sup surfing • Good for Surfing
Varnamtown

Varnamtown

4 beaches
Good for Kayaking • Kite or windsurfing • Good for Sup surfing
Oak Island

Oak Island

5 beaches
Good for Kayaking • Kite or windsurfing • Good for Surfing
Chadwick Acres

Chadwick Acres

5 beaches
Kite or windsurfing • Good for Sup surfing • Good for Surfing
Holden Beach

Holden Beach

3 beaches
Good for Kayaking • Kite or windsurfing • Good for Sup surfing
Pine Knoll Shores

Pine Knoll Shores

3 beaches
Good for Kayaking • Kite or windsurfing • Good for Surfing
Atlantic Beach

Atlantic Beach

3 beaches
Good for Kayaking • Kite or windsurfing • Good for Surfing
Beaufort

Beaufort

3 beaches
Good for Kayaking • Kite or windsurfing • Good for Surfing
Ocean City Beach

Ocean City Beach

6 beaches
Good for diving • Kite or windsurfing • Good for Sup surfing
West Onslow Beach

West Onslow Beach

6 beaches
Good for diving • Kite or windsurfing • Good for Sup surfing
Duck Creek

Duck Creek

2 beaches
Kite or windsurfing • Good for Sup surfing • Good for Surfing
Wrightsville Beach

Wrightsville Beach

1 beach
Good for diving • Good for Surfing • Kids friendly
Buxton

Buxton

5 beaches
Wild beach • Kite or windsurfing • Good for Surfing
Buxton Landing

Buxton Landing

5 beaches
Wild beach • Kite or windsurfing • Good for Surfing
North Topsail Beach

North Topsail Beach

6 beaches
Kite or windsurfing • Good for Sup surfing • Good for Surfing
Surf City

Surf City

7 beaches
Good for diving • Kite or windsurfing • Good for Sup surfing
Indian Beach

Indian Beach

3 beaches
Good for Kayaking • Kite or windsurfing • Good for Surfing
Topsail Beach

Topsail Beach

3 beaches
Good for diving • Kite or windsurfing • Good for Sup surfing
Sloop Point

Sloop Point

5 beaches
Good for diving • Kite or windsurfing • Good for Sup surfing
Frisco

Frisco

4 beaches
Wild beach • Kite or windsurfing • Good for Surfing
Hatteras

Hatteras

3 beaches
Wild beach • Kite or windsurfing • Good for Surfing
Ocracoke

Ocracoke

2 beaches
Wild beach • Good for Surfing • Camping
Cape Lookout

Cape Lookout

1 beach
Wild beach • Good for Relax • Sand
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North Carolina Best beaches

view the highest rated beaches in area

On map
Wrightsville beach
Wrightsville beach
Wrightsville beach
Kids friendly

Wrightsville beach

Wrightsville Beach 0.2 km
Good
7.2
Free entrance • Amenities beach • Easy access • Bright sand • Crowded in season • Large low tide
7.8 Amenities index
Topsail beach
Topsail beach
Topsail beach
Kids friendly

Topsail beach

Topsail Beach 0.2 km
Good
7.1
Free entrance • Amenities beach • Easy access • Bright sand • Crowded in season • Large low tide
6.7 Amenities index
Caswell beach
Caswell beach
Caswell beach
Good for Relax

Caswell beach

Caswell Beach 0.3 km
Good
7.1
Free entrance • Amenities beach • Easy access • Bright sand • Turquoise pure water • Large low tide
2 Amenities index
Surf City beach II
Surf City beach II
Surf City beach II
Good for Relax

Surf City beach II

West Onslow Beach 0.6 km
Good
7
Free entrance • Amenities beach • Easy access • Bright sand • Crowded in season • Large low tide
4 Amenities index
Frisco beach II
Frisco beach II
Frisco beach II
Good for Relax

Frisco beach II

Frisco 3 km
Good
7
Free entrance • Virgin beach • Easy access • Bright sand • Turquoise pure water • Large low tide
1 Amenities index
Sea Haven beach
Sea Haven beach
Sea Haven beach
Good for Relax

Sea Haven beach

North Topsail Beach 1.8 km
Good
7
Free entrance • Virgin beach • Easy access • Bright sand • Turquoise pure water • Large low tide
2.2 Amenities index
View all 49 beaches

Popular types of North Carolina beaches

Sand
Sand
Fine sand
Fine sand
Kite or windsurfing
Kite or windsurfing
Sup-surfing
Sup-surfing
Surfing
Surfing
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Calm, measured rest and the sound of waves are perhaps the most common associations that arise with the word "beach". This is not surprising, as relaxation is exactly what many beach travelers are looking for. If you associate your vacation primarily with such activity, choose one of the 49 beaches in the state.

To make your choice easier, we have prepared a list of the best beaches for relaxation in North Carolina.

Quitest and lonely beaches in North Carolina

Conch St Public beach

Conch St Public beach
7.6
Free entrance, Amenities beach, Easy access, Bright sand, Turquoise pure water
United States, Nags Head 1.9 km
Coquina beach

Coquina beach
7.6
Free entrance, Virgin beach, Easy access, Bright sand, Turquoise pure water
United States, Wanchese 7.4 km
Pine Island beach

Pine Island beach
7.4
Free entrance, Amenities beach, Easy access, Bright sand, Turquoise pure water
United States, Sanderling 5.2 km
Corolla beach

Corolla beach
7.4
Free entrance, Amenities beach, Easy access, Bright sand, Turquoise pure water
United States, Poplar Branch 8.8 km
Long beach

Long beach
7.4
Free entrance, Amenities beach, Easy access, Bright fine sand, Turquoise pure water
United States, Oak Island 1.4 km
Corolla beach II

Corolla beach II
7.4
Free entrance, Virgin beach, Easy access, Bright sand, Turquoise pure water
United States, Ocean Hills 0.9 km
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Beaches for families with children in North Carolina

Jennette's Pier beach

Jennette's Pier beach
7.8
Free entrance, Amenities beach, Easy access, Bright sand
United States, Whalebone 0.5 km
Pier House Weddings and Events beach

Pier House Weddings and Events beach
7.8
Free entrance, Amenities beach, Easy access, Bright sand
United States, Kitty Hawk Beach 0.9 km
Avalon Pier beach

Avalon Pier beach
7.8
Free entrance, Amenities beach, Easy access, Bright sand
United States, Kill Devil Hills 1.4 km
Carolina beach

Carolina beach
7.5
Free entrance, Amenities beach, Easy access, Bright sand
United States, Carolina Beach 0.3 km
Ocean Isle beach

Ocean Isle beach
7.5
Free entrance, Amenities beach, Easy access, Bright sand
United States, Ocean Isle Beach 1.3 km
Kure beach

Kure beach
7.5
Free entrance, Amenities beach, Easy access, Bright sand
United States, Kure Beach 0.2 km
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Best dog friendly beaches in North Carolina

Rodanthe beach

Rodanthe beach
7.8
Free entrance, Amenities beach, Easy access, Bright fine sand
United States, Island Pines 0.6 km
Oak Island Pier beach

Oak Island Pier beach
7.6
Free entrance, Amenities beach, Easy access, Bright fine sand
United States, Caswell Beach 3 km
Holden beach

Holden beach
7.4
Free entrance, Amenities beach, Easy access, Bright sand
United States, Holden Beach 0.7 km
Holden beach II

Holden beach II
7.2
Free entrance, Amenities beach, Easy access, Bright sand, Turquoise pure water
United States, Varnamtown 2.4 km
Freeman Park beach

Freeman Park beach
7.2
Free entrance, Amenities beach, Easy access, Bright sand
United States, Sea Breeze 1 km
Frisco beach

Frisco beach
7.1
Free entrance, Amenities beach, Easy access, Bright sand, Turquoise pure water
United States, Frisco 1.3 km
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Long beaches in North Carolina

Rodanthe beach II

Rodanthe beach II
7.8
Free entrance, Amenities beach, Easy access, Bright fine sand
United States, Rodanthe 0.4 km
Avon Fishing Pier

Avon Fishing Pier
7.8
Free entrance, Amenities beach, Easy access, Bright sand
United States, Avon 0.6 km
North Topsail beach

North Topsail beach
7.7
Free entrance, Virgin beach, Easy access, Bright sand
United States, North Topsail Beach 1.3 km
Sunset beach

Sunset beach
7.4
Free entrance, Amenities beach, Easy access, Bright sand
United States, Sunset Beach 1.6 km
Onslow beach

Onslow beach
7.4
Free entrance, Amenities beach, Easy access, Bright sand
United States, Duck Creek 3.1 km
Atlantic beach

Atlantic beach
7.4
Free entrance, Amenities beach, Easy access, Bright sand
United States, Atlantic Beach 0.2 km
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Wild and hidden beaches in North Carolina

Carova beach

Carova beach
7.3
Free entrance, Virgin beach, Easy access, Bright sand, Turquoise pure water
United States, Carova 4.2 km
Fort Macon beach

Fort Macon beach
7.2
Free entrance, Virgin beach, Easy access, Bright sand
United States, Beaufort 2.8 km
Ocean City beach

Ocean City beach
7
Free entrance, Virgin beach, Easy access, Bright sand
United States, Ocean City Beach 0.8 km
Surf City beach

Surf City beach
7
Free entrance, Virgin beach, Easy access, Bright sand, Turquoise pure water
United States, Sloop Point 2.1 km
Cape Hatteras beach

Cape Hatteras beach
7
Free entrance, Virgin beach, Easy access, Bright sand, Turquoise pure water
United States, Buxton 3.8 km
Pine Knoll Shores beach

Pine Knoll Shores beach
7
Free entrance, Virgin beach, Easy access, Bright sand, Turquoise pure water
United States, Pine Knoll Shores 1.5 km
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Good for relaxing, calm beaches in North Carolina

Fort Fisher beach

Fort Fisher beach
7.4
Free entrance, Amenities beach, Easy access, Bright fine sand
United States, Sheephead Rock 2.8 km
Eastern Regional beach

Eastern Regional beach
7.3
Free entrance, Amenities beach, Easy access, Bright sand, Turquoise pure water
United States, Ocean 5.1 km
Surf City Pier

Surf City Pier
7.3
Free entrance, Amenities beach, Easy access, Bright sand
United States, Surf City 0.2 km
South beach

South beach
7.2
Free entrance, Amenities beach, Easy access, Bright sand, Turquoise pure water
United States, Bald Head Island 3.7 km
Emerald Isle beach

Emerald Isle beach
7.2
Free entrance, Amenities beach, Easy access, Bright sand
United States, Emerald Isle 0.7 km
Indian beach

Indian beach
7.2
Free entrance, Amenities beach, Easy access, Bright sand
United States, Indian Beach 0.4 km
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Attraction and Infrastructure

As for the main features of the beaches of North Carolina, they are as follows:

  • The state's beaches are mainly wide, long and have a high level of cleanliness. The most common surface is sand of bright color.
  • Usually, entry into the water is gentle, which is very good for kids. There are 49 such beaches.
  • An important clarification, 48 beaches in the state have a long intertidal zone, which means that during low tide hours you may have to travel a considerable distance. This is also something to consider if you don't want to suddenly be in the water at high tide.
  • The average distance from the road to beach in North Carolina is less than 500 meters. 49 beaches are relatively easy to access.

The vast majority of North Carolina beaches have the necessary amenities, such as sun loungers, umbrellas, beach cafes, showers and toilets.

Latest reviews on North Carolina's beaches

Wrightsville beach
4 Siji Kuriakose

Beautiful and clean beach, mostly clear water. Lots of shells, Great experience.

Topsail beach
10 John Anderson

This beach offers approximately six parking spaces conveniently located right by the walkway, as well as around ten spaces across the street near the water tower. Additionally, there is a rinse off shower available. It takes approximately five minutes to walk to the nearest access point that provides restroom facilities. During our visit in July and August, the beach was moderately populated, with a limited number of people. We never had anyone set up their belongings closer than 20 feet away from us. Moreover, every day we were there, it was possible to comfortably stand in shallow water about 20 feet offshore during low tide.

Caswell beach
8 Tamara Williams

The water was pleasantly warm and invigorating. With turtles nesting and making their way to the ocean, there's a chance to catch a glimpse of these magnificent creatures. Once we located the parking lot area, parking was convenient. The area offers amenities such as portable toilets, a shower, and a ramp for easy access to the beach. Upon entering the water, be cautious of shells, sticks, and rocks that may not be foot-friendly. However, once you navigate past these obstacles, it's smooth sailing. Personally, I found there to be an excessive amount of ocean debris at the bottom of the water and on the sand, which didn't quite suit my preferences.

Surf City beach II
10 Luna Everhart

We had a fantastic time at this beach! We enjoyed being right next to the water. The atmosphere was very relaxing and the prices were great!

Frisco beach II
10 Dan D.

The OBX offers the best kite boarding experience, even if you're just there to watch like me 😉

Sea Haven beach
10 Liam Anderson

The people were extremely friendly and the place was spotless! The pizza was absolutely amazing, and the smoked gouda bites were delicious.

Please note that lifeguards supervise 24 beaches in the state, but you should rely on more than just them, remember the elementary rules, as lifeguards are not on duty around the clock, even on equipped beaches!

Finding hotels in relative proximity to the beaches is usually fine. Many beaches have enough nearby accommodation, which gives good opportunities to choose the right place to stay.

The hottest month of the state is July - air temperature during this time warms up to 31.2°C and water up to 29°C in August. The coldest month is January - air temperature drops to 10°C and water to 9.1°C.

Do you know how many beaches there are in North Carolina? In total there are 49 beaches and the most popular is Jennette's Pier beach.

Most viewed beaches of North Carolina

The Point beach

The Point beach
7
Free entrance, Virgin beach, Easy access, Light sand & pebble, Turquoise pure water
United States, Varnamtown 2.5 km
Sea Haven beach

Sea Haven beach
7
Free entrance, Virgin beach, Easy access, Bright sand, Turquoise pure water
United States, North Topsail Beach 1.8 km
Old Lighthouse beach

Old Lighthouse beach
7
Free entrance, Virgin beach, Easy access, Bright sand, Turquoise pure water
United States, Buxton Landing 2.1 km
Ocracoke beach

Ocracoke beach
6.9
Free entrance, Virgin beach, Easy access, Bright sand, Turquoise pure water
United States, Ocracoke 2.7 km
Caswell beach

Caswell beach
7.1
Free entrance, Amenities beach, Easy access, Bright sand, Turquoise pure water
United States, Caswell Beach 0.3 km
Wrightsville beach

Wrightsville beach
7.2
Free entrance, Amenities beach, Easy access, Bright sand
United States, Wrightsville Beach 0.2 km
View all 49 beaches

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What are the main features of best beaches in North Carolina?

When it comes to finding the best beaches in North Carolina, the following aspects should be taken into account.

There are 49 beaches in total, of which about 0 can be called high-rated.

The best beaches in the majority:

They are also usually:

The best beaches in North Carolina:

View all beaches in North Carolina and create your selection by features

How to view only nearest to me beaches in North Carolina?

To find the beaches closest to your current geolocation, click the Nearby Beaches icon in the search box. You will see the nearest beaches sorted by distance from you.

Note, that if you only want to see the beaches closest to you in North Carolina, you must be in that area to get the correct results.

See also: View all beaches in North Carolina and create your selection by features.

How to view all beaches in North Carolina on map?

To view and filter by characteristics all beaches of North Carolina, use the link below:

See also:

View all beaches in North Carolina and combine selections by features

What are all easy accessible beaches in North Carolina?

Most of the beaches located in North Carolina are easily accessible, but there are also hard to reach beaches among them. Use the filter to sort the beaches by access details (parking, distance etc.).

Popular categories of beaches in North Carolina by access:

See also the categories:

Top 5 popular beaches with easy access in North Carolina:

View all beaches in North Carolina and select by features

How to view all sandy beaches or beaches with other natural features in North Carolina?

Use the "Main features" section of the filter in search results to see all the beaches with the feature you're interested in.

The most popular selections of beaches with natural features are listed below. Don't forget that you can create your own selection with any combination of features

Beach coverage and water

Natural scenery

View all beaches in North Carolina and select by features

How to find uncrowded beaches in North Carolina?

The presence of crowds of tourists on the beach these days is becoming a mass character, and sometimes you want silence and solitude. Use the filter in search results to view the beaches in North Carolina by occupancy.

Popular categories:

View all beaches in North Carolina and select by features

Which beaches in North Carolina are kid-friendly, good for relax, pet-friendly, naturist-friendly, camping-friendly?

The selections of the beaches in North Carolina according to the recommended audience:

See also:

How to view all beaches by amenities details in North Carolina?

Use filter in search results to select a beach according to your preference for amenities.

Popular beach infrastructure categories:

See also:

View all beaches in North Carolina and select by specific amenities

How to view all beaches by activity of interest in North Carolina?

Use the "Activity" section of the filter in search results to view the selections of beaches by one or multiple activities. Below are a few popular selections that you can change as you like using our filter.

View all beaches in North Carolina and select by activity