Carolina Beach
Whether you want to spend a week with your family or relax in the sun, there are many things to do in Carolina Beach. This beach town is just a few hours north of Charlotte and offers everything. There are amusement parks, fishing spots, and a wide variety of shops and restaurants. The beach is also safe and features lifeguards to keep everyone safe.
When visiting Charlotte, NC, you can choose between public or private beaches. The beaches in Charlotte are perfect for families and groups of all ages. You can spend the day lounging by the water or try out some water sports. You can take advantage of Charlotte, NC's many activities and great food options.
Carolina Beach has a population of around 5,600. It was annexed from Wilmington Beach in 2000. It is located on the northern end of Pleasure Island, a barrier island shared by Kure Beach and Sea Breeze communities. It has a land area of 2.45 square miles.
Bald Head Island
If you want to enjoy the wide soft sand and gentle waves, head to one of the best beaches near Charlotte, North Carolina, Bald head Island. Located in Brunswick County, the island is just 4.5 hours away from Charlotte and has three beaches: Bald Head Beach, Southport Beach, and Wrightsville Beach. You can also take the ferry from Fort Fisher.
This small island off the coast of Charlotte, North Carolina, is perfect for a family vacation. It offers a tranquil, relaxing atmosphere and plenty of activities, including fishing piers, watersports, and an old-fashioned lighthouse. It's also home to the Oak Island Nature Center, which features fossil exhibits and local wildlife. You'll find several classic lodgings here, including beach houses with a view.
For a more upscale beach experience, head north to Pawleys Island, a historic vacation community and one of the Southeast's oldest vacation destinations. This coastal island is home to some of the country's best beaches and combines marsh with the coast for a fantastic fishing experience. It also features a pristine nature preserve and sculpture gardens.
Carova Beach
Carova Beach is an unincorporated community located in the extreme northeast corner of North Carolina. Initially developed in the 1960s, it is located on the Currituck Banks, just north of Bodie Island. The community is only accessible by boat or four-wheel drive vehicle. It offers a unique setting for the perfect beach vacation.
Carova Beach is an excellent destination for anyone looking for a relaxing, unspoiled beach experience. The gently sloping beach makes it perfect for families with children. You can swim and play in the water and spend time building sandcastles. The warm temperatures of the summer and fall are perfect for water sports.
In addition to its sandy beaches, Carova Beach is home to wild horses renowned for roaming the shores. The area has no commercial development and is only accessible by four-wheel drive. Because of its remote location, you can truly experience nature at its best.
Corolla Beach
The quiet nature of Corolla attracts visitors who enjoy outdoor activities, such as kayaking, fishing, and surfing. The area is also home to several attractions, many of which are open year-round. Visitors should be aware of traffic, however, especially on Saturdays.
Corolla is home to some of the best beaches on the Outer Banks. It is also the perfect place for families who enjoy the beach. The beaches are clean and wide, with fine sand sloping gently to the sea. The town encourages outdoor activities, including kayaking, surfing, kiteboarding, and parasailing. The area also has abundant golf courses, tennis courts, and other amenities.
Historic Corolla allows visitors to explore the area's past and learn about its history. The town is home to the Currituck Beach Lighthouse, a treasured maritime heritage piece. Visitors can hike the 214 steps up the lighthouse to see 360-degree views of the coast.
Kure Beach
The historical town of Kure Beach has a fishing pier, one of the oldest on the Atlantic Coast. It was built in 1923 and has undergone several rebuilds. As of the 2020 census, Kure Beach had a population of 2,191, with a total of 951 households and 601 families.
The beach is known for its fresh seafood and jazz concerts. There are plenty of restaurants and bars to enjoy the food and the ocean views. There are also plenty of activities, including SCUBA diving and live music events. Accommodation rates are seasonal, peaking during the summer and dwindling during the winter. However, if you plan your trip during shoulder season, you can find more affordable rates than during peak months.
Another attraction in Kure Beach is the Coquina Outcrop, a rare rock formation. This formation has become a significant tourist attraction for locals and visitors. The North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher also has a touch tank modeled after the outcrop. Visitors should check the tide charts to get up close to the outcrop and wait until the tide is low to see it.
Emerald Isle
If you are searching for a beach vacation with the family, you can't go wrong with Emerald Isle. The beautiful beaches here are a haven for families and are filled with white sand and soft water. Aside from being an excellent place for family vacations, Emerald Isle is a great spot for shelling, catching rays, and splashing through the waves.
Shopping is a big part of Emerald Isle, home to locally-owned shops with a coastal feel. There are many unique gift shops and a historic downtown district. You'll enjoy wandering through the waterfront's quaint stores, art galleries, and boutiques.
The population of Emerald Isle was 3,714 at the last census, and during the summer, it swells to more than 50,000. A bridge was opened in 1971, connecting Emerald Isle with Cedar Point, increasing the island's growth.
Masonboro Island
North Carolina's Masonboro Island Reserve is a pristine barrier island with eight miles of the pristine playground. It is an ideal spot for wildlife watching, studying salt marshes, and tidal ecosystems. Visitors can camp in primitive areas and enjoy a quiet, unspoiled beach. Boat ramps are nearby in Wrightsville Beach and Carolina Beach.
The untouched nature of Masonboro Island makes this an ideal location for a family vacation. There are plenty of things to do on the untouched beach, and you can rent kayaks and paddleboards to take out and explore the waters. If you like to hike, you can take the Loop fitness trail and enjoy the wildlife and sunsets.
A boat tour is another popular way to see the island. Epic Excursions offers half-day and full-day charters on their 23-foot catamaran. They also offer stand-up paddleboard lessons and private tours of the coastal wetlands.
Lake Norman State Park
Lake Norman is a manmade body of water in North Carolina, created by the Cowans Ford Dam. The lake is the largest in the state and is fed by the Catawba River. Named after former Duke Power president Norman Cocke, it boasts more than 50 square miles of surface area.
Located 40 miles north of Charlotte, Lake Norman State Park has a 125-yard beach and boat ramp. It is also the home of the largest spotted bass in the state. Eric M. Weir caught the record-breaking fish at Lake Norman in December 2003, weighing 6 pounds, five ounces.
While the city has no beaches, nearby towns have stunning lakes and pristine shorelines. In addition, driving east from Charlotte will bring you to some of the most beautiful beaches in the area, including the Atlantic Coast and barrier islands.
