Travel

Sand, surf and fun: Here are your picks for best beach vacation spots in the Carolinas

Beach goers relax in Duck.
Beach goers relax in Duck.

The Carolinas are blessed with a bounty of beaches — and there’s a vacation spot to suit everyone. You’ll find solitude in the Outer Banks, family-friendly activities at Wrightsville Beach and sometimes raucous crowds in Myrtle Beach, with everything in between.

We’ve asked before which beaches are your favorite, and this year we asked again. While many of you have visited the same spot for years, or even decades, others mix things up and visit a variety of beach destinations to relax with family and friends. We’re sharing your favorite restaurants, too, so you can take advice from travelers in the know.

Here are the best summer Carolina beach recommendations, according to you:

North Carolina beaches

Outer Banks

Whether you’re looking to see wild horses at Corolla or walk around Duck with one of its famous Duck Donuts in hand, there’s a variety of laid-back activities to take in if you’re willing to make the half-day drive from Charlotte. (Please also note, the Netflix show “Outer Banks” wasn’t actually filmed there, so you’d want to head to the Charleston area to peep those sights.)

Corolla Beach

Distance: 391 miles from Charlotte

Best restaurants:

Duck

Distance: 380 miles from Charlotte

Why it’s your favorite:

  • “Duck has kept its small town charm with a warm, friendly and comfortable feel about it.”

  • “Walkability, beauty, access to many amazing restaurants and shops.” said Jen Davis of Charlotte, who has been visiting Duck for 40+ years.

Best restaurants:

An aerial view of the Town of Duck.
An aerial view of the Town of Duck. Town of Duck

Kitty Hawk

Distance: 369 miles from Charlotte

Why it’s your favorite:

  • “Nice wide beach, dog friendly, great parking, feels like a slice of heaven.”

Kill Devil Hills

Distance: 369 miles from Charlotte

Why it’s your favorite:

  • “The sand dune,” said a reader who has visited there for about 35 years.

Best restaurant:

Nags Head

Distance: 363 miles from Charlotte

Why it’s your favorite:

  • “It’s the perfect beach for family with amazing restaurants and shopping. Can get to Kitty Hawk or Kill Devil Hills easily,” wrote Dustin Metz of Denver.

Best restaurants:

Avon Beach

Distance: 399 miles from Charlotte

Best restaurant: Oceanas Bistro

Buxton

Distance: 407 miles from Charlotte

Best restaurant: The Buxton Munch

Cape Hatteras National Seashore

Distance: 394 miles from Charlotte

Why it’s your favorite:

  • “The beauty and ruggedness of the beach,” wrote Michael Porter of Mint Hill, who has been coming to Cape Point Hatteras National Seashore for 30 years.

Best restaurants:

Hatteras Village

Distance: 408 miles from Charlotte

Best restaurant: Hatteras Sol Waterside Grill

Ocracoke Island

Distance: 441 miles from Charlotte (including a ferry ride)

Why it’s your favorite:

  • Secluded

  • “Laid back, nature.”

  • “Remote, authentic, chill.”

  • “Small, quiet, not commercialized.”

  • “The remoteness of it all,” a 35-year visitor wrote.

  • “National seashore, village, fish house,” wrote a reader who visited there for 25 years.

  • “Great beaches. No crowds. Great restaurants.”

Best restaurant:

Crystal Coast

Just south of the Outer Banks — or OBX — is the Crystal Coast. When you visit what is sometimes called the Southern Outer Banks, family-friendly activities are the star of the show. When you need a break from playing in the ocean, head to the Cape Fear River Trail to check out birds and other wildlife while you walk or bike, or visit the North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores to explore sea life.

Atlantic Beach

Distance: 284 miles from Charlotte

Best restaurants:

Salter Path

Distance: 275 miles from Charlotte

Best restaurant: Big Oak Drive-In & Bar-B-Q

Emerald Isle

Distance: 309 miles from Charlotte

Why it’s your favorite:

  • “Inexpensive cost, nice restaurants, quiet atmosphere without much riff raff, aquarium/historic sites/air show/lighthouses nearby, several good half marathons nearby,” said Maribeth Campbell of Matthews. She has visited Emerald Isle for 15 years. “I like checking restaurants in Swansboro, Beaufort, and New Bern (The Chelsea or Captain Ratty’s), Channel Marker, Sanitary, or Floyd’s 1921 in Morehead City,” she added.

  • “Variety of activities, clean wide open uncrowned beaches,” wrote another reader.

Best restaurants:

Topsail Island

If you’re seeking a laid-back, serene atmosphere, Topsail Island’s beaches are among those you’ll want to consider. You can take in the views from Surf City Ocean Pier or Topsail’s Jolly Roger Inn and Pier — or spend a quiet day fishing there. Rent a bike to explore the area, or make reservations to visit The Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center.

Surf City

Distance: 228 miles from Charlotte

Why it’s your favorite:

  • “Small, quaint, great restaurants along [the] beach, no high-rise buildings,” wrote Steve Shields, who has been visiting Surf City for 16 years.

Best restaurant:

Topsail Beach

Distance: 234 miles from Charlotte

Why it’s your favorite:

  • “Water is usually clearer and more tropical than other NC beaches.”

  • “Nice beach, not as touristy as other beaches, family beach.”

  • “Beautiful wide beach that’s pristine and quiet.”

  • “Quiet massive beach and beautiful water.”

  • “Beautiful beaches and water, relaxing, not overcommercialized.”

  • “Not too touristy like Myrtle. Not so remote as Outer Banks.”

  • “Quiet and not overcrowded,” a 20-year visitor wrote.

Best restaurants:

Wilmington area

In the Wilmington area, you can stroll through the walkable city’s historic downtown and tour the Battleship North Carolina before you enjoy the sand and surf at a nearby beach. When you’ve had your fill of sun, head to Wrightsville to shop ‘til you drop, or take a sunset dolphin cruise before heading out to dinner.

Figure Eight Island

Distance: 212 miles from Charlotte

Best restaurants: Two Guys Grille in Wilmington

Wrightsville Beach

Distance: 209 miles from Charlotte

Why it’s your favorite:

  • “Laid back yet has a bustle with shops, restaurants and bars,” wrote one reader.

  • “Great beach close to Wilmington restaurants.”

  • “Mostly residential [with] only a few hotels. Favorite family beach for over 40 years.”

  • “Because it’s the best,” wrote Larken Egleston, who has been visiting Wrightsville Beach for 30 years.

  • “Beautiful and proximity to Wilmington.”

  • “Easy drive from Charlotte.”

  • “Island beach,” wrote a reader who’s been going there for 50 years.

  • “Best small town.”

  • One reader who’s been visiting for 25 years said, “Beautiful and family friendly.”

Best restaurants:

Carolina Beach

Distance: 212 miles from Charlotte

Why it’s your favorite:

  • “Not too crowded but still TONS of things to do, from Fort Fisher and Carolina Beach itself to Wilmington and/or Southport. Beaches are clean/well-maintained and there’s plenty of space to spread out since there aren’t a ton of big hotels,” wrote Jen Cowan, who said Carolina Beach has been a favorite for about a decade. It’s not the only beach she visits, but it’s one of the best, she said. “It’s a laid-back-friendly vibe — not too upscale to be comfy. And it’s as affordable as any spot along the coast and more so than many.”

  • “Lots of things to do and dog friendly,” wrote another reader.

  • “Been going there for 30 years.”

  • “Serene.”

  • “Not overly crowded but still lots to do for a variety of different ages.”

  • “Beautiful beach and a fun town where everything is in walking distance.”

  • “Four wheel drive beach access. Not too crowded. Clean beaches. Plenty to do,” Jason Bree wrote.

Best restaurants:

Kure Beach

Distance: 215 miles from Charlotte

Why it’s your favorite:

  • “It has a small town comfy feel where time slows down. There are great restaurants and a lot of things to do also.”

  • “Always went there as a child,” wrote Lyn Penley.

Best restaurants:

Brunswick Islands

Save room for Calabash-style seafood when you visit the Brunswick Islands. Calabash seafood is fresh-caught, lightly battered and deep fried — a true Southern staple. You’ll also want to check out the Oak Island Lighthouse, which can be seen from 25 miles offshore.

Bald Head Island

Distance: 217 miles from Charlotte

Why it’s your favorite:

  • “Private, no crowds, no hot dog stands, no restaurants. Just perfect,” said a reader who’s been going there for 38 years.

  • “No cars. Amazing sunsets. Beautiful uncrowded beaches.”

  • “Solitude,” a three-time visitor wrote.

Best restaurant: Jules’ Salty Grub & Island Pub

Caswell Beach

Distance: 213 miles from Charlotte

Best restaurant: Mr. P’s Bistro in Southport

Oak Island

Distance: 207 miles from Charlotte

Why it’s your favorite:

  • “Family and pet friendly, great shark tooth hunting, turtle watching, and fun fishing,” wrote John Costenoble, who has been visiting Oak Island for 10 years.

  • “Family atmosphere!”

  • “No big hotels, but plenty of restaurants and small town activities. The beaches are never crowded.”

  • “Small town vibe and quieter than neighboring beach towns.”

  • “It’s dog friendly all year long!”

  • “Family beach.”

  • “Quiet beach with few distractions except the beach.”

  • “It’s peaceful and uncrowded.”

  • “Not too crowded with a decent variety of restaurants and entertainment beyond the beach. Chain establishments are not allowed on the island, so everything is local,” Amy Pasko wrote. “Southport is a quick trip over the bridge if you need a change of scenery.”

  • “Family memories since I was a baby. I am 72 years old!,” Kathy Weitz wrote.

Best restaurants:

Holden Beach

Distance: 202 miles from Charlotte

Why it’s your favorite:

  • “Few commercial entities and lots of shells!” said Peggy Eagan, who has been visiting Holden Beach for 19 years from Rutherford County.

  • “It’s a beach where families can come together for vacations, it’s a quiet environment. You have the inlet waterway on one side and the ocean on the other. There are finger canals cut between the streets so there is a lot of boating activity as well as beach goers. It lies between North Myrtle Beach to the south and Wilmington to the north, and one can easily take in those locations and their attractions for short periods of a week’s vacation. We have made Holden our beach vacation home since 1972.”

  • “Family-oriented beach known for its Sea Turtle Sanctuary,” wrote Bo Coggins, who has been visiting Holden Beach for 20 years.

  • “It doesn’t have any major commercial properties on the island.”

  • “Nice and quiet ... spent my childhood summers there.”

  • “Not touristy, separated enough to be away from everything,” 14-year visitor Benjamin Martin said.

  • “Holden bills itself as a family beach, which it is. It is composed mostly of private houses and cottages of various sizes and age. A good place for families to come together for vacations. It is not pretentious. Most of the rentals are from Saturday to Saturday, which lets those who want to visit the Holden Beach Chapel on Sunday and hear invited preachers from different faiths and also to sing the old hymns. Holden is between Myrtle Beach and Wilmington and easy access of their attractions. There are many homes on canal lots that provide boating availability to the inland waterway. Most of the homes on Holden are a short walk to the ocean,” reader Tim Helms wrote. “My brother built a cottage on a canal lot in 1972, and we have been going ever since. We now have a cottage there.”

Best restaurants:

Ocean Isle Beach

Distance: 188 miles from Charlotte

Why it’s your favorite:

  • “Not too commercial, family friendly, less crowded,” wrote a reader who went with young children for 15 years.

  • “Childhood memories,” wrote another, who’s been going there for more than 65 years.

  • “Family, food.”

  • “Easy drive, relaxing area, great beaches, happy place.”

  • “Quiet, family friendly and not overly crowded,” a visitor of 40 years said.

  • “Relaxed feel, clean beaches, plenty of good spots to eat and grocery shop.”

  • A 30-year visitor wrote, “Big enough to have all the necessities, but not filled with a lot of tourist traps.”

  • “Small and it faces south.”

Best restaurants:

Sunset Beach

Distance: 191 miles from Charlotte

Why it’s your favorite:

  • “It’s an idyllic place,” wrote Timothy Shinn, who has visited Sunset Beach on and off for 40 years. Shinn also noted “the wide beaches with protected zones that create accretion of sand, the proximity to Bird Island that is so peaceful, the proximity to Calabash and Wilmington.” And, he added: “ It’s only 3.5 hours from Charlotte.”

  • “Quiet and huge dunes with Bird Island.”

  • “Perfect relaxation atmosphere. Low key — no commercialization. Laid back. Clean huge beaches and beautiful dunes. Perfect for families. Awesome sunsets,” a reader who’s been going there for more than 20 years wrote.

  • “Friendly, uncrowned, close to lots of things to do!”

  • “Wide beach with natural sand. Not too crowded,” a 30-year visitor wrote.

  • “Peaceful and adjacent to Bird Island.”

  • “It feels like beaches used to feel with unobstructed beach views of both sunset and sunrise,” 40-year visitor Meredith Ritchie said.

Best restaurants:

South Carolina beaches

Grand Strand

The Grand Strand is home to Myrtle Beach, packed with visitors and, correspondingly, plenty of things to do. Make your almost-required stop at the iconic SkyWheel Myrtle Beach, then take advantage of the city’s shopping opportunities and tourist attractions like Ripley’s Aquarium and the Hollywood Wax Museum. If you’re looking for serenity, however, you’ll want to steer toward another choice in the area, such as North Litchfield or Cherry Grove.

Cherry Grove Beach, SC

Distance: 188 miles from Charlotte

Why it’s your favorite:

  • “Not as commercialized as Myrtle Beach.”

  • “Nice beach for walking and sunbathing.”

  • “Been very fortunate that my family has had a house there since 1980. It feels just as much my home as Salisbury, where I grew up,” wrote Kirkley Russell of Davidson.

Best restaurants:

  • Georgio’s in North Myrtle Beach. “Best NY style pizza anywhere. Bar none. Been there since 1975. Still have the same orange colored booths,” Russell wrote.

  • The Shack in North Myrtle Beach

North Myrtle Beach, SC

Distance: 188 miles from Charlotte

Why it’s your favorite:

  • “A lot to do in the area for everyone!” wrote Christopher Plano.

  • “Our favorite restaurant is there.”

  • Ocean Drive [is] “Where I grew up. Love it,” wrote Lane Mullis, who’s been going there for 65+ years.

  • Bobby Shytle has been visiting the Windy Hill area of North Myrtle Beach for 60 years. In fact, he moved there and retired. “Beautiful family beach still has that old back in the day beach feeling,” he wrote.

  • “Family rendezvous vacation spot,” a 25-year visitor wrote.

Best restaurants:

Myrtle Beach, SC

Distance: 175 miles from Charlotte

Why it’s your favorite:

  • “Lots of options for everyone.”

  • “So much to do today.”

  • Myrtle Beach State Park: “Camping, Fishing Pier, Quiet area.”

  • “Years of tradition dating back to the 1940s and 1950s,” wrote a reader who’s been visiting since that time.

Best restaurant: Chesapeake House

Surfside Beach, SC

Distance: 179 miles from Charlotte

Why it’s your favorite:

  • “This is a great family beach, very clean, with an active local community who are invested in their town,” wrote Lu Stokes, who’s been visiting there for 25 years.

Best restaurants:

North Litchfield Beach, SC

Distance: 189 miles from Charlotte

Why it’s your favorite:

  • “Wide, beautiful beaches. Rarely crowded. Bordered on north by Huntington Beach State Park,” Adam Bernstein wrote. He’s been visiting North Litchfield for more than 40 years.

Huntington Beach State Park has a viewing deck on a pond where visitors can see wildlife such as alligators, egrets, herons and more.
Huntington Beach State Park has a viewing deck on a pond where visitors can see wildlife such as alligators, egrets, herons and more. Melissa Oyler CharlotteFive

Best restaurants:

A summer day at North Litchfield Beach.
A summer day at North Litchfield Beach. Melissa Oyler CharlotteFive

Litchfield Beach, SC

Distance: 191 miles from Charlotte

Why it’s your favorite:

  • “Quiet,” wrote one reader who has been vacationing there since 2005.

  • “Yes there’s traffic, yes the beach is crowded (summer), but it’s just the beach. There’s no putt putt, no waterslides, just the beach. A place where you can just enjoy your family beach trip! Best place to be with my family!”

  • “Quiet, easy to bike around.”

Best restaurants:

Pawleys Island, SC

Distance: 187 miles from Charlotte

Why it’s your favorite:

  • “Laid back with good restaurants and beach,” wrote Eric Sprouse, who has visited for four years.

  • “So laid back. We go to the beach to relax and go slow. Pawleys Island is outside of all the Myrtle Beach hoopla yet close enough so we can drive in to catch a show or do something at Broadway by the Beach,” Robert Mayer said. His family has been coming to Pawleys Island for 20 years, though for 24 years before that, they were at nearby Cherry Grove.

  • “Old and unchanged,” wrote Bill Aycock of Gastonia. He’s been visiting Pawleys Island for more than 40 years.

  • “So charming and relaxing with no crowds,” wrote Kari Bates. Her family has visited Pawleys Island for more than 50 years. “It’s a generational experience. My family tries to visit at least every other year.”

  • “I spent my childhood on that beach. The vibe is calmer and the beach is less crowded. The restaurants are wonderful — way beyond fried seafood although that is certainly available,” wrote a visitor of 65 years.

Marvin Grant demonstrates how hammocks are made at the Hammock Weavers Studio at The Hammock Shops Village in Pawleys Island, S.C.
Marvin Grant demonstrates how hammocks are made at the Hammock Weavers Studio at The Hammock Shops Village in Pawleys Island, S.C. Melissa Oyler CharlotteFive

Best restaurants:

The Hammock Shops Village in Pawleys Island has shops with wine tastings, hammock making demonstrations, olive oil tastings and more.
The Hammock Shops Village in Pawleys Island has shops with wine tastings, hammock making demonstrations, olive oil tastings and more. Melissa Oyler CharlotteFive

DeBordieu Colony, SC

Distance: 198 miles from Charlotte

Best restaurant: Frank’s Restaurant & Bar in Pawleys Island

Lowcountry

South Carolina’s Lowcountry features moss-draped historic sites and waterfront downtowns, with plenty to see and do. Head to Edisto or St. Helena Island for R&R, or bike through Hilton Head Island’s network of trails, leading you to restaurants, bars and shopping. (Be sure to get a basket for your bike to carry your treasures.) Foodies will want to reserve time to explore Charleston’s culinary scene, too.

Isle of Palms, SC

Distance: 221 miles from Charlotte

Why it’s your favorite:

  • “Gorgeous beach, Charleston with restaurants and Wild Dunes with gold so close!” wrote Nancy Kipnis, who has been visiting Isle of Palms for 10 years.

  • “Close.”

  • “Great beach and near Charleston.”

  • A reader who’s visited for 20 years said “Location, sand beach and restaurants.”

  • Wild Dunes: ”Quiet and not as crowded.”

  • Wild Dunes: “Family friendly. Clean. Long stretch of beach.”

  • Wild Dunes: “Almost completely residential with biking trails and wide white beaches.”

Best restaurants:

Sullivan’s Island, SC

Distance: 216 miles from Charlotte

Why it’s your favorite:

  • “Maritime forest. Not built up. Proximity to Charleston.”

Best restaurants:

Folly Beach, SC

Distance: 219 miles from Charlotte

Why it’s your favorite:

  • “Funky people,” wrote a reader who’s been visiting there for 20 years.

  • “It’s very peaceful.”

  • “The beach is great and the downtown has a very casual atmosphere,” a 16-year visitor wrote.

  • “It’s laid back. And the place has semi solid wave activity (unlike 99% of the rest of the Carolinas beaches where, for the most part, the ocean resembles a lake most of the time),” reader E.P Biggs wrote.

Best restaurants:

Folly Beach Pier offers a perfect vantage point to take in a sunrise or a sunset.
Folly Beach Pier offers a perfect vantage point to take in a sunrise or a sunset. Heidi Finley CharlotteFive

Kiawah Island, SC

Distance: 232 miles from Charlotte

Why it’s your favorite:

  • “The flat sand and bike rides.”

  • The Sanctuary,” which is an oceanfront golf resort.

  • “Lush, tropical foliage, tons of wildlife, great food, bike trails, private beaches, proximity to Charleston, etc,” Dave Kulikowski wrote. He’s been visiting Kiawah Island for 12 years.

  • “Beautiful and peaceful.”

  • “Wide and hard sand.”

Best restaurants:

Seabrook Island, SC

Distance: 230 miles from Charlotte

Why it’s your favorite:

  • “Quiet.”

  • “Great beach,” a 20-year visitor said.

Best restaurant: Pelicans Nest

Edisto Beach, SC

Distance: 230 miles from Charlotte

Why it’s your favorite:

  • “Secluded.”

  • “Slow pace.”

  • “No growth or overcrowding.”

Best restaurant: Whaley’s

Harbor Island, SC

Distance: 245 miles from Charlotte

Best restaurants:

Fripp Island

Distance: 251 miles from Charlotte

Why it’s your favorite:

  • “Laid back and off the grid.”

Best restaurant: Bonito Boathouse

Hilton Head Island, SC

Distance: 247 miles from Charlotte

Why it’s your favorite:

  • “Less crowded than Myrtle Beach and beautiful beaches, great amenities and restaurants,” wrote Donma Gallion. She’s been visiting Hilton Head Island on and off for about 25 years.

  • “Nostalgia, beach is clean & family friendly, Coligny shopping & live music.

  • “Laid back, slower pace, clean, good restaurant options.”

  • “Peaceful sunrises, wide beach for walk-in with my dog early in the morning.”

  • “Activities and bike-ability,” wrote a reader who’s been going there for more than 30 years.

  • “Fabulous bike trails to get around.”

  • “Beautiful!”

  • “Tons to do.”

  • One 20-year visitor wrote, “Gorgeous area, nothing like the Lowcountry!”

  • “It’s quiet, natural, TREES, bike and walking trails,” Michael Wood wrote.

Best restaurants:

Natural dunes and vegetation buffer the shoreline at Hilton Head Island.
Natural dunes and vegetation buffer the shoreline at Hilton Head Island. Heidi Finley CharlotteFive
Chyna Blackmon
The Charlotte Observer
Chyna Blackmon was a service journalism reporter for The Charlotte Observer. A native of the Carolinas, she grew up in Columbia, SC, and graduated from Queens University of Charlotte. She’s also worked in local television news in Charlotte, NC, and Richmond, VA. Support my work with a digital subscription
Heidi Finley
The Charlotte Observer
Heidi Finley is a writer and editor for CharlotteFive and the Charlotte Observer. Outside of work, you will most likely find her in the suburbs driving kids around, volunteering and indulging in foodie pursuits. Support my work with a digital subscription
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