These are the best beaches to visit in North Carolina, new report says
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- USA Today ranked Atlantic Beach as North Carolina’s top beach for 2024.
- The annual 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards featured 10 statewide beach picks.
- Atlantic Beach earned praise for public access, recreation, and scenery.
The North Carolina coast has 300 miles of barrier-island beaches, but a new report is revealing the best in the state.
As part of its annual 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards, USA Today released a list of the top 10 beaches in North Carolina.
Of all the fan-favorite spots to soak up the sun across the state, Atlantic Beach is ranked at the best of the best.
“A popular destination along North Carolina’s Crystal Coast, Atlantic Beach offers stunning scenery along the Atlantic Ocean and sprawling Bogue Sound,” the report says. “In addition to soft sand and nice waves, the region also comes complete with Atlantic Beach Town Park, a popular recreation spot thanks to its 18-hole mini-golf course.”
The town of Atlantic Beach, located in Carteret County, is 284 miles away from Charlotte. According to the town’s website, there are multiple public beaches open during the summer with picnic tables, playgrounds and outdoor showers, plus several public boat ramps and fishing piers.
Along with Atlantic Beach, here’s which other Tar Heel travel spots were voted as the state’s top beaches:
Atlantic Beach: 284 miles from Charlotte
Carolina Beach: 211 miles from Charlotte
Holden Beach: 202 miles from Charlotte
Indian Beach: 274 miles from Charlotte
Oak Island: 206 miles from Charlotte
Wrightsville Beach: 207 miles from Charlotte
Kure Beach: 214 miles from Charlotte
Topsail Beach: 234 miles from Charlotte
Cape Lookout National Seashore: 309 miles from Charlotte
Ocean Isle Beach: 196 miles from Charlotte
You can find USA Today’s full report on the best beaches in North Carolina online at 10best.usatoday.com/awards.
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