Step into History and relaxation when you take a vacation to Carolina Beach, NC! A one-of-a-kind destination, Carolina Beach gives you a bit of everything, from laid-back beaches to historic boardwalks to live music. In this guide, you'll find everything you will need to start planning your next vacation to Carolina Beach, NC!
Quick Facts About Carolina Beach, NC
- Population: 6,826
- Location: Pleasure Island in southeastern New Hanover County
- Top Attractions: Carolina Beach Boardwalk, Carolina Beach State Park, and Carolina Beach Pier
- What it’s known for: Beaches, Boardwalk, Events
Learn More about Carolina Beach
How to Get to Carolina Beach
Flying to Carolina Beach
The nearest airport to Carolina Beach is Wilmington (ILM) Airport, which is 19 miles away. Other nearby airports include Myrtle Beach (MYR) (91 miles).
Driving to Carolina Beach
Carolina Beach is located a quick 12 miles from historic Wilmington and is centrally located between Florida and New York, attracting Southeast and Northeast visitors alike. The main thoroughfare for driving to Carolina Beach from east to west is I-40, which connects with highways 17, 74, 76, 117, and 421.
Once you're closing in on Carolina Beach, you'll take US 117 S and continue on S College Road until you arrive at US 421 S/Carolina Beach Road.
Map Your Route to Carolina Beach
Top Things to Do in Carolina Beach
Carolina Beach offers a different experience than the surrounding beaches, some of our favorite activities include:
- Hiking - hiking nature trails in Carolina Beach State Park where you can get lucky and spot the Venus Fly Trap.
- Fishing - If fishing is your passion, the North End Pier is the spot to be. If you’re looking for bigger prize, spend the day on the Fish Witch Charters and cruise the Intracoastal Waterway or go offshore fishing!
- Cruising the Boardwalk - The most popular attraction is the Carolina Beach Boardwalk. The boardwalk is filled with quirky shops, restaurants like Hurricane Alley’s which has a rooftop deck and offers amazing views of the boardwalk and beach, an amusement park and arcades. Every Thursday during the season, you can enjoy fireworks and shag along to beach music.
- Attending Annual Festivals - Carolina Beach and Kure Beach host a variety of festivals throughout the year, such as the Carolina Beach Music Festival, free summer concerts at Ft. Fisher Recreation area, and more! Our local events section has all the details on upcoming events.
Top Places to Eat
There are so many great places to eat in Carolina Beach that it's hard to name just a few. If you're looking for seafood, check out our recommendations for the Top 5 Carolina Beach Seafood Restaurants. Some of our other favorites include Havana's, SeaWitch Cafe & Tiki Bar, and Shuckin' Shack Oyster Bar.
Havana's is a great taste of Carolina Beach; their Chefs meet with local vendors to find the freshest seafood and ingredients to go with their award-winning menu. They are open for lunch, Dinner, and Sunday Brunch!
SeaWitch Cafe & Tiki Bar is the place to go for lively entertainment! They frequently have local bands and musicians performing at the bar. They have an extensive lunch and dinner menu as well as a drink menu with specials almost every day.
This casual, "no frills" restaurant is a great place for families! Shuckin' Shack Oyster Bar has happy hour options that are full of seafood and cold drinks to pick from. They also take pride in using the highest quality and sustainable products to help keep their oceans, waterways, and beaches clean.
Featured Carolina Beach Vacation Rental Properties
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Frequently Asked Questions
Are dogs allowed on Carolina Beach?
Yes, Dogs are allowed on the Municipal Beach if they are leashed. From October to March, dogs are welcome anytime. During peak season, April through September, dogs are allowed before 9 a.m. and after 5 p.m..
At Freeman Park, dogs are required to be on a leash from April 1st to September 30th. From October 1st to March 31st, dogs are allowed off-leash as long as they remain under voice command and their owners are within a reasonable distance.
Dogs are not allowed at Boadwark regardless of the time of year, and the same is true for the Boardwalk business district.
What's the weather like in Carolina Beach?
Carolina Beach enjoys a mild and temperate climate throughout the year. In the summer months, temperatures typically range from 70 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit, depending on the specific month and time of day. Winters are also mild, with high temperatures averaging around 60 degrees and lows rarely dropping below 40 degrees. Spring and fall present a pleasant medium, with temperatures ranging from 50 to 70 degrees.
Can you drink on Carolina Beach?
All alcoholic beverages and glass containers are prohibited on the beach.
Can you drive on Carolina Beach?
Freeman Park is the only stretch of Carolina Beach that you can drive you 4X4 vehicle on. This has become a major attraction over the years as it's one of the only beaches in North Carolina you can drive on.
Does Carolina Beach have Free Parking?
There are some free parking lots around town all day; however, they have 30-minute limits. For other paid lots, parking is enforced from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. from March 1st to October 31st.
How far is Carolina Beach from Wilmington NC?
Carolina Beach is about 12 miles south of Wilmington along NC-123 South and US-421 South.