North Carolina beaches are known far and wide for their calm culture, natural beauty, and gorgeous properties. The sugar soft sand and pastel palette of this part of the world have had beach goers for nearly a century all in agreement that beaches in North Carolina are some of the most beautiful this country has to offer. We flipped through the internet to find a handful of the most beautiful, beloved family beaches in North Carolina for all your brood’s fishing, swimming, and shelling getaway needs.
Emerald Isle
#1 Expert rated of Family Beaches in North Carolina
The 12 miles of clean beaches, popular fishing pier and an unbeatable chill environment ranks Emerald Isle high on almost every list of Best Beaches in North Carolina. With a beautiful, spacious shoreline and public amenities like grills, picnic pavilions, parking and showers, all your family needs to do is suit up in your favorite cute one piece swimsuits, bring your favorite snacks and relax on one of the very best and most beautiful public beaches in North Carolina.
Bald Head Island
#2 Best Beach in North Carolina
Only accessible by ferry and with golf carts as the main form of transportation, Bald Head Island is the place to go for an absolutely unplugged, molasses paced vacation. The coveted Bald Head Island Club golf course and a shoreline dotted with beautiful beach front properties are the extent of development on the island's 12,000 acres. That means immaculate, calm beaches and a thriving population of wildlife, including 260 bird species, alligators and foxes.
Cape Hatteras
#3 in Best North Carolina Beaches
Almost 70-miles of untouched beaches and the whimsical views of a black and white striped lighthouse are just the tip of what makes Cape Hatteras a favorite family beach in North Carolina. Cape Hatteras is one of the better beaches for the adventurous broods, with campsites, beach off roading and sea turtle watching among the favorite past times here. Better still, on a gorgeous full moon night, folks can make reservations to climb to the top of the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse to stargaze atop one of the sweetest family beaches in North Carolina.
Corolla/Currituck Beach
#4 in Best North Carolina Beaches
Corolla or Currituck Beach boasts itself as of the more rustic getaways in North Carolina. Surrounded by calm shores of the Atlantic and the Currituck Sound, visitors feel secluded and nestled in the nature of North Carolina. Folks love off roading to the shore here, strolling from the historic district to the towering lighthouse, or simply lounging on the beach. From time to time, you may catch a glimpse of wild Spanish Mustang horses that roam free through the island. Families can take guided tours of the wild life, or simply enjoy the solitude of one of the best NC beaches for kids and parents alike.
Ocracoke Island
#5 in Best North Carolina Beaches
One of the more remote and interesting beaches in North Carolina is Ocracoke Island - just one of the few North Carolina beaches for kids and folks so elusive it is only reachable by boat or air. It is full of history your kids will love to learn - most remarkably, it was a beach frequented by the notorious pirate, Blackbeard who’d lounge and stroll the streets just like you will in this whimsically private getaway. There are World War II cemetaries, lifeguarded beaches, and beautiful sunsets that make this place a unique terrain of history and luxury. Scroll through photos of this hideaway and you’ll agree - the extra effort to get there is well worth it.
Topsail Island
#6 in Best North Carolina Beaches
Topsail Island is another pirate getaway, famous for it’s folklore that pirate ships would tuck away behind the inlet with just their topsails blowing in the wind. Vacationers will soak up this 26-mile-long island and jaunt between it’s three main beach areas: Topsail Beach, North Topsail Beach and the beautiful Surf City. Incredible sunset views, turtle rescue sanctuaries and incredible seafood make Tospail Island one of the more perfectly pleasant North Carolina beach towns just waiting for you and yours to visit.
Oak Island
#7 in Best North Carolina Beaches
Oak Island is a big old place to fully retreat to. With 65 beach access points, two major fishing piers, and a handful of Hollywood film locations - including "A Walk to Remember," "I Know What You Did Last Summer" and "Safe Haven" - travelers feel like they’ve entered a destination made of the stuff of dreams. Suit up in your best stylish beachwear and soak up the calm waters, pastel sunsets and family friendly shops and restaurants of Oak Island.
Wrightsville Beach
#8 in Best North Carolina Beaches
Wrightsville Beach is for the active among us. Crystal clear, aqua waters are a favorite for kayaking, surfing and scuba diving for the adventurous. Long sloping golf courses and scenic jogging trails make up a delicately balanced community of fun and loungable surroundings. After a day in your fave retro swimwear, lounging amongst one of the forty different access points for the beach, hop in the shower and swing by one of the Wrightsville bars and restaurants famous for awesome live music, kid friendly meals and a fun cocktails.
Besos,
Hermoza