Carolina Beach

You will never forget the fun you had at Carolina Beach, an ideal family vacation destination.  People just love our way of life and don’t want to leave.  Check out this Carolina Beach Visitor Center to find out why.

Things to Do in Carolina Beach

There are numerous sun and fun activities including swimming, surfing, paddleboarding, kayaking, canoeing, jet skiing, kiteboarding, boating, fishing, volleyball, biking, and relaxing on the pristine beach.

Drive your 4×4 vehicle, camp overnight and walk your dog at Freeman Park beach.

Take a stroll on the popular picturesque Carolina Beach Boardwalk.   

Peruse the unique Carolina Beach Boardwalk shops.  Enjoy food and drinks with an ocean view along the famous boardwalk.

Watch the fireworks, eat cotton candy, and buckle up on the rides at the Carolina Beach Boardwalk Amusement Park

Close out the night at our excellent restaurants and evening entertainment.  Wake up early to watch the sunrise over the Atlantic Ocean.

Plan your entire vacation with the Carolina Beach visitor guide below.

Visit Carolina Beach to happily learn why it fits the moniker, “Pleasure Island NC.”

“No place like it.”

Carolina Beach

Carolina Beach is situated on the north end of Pleasure Island NC, a coastal barrier island, which also consists of Kure Beach and historic Fort Fisher in New Hanover County, North Carolina.  It is located only 15 miles from downtown Wilmington. 

Carolina Beach has about 6,200 year-round residents and was incorporated as a town in 1925.  It is three feet above sea level and its land area is 2.3 square miles.  The beach is pristine with white soft sand and the ocean waves are a constant flow of beauty and pleasurable soft sound. Watch the videos.

Things To Do in Carolina Beach

There is something for everyone in this quaint Southern town.  Plan your activities to enjoy as many attractions as possible with this Carolina Beach visitors guide.  

Water sports abound and kayak, paddleboard, surfboard, canoe and other ocean adventure rentals and lessons are readily available that can be found on our Recreational Rentals page

Kayaking at the Carolina Beach State Park offers serene kayaking experiences through its network of calm waterways.  Glide past lush marshlands teeming with vibrant ocean and bird life.  Kayak and canoe rentals and guided tours within the park make it a fantastic option for exploring this diverse ecosystem.

Rent a bike to ride around the beach area or in town.

Shopping in Carolina Beach is an enjoyable menagerie of stores and boutiques that include swimwear, fashion, tops, hats, artwork, antiques, crafts, books, gifts, souvenirs, and anything you want to use on the beach.  The locally made crafts are impressive.

You can spend hours at our vintage oceanfront Carolina Beach Boardwalk perusing shops, playing arcade games, enjoying restaurants and bars, relaxing on swing benches, and enjoying the unobstructed views along the length of the boardwalk.

In the summer, both children and adults enjoy the popular Carolina Beach Boardwalk Amusement Park which has rides, games and food every evening as well as weekly family nights, fireworks, bingo, and live music.

carolina beach visitor center

 Carolina Beach, North Carolina

© Lifted.Pictures

Beach Flyby

If you like overnight camping, walking your dog, riding your horse, or driving on the beach, you’ll love Freeman Park.  Freeman Park includes two miles of undeveloped beach at the northern end of this barrier island.  The beach, dunes, sea grasses, and wildlife are beautiful.

There are ideal fishing conditions off the Carolina Beach Fishing Pier – Northern Extension or on a chartered or rented boat.  Fishing is productive year round but locals indicate the flounder and mackerel are usually bigger in the fall.

Carolina Beach Restaurants are superb.  We have varied cuisines including excellent fresh seafood, Italian, Mexican, Thai, Chinese, and American.  Of course we have all kinds of kids menus and ice cream.

Carolina Beach bars are classic American beach bars.  Dance to live music until closing.  Meet travelers from around the world.  The nightlife large summertime crowds will keep your eyes busy.

There are many other activities for the entire family on this Carolina Beach Visitor Center page as well as the Things To Do page under the main menu. 

Whatever your pleasure, you can visit Carolina Beach to simply lie on the beach and listen to the waves.

We sincerely hope you enjoy your stay and want y’all to come back soon!

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Lifeguard Station

sailing carolina beach

© Brownie Harris

Sailing off Pleasure Island

carolina beach intracoastal waterway

© lifted.pictures

carolina beach visitor center

© lifted.pictures

Carolina Beach Boat Basin

Tourist Information

Carolina Beach Visitor Center

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