Julie Henne It’s a good time of year to head to the beaches of North Carolina for a visit which will give you plenty of room with very few people around.
Right now, you’re going to find beaches that are nearly empty, pleasant temperatures, good fishing, and very little traffic. Along with these benefits, the cost to rent a vacation house or to stay at a hotel during this time of year is much less than during the peak times of the summer.
Which North Carolina Beaches Should You Visit?
Not sure where to go along the coastline, here are five of the beach locations in North Carolina that you’re going to find what you want and have the experience that you’ll enjoy.
Nags Head
Nags Head is just one of the Outer Banks towns along the barrier islands of North Carolina. You’ll find a mixture of land and sea with tons of natural and cultural attractions to give you a great place to spend some time. You can visit Jockey’s Ridge State Park and enjoy the sand dunes, go to Kitty Hawk Kites and enjoy some hang-gliding lessons which are given year-round.
Nags Head is centralized in the Outer Banks, making it easy for you to take a drive down to Hatteras and then take the ferry over to OcracokeIsland to enjoy a day of traveling down the coast. There are tons of things to do and lots of relaxing you can enjoy during the off-season time in Nags Head.
Southport
Southport is located at the mouth of the Cape Fear River and straddles this location and the Intercoastal Waterway along the Atlantic Ocean. As one of the quietest small fishing towns along the coast, you can enjoy the look and the feeling of Southport while spending some time at Bald Head Island or visiting some of the beaches along the shore.
Rich history awaits you in Southport, which was a town that was visited by pirates, early Native Americans, and was part of the Civil War blockades needed in North Carolina. Check out some of this history at the North Carolina Maritime Museum at Southport where you can learn a lot more. This could be the perfect town and the beaches you want to visit when you’re along the coast.
Beaufort
Located along the Crystal Coast, Beaufort is one of the oldest and most charming towns you’ll find with beaches that you can enjoy and tons of history. This town brings you colonial-era lore and one of Blackbeard’s vessels, the Queen Anne’s Revenge which was discovered in the Beaufort Harbor. Enjoy the Beaufort Ghost Walk and talk about those that have been in this town that sill might be present in spirit.
The Cape Lookout National Seashore is one of the wildest stretches of coastline you’ll see and it’s located near Beaufort. This makes it easy for you to stay in Beaufort where you enjoy the creature comforts and then visit this seashore to explore and enjoy the barrier island area which is about three miles offshore. Take a walk around Fort Macon State Park and learn about this stronghold near Beaufort.
Wrightsville Beach
One of the most popular beaches to visit in North Carolina is Wrightsville Beach. This is a popular area where you can find a charming beach town that straddles the Intercoastal Waterway on your way to the beach. Enjoy learning to kayak, fishing off Johnnie Mercer’s Pier, or partaking in the amazing seafood served in different restaurants.
Not far from Wrightsville Beach is Wilmington, NC, where you can find the Cape Fear River Boardwalk and several historical buildings, the Cameron Art Museum, and the Wilmington Railroad Museum. You won’t run out of things to do, even if the beaches aren’t crowded when you make the trip to Wrightsville Beach.
Manteo
Part of Roanoke Island is occupied by the town of Manteo which can be an alluring winter retreat. This island is a central area where you can reach the Outer Banks with ease, visit the Coastal North Carolina National Wildlife Refuge Gateway Center, and take in the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge. You’ll see a population of native red wolves, hiking trails, wildlife drives, and a 15-mile paddling trail on Milltail Creek.
Roanoke Island is where the earliest European settlers came to the Outer Banks and it’s an area with a rich history. This settlement is now referred to as the Lost Colony which was established at the end of the 16thcentury. Enjoy the beaches, the history, and the fun activities when you visit Manteo.
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