The North Carolina Coast: Places to Explore

Wrightsville Beach

Wrightsville Beach is a small (5-mi-long), upscale, and quiet island community. Many beach houses have been in the same families for generations. Increasingly, however, they're being razed in favor of striking contemporary homes.

The beaches are havens for serious sunning, swimming, surfing, and surf fishing, and the beach patrol is vigilant about keeping ATVs, glass containers, alcohol, pets, and bonfires off the sands. In summer, when the population skyrockets, parking can be a problem if you don't arrive early; towing is enforced.