It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Federal Point Historic Preservation Society gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Carolina Beach, NC is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
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Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Carolina Beach State Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Lake Park Steakhouse or visit Carolina Beach Boardwalk, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Carolina Beach, NC, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Carolina Beach, NC understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Carolina Beach, NC 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
Every morning at sunrise, something magical happens on the beaches of Corolla, North Carolina that you won’t find anywhere else on the mainland United States. Wild Banker horses emerge from the dunes, their hooves creating the first prints in pristine sand as they make their way to the Atlantic’s edge.This barrier island sanctuary protects 120 descendants of Spanish shipwreck survivors who have called these shores home for over 500 years. While Cape Cod crowds fight for beach space and Vir...
Every morning at sunrise, something magical happens on the beaches of Corolla, North Carolina that you won’t find anywhere else on the mainland United States. Wild Banker horses emerge from the dunes, their hooves creating the first prints in pristine sand as they make their way to the Atlantic’s edge.
This barrier island sanctuary protects 120 descendants of Spanish shipwreck survivors who have called these shores home for over 500 years. While Cape Cod crowds fight for beach space and Virginia Beach traffic crawls at a standstill, Corolla’s 7,500-acre wild horse preserve remains one of America’s best-kept coastal secrets.
What makes this destination truly extraordinary isn’t just the horses themselves, but how they’ve adapted to beach life in ways that will leave you speechless. These aren’t ordinary wild horses—they’re coastal survivors who’ve learned to dig for freshwater in sand and seek shade under beach houses during scorching summer afternoons.
Unlike Western mustangs confined to distant ranges, Corolla’s Banker horses roam freely among vacation homes, crossing beaches where families build sandcastles just hours later. The Corolla Wild Horse Fund has carefully managed this delicate balance since 1989, ensuring these Colonial Spanish Mustangs maintain their wild nature while coexisting with respectful visitors.
The horses live in Carova Beach, accessible only by four-wheel drive vehicles beyond where Highway 12 ends. This natural barrier prevents tour buses and casual traffic, creating an exclusive sanctuary where 14 different horse family groups roam without the pressure of overwhelming crowds that plague other wildlife destinations.
Local residents have discovered something remarkable: these intelligent animals have learned to use empty carports and shaded areas beneath elevated beach houses during hot summer days. As evening approaches, they return to the shoreline, creating a daily migration that transforms the entire coastal landscape into their personal habitat.
Watch closely and you’ll witness horses digging strategically in sand dunes to access freshwater sources invisible to human eyes. This ancient survival technique, refined over centuries, demonstrates how these remarkable animals have adapted to an environment that would challenge most wildlife species.
Sunrise tours reveal the horses at their most natural, when family groups gather at the water’s edge before beach activity begins. Professional guides with exclusive sanctuary access position visitors at safe distances to witness behaviors like foals learning to navigate ocean waves and stallions establishing territory along the shoreline.
Fall shoulder season brings fewer crowds and more active horses, as cooler temperatures encourage daytime beach exploration. September 2025 offers ideal conditions: comfortable 75°F weather, reduced vacation rental prices, and horses displaying behaviors often hidden during peak summer months when heat drives them to shaded refuges.
The Banker horse breed represents fewer than 400 individuals worldwide, making every Corolla encounter with these genetically unique animals a privilege. Local conservation efforts have transformed a population once threatened by vehicle strikes into a thriving community that demonstrates successful wildlife-human coexistence.
Tour operators follow strict 50-foot minimum distance protocols while educating visitors about Spanish colonial history and maritime survival. Revenue from guided experiences directly funds veterinary care, habitat protection, and research ensuring these remarkable horses continue thriving for future generations to discover and protect.
Planning your Corolla horse sanctuary visit requires booking specialized 4WD tours or securing your own beach-capable vehicle plus required parking permits. September’s shoulder season offers the perfect combination of active wildlife, comfortable weather, and reduced crowds for an authentic encounter with America’s most remarkable coastal survivors.
This isn’t just another beach destination—it’s a living museum where 500 years of survival instinct plays out daily on pristine Atlantic shores, protected by a community that understands the irreplaceable value of preserving wild spaces in an increasingly developed world.
Nothing quite completes a day at the beach without seeing the area’s natural wildlife. And some of the most abundant wildlife along the shoreline are birds. Whether wintering, summering, or migrating, birds love the North Carolina coast for its warm, humid climate and water. Whenever you visit your favorite beach, look out for these common shorebirds. Discover the 19 birds you’ll see along North Carolina’s coastline and beaches.1. American White PelicanThe American white pelican is most commonly found along ...
Nothing quite completes a day at the beach without seeing the area’s natural wildlife. And some of the most abundant wildlife along the shoreline are birds. Whether wintering, summering, or migrating, birds love the North Carolina coast for its warm, humid climate and water. Whenever you visit your favorite beach, look out for these common shorebirds. Discover the 19 birds you’ll see along North Carolina’s coastline and beaches.
The American white pelican is most commonly found along North Carolina’s coast during winter. However, a few can be spotted here and there throughout the year. They are one of the largest birds in North America and can be a startling sight when you find them perched on boardwalks. But also look for them in the skies while they travel in flocks.
The American oystercatcher lives along the state’s coastline year-round, where you will find them on barrier beaches and salt marshes. You most likely won’t find them during high tide. They wait in remote roosts until the tide rolls back, then they descend upon their feeding grounds, where they eat oysters, clams, and other mollusks.
While the semipalmated plover can be found in inland ponds and muddy farms, they also forage with shorebirds. And in North Carolina, you can find them along the coast during the winter. You may even see them migrating during spring and fall throughout the rest of the state. On the beach, they stick to sandbars rather than rocky areas.
The least tern is a breeding bird along North Carolina’s coastline. They are the smallest species of terns and one of the noisiest shorebirds, especially in their breeding colonies around coastal waters. You may even see these breeding areas roped off on some of your favorite beaches. And they love to frequent sandy islands, outer beaches, and the roofs of coastal towns.
This elegant wetland bird winters along the North Carolina coast. They wade through shallow water and swish their long bills from side to side under the water to catch their prey (mostly invertebrates). You can find them foraging in coastal water, often standing on one leg. In the winter, you can find them in lagoons, salt ponds, and mudflats.
Osprey are large hawks that are abundant throughout North America. They eat live fish and dive underwater to catch their food. You will often see them flying over the beach near the shoreline and patrolling for prey. They live year-round along North Carolina’s coast but can also be found throughout the rest of the state during the breeding season. Away from the coast, look for them perched on tall trees around bodies of water.
These yellow-legged wetland birds spend their winters near North Carolina beaches. And you can find them during migration throughout the rest of the state. They inhabit shallow wetlands with plenty of weeds and other vegetation. These birds are not just associated with beaches; you can find them in flooded fields and pastures. Near the beach, look for them in ephemeral mudflats and shallow marshes.
The snowy egret is a slender heron with snow-white plumage, black legs, and yellow feet. They live year-round along North Carolina coasts, and you can also see them during migration throughout most of the state. You are more likely to find them in tidal wetlands and mudflats in shallow water, where they like to forage. While their populations were once threatened due to the fashion industry, conservationists brought them back, and they are now a common sight in North and South America.
Spotted sandpipers are abundant in the United States and the rest of the Americas. In fact, they are the most widespread breeding sandpiper in North America. They breed throughout most of North Carolina, including inland regions. They are often associated with shorelines, but you can also spot them along the shores of lakes, streams, and rivers.
The willet is a rather distinctive bird on beaches across the United States. They feature sharp calls and black-and-white wing markings, making them easy to spot. Willets feed on the water’s edge and are one of the most common shorebirds in the country. In North Carolina, you can find them along the coast during the winter. And they can be active both day and night.
Sanderlings breed on tundra of the High Arctic and winter along the United State’s coastline. These shorebirds live on the outer beaches and aggressively defend their feeding range along the water’s edge. You can easily spot them by their wave-chasing behavior. If you see a bird running back and forth with the waves, these are most likely sanderlings.
Great egrets are long and slender birds with impressive wingspans. They live along the North Carolina shoreline year-round, and they also breed in the inland regions of the state. This all-white bird is slightly smaller than the great blue heron, and you can find them near ponds and coastal marshes. They wade in shallow waters, either standing completely still or moving very slowly.
This unique shorebird has easy-to-spot plumage featuring orange, white, and dark brown feathers. Ruddy turnstones are long-distance migrants that breed in Arctic tundra and winter along the United States and Mexican coasts. They like both sandy beaches and rocky shorelines. But you can also find them in inland lakes and marshes.
The white ibis isn’t as common in North Carolina as other shorebirds. But you can still find them year-round on southern county beaches. They are wading birds with all-white plumage, long red legs, and long curved beaks. You can find them in groups moving through shallow wetlands. But they also inhabit flooded fields, parks, and backyards. During the breeding season, you can find them nesting in trees or shrubs near the water.
Dunlins are abundant shorebirds in the United States during winter and migration. They breed in the Arctic and winter along coasts, bays, and estuaries. As the tide falls, these birds feed on mudflats, dipping their bills just below the water’s surface to find invertebrates. In North Carolina, you will find populations near the coast during winter and migrating birds throughout the rest of the state.
The Forster’s tern is an abundant bird along North Carolina shores during the summer. These birds have distinctive black face masks and forked tails. And they spend their time soaring above shallow waters near marshes, bays, and oceans. There are year-round populations of Forster’s terns on the Outer Banks of North Carolina.
Also called “peeps,” the least sandpipers are the smallest of the sandpipers. They spend winters in the southern half of North Carolina, where you will commonly find them on mudflats along the coast. However, they are equally abundant in inland bodies of water. You can find them by scanning the sand or mud where they like to forage.
Black skimmers are primarily South American birds. But they have breeding and some year-round populations along the coast of North Carolina. They are most notable for their long wings and long orange and black bills. They like to frequent barrier islands and beaches, where they fly low over the water, skimming the surface for food.
Wilson’s snipe is a plump shorebird with a large bill. They can be difficult to spot due to their brown plumage that easily blends with their environment. Plus, they can be very secretive. These birds spend winters throughout North Carolina, including the coastline. They live in most wetlands and like to perch on fence posts.
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WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. —Erin is no longer a tropical system and is speeding away from North America. Red flags were flying on North Carolina beaches earlier this week— warning swimmers not to get in the water. Wave heights will subside as the storm moves well away into the North AtlanticIn the wake of Erin: what does that mean for your beach trip this weekend?Keep reading for your beach forecast through the weekend; you can find details at the end of this article.Ron Fisher captured this...
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. —
Erin is no longer a tropical system and is speeding away from North America. Red flags were flying on North Carolina beaches earlier this week— warning swimmers not to get in the water. Wave heights will subside as the storm moves well away into the North Atlantic
In the wake of Erin: what does that mean for your beach trip this weekend?
Keep reading for your beach forecast through the weekend; you can find details at the end of this article.
The dream of catching the "big wave" right off the coast of North Carolina may draw a lot of surfers to the beach, but it also means lifeguards and emergency personnel will be on high alert. There have been several water rescues reported at the Southern beaches in North Carolina since Monday.
National Weather Service (NWS) meteorologists issued a tropical storm warning and storm surge warning for coastal communities in North Carolina. They have now expired as Erin is well into the North Atlantic and is no longer a tropical system.
Read our current article here for more details on Hurricane Erin and find the beach forecast below.
A State of Emergency was been issued in Dare County due to Erin. Find out more about it here.
Beach hazards in North Carolina this week
The National Weather Service meteorologists in Morehead City warned of the threat of beach hazards including high surf and rip currents along the Northern Outer Banks and Crystal Coast beaches as Erin passed earlier this week.
Strong longshore currents developed as Erin approached the North Carolina Outerbanks
You can find more beach forecast details on the Experimental Beach Forecast Page for East Coast beaches here. Tidal and current information can be found here too.
Rip currents are active along the southern beaches in North Carolina and northern beaches in South Carolina, and threats continue to roll up the coast as Hurricane Erin displaces water and creates large swells. For more on other beach hazards and what to watch for at the coast, check out endurance athlete and professional waterman, Bruckner Chase's video about shorebreak waves and how to prepare for a day at the beach on Blue IQ .
Here's a helpful video to understand ocean currents before you get in the water.
NOAA's Blue IQ: Staying Safe in Ocean Currents with Bruckner Chase
NOAA's Break the Grip of the Rip Ocean Video
Meteorologist Dylan Hudler has more on rip current safety
More weather coverage: | | | | | |
New Hanover County is home to one of the East Coast's "perfect" beach towns, according to a list published by Love Exploring.The online travel magazine ranked Carolina Beach 12th on its list of the 28 beach towns "perfect for summer" on the East Coast.Visitors can relax and sunbathe by the ocean or spend their time (and money) on the somewhat-chaotic boardwalk.Carolina Beach certainly boasts warmer waters for swimming than some of the New England towns on the list, and Love Exploring highlighted the b...
New Hanover County is home to one of the East Coast's "perfect" beach towns, according to a list published by Love Exploring.
The online travel magazine ranked Carolina Beach 12th on its list of the 28 beach towns "perfect for summer" on the East Coast.
Visitors can relax and sunbathe by the ocean or spend their time (and money) on the somewhat-chaotic boardwalk.
Carolina Beach certainly boasts warmer waters for swimming than some of the New England towns on the list, and Love Exploring highlighted the beach as a great spot for surfing.
The Boardwalk District has a variety of carnival games and rides for people to enjoy, and there's no shortage of restaurants, bars and gift shops.
Carolina Beach is home to a famous food spot in Britt's Donuts, and some people visit the beach town just to try one of Britt's signature glazed donuts.
From sights to sounds, here's what to expectClearwater, Florida, is first on the beach towns list.
Only one other coastal town in North Carolina made the list: Edenton, which took the last spot in the rankings, although it sits along the Albemarle Sound and Edenton Bay and not an ocean.
Here's the full list:
1. Clearwater, Florida
2. Ogunquit, Maine
3. Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
4. St. Simons Island, Georgia
5. Wellfleet, Massachusetts
6. Fenwick Island, Delaware
7. Cape May, New Jersey
8. Portsmouth, New Hampshire
9. Palm Beach, Florida
10. Rockport, Maine
11. Cape Charles, Virginia
12. Carolina Beach
13. Rye, New Hampshire
14. Stonington, Connecticut
15. Greenport, New York
16. Old Saybrook, Connecticut
17. Rehoboth Beach, Delaware
18. Ocean Grove, New Jersey
19. Bristol, Rhode Island
20. Jekyll Island, Georgia
21. Little Compton, Rhode Island
22. Nantucket, Massachusetts
23. Solomons Island, Maryland
24. Isle of Palms, South Carolina
25. Montauk, New York
26. Onancock, Virginia
27. Ocean City, Maryland
28. Edenton
(This story was updated to add new information.)More Wilmington-area beach towns are advising beachgoers to stay out of the water as Hurricane Erin draws closer to the Cape Fear region, bringing life-threatening surf and rip currents to area beaches.With red flags flying all along the Wilmington-area coastline, Carolina Beach in New Hanover County and Surf City in Pender County on Tuesday issued no-swim advisories running through Friday.The towns join Wrightsville Beach, which announced a no-swim advisory late M...
(This story was updated to add new information.)
More Wilmington-area beach towns are advising beachgoers to stay out of the water as Hurricane Erin draws closer to the Cape Fear region, bringing life-threatening surf and rip currents to area beaches.
With red flags flying all along the Wilmington-area coastline, Carolina Beach in New Hanover County and Surf City in Pender County on Tuesday issued no-swim advisories running through Friday.
The towns join Wrightsville Beach, which announced a no-swim advisory late Monday after lifeguards had to make more than 75 water rescues of swimmers caught in rip currents and battered by heavy surf.
“These swells are producing powerful rip currents that can create extremely hazardous swimming conditions,” said Sam Proffitt, the town's ocean rescue director, in a release. “The safety of our beachgoers is always our top priority, and we urge everyone to follow this advisory.”
Wrightsville officials said they hoped that conditions would improve sooner, and the advisory could be lifted before Friday, but that safety wouldn't be compromised in a rush to do so.
In Brunswick County Ocean Isle Beach, also citing heavy surf and the danger of rip currents, followed suit Monday afternoon.
Earlier Carolina Beach had announced it was taking some pro-active steps to prepare for Erin's imminent arrival offshore.
The town said it was temporarily removing some lifeguard stands and trash cans from the beach to safer, more stable locations.
Officials also said that starting at noon Tuesday they would allow residents of the town's flood-prone north end to park their vehicles in town-operated parking lots and spaces for free through 9 a.m. Friday.
What to expect as the storm approaches WilmingtonWhile Erin is expected to pass Southeastern North Carolina hundreds of miles offshore, the massive and powerful storm is still expected to send life-threatening waves and heavy surf to pound local beaches.
"Strong swells from Erin will impact the coastline for much of this week, producing life-threatening surf and rip currents," the National Weather Service's Wilmington office stated Monday morning.
Wilmington-area impacts through Friday include 8-10 foot waves north of the Cape Fear River, up to 6 feet south of the river's mouth, that could lead to dangerous swimming conditions and localized beach erosion. Minor flooding during high tide events along many beaches and low-lying areas along the southern Cape Fear River also is likely, the weather service warned.
Reporter Gareth McGrath can be reached at [email protected] or @GarethMcGrathSN on X/Twitter. This story was produced with financial support from the Green South Foundation and the Prentice Foundation. The USA TODAY Network maintains full editorial control of the work.
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