Home Care In Kure Beach, NC

Discover the state's top coastal getaways, from Nags Head to Sunset Beach.

With more than 300 miles of pristine Atlantic coastline, it's no wonder North Carolina is one of the nation's top beach destinations. Though beautiful at any time of year, the state's oceanfront is perfect for a summer vacation. Take your pick of beaches on quiet barrier islands or in lively coastal cities, of laid-back, family-friendly locales or waves that welcome adventure.

Whether you like to stretch out on the sand between rounds of golf, spend your time spotting wildlife, or explore historical sites close to the shore, you're bound to find a part of the coast you love. Here are the 16 best beaches in North Carolina for your next trip to the Tar Heel State, from Sunset Beach to Duck.

Cape Lookout National Seashore

Cape Lookout National Seashore offers visitors 56 miles of beach across several barrier islands. Shackleford Banks is ideal for swimming and lounging on the beach, and the island is home to more than 100 feral horses. The diamond-painted Cape Lookout Lighthouse is a star along this coast, standing 163 feet high and still flashing every 15 seconds. Take a ranger-guided tour, explore the islands from the water on a canoe or kayak, or go birding to learn more about Cape Lookout and its wildlife. Plan an overnight stay at one of the park's beachfront cabins or campgrounds to soak up even more of this seashore's unspoiled beauty.

Everything You Need to Know About Camping in North Carolina's Outer Banks

Nags Head

Nags Head offers a range of unique experiences in the central Outer Banks, north of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. The area is perhaps best known for Jockey's Ridge State Park, which has the tallest living sand dune on the Atlantic coast (it's "alive" because it continues to change in shape and size). Here, you can walk along a boardwalk, go hang gliding, and explore a nature trail. Nags Head's beautiful beaches are close to hotels, restaurants, bars, and shops. History buffs can make the 10-minute drive to the Wright Brothers National Memorial in Kill Devil Hills, where the famous aviators took off for the first successful airplane flight.

Duck

Located on the northern stretch of North Carolina's barrier islands, Duck offers something for everyone. You can book a stay at Sanderling Resort and enjoy family-friendly activities, two pools, and a spa, or take a day trip to Corolla to ride on the beach in a four-wheel drive. You might even spot a wild horse or two. Nearby golf courses and water sports make this an ideal destination for visitors who want to get out and enjoy nature.

Hammocks Beach State Park

Like a few other barrier island destinations, Bear Island in Hammocks Beach State Park is accessible only by seasonal ferry or private boat. The remote location makes it perfect for quiet relaxation. You won't find rows of restaurants or beachfront bars here, but you can rent canoes, kayaks, or paddleboards to explore the marshes, Bear Island, and Huggins Island. Bear Island hosts a number of campsites, too, so you can extend your stay at this state park.

Carolina Beach

Just a 20-minute drive from historic Wilmington, you'll find the town of Carolina Beach, with its family-friendly beaches, sought-after fishing spots, and other attractions. The Carolina Beach Boardwalk is a classic American promenade featuring bars, restaurants, arcades, and places to rent bikes and surfboards. Nearby Carolina Beach State Park offers more outdoor recreation, with plenty of hiking trails like the Flytrap Trail, where you can spot the native Venus flytrap plant. If you're staying in Wilmington, this is a perfect day-trip destination. Otherwise, book a room at one of the hotels or rent a beach house and enjoy your oceanfront escape.

Ocracoke

Hop on a ferry from Hatteras, Swan Quarter, or Cedar Island and head to this quiet island. Spend your days lounging on 16 miles of white-sand beaches or fishing, kayaking, sailing, and surfing. Rent a boat or golf cart to explore the island, or check out one of the trails for a peaceful nature walk. At the end of the day, take in the sunset over Silver Lake Harbor, where there are many cute shops, restaurants, and inns.

Atlantic Beach

Located on North Carolina's Crystal Coast across the causeway from Morehead City, Atlantic Beach is perfect for families. Whether you want to build sandcastles or go on a chartered fishing trip, there's an outdoor activity for you. This beach is also known for its nesting sea turtles, which lay their eggs in the sand from May through October. You can learn more about the region's marine life at the North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores, a 10-minute drive away.

Wrightsville Beach

Find a mix of water sports, shopping, dining, and nightlife in and around Wrightsville Beach. A short drive from Wilmington, it makes a great home base for those who want to explore the area during their beach vacation. Adventure seekers can take surfing lessons or book a scuba diving excursion to explore one of the sunken ships located off the coast.

Sunset Beach

Sunset Beach is on North Carolina's south-facing shore, close to the South Carolina border. Discover why this spot got its name from late fall through early spring, when you can actually see the sun rise and set over the water — a rare experience. Nearby Bird Island has beautiful beaches, too, but it's best known for the Kindred Spirit Mailbox, where people post their wishes, prayers, thoughts, and dreams.

Bald Head Island

No cars are allowed on Bald Head Island, which can be accessed by ferry from nearby Southport. Instead, get around this peaceful island via golf cart, bicycle, or foot. Play a round of golf or try your hand at croquet at the Bald Head Island Club. Of course, with 14 miles of beautiful beaches, you'll probably want to spend some time lounging on the sand, frolicking in the surf, and looking for seashells.

Emerald Isle

Emerald Isle, located on Bogue Banks, is surrounded by the clear waters of North Carolina's Crystal Coast. The area is a haven for anglers, who can enjoy one of Emerald Isle's many boat charters or cast a line off the seasonally open Bogue Inlet Pier. At Emerald Isle Woods Park, you can throw a frisbee on the disc golf course and spot wildlife on the North Carolina Birding Trail. Along with 12 miles of gorgeous shoreline, Emerald Isle offers a rich dining scene — including beachside options — and plenty of nearby hotels and vacation rentals.

Topsail Island

This less-crowded 26-mile stretch of sand can be found just south of Jacksonville, North Carolina. Animal lovers will rejoice from mid-May through September, when loggerhead sea turtles come ashore to nest along Topsail's coast. You can learn about the island's preservation and conservation efforts at the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center in Surf City. Relax on the beach, or enjoy surfing, boating, fishing, or Jet Skiing out on the waves. You might search for pirates' treasure if you're feeling lucky — legend has it, the island's name comes from the fact that the area was once a popular place for pirates whose "top sails" were a warning to any approaching ships.

Oak Island

Oak Island is known for its quaint, nostalgic charm. Enjoy the area's shoreline, fishing piers, marina, and water sports. For the full experience, take in views of Caswell Beach and Bald Head Island from the top of the Oak Island Lighthouse. If you're looking to get out of the sun, there are plenty of local shopping and dining options nearby. You can also learn about local wildlife and see fossils at the Oak Island Nature Center. If you're staying overnight, check into one of the classic hotels, motels, or vacation rentals in the area.

Kitty Hawk

Located in the northern Outer Banks, Kitty Hawk might be best known as the cited launch point of the Wright brother's famous flight, though anyone who's visited the area will know that honor actually goes to the nearby Kill Devil Hills. There's much fun to be had on Kitty Hawk's shores and streets. The Kitty Hawk Woods Reserve encompasses 1,824 acres of maritime forest. Spend your time here exploring the dunes and marshland or kayaking around Currituck Sound. Be on the lookout for any local otters and turtles nesting nearby. Stay at one of the nearby hotels, motels, or oceanfront rental homes, or find one of the area's RV-friendly campgrounds.

Kure Beach

Drive 30 minutes south of Wilmington and you'll find the small seaside retreat of Kure Beach, whose shores offer an array of attractions and natural wonders. Here, you'll get the opportunity to cast a line off the oldest fishing pier on the Atlantic Coast. A nearby seasonal concession stand offers ice cream, arcade games, and souvenirs. Tour the Civil War's largest land-sea battleground at the Fort Fisher Historic Site, or see gators, otters, turtles, and other aquatic animals at the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher. If you're staying overnight, lodging includes relaxed options like beach cottages, vintage motels, and side-street inns.

Holden Beach

With plenty of small-town charm and less-crowded venues, Holden Beach is the perfect respite for vacationers looking for a summer escape. You can take in views of the Intracoastal Waterway over lunch at one of the beach's many maritime restaurants. While away the day fishing, golfing, birding, or biking surrounded by nature. The area has many outfitters that will hook you up with kayaking, Jet Skiing, or surfing gear. If you want to extend your stay, you'll find many colorful vacation rentals within walking distance of popular sites and attractions.

What better way to spend a summer afternoon than with your four-legged best friend on the beach? But which beaches in Wilmington, North Carolina, are dog-friendly? You do not want to drive all the way to a beach only to be denied.

However, Wilmington is full of great dog-friendly beaches where you and your furry friend can let loose and have some fun. Here are the top four dog-friendly beaches in Wilmington. Happy beach days!

Top 4 Dog-Friendly Beaches in Wilmington, North Carolina

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Conclusion

These dog-friendly beaches are sure to make your summer in Wilmington one to remember. Whether you’re looking for a quiet beach where you and your pup can spend some quality time together or a beach where you can unleash your dog and let them run free, these four beaches are just what you need.

Featured Image Credit: Juice Verve, Shutterstock

KURE BEACH — While its neighbor Carolina Beach voted last week to increase rates in some areas for the 2024 season, Kure Beach leaders are happy with the way the parking program played out last year in its 1-square-mile town.

READ MORE: CB upping parking rates to $6 an hour in lots, $7 in ‘premium lots’ to cover off-season break

The town council voted Tuesday night to keep parking rates the same — $5 an hour, $20 a day, $100 weekly — for the upcoming season. That also means parking passes will be the same rate: $20 for residents including those who live in CB (who can buy at most two and $100 for additional ones), $20 for property owners, and non-residential passes for $225.

Passes will go on sale Feb. 12, with the season beginning March 15.

Council discussed the possibility of increasing the paid season by two weeks; currently, it ends Sept. 30. Kure Beach has a little more than 600 spaces and predicted last year it would generate more than $740,000 during the season.

“Revenue was as expected,” Commissioner Dennis Panicalli informed the council. “We are not changing the number of parking spaces that we have in town, so the only way we can generate the revenue stream is to change the current regulation or current guidelines.”

However, most council members were on board with not amending changes this year and re-addressing it next season. The only difference would be decreasing free 30-minute spots to two instead of six.

“I went down there and there would be six spaces and hardly any of them were occupied,” Connie Mearkle said.

Council agreed on the decrease and said it will also improve signage in areas, particularly where parallel parking is allowed. But, overall, it decided to keep the prices and season timeline in tact.

“Carolina Beach continues to get beat up about parking and we don’t really,” Mayor Pro Tem David Heglar said. “I think we’re in the sweet spot.”

Carolina Beach, which uses Pivot Parking, increased its rates in some areas after voting last week to drop paid off-season parking. To make up for that lost revenue — amounting to around $25,000 — it decided to go from $5 to $6 an hour for parking lots, while daily costs remain $25. On-street parking will stay $5 per hour, though a daily rate will no longer be available, and it’s adding “premium lot” charges — meaning access to bathrooms and showers — at $7 an hour or $35 a day.

Wrightsville Beach is also considering increasing rates for premium lots, to affect nine areas on the island and roughly 514 spaces. The Town of WB will hold a special meeting Friday to address the changes.

“We don’t want to change the price structure now,” Panicalli said at Kure Beach’s meeting. “We can follow the other towns when they start raising their prices considerably and charge more then if we need to cover our expenses regenerate.”

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KURE BEACH — Connie Mearkle is looking to be elected to an open seat on the Kure Beach Town Council. Having never run for a government position before, Mearkle has served on the board of adjustment and stormwater committee. She is currently a member of the planning and zoning board, as well as the historic preservation commission.

A retired vice president with Lockheed Martin, Mearkle has 30 years of financial experience to ensure an annual balanced town budget and “sustainable” financial decisions. She moved to Kure Beach full-time following her retirement.

Running unaffiliated, Mearkle is up against three other candidates for two open spots on council.

PCD asked candidates to address issues pertinent to their municipalities, covering issues such as balancing growth and infrastructure, traffic and tourism, parking and climate change impacts.

Mearkle’s answers are included in full; responses are edited only for grammar, spelling and clarity.

The paywall has been dropped on candidate questionnaires to help voters make informed decisions ahead of Election Day.

To prepare, here are a few dates for readers to keep in mind:

To vote early in New Hanover County, visit the Northeast Library (1241 Military Cutoff Road). From Oct. 28 to Nov. 4, voters can also go to CFCC Health Sciences and Learning Center (415 Second St.), Carolina Beach Town Hall (1121 Lake Park Blvd.) and the NHC Senior Center (2222 S. College Road).

Once early voting closes, voters will need to go to the location listed on their voter registration card, or verified here.

To see a sample ballot for the upcoming election, fill in voter registration info here.

A photo ID is required to cast a ballot in 2023; more information can be found on the state board of elections website.

The candidate’s opinions and statements are not a reflection of Port City Daily.

Port City Daily (PCD): Why run for council now?

Connie Mearkle (CM): I’m running now because I believe the town would benefit from my extensive financial background and my corporate leadership experience. Through serving on the Planning and Zoning Commission, the Historical Preservation Commission, the Board of Adjustment and the Stormwater Committee, I have developed an understanding of the town operations, its ordinances and infrastructure.

I am in a position where I can add value to the council and to the community. I believe in the power of community involvement, support and encourage active citizen participation, which will create a sense of belonging. Throughout my career, I’ve served in volunteer roles, including as treasurer and board member of numerous nonprofit organizations, responsible for preparing their annual budgets and evaluatingproject spending.

PCD: Name three issues you think are most affecting the town currently and describe how you would work toward tackling them.

CM: Beach renourishment and protection is a top issue for Kure Beach. I will work to ensure our Coastal Storm Risk Management projects continue to have strong federal/state support. Our beautiful beach is important to our homeowners and tourism.

Ensuring that our infrastructure is adequate (roads, water, sewer and stormwater) for our residents and that we prepare for the growth from the $55 million expansion/renovation at the Fort Fisher Aquarium and the Fort Fisher Museum. I will work to ensure that we have a long-range plan for infrastructure that will anticipate this growth.

Fiscal responsibility as it pertains to the annual budget process and evaluating spending funds on individual projects. I will be very involved in the budgeting process and ensuring that funds are available for projects. It is imperative that we have adequate funding that provides for infrastructure and the safety of our citizens.

PCD: Where do you see the balance of accommodating tourists and other locals outside Kure Beach and ensuring Kure Beach residents’ concerns are addressed?

CM: As the region grows, Kure Beach will continue to benefit from tourism and daily beach goers. Accommodating increased tourism will require us to prepare for adequate safety (fire, police and walkways) and infrastructure (roads, water, and sewer and stormwater facilities). Our residents need to be assured that tourism will not be to the detriment of our locals. Tourism will require a focus on safety for our community in terms of sidewalks, crosswalks and green spaces. Most important, we don’t want the small town feel to be jeopardized by tourism.

PCD: The extension of the island greenway is a contentious topic in Kure Beach. What action do you think the town should take on the issue and do you see a compromise between differing opinions?

CM: In general, I support Greenway. When our community was surveyed via the land use plan, the number three priority was enhancing the bicycle and pedestrian facilities. It is important to have adequate green spaces for our community that will provide a safe environment to relax and exercise.

There are three routes under consideration that are being analyzed in a feasibility study (funded by a grant) that should be completed by mid-next year. I understand that one route is for the greenway to be extended behind the residents’ homes on the West side of Settlers Avenue, who have privacy and safety concerns. We will have to address these issues if that is the route selected. There has been no recommendation or decision made on this issue.

PCD: What is your long-term vision for development in Kure Beach? Are there any types of development, residential or otherwise, you think will not fit in Kure Beach?

CM: When we look at Kure Beach, there are very few vacant parcels available for development, therefore, it is important to develop those parcels consistent with the towns current look and feel. My vision for development is consistent with the Kure Beach land use plan, which reflect what our community wants, which is to preserve the small-town character through a development pattern of low-density single-family homes and locally owned businesses.

Given that we have a height restriction of 35 feet for buildings and our business district is very small, development that is not consistent with our town is not likely.

PCD: As evidence shows, climate change is increasing the intensity and frequency of storms and hurricanes, along with sea level rise. What should the town do to protect residents, property and infrastructure?

CM: As we see more intense storms, our town is actively engaged in being prepared to react quickly to weather events. We need to continue to be diligent with our coastal storm damage reduction and beach protection efforts, which includes beach renourishment and dune protection.

Before and during storms our town emergency manager keeps residents informed and coordinates with our public works department and outside utility companies to ensure the town is ready for the storm and to address any issues that arise from the storm. After major storms the town collects information from residents as to where there was flooding on streets and properties, in order to correct any stormwater issues before the next storm event.

The town also coordinates with MOTSU to inspect and maintain functionality of our stormwater runoff ditches, which conveys stormwater for our community across federally owned property to the Cape Fear River.

Tips or comments? Email [email protected].

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Renee Spencer

Hurricane Lee is still hundreds of miles from Bermuda, but the dangerous Category 5 storm is expected to bring impacts to Wilmington-area beaches in the coming days.

Those impacts will be in the form of rip currents, creating a dangerous situation for beachgoers. As of Friday morning, the National Hurricane Center said swells and rip currents from the storm are expected to reach Bermuda and the East Coast this weekend. The local forecast for Saturday and Sunday has temperatures in the mid-80s and sunny with chances of showers and thunderstorms. Cooler weather and sunny skies could have lots of folks spending their weekend at the beach.

Here's what to know about rip currents:

What is a rip current?

According to the U.S. Lifesaving Association, rip currents are channelized currents of water flowing away from shore at surf beaches. Often these currents move swimmers far from shore before they realize it, taking them into deeper water. This can cause fear and distress as the swimmers attempt to make it back to shore.

More on Lee:Hurricane Lee now a Category 5 storm. What can North Carolina expect?

Identifying rip currents

Rip currents can be difficult to spot, but beachgoers should look for water that is darker in color, choppy and leaves a break in the incoming wave pattern. They form at low spots or breaks in sandbars, piling up water between the breaking waves and the beach. The water returns to sea through the rip current. Another clue may be a line of foam, seaweed or debris moving seaward.

What to do

If you find yourself caught in a rip current, do not swim against the current.

While it may be difficult to do, the U.S. Lifesaving Association says swimmers should "relax," noting the rip current will not pull them under. Swimmers should try swimming out of the current in a direction following the shoreline, or toward breaking waves, then at an angle toward the beach.

The U.S. Lifesaving Association notes if the current circulates back toward the shore, floating or treading water may be a good way to get out of the current.

Finally, if you feel you are unable to reach shore, draw attention to yourself by yelling for help and waving to those on the shore.

Educate yourself

According to the National Weather Service, there have been 75 surf zone fatalities in the United States this year, with most of those attributed to rip currents. Two of those occurred in the Wilmington area.

When possible, it's best to swim in areas with a lifeguard. Many beaches in New Hanover County, including Wrightsville, Carolina and Kure beaches, have lifeguards on duty, but Brunswick County does not have lifeguards on any of its beaches.

Before heading to the beach, make sure you know what to expect. The U.S. Lifesaving Association and the National Weather Service have information and materials. The National Weather Service SurfZone website also offers forecasts for ocean conditions. Many beaches also fly signal flags indicating when it's safe to swim. A green flag indicates a low hazard risk and conditions are calm; yellow indicates a medium hazard risk -- weak swimmers are discouraged from entering the water; red indicates a high hazard risk -- no swimmers should enter the water.