Recently went to visit my family in Wilmington, NC and with this being our first visit here, of course, we had to go to Wrightsville Beach! What a charming area and stunning beach. I love 30A and the turquoise waters of the gulf, however, there's something about that darker, more packed natural sand covered in natural seashells. Quite different from the white sand beaches, but like I said, I almost appreciated this more because it feels more authentic. And let's be honest, a trip to the beach always feels refreshing no matter where! Luckily enough, we picked a day that wasn't too crowded at all and the weather was perfect. Couldn't have asked for a better experience here, and also, shoutout to the super sweet husband and wife who insisted on taking a family photo for us! read more

Wrightsville Beach - Beaches Near Me - Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina

Beautiful beach right outside of Wilmington. Beautiful beaches, lots of shells, and beautifully clear aqua colored water. We sat near one of the piers so public bathrooms were a short walk away. Can't think of a nicer beach, central to Wilmington and UNCW. read more

Wrightsville Beach - Beach !! - Beaches Near Me - Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina

The vibe here is small town, but popular beach scene that seems to attract a very homogenous crowd. People are nice. Everyone speaks to you. The beach is clean. There is a north pier (Johnny Mercer's Fishing Pier) and a south pier (Crystal Pier). Very walkable. Everything you'd expect in a beach town--hotels, ice cream shop, souvenirs, casual restaurants. It was also pretty easy to navigate when I stopped in for a day visit at the end of the season. read more

Really nice beach. The water is blue. Sand dunes and houses line the street between the you and the beach. You can only view if you pay to park. Be prepped .. it is crazy $$s to park .. $6 an hour. Here in Feb, so the tourists are not. It was nice to walk and not compete for space or sound. read more

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I had a great time at Wrightsville Beach! There isn't a boardwalk...but this beach is very clean...chill and monitored frequently by lifeguards and other beach staff! I was there during the off season...it allowed me to enjoy the solitude and tranquility of the waves crashing and sounds of nature! What a great time! read more

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My family and I drove 30 mins to take in the sun and enjoy the beach. Our little one was afraid to walk on the sand. She didn't like the texture. Once daddy picked her up she was relaxed. We didn't get in the water because of the high tide but we had a blast getting our feet wet and sitting in the sand. We weren't fans of the entrance. I didn't care for theovergrown bushes infested with bees greeting as soon as we attempted to walk into the entrance. My daughter and I had to wait it out so we didn't get stung. Do to her not liking the sand I asked my hubby to carry her over threshold. read more

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We came here about 12:30pm on a Tuesday afternoon in early May. We were not sure exactly where to go and followed Google maps to beach access #2. The parking area was small and there were no spots open. We asked someone in the parking lot if they were leaving and they were not but told us there are additional parking locations down the road. We found and stopped into beach access #3 which had parking available. We decided to check out the beach and proceeded to figure out how to pay to park. There is a sign near the walkway to the beach. We followed the instructions to text and get a link to pay for our parking. It did feel expensive at $5.50 per hour. The weather was beautiful, mid 80's and felt very warm with no breeze in the parking area. As soon as we took the walkway and walked out onto the beach, there must have been a 10 degree difference. There was a very nice breeze blowing in from the ocean. We spent close to an hour collecting shells and enjoying the beautiful weather with family. We were very impressed with the cleanliness and overall maintenance of the area. We will be back! read more

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Amazing best beach ever pretty and not dirty, but the water could be a little bit more clear and the water is very salty read more

Wrightsville Beach - Beaches Near Me - Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina

This is supposed to be one of the best places to surf in the US. Well, today, the family went surfing at Wrightsville Beach and it was a perfect place for surfing! We also checked out the pier, drove around and looked at the picturesque beach houses that line the beach. It was not crowded and there were smiles on many faces that we came in contact with. It is just minutes from Wilmington downtown. It's location makes it a great beach spot! read more

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First time and too early in my opinion for actual laying out in mid April on a cool day. I found several public access points. However the main access points are in the business district that stretches a few blocks. Once on the beach I found it clean and wide. There were plenty of beach goers that threw caution to the wind on Easter Weekend. Burrr! No lifeguards were on duty yet. The business area with restaurants and shops was walked and felt cozy and small town. Sweetwater Surf Shop had a fantastic selection of quality swim suits, skate boards and more. Finally the beach is known as a family beach and more sleepy than others like further North in Nags Head. I have friends that make Wrightsville Beach an annual vacation, so I suspect they see lots of families return each season. read more

Wrightsville Beach - Beaches Near Me - Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina

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What a gorgeous ocean! The waves were a little rough getting out there, one knocked me completely under and I scraped my back - but it didn't stop my from enjoying the day. Parking is hard to come by, but it could be because we don't really know how to navigate the area because we were just driving through. I can't wait until we're able to visit and stay for a while to get to enjoy all the food and fun! read more

Wrightsville Beach - Beaches Near Me - Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina

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This is a day-trip beach as it is the first off the highway so it's flocked too on weekend, nice days, and holidays. Do not visit unless you are comfortable with big crowds and limited parking. The town is cute with a lot of nice houses. There are a couple piers but not much else to walk around. It is difficult to get around unless you live there because there is no free parking anywhere. They really nickel and dime you any chance they get on this regard. If you want to switch beaches, shop, or dine; all require different paid parking spots and they will get you with a hefty ticket right away. Better off going to Top Sail or Carolina for an overall better experience. read more

This beach was great for a quick two hour visit. Sand was nice and clean. Tons of space to spread out. Garbage cans available for trash. Great beach. read more

I will admit that I visited in the off season and am a Northerner so I am guessing my opinion would be very different had I visited during the height of summer. That being said, my visit at the end of April was absolutely delightful! The weather was sunny and in the high 70s. The water was cold but refreshing, and the crowds were non existent. I can see why Mainers become "snowbirds" during the winter months! read more

Wrightsville Beach - Beautiful beach - Beaches Near Me - Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina

During the Fall and Winter months, this is such a natural, wild Atlantic Coast beach experience with the water coming up so high on the beach. A beautiful magic sunrise or sunset experience solo or with your dog friend. The aqua green ocean water even seems to sparkle. Great spot for journaling. Tip: Go on the early side to get parking. read more

Wrightsville Beach - Beaches Near Me - Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina

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Other than the expensive parking, Wrightsville Beach is beautiful. Being a barrier island, the weather is amazing. Today (September 2020), it was warm and sunny and a little breezy. Amazingly perfect! There are a limited number of parking lots and there are a limited number of public parking spaces along the streets. You'll want to be sure you're only parking LEGALLY as the enforcement squad does what they do. Of course, if you have a place here then you have parking. Congrats! Lots of beach here. All along the island and lots of public access points to get to the beach. Waves, firm sand, it's a great spot and I look forward to returning for a much longer stay. [Review 14008 overall, 1330 of 2020, number 2648 in North Carolina.] read more

Wrightsville Beach - Wrightsville Beach, NC - Beaches Near Me - Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina

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Absolutely stunning, cleanest beach I've ever been to. The only downside is the parking is somewhat crowded but thats expected, you can park for $6 an hour or $20 the whole day, or at least at the fishing pier. Lots of shells to collect if thats your thing. read more

Wrightsville Beach - Beaches Near Me - Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina

'Love Wrightsville Beach and all it has to offer. Every single facet of this island town is beautiful and majestic. Practically no crime, shells all along the beach sand and warm water (late Spring - Summer) make this our go-to beach during non-peak times. If you want to go Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor Day and so on...prepare yourself for a challenge with parking...anywhere. You'll have to get there very early or you won't be situated there. We take sunset walks on the beach semi-often, when the crowds have left, and just take it all in. The breeze is refreshing, the views are spectacular and it's just peaceful. Parking is $5 per hour until 8p on weekdays then nothing. So if you're wanting to save a few bucks and get out for a night walk under the stars, I highly recommend Wrightsville Beach. read more

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This beach brings me so many fond memories. It's one of my fave beaches in NC. It's always nice to do a quick trip to the beach on a long weekend. read more

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Wrightsville Beach is my 2nd favorite beach in the Carolinas. I love that it's just a 90 minute drive from my house, and I can have day trips. You have to pay to park here and it's $25 for a day pass. It's worth it to soak up the sun and salty waves. Some of the beach access lots fill up pretty quickly, so it's smart to arrive early. read more

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I think I'm in love!!!!! I can totally see myself living here and loving it!!!! If ever there was a place I found myself driven to in the whole state of North Carolina, this is it! The streets (although crowded) are modern and well-maintained. The landscaping and white Sandy shoreline is kept pristine and the overall vibe is chill and mellow amongst the citizens! Being a tourist at Wrightsville Beach was like indulging in an immaculate escape! Beach-addicts of all ages flock and tan proudly here, creating a splash as snorkelers, swimmers and/or socialites. Sun-kissed sandy bikini bottoms stroll up and down the shores seemingly at peace alongside baby blue waves that never stop. Just be sure to arrive early because (paid) parking is plentiful yet will still be a chore to select. You won't mind it, though, once you're sandals hit the sand and the sun is beaming down upon you as you locate your own spot to unload, unwind and enjoy the eye-candy. Even if you don't bring snacks, there's tons of neighboring restaurant choices just over the dunes. Rent a local hotel or a beach-house if one day isn't enough for your visit, just don't forget to bring plenty of icy bottled water, goggles, swimwear, sunblock and your surfboard. Surf's up! read more

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I will never ever come to this beach. no parking at all. spent 4 hours finding a park. they have plenty of spaces but everything is private.

This was my first trip to Wrightsville beach and I loved it! I enjoyed the relaxed and laid back atmosphere. It was a nice change from some of the other more fast paced and crowded party beaches. I decided to go during the week (Tuesday/Wednesday) in hopes that crowds and wait times for food and activities would be minimal. It definitely paid off. I would return to Wrightsville beach. However if I was looking for a boardwalk with a ton of attractions and more of a party scene I'd definitely choose a different beach. It was perfect for relaxation and quality time with mom! read more

Wrightsville Beach - Nice walk on the beach! Baywatch or nah - Beaches Near Me - Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina

Beautiful and clean beach with lifeguards on duty when we were there on the weekend. There is a very clean and spacious store by the pier with plenty of beach items and another store with food. Restrooms are clean and there are also outdoor showers and a changing room. There are a couple of benches available on the beach. Beach had some seashells during low tide and it was family friendly. Trash cans were available and well-maintained. Public parking can be skimpy on Saturday but there was plenty of it on Sunday, late August. Parking around the area is $5 an hour or $25 a day. Someone told me they lost their cash and couldn't get it refunded at the kiosk. We used a credit card at the kiosk. read more

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Crumbly but powerful waves! Really fun to surf. Beautiful blue water. Sand is squeaky and squishier than sand in South Carolina. Parking is paid and they are out patrolling for people who didn't pay/whose time expired. Easy to purchase time through your phone. Finding a parking spot was the hard part. read more

Wrightsville Beach - Beaches Near Me - Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina

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What a beautiful beach. I never realized the water was this clear here. I'm so used to the murky water of Virginia Beach and thought that's how it looked all the way to Georgia. Lol. I was shocked with the color and visibility of the water here. We came here everyday and sat more towards the pier. Further down we went the more rocky and shell filled the sand became. Def a nice spot to come watch the surfers in the evening. Grab a skim board or boogie board and catch some waves into he day. My son is def a water lover. We'd spend 3 hours each day at the beach and he spent all that time in the water. He watched other kids and how they used the boogie board and he got the hang of it. A great family friendly beach with lifeguards on duty. Clean beach and plenty of parking. It gave us a Florida feel and is way closer to us too. read more

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Beach seemed very clean and family friendly. I liked the fact that you can bring your dogs here! Pretty busy for a Monday afternoon, but it is Columbus Day, so I guess most people have the day off. Lots of security patrolling, plus a couple lifeguards. Felt pretty safe here and wasn't worried about leaving my bag in the car. Didn't realize they charge you to go out on the pier, so that was kind of a bummer. Didn't do a whole lot of exploring, as we only were here for the day, but I definitely would come back again! read more

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Get there early to park . Beautiful beach clear water . It's very windy usually. Bring some shade .

It was a strange set of weather that inundated the nearby peninsula but left this area untouched, but I've seen that happen more than once, so maybe there's some reason for it. Anyway, this island is quality oceanside beach. Much of the island is built up, but towards the end there is undeveloped space. The slope of sand is quite minimal, and shallow pools full of small fish abound. The town has recognized the geographical limitations of their island habitat and taken the opportunity to charge for parking anywhere remotely near this beach, and it isn't cheap. The parking was plentiful and some spots had showers, changing rooms and such, so at least you can say you got some value in return. read more

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Wrightsville Beach is just what the doctor ordered for those long, lazy summer days; it's got lots of room so that you can spread out and enjoy the surf, sand, and sun :-) Tip: There are lots of places to eat here, so treat yourself, leave lunch at home and buy yourself something yummy  The waves are perfect for swimming and wading; we swam out pretty far and had a wonderful day on the beach. read more

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This is a family-oriented beach. It's a bit busy but not overwhelming. However, it ticks all the boxes for beach-sand, water, and seagulls. It does have rip tides during certain times of year. It is lovely, close to the triangle, and lots of hotel options nearby! read more

Wrightsville Beach - Beach - Beaches Near Me - Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina

Ask them, forty teenagers in pool area not even staying there. Half things didn't work and when addressed WE are short staff. For $300 a night. read more

This is by far my favorite beach on the southern east coast so far. I spend a lot of time at the beach walking, running and enjoying the sunshine, and I really don't like crowds when doing so. During the summer there's almost no way to avoid tourist crowds on Wrightsville and Carolina Beach but there are some areas tourists don't venture off to. The water here is so vibrant and blue it blows my mind. Towards the end of Summer it does seem to warm up a good amount, and throughout the whole season it's pretty nice to jump in and cool down in. There is surf, though 10-13 footers are far from average. The undertow is extremely weak compared to the West Coast making it a lot safer to swim in as a whole. I have heard of jelly fish and stingray swimming around in the shallow, but there's always something - it's nature. Sunsets are better on the Intracoastal (which is walkable - two roads inland) but give a nice background to the beachside on occasion, as well. Though I've never witnessed one, I hear sunrises on Wrightsville are to die for and make for an amazing start to your day. Many rave about "The Loop" which is a "world renowned" walkable/run-able trail that circles around the island with beautiful trees and river views. On the island there are restaurants, hotels, surf shops, 2 coffee shops, and a mini grocery mart. Parking is not free and heavily monitored May 1st to September 15th from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. You can park off the island and Uber over easily for a low cost if you don't want to worry about parking fees. The scenery is gorgeous and well worth the visit. read more

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Traveling around for a bit right now with a stop in North Carolina. The last time I came to this wonderful state, I didn't stop by Wilmington so I knew I had to make it over here this time around. I'm not a go to the beach and get in the ocean type of gal. But when I touched the water here, I immediately knew I had to get in. The beach itself was spotless, the sand was white, and the ocean was the best I'd ever experienced. The water is a nice shade of blue, very clear, and super clean!! No seaweed or trash coming up to my body while I was in the water; none in sight, either. The temperature of the water was absolutely perfect. Not cold and even a little warm. This was the best beach I've ever been to. I had the best time swimming in the water with my husband and mother in law. I can't wait to come back! read more

We spent six days in Wrightsville Beach for our honeymoon, and three and a half of them were spent right there on the beach. It is absolutely gorgeous. We loved looking for seashells, watching the sun rise, and the water is gorgeous. It was cool but not freezing, and the beach was clean. Best of all - it wasn't overly crowded even though we were here in July! The morning was the least crowded time, but we also were able to have plenty of space in the afternoon/evening, as well. We definitely plan to return! read more

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Such a lovely happy place have enjoyed for 15+ years. Please keep it to yourself-/ the last thing we need is another MB situation loves. If you don't have friends who own a home there, check out their air bnb's / vrbo's or the Sand Peddler. People not running wild during Covid: all safeties in place and honored. Nothing quite like the sand, water, and fresh seafood. Want some good recs? Message me directly bc know the lay of the land and only reviewed where the people was with wanted to go at that time. Truly Glorious. Pier rebuilt for the win. read more

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This a beautiful family oriented beach just east of Wilmington, NC and on the Atlantic Ocean. We usually visit this area a few times a year, and most recently a few months ago. Like many of the Carolina beaches it checks all the boxes of sunny weather, seagulls, sand, and salt water. I would highly recommend it to friends and family members who want a great experience. I'm also sure that we will be back in near future for another visit as well. read more

Nice clean beach. Easy to find parking and easy access. Good family beach experience.

It was very family friendly and beautifully kept. Parking could be better, but otherwise really enjoyed it

I love Wrightsville Beach so much I always have I actually moved here because of Wrightsville Beach. This beach has a beautiful walking loop that is 3.5 miles around beautiful territory. It is paid parking at $5.00:hr all through the beach and there are plenty of parking lots and spaces. There are several great restaurants and just great people. It is very non touristy as far as mini golf and things like that. It is a place that if you just want a great beach, this is where you go. read more

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