Quick Guide to Carolina Beaches: Which One is Right for You?

When you think of the South you probably conjure images of sweet tea, delicious biscuits, and generous hospitality. Yes, the food can be amazing, but did you know we also have spectacular beaches? With approximately 500 miles of coastline between North and South Carolina, there is a myriad of options to suit every type of beach vacation. From a relaxing, slow-paced get-away to a more activity-oriented, bustling trip, read on to discover the right one for you.

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Bald Head Island, NC

Located off the coast of North Carolina, you can only get to this island via a 20-minute ferry from Southport, NC. This is a truly special place where your only mode of island transportation is a golf cart, bicycle, or your own two feet. It is a remote island with little other forms of entertainment than just the wide-open ocean and abundant maritime forest. You won't find parasailing or jet skis, but you can rent kayaks or paddleboards on the creek (which I highly recommend because it is GORGEOUS). And there are no hotels, so crowds are minimal. Lodging can be found on VRBO or Airbnb or even through local vacation rental agencies (Bald Head Island Realty or Tiffany's Beach Rentals are two I have used in the past). Each rental comes with a golf cart and your ferry ride includes a shuttle to your rental so you don't have to worry about how you will get places. Some rentals even allow access to the Bald Head Island Club or Shoals Club. Access to these clubs will increase your restaurant options as well as amenities such as pools, golf and tennis, which I also highly recommend. The ocean views from the Shoals Club pool and restaurant are phenomenal and the food is great, too. They also have live music some evenings. Bald Head Island Club recently completed a major renovation and also has gorgeous ocean views from the restaurant as well as a huge pool deck. If you don't get a temporary membership to one of the clubs, there are a few public restaurants. There are also a few cute boutiques, a good-size grocery store, and a full-service spa. Overall, this island is for the kind of person who wants an upscale but laid-back beach vacation. You will truly feel like you are getting away from it all here.

Vibes of this beach vacation: upscale; peaceful; pricey; remote; soothing to the soul; bucket-list worthy; dog-friendly beaches

Crowd level: low

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Emerald Isle, NC

Located on what is referred to as "The Crystal Coast". This is an 85 mile stretch of land between Cape Lookout National Seashore to the North and Emerald Isle to the south. This area has been dubbed the Crystal Coast because of its sparkling clear waters. I was there recently, and I could see my feet when I was waist high in the ocean! I have never been able to do that in the ocean anywhere else along the eastern seaboard. But it is the norm in this area. The beaches are also not too crowded. We never felt like people were sitting on top of us. However, there are considerably more crowds than Bald Head Island. But the water is gorgeous and there are a ton of activities in this area. Mini-golf, go-carts, ice cream shops, even an aquarium will keep the kids entertained for days. There is an abundance of kayaking trails in the area. Rent from Barrier Island Kayak Rentals in Swansboro (just across the bridge from Emerald Isle) and paddle out to Shark Tooth Island. Hunt for shark tooth fossils or swim in the shallow water in the intracoastal. It is a spectacular experience not to be missed. Then stop by the historic downtown section of Swansboro and have lunch overlooking the water. Another historic town to visit nearby is Beaufort, NC (not to be confused with Beaufort, SC). This is a great town to walk around and see houses built in the 1700's, dine at a waterfront restaurant, or take a ferry over to the Rachel Carson Reserve or Shackleford Banks. These are protected islands that have wild horses and pristine beaches great for snorkeling, shelling, swimming, or just sun-bathing on very uncrowded beaches. There are a few hotels in Emerald Isle but no giant resorts. So, this helps keep the crowds down. However, keep in mind that the crowds will be higher on the beaches near the public parking lots. Your best bet is to rent a VRBO or Airbnb in a neighborhood with ocean access. Restaurant options are also aplenty. My favorites are Gaffers and Caribsea. Overall, Emerald Isle is for the kind of person who wants a not-too-crowded beach, sparkling water and lots of nearby activities and places to explore.

Beach Vibes: Beautiful ocean views; nature; history; fun for the whole family; a relaxing or active vaca depending on your mood

Crowd level: low to moderate

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The Outer Banks

Everyone has heard of "the Outer Banks", right? The Outer Banks is a hot vacation spot and has been for decades. However, it's misleading to lump all of the various areas, towns and villages together into one vacation spot. The Outer Banks extends for more than 100 miles beginning almost at the Virginia border on down to The Crystal Coast. Each area is distinct and has its own draw. Beginning in the north, Corolla is best known for the wild horses that inhabit the area as well as a wide-open beach you can drive on (if you have a 4-wheel drive vehicle). Wild horse tours are a great way to explore the area. Meander down south along Highway 12 through the charming village of Duck. Here you will find upscale shops and restaurants in the cutest little village overlooking the sound. I highly recommend The Blue Point restaurant. In my opinion, it is the absolute best restaurant in the Outer Banks. Also, you can't not get donuts from Duck Donuts. They are to die for. Best bet for lodging in Corolla or Duck is a house or condo rental. If you keep going South along 12, you will start to hit more crowded towns such as Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills and Nags Head. These towns have more lodging options and therefore more crowds. But they also have more strip-malls that clearly have seen better days. Mini golf in this area is a favorite activity of my family. And Jockey's Ridge State Park is another must-see area. Continuing down south past Nag's Head, you will reach the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. This is a much more remote and undeveloped part of the Outer Banks encompassing 7 small villages (such as Rodanthe, Avon, and Frisco) and culminating in the town of Hatteras. Unfortunately, I have not had the opportunity to visit this area yet. So, I cannot speak personally about it. What I can tell you is that people who visit, absolutely love the quaint village feel to it and the miles and miles of undisturbed scenic beaches. You won't find any strip malls or chain restaurants here. But that is preciously the point. And lastly, there is Ocracoke Island. This island requires a ferry ride and so is also a very remote destination. Unlike Bald Head, you can take your car with you on the ferry. I hope to visit someday soon and write up a blog post in more detail about this area!

The Outer Banks has so many different areas that there really is an area for each different personality and budget. One con of this area is the traffic. With only a few roads on and off the island, weekends in the summer require much patience. Knowing that ahead of time gets me in the right frame of mind to enjoy my travels. Know that it will be worth it.

Crowd level: low to high depending on which town you are in

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Wrightsville Beach, NC

This beach is right over the bridge from Wilmington, NC. It is also the absolute closest beach to the Raleigh area. So, it gets very crowded on the weekend as it is close enough for day tripping. It is a small island packed with houses, restaurants, and a few beachy stores. There are also a few hotels/motels on the island. If you are just going for the day, parking can be difficult so get there early (like before 9 am). But the beach is beautiful. I have always been impressed by the stunning blue-green color of the ocean here. And with Wilmington right at your doorstep, there is a lot to do nearby. Wilmington abounds with shops, restaurants, breweries, even a battleship you can tour.

Beach Vibes: Beautiful ocean views; good for short weekend

Crowd level: moderate to high

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Kiawah/Seabrook Island, SC

Kiawah and Seabrook are located just outside of Charleston, SC. They are actually part of the same island but are separated by an adorable upscale development called Freshfields Village. Freshfields has an abundance of shopping (think Lululemon, Tommy Bahama and Lilly Pulitzer) as well as great restaurants. The sushi place (Fuji) is one of my favorites as well as Fourty-Eight - Wine Bar & Kitchen. And you can't skip ice cream from Ben & Jerry's. About a mile on either side of Freshfields lies the gated communities of Kiawah and Seabrook. Kiawah is a little larger and has a 5-star hotel called The Sanctuary. Seabrook has no hotels. You can rent a home/condo in either area. Both areas have miles and miles of beautiful, idyllic beaches as well as tidal marshes, creeks and forests draped in Spanish moss. Not to mention all the deer, birds, and dolphins in the area. These islands are a nature lover's dream. You won't find any mini golf or jet skis here either. In fact, the homeowners made sure that plans to open a jet ski company nearby were quickly squashed. Keeping the quiet nature of this area intact is more important than business and development. But there is still much to do nearby. Make sure you get a rental that gives you club access. Clubs on either island have golf, tennis/pickleball, pools, and restaurants. Seabrook also has an equestrian center where you can ride horses on the beach. There are also miles of bike trails on Kiawah. Seabrook doesn't have as many bike paths, but the streets are quiet enough that even a child should feel comfortable biking around. You can also rent a boat on Bohicket Creek- it's located right outside the entrance to Seabrook (so anyone can go here). Or eat at Salty Dog Cafe and watch the boats come and go on the gorgeous tidal creek. Stay for sunset and the live music. If you are staying on Kiawah, you have to eat at The Atlantic Room at The Ocean Course (must have club access). The food is on the same level as the ocean views- top notch. And no visit to this area is complete without a day trip into downtown Charleston (an easy 30-minute drive from the front gates of Seabrook or Kiawah). Explore the history and culture of this iconic southern city. And make dinner reservations in advance. My two favorites are Husk and The Darling.

Beach Vibes: Pristine beaches; nature everywhere; relaxing; upscale; quiet; dog-friendly

Crowd level: low

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Myrtle Beach, SC

No SC beach guide would be complete without a mention of the iconic Myrtle Beach. In my opinion this is an excellent place to take a child. There are a plethora of hotel/resort options. And many of them have really cool pools/lazy rivers/splash pads, etc. They are definitely geared toward families with children. And I deem this area the mini-golf capital of the world. Seriously, driving down the main drag with a child, you will see their eyes pop out of their heads at all the awesome courses around. Be prepared to hit up more than one. They all look really cool. There are also tons of shows in the area for all ages such as Pirates Voyage or Le Grand Cirque. And don't miss out of the SkyWheel (a giant ferris wheel) towering nearly 200 feet above the ocean-front board walk. You will find tons or restaurant options in this area, as well. Pancake houses and seafood buffets abound here. Of course, there are other types of restaurants as well, however, it can be difficult to find fine-dining options here. Maybe you know of one I don't. Put it in the comments below if you do.

Beach Vibes: family-friendly; tons of activities; very developed

Crowd level: high