North Carolina

These NC beaches are among the best in the South, Southern Living says

A vacationer tosses a ball for her dog in the surf along the beach at the Outer Banks. Dogs are welcome at some beaches only at certain times, and it pays to check local ordinances governing all kinds of activities when choosing where to go this summer.
A vacationer tosses a ball for her dog in the surf along the beach at the Outer Banks. tlong@newsobserver.com

Summer is in full swing, and a new report is revealing the top North Carolina destinations for a coastal getaway.

Southern Living released a list of the 15 best beaches in the South based on readers’ votes. Of all the beloved beaches along the coast, here are which ones across the state were among the top vacation spots for travelers:

Outer Banks

The beach front between the Cape Hatteras Motel and the Outer Bank Motel on Wednesday, June 30, 2021 in Frisco, N.C. This area is one of the hot spots along NC 12 that is subjected to flooding and erosion during storms. Large sandbags have been placed here to protect the buildings along the oceanfront.
The beach front between the Cape Hatteras Motel and the Outer Bank Motel in Frisco, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com

“While this area technically encompasses more than 10 beaches — including popular spots like Hatteras, Nags Head, Kitty Hawk and Duck — readers agreed that this stretch of barrier islands off the coast of North Carolina has that special something,” Southern Living says.

Located in the northern part of the state, the Outer Banks — also known as OBX — is made up of more than 100 miles of shoreline and seaside villages, according to The Outer Banks Visitors Bureau. From lighthouses and historical sites to watersports and wild horses on the beach, there are a wide variety of attractions to see and activities to do in the area.

[PLAN A TRIP: Here's a guide of what to eat, see and do in the North Carolina Outer Banks.]

Oak Island

Beachgoers dot Oak Island’s beach Monday, Aug. 3, 2020 as Tropical Storm Isaias moves towards the southeast coast. The storm is expected to strengthen to a hurricane before making landfall.
Beachgoers vacating on Oak Island’s beach in Brunswick County. Travis Long tlong@newsobserver.com

“Snuggled between bigger coastal destinations like Wilmington and Myrtle Beach, Oak Island’s eight miles of beaches are a family friendly escape with the perfect balance of things to do and places to unplug,” Southern Living says.

Further down south, you’ll find Oak Island — made up of 10 miles of beachfront along the 12 mile-long island town in Brunswick County. The barrier island, which has over 100 free public accesses to the beach, is also a popular spot for boating, fishing, kayaking, golfing and more.

Across state lines, a few beaches in South Carolina were also included among the best in the region by Southern Living readers, including:

  • Edisto Island

  • Folly Beach

  • Hilton Head Island

  • Isle of Palms

  • Kiawah Island

  • North Myrtle Beach

You can find the full list of the best beaches in the South online at southernliving.com.

This story was originally published July 2, 2024 at 9:00 AM with the headline "These NC beaches are among the best in the South, Southern Living says."

Chyna Blackmon
The Charlotte Observer
Chyna Blackmon was a service journalism reporter for The Charlotte Observer. A native of the Carolinas, she grew up in Columbia, SC, and graduated from Queens University of Charlotte. She’s also worked in local television news in Charlotte, NC, and Richmond, VA. Support my work with a digital subscription
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