These NC beaches are some of the best in the country, new reports say

North Carolina’s sandy shores are making national headlines again, with multiple beach towns earning spots on two recent lists of the best summer vacation destinations in the United States.

In its 2025 rankings of the Best Summer Vacations in the USA, U.S. News & World Report placed the Outer Banks at No. 14, applauding the barrier islands’ blend of natural beauty and historical depth.

Beyond OBX, USA TODAY’s 10 Best Readers’ Choice Awards highlighted the 10 best beaches in North Carolina, with Atlantic Beach taking the No. 1 spot.

Best beaches in North Carolina

Here’s how USA TODAY ranked the best beaches across the state:

1. Atlantic Beach, located along the state’s Crystal Coast, won praise for its family-friendly charm, scenic beauty and attractions like Town Park’s 18-hole mini golf course.

2. Carolina Beach draws families to its nostalgic boardwalk and beachside amusement park.
3. Holden Beach is popular for shell hunting and sea turtle watching.
4. Indian Beach offers quiet getaways with outdoor activities like kayaking and bird watching.
5. Oak Island provides a relaxing environment for golfing, fishing, and kayaking
6. Wrightsville Beach, a Wilmington-area favorite, is a top pick for water sports and television fans alike — thanks to its appearance on “Dawson’s Creek.”
7. Kure Beach, with its historic pier and laid-back vibe, continues to attract sunbathers and anglers.
8. Topsail Beach is a haven for surfing, swimming and pirate lore.
9. Cape Lookout National Seashore offers remote camping, shelling and wild horse sightings just off the coast.
10. Ocean Isle Beach is known for its gentle waves, dolphin sightings and marine education at the Museum of Coastal Carolina.

Which NC beach is best?

Many other North Carolina beaches have been featured in “best of” rankings in recent years.

▪ Avon, located on the Outer Banks barrier islands, was among the “most sought-after” vacation spots, a 2023 report from vacation rental website HomeToGo said.

▪ Duck, located at the northernmost point of the Outer Banks, was named among the best coastal small towns in the country, a recent 10Best report says.

▪ Ocracoke Island, at the southern tip of the state’s Outer Banks region, was named one of the 50 most charming small towns in America, HGTV wrote earlier this year, saying the town is “the cure for the common beach.”

▪ Nags Head, Emerald Isle, Beaufort and Hatteras Island were named among the best beach towns in the South in a recent report from Southern Living.

This story was originally published May 30, 2025 at 4:23 PM with the headline "These NC beaches are some of the best in the country, new reports say."