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Best Beaches Near Raleigh, NC
Are you searching for the best beaches near Raleigh, NC? Check out these ten great beaches near Raleigh for a fun weekend getaway!
With so many popular beaches near Raleigh, NC, you'll never run out of great places to spend time in the water and sun.
Whether you're looking for a weekend getaway or a day trip to escape the city heat, the Carolina coast offers pristine shorelines, charming beach towns, and unforgettable views.
One of the best parts about living in Raleigh is the convenient and easy access to some of the best beaches in the country. Generally very popular, particularly during the summer, the North Carolina beaches offer various activities, including swimming, surfing, kayaking, fishing, and paddleboarding.
At Raleigh Realty, we understand that proximity to these coastal gems is one of the best things about living in the Triangle area. Let's explore the ten best beaches near Raleigh and what makes each special.
Here are the best beaches near Raleigh
1. Wrightsville Beach
Distance from Raleigh: 130 miles (approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes)
Possibly the most popular beach in North Carolina, Wrightsville Beach, located just east of Wilmington, is a 4-mile-long beach Island. Wrightsville is one of the more popular beaches to spend summers on, with plenty of great beaches and things to do.
Wrightsville Beach is often considered the crown jewel of North Carolina beaches. This vibrant beach town offers crystal-clear waters, expansive shorelines, and excellent surfing conditions.
The beach features a scenic harbor and the famous Crystal Pier, perfect for fishing or watching the sunset. Wrightsville's Loop, a 2.45-mile fitness trail, is popular among joggers and walkers.
The nearby Johnnie Mercer's Pier is the only concrete fishing pier in the state, offering stunning views and great fishing opportunities.
Most Raleigh residents find themselves in Wrightsville when looking to vacation at the beach. This is a popular spot for people who call Raleigh home to have a vacation home, though the real estate is typically more expensive here.
2. Carolina Beach
Distance from Raleigh: 135 miles (approximately 2 hours and 20 minutes)
Carolina Beach combines classic beach town charm with modern amenities near the Cape Fear River. The renowned boardwalk features shops, restaurants, and seasonal entertainment, including weekly fireworks and live music during summer.
Don't miss the opportunity to try the famous Britt's Donuts, a local institution since 1939. Carolina Beach State Park offers hiking trails and rare Venus flytrap sightings, making this beach destination perfect for nature enthusiasts and sun-seekers.
The Carolina Beach boardwalk offers great shops, restaurants, and amusement rides. Carolina Beach offers more affordable homes than its northern neighbor, Wrightsville, and is a popular spot for a great beach house.
3. Kure Beach
Distance from Raleigh: 140 miles (approximately 2 hours and 25 minutes)
Just south of Carolina Beach lies the quieter, more family-oriented Kure Beach. Home to the oldest fishing pier on the Atlantic coast, Kure Beach offers a more relaxed atmosphere than its northern neighbors.
The North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher is a must-visit attraction, especially for families with children. History buffs will appreciate the Fort Fisher State Historic Site, which was used during the Civil War.
The homes and neighborhoods are more affordable than the beaches mentioned above. Kure is smaller, so if you enjoy that smaller, laid-back feel, this could be the right beach to visit while living in Raleigh.
You'll find some profound similarities between Carolina Beach and Kure Beach, though they both have a unique feel. The beach features clean, uncrowded shores perfect for collecting shells and shark teeth.
4. Topsail Beach
Distance from Raleigh: 140 miles (approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes)
Topsail Island is a 26-mile barrier Island with three distinct communities: North Topsail Beach, Surf City, and Topsail Beach. Topsail's southern location makes it less crowded than beaches closer to Wilmington.
Legend has it that the Island got its name from pirates who would hide their ships in the channel, with only the topsails visible from the sea.
Today, it's known for its pristine beaches, sea turtle conservancy programs, and excellent fishing opportunities. Topsail Beach is where you will find wildlife flourishing in their natural habitats.
Topsail Beach is one of North Carolina's best beaches, only 2.5 hours from Raleigh. Its scenic and uncrowded beaches make it a popular place to relax and enjoy the sun.
With only 500 year-round residents, Topsail's economy is driven by tourism and is most busy during the summer. Like the Outer Banks, most people have second homes here and rent them out during the summer rather than live here year-round.
5. Emerald Isle
Distance from Raleigh: 145 miles (approximately 2 hours and 40 minutes)
Part of the Crystal Coast, Emerald Isle boasts some of the most transparent waters and whitest sands in North Carolina. The 12-mile stretch of shoreline is known for its family-friendly atmosphere and strict building height restrictions that maintain its natural beauty.
Bogue Inlet Pier offers fantastic fishing, while The Point at the western end of the Island provides breathtaking views of the sun rising and setting over the water.
The nearby North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores makes for a perfect rainy-day activity. Ideal for families, Emerald Isle is recognized as a favorite vacation spot along the southern Outer Banks.
6. Atlantic Beach
Distance from Raleigh: 150 miles (approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes)
Atlantic Beach, the oldest of five communities on Bogue Banks Island, is near Emerald Isle. This historic beach town features Fort Macon State Park, a restored Civil War-era fort that offers tours and exhibits.
The beach itself is wide and well-maintained, with ample public access points. Anglers will appreciate the Atlantic Beach Causeway, known for excellent fishing spots.
The town's Circle area is the commercial heart of Atlantic Beach, offering restaurants, shops, and seasonal entertainment, including outdoor concerts.
Offering no shortage of adventures, it is no wonder that Atlantic Beach is considered one of the best beaches near Raleigh.
7. Ocracoke Island
Distance from Raleigh: 210 miles (approximately 4 hours and 30 minutes, including ferry ride)
Ocracoke Island is accessible only by ferry, private boat, or small aircraft and offers a unique beach experience. The 16-mile stretch of undeveloped shoreline has been consistently rated among the best beaches in America.
Once a hideout for the infamous pirate Blackbeard, the Island now draws visitors with its pristine beaches, the Ocracoke Lighthouse (the oldest operating lighthouse in North Carolina), and charming village with shops and restaurants.
The extra effort to reach Ocracoke is rewarded with smaller crowds and an authentic Outer Banks experience.
8. Nags Head
Distance from Raleigh: 190 miles (approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes)
Nags Head is one of the most developed and accessible beaches in the Outer Banks. Best known for its colorful beach houses and picturesque ocean views, Nags Head is a frequent destination in the Outer Banks.
Jockey's Ridge State Park is known for its iconic sand dunes, the tallest natural sand dune system in the eastern United States. Visitors can try hang gliding or sandboarding or enjoy the panoramic views from the top of the dunes.
The historic Nags Head Fishing Pier and numerous public beach access points make it easy to enjoy the Atlantic waters.
The area also features golf courses, shopping outlets, and family attractions like Full Throttle Speedway and Mutiny Bay Adventure Golf.
9. Duck
Distance from Raleigh: 205 miles (approximately 3 hours and 45 minutes)
Duck is an upscale beach community in the northern Outer Banks known for its sophisticated charm and natural beauty.
Unlike many North Carolina beaches, Duck has no public beach access points except for community residents and guests, making the shores less crowded.
However, the town's one-mile soundside boardwalk is open to the public and offers spectacular sunset views over Currituck Sound.
The town center features unique shops, art galleries, and award-winning restaurants. Duck's commitment to preserving natural habitats has earned it recognition as one of the best family beach destinations in the country.
10. Corolla
Distance from Raleigh: 220 miles (approximately 4 hours)
At the northernmost tip of the Outer Banks lies Corolla, home to the famous wild horses believed to be descendants of Spanish mustangs that survived shipwrecks centuries ago.
The four-wheel-drive area allows adventurous visitors to see these horses in their natural habitat, making this one of the most unique things to do in the Outer Banks.
Corolla also features the historic Currituck Beach Lighthouse, which visitors can climb for panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean and Currituck Sound.
The beach offers vast, clean stretches of sand and relatively calm waters, perfect for families. The Whalehead Club, a restored 1920s Art Nouveau-style mansion, provides a glimpse into the area's rich history.
Methodology
In April 2025, data was collected from the U.S. Census Bureau, Southern Living Magazine, the Corolla Wild Horse Fund, and local beach town websites.
FAQs
What North Carolina beach has the clearest water?
Emerald Isle is known to have the clearest water in North Carolina that takes on a beautiful blue-green color. This clear water makes residents and visitors feel like they are in the tropics.
What is the prettiest beach in North Carolina?
North Carolina is home to many beautiful beaches. Still, Emerald Isle, Nags Head, and Cape Hatteras National Seashore consistently rank among the top for their secluded natural beauty and variety of attractions.
What is considered the Crystal Coast of North Carolina?
The Crystal Coast is the 85-mile stretch of pristine beach and clear waters in the southern Outer Banks that starts at the Cape Lookout National Seashore and extends to the New River.
Discover the Best Beaches Near Raleigh
These spectacular coastal destinations are only within a few hour's drive when living in Raleigh. Offering something for everyone, the diverse beach options along the Carolina coast make for a perfect day or weekend trip when the weather is nice.
From the family-friendly shores of Kure Beach to the wild horse territory of Corolla, these coastal gems provide the perfect escape from city life.
At Raleigh Realty, we understand that proximity to these beautiful beaches is one of the many advantages of living in the Triangle area.
Our team can help you find your perfect home in Raleigh, putting you within reach of these coastal paradises while you enjoy all the benefits of living in Raleigh, one of America's most livable cities.
Please contact us today to learn how we can help you find your dream home in Raleigh.
