Temperatures are rising, the sun is shining and the flowers are blooming. I think it’s safe to say that spring has sprung! Wilmington is one of the most beautiful places to be this time of year; what could be better? The beaches, the food and the people make for not only a great place to visit, but also a great place to live. The unique thing about Wilmington, is there are a multitude of beaches that are each different in their own way. Wrightsville Beach, Kure Beach and Carolina Beach should be on everyone’s list of places to visit and here’s why.
Wrightsville Beach
The best part about Wrightsville, is that everything you could possible need is located directly on the island. Not only is it accessible, it is one of the cleanest and most beautiful beaches in North Carolina. The blue waters, delicious restaurants of all varieties and nightlife are what attract most people to this delightful place. There is a numerous amount of activities year round that are available to everyone. Standup paddle boarding, amazing surf and fishing are just a few reasons why you have to visit this amazing place.
Kure Beach
While Kure Beach is a smaller beach, it is one of the best places to go to unwind and relax. Not only is the oldest fishing pier on the Atlantic coast located here; there is an oceanfront park and a slew of summer events! This beach is known for its way of bringing the family closer together and giving its visitors a way to wind down and relax.
Carolina Beach
Wayne Moran Photography
Carolina Beach is one of a kind, and if you go there you’ll understand why. There is a seaside boardwalk filled with family fun and incredible dining. There is a state park with some of the most beautiful scenery and miles of stunning beach. The state aquarium is located here and is filled with hundreds of different species and a numerous amount of festivals and events. What makes Carolina Beach so unique is that camping is allowed on the beach and you can even drive your SUV out onto the beach right by the water! This place is a must see.
Sloane, Pauline & Addison
Source: http://www.wilmingtonandbeaches.com
IMC Hawks Blog 
Love this post! I am always in awe of Wilmington’s magnificent beauty and coastal areas. I have been in Wilmington for three years now and have never actually visited Kure beach but after reading this post I want to check it out. Wrightsville beach and Carolina beach do have a lot to offer and are pretty all times of the day and all seasons of the year. The incredible coastline that Wilmington offers was one of the main factors of why I chose to come to UNCW, after three years I have no regrets!
I have visited Wrightsville and Carolina Beach, and I strongly agree with your descriptions of both. I have not been to Kure Beach, but after reading this post it has inspired me to go check it out!
I would have to agree on the analysis of all three beaches. I love each of these beaches in their own way because of the differences they each have to offer. I grew up going to Carolina Beach, but have since expanded my horizons. I love the relaxed feel of Kure and how it is has a more residential atmospheric side of beach life. Carolina Beach has Britt’s donuts and Wake ‘n’ Bake, which makes it a great spot to grab a bite to eat and then head to the ocean. I will have to say out of all three, Wrightsville is my favorite because of how clean it is on the beach. I used to be a South Carolina beach fan, but since coming to UNCW, my whole viewpoint on beaches have changed and I am here to stay.
I enjoyed this article, and I completely agree that Wrightsville beach is one of the cleanest beaches in the area. I think it is because the rules are lot stricter than they are on, say, Carolina beach. However much I may complain about not being able to bring my friend’s puppy on the beach after April 1st, I think it helps keep the beach in order and pretty. Unlike other beaches I have been to, I have to say that Wrightsville may just be one of my favorites.
I agree with your synopsis on all three of these beaches. I have been going to Carolina Beach for several years now and I love how they have Britt’s Donuts and Wake ‘N’ Bake. These businesses make Carolina Beach a great place to grab a bite to eat and head to the ocean. I also love the atmosphere of Kure Beach because it is so relaxed and the area is more residential. My favorite of the three is Wrightsville because the beaches are so clean and the water is a beautiful blue. I used to be a South Carolina beach go-er, but I am here to stay!
I’ve lived in Wilmington my whole life and I love how you guys talked about all three beaches. I feel like a lot of people forget about Kure Beach. I personally go to Carolina Beach only because of Britts Doughnut Shop. Who doesn’t want to eat a half dozen doughnuts in a bikini.
After having just completed the city branding project in IMC 1 that I know you guys have had the chance to do, place branding is fresh in my mind. It seems that Wrightsville, Carolina, and Kure beaches have all branded themselves pretty well. The first thing that comes to mind when I think of Wrightsville, are all of the small surfing shops, great places to eat, and the wide, clean beach! I think Wrightsville has done a good job of cultivating this image and spreading it to others through making commercials, having billboards on the highway that advertising things to see and do at the beach! Kure beach could probably learn a little more from Wrightsville about place branding just because it’s smaller and less well known. It could grow a lot more if it used some of Wrightsville’s place branding tactics! Carolina beach has also done a great job, they have advertised the boardwalk endlessly and now it is the first thing that comes to mind when I think of that beach.
As someone who has lived in Wilmington the past two years and grown up visiting family here, I think you did a great job of highlighting the unique aspects of each of our local beaches! It’s amazing what a different experience you get from visiting each one. When the weather is nice and stress is getting the best of me, I love having such a wide range of places to choose from to relax and unwind!
It’s awesome to think of how much having these beaches here has done for Wilmington. A lot of people cite Wrightsville Beach as one of the reasons they come to study at UNCW. Anyone who comes to visit Wilmington for any reason will almost always stop by the beach some time. Those who live in Wilmington can be proud of what we have with our beaches.
I loved this post about the beautiful beaches located hear Wilmington. I like how you focused on Wrightsville, Kure and Caroline Beach instead of just mentioning one of them. I have a beach house about an hour away at Ocean Isle Beach and I still don’t think it compares to the beauty of Wrightsville Beach. There is something about the way the water looks when it is sunny and warm outside, and driving over the drawbridge immediately gives me a sense of relaxation. Unfortunately, I will be transferring to NCSU in the fall and will definitely have a hard time leaving the breath taking beaches we have surrounding us here at UNCW.
This blog is so accurate! Wilmington is one of my favorite places in North Carolina and Wrightsville Beach is my favorite beach by far. With it being so close to UNCW, I always try to go whenever i get a free moment! The standup paddle boarding is a must and is a lot of fun when you can get a group of friends to go with you. Kure Beach is also an amazing beach with such a relaxing vibe. Carolina Beach is definitely known for the camping and the aquarium, but my favorite part is the aquarium. North Carolina beaches are the best!
I have really enjoyed this post. I am not a local in Wilmington but, in my time here, I have visited Wrightsville beach numerous times, sadly overlooking Carolina and Kure beaches. Arguably, Wrightsville beach is the most popular and accessible beach, yet after reading this post, I will definitely be making a stop at Carolina beach. Nothing is greater than lighting a campfire on the beach with some close friends, and I am looking forward to doing this in the coming weeks. I will also make a note to try stand up paddle boarding at Wrighsville.
Beautiful pictures and a great post!
This does a great job at pointing out the specific aspects of each of these beaches! I’ve lived in Wilmington for two years now, and so many people love the idea of going to a beach bar, or dinner on the beach. Carolina Beach is definitely a more social beach, especially compared to Kure Beach! These are three great reasons why someone should visit this area every spring/summer!
Im a Jr. here at UNCW and I have to say I couldn’t agree with this anymore. The beaches are one of the main reasons I decided to come to school here in the first place. All 3 have their own sort of draw to them that leaves you breathless, especially at sunset or sun rise. I remember when I used to live on campus and my roommate and I would take a bike ride down to Wrightsville part to exercise and part to enjoy the amazing natural experience. I now find myself running the beach loop just about every day, taking in the beauty that i have often over looked and more often than not become desensitized to.
I really enjoyed this blog! You described these beaches perfectly. I think we sometimes (at least I do) forget about Kure Beach, so I am glad you mentioned it. Definitely makes me want to go there and fish. I typically only go to Wrightsville because it’s so close to my house and I love how close everything is. There are plenty of options as far as food, and they have cute little surf shops. Before moving to Wilmington, I remember that my family would take trips here to go to the beach. I sometimes take having a beach here for granted, but since I am moving at the end of the year, I will be spending a lot of my time at Wrightsville or Topsail.If only this weather would stop being bipolar so we could enjoy it.