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Holden Beach is an 8-mile stretch of sand on a barrier island off the North Carolina coast. The Intracoastal Waterway separates the islands from the mainland. Visitors can canoe or kayak the waterway and perhaps catch a glimpse of the endangered loggerhead sea turtles that frequent the area.

Shrimp boats travel up and down the waterway as they enter and leave the open ocean, which can be an interesting sight. Visitors can spot dolphins playing in the surf during the day and ghost crabs in the sand by flashlight at night. The annual North Carolina Festival by the Sea is a popular event featuring handicrafts and delicious food.

Holden Beach
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Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

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Explore more: North Carolina > Beaches in North Carolina: Hidden Gems & Popular Spots

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