I didn’t expect to fall so hard for the beaches near Jacksonville. I thought I’d pop in, dip my toes, maybe grab a shrimp taco and move on. But something about this stretch of Carolina coast got under my skin. The beaches here each have their own pulse—some mellow, some busy, some wrapped in wild dunes and salt air that clings to your skin in the best way. I chased the quiet in some spots, the chaos in others, and in between I found moments that felt like summer at its best. Sometimes I needed a boardwalk. Sometimes I just needed a breeze. This corner of the coast gave me both.
Highlights:
- Relax at Topsail Beach, where you’ll love the peaceful vibe and might even spot a sea turtle.
- Swim and have fun with the family at Surf City Beach—it has a great pier and lots of shops to explore afterward.
- Explore the wild and uncrowded shores of Onslow Beach on Camp Lejeune. It’s perfect for getting away from the crowds.
- Watch dolphins and enjoy a stroll along the sands of North Topsail Beach. It’s such a beautiful spot.
- Visit Emerald Isle Beach for its crystal-clear waters and stunning sunsets. You won’t regret it.
Best Beaches Near Jacksonville, NC:
Carolina Beach
Carolina Beach felt like a beach that came with a soundtrack. It buzzed with energy—the squeak of sandals, the call of gulls, the soft boom of music drifting from open-air bars. The boardwalk made everything feel like a small-town carnival that just happened to sit beside the Atlantic.
The sand was soft and warm, and I found a spot between families hauling coolers and teenagers tossing frisbees. The water was cooler than I expected, sharp and clean. After swimming, I walked the boardwalk, drawn by the smell of funnel cake and grilled seafood. "It’s loud, but it’s the kind of loud that reminds you you're alive,” I thought as I let myself get in line with everyone else.
I ordered fried shrimp from Hurricane Alley’s and sat at a picnic table watching the waves. The shrimp were crisp and golden, with steam rising off the basket. The breading crackled, the shrimp tender inside, and a squeeze of lemon cut right through the salt and heat. It was messy in the best way.
Carolina Beach At a Glance
- Drive time from Jacksonville, NC: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Address: Carolina Beach Ave S, Carolina Beach, NC 28428
- Best Time to Visit: Summer evenings for full boardwalk energy
- Vibe: Lively, casual, family-friendly
- Highlights: Boardwalk, beach bars, wide sandy shore
- Facilities: Restrooms, showers, rentals, lifeguards
- Cost: Paid parking
- Food Nearby: Hurricane Alley’s for fried seafood with a view
Emerald Isle
I got to Emerald Isle just as the light shifted golden. The beach stretched out in a long, soft curve, framed by low dunes and dotted with pastel houses that looked like they were meant to be painted. The water was clear and calm, with that emerald tint that gave the island its name.
This wasn’t the place for noise. People spoke softly here. The tide came in slowly, like it knew not to rush. I walked along the surf line and thought, "Some beaches don't ask for anything—they just let you be."
I picked up lunch from Surf’s Up Grill and Bar: a blackened mahi sandwich with lettuce and a smear of tartar sauce on a toasted bun. It smelled like spice and ocean, and each bite was flaky, rich, and a little sweet from the slaw on the side. I ate on the porch, bare feet resting on the rail, breeze doing all the heavy lifting.
Emerald Isle At a Glance
- Drive time from Jacksonville, NC: 1 hour
- Address: Emerald Isle Beach Access, Emerald Isle, NC 28594
- Best Time to Visit: Late afternoon for shade and quiet
- Vibe: Relaxed, scenic, residential
- Highlights: Clean beach, calm surf, great sunset views
- Facilities: Restrooms, showers, paid parking
- Cost: Small parking fee
- Food Nearby: Surf’s Up Grill for mahi sandwiches and casual eats
Kure Beach
I came to Kure Beach after the chaos of Carolina Beach and felt like I’d found its introverted cousin. Same stretch of coastline, totally different energy. The sand was the same soft tan, but everything else felt quieter, slower, like the volume had been turned down and the light turned up.
The pier stretched long into the water, and I watched people fish while pelicans hovered, hoping for a snack. I laid my towel down farther from the crowd and just let the day unfold. The waves rolled in on a rhythm you could set your breathing to. “This is the kind of beach you come to when you need less of everything,” I thought.
I grabbed lunch from Jack Mackerel’s Island Grill nearby—grilled grouper tacos with slaw and lime crema. They were warm and fragrant in the takeout box, and the fish was buttery soft with just enough char. I ate on a bench by the dunes with my feet buried in the sand.
Kure Beach At a Glance
- Drive time from Jacksonville, NC: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Address: Kure Beach Ave, Kure Beach, NC 28449
- Best Time to Visit: Weekdays for ultimate quiet
- Vibe: Calm, small-town, low-key
- Highlights: Long pier, clean sand, good for reflection
- Facilities: Restrooms, lifeguards (seasonal), small downtown
- Cost: Metered parking
- Food Nearby: Jack Mackerel’s for fresh fish tacos
Masonboro Island
Masonboro Island doesn’t come with a parking lot. Or a snack shack. Or a lifeguard. To get there, I had to catch a boat from Wrightsville Beach, and that felt like a bit of magic in itself. Once I landed, it was me, the dunes, and the wild hush of a beach that hadn’t been paved or packaged.
I walked a short trail across the island, dodging fiddler crabs and soft pine needles, and stepped out onto what looked like an untouched coastline. The sand was fine and white, the surf a little louder here, and the sky stretched huge above me. I dropped my bag and thought, "No one here knows where I am. And I love that."
I’d packed my own lunch—roasted veggie wrap with hummus, red peppers, and greens from a co-op near Wrightsville. It smelled like olive oil and garlic and tasted even better eaten cross-legged on a towel, waves thudding softly just beyond my feet.
Masonboro Island At a Glance
- Drive time from Jacksonville, NC: 1 hour 15 minutes (plus boat ride)
- Access: Only by boat, kayak, or water taxi from Wrightsville Beach
- Best Time to Visit: Morning through early afternoon (bring sunscreen)
- Vibe: Wild, quiet, remote
- Highlights: Undeveloped coastline, tide pools, total solitude
- Facilities: None—no restrooms, no water
- Cost: Free to visit; water taxi ~$35 round-trip
- Food Nearby: Pack everything in—nothing on the island
Myrtle Beach
When I pulled into Myrtle Beach, I didn’t expect subtlety—and Myrtle didn’t try to offer any. It was bright, brash, and buzzing, with skywheels spinning, roller coasters clanking, and souvenir shops flashing "2 for 1" in every direction. The beach was huge, lined with high rises and umbrellas like a giant game of Tetris.
But here’s the thing—I had fun. I swam, dodged a beach ball, and let the noise wash over me like a different kind of tide. "Sometimes you need a beach that feels like a party you didn’t plan to attend but end up enjoying anyway," I thought while drying off in the breeze.
I grabbed a slice of pepperoni pizza from a boardwalk joint—it was hot, gooey, and smelled like oregano and melted cheese. I ate it standing up, watching people fly past on rented scooters and laughing at a toddler chasing seagulls. It was loud. It was messy. It was exactly what it needed to be.
Myrtle Beach At a Glance
- Drive time from Jacksonville, NC: 2 hours 15 minutes
- Address: Myrtle Beach Boardwalk, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
- Best Time to Visit: Shoulder seasons for a little breathing room
- Vibe: High-energy, tourist-packed, big personality
- Highlights: Wide beach, SkyWheel, boardwalk shops
- Facilities: Everything—restrooms, rentals, shops, food
- Cost: Paid parking varies
- Food Nearby: Endless options—grab a slice or seafood by the boardwalk
North Myrtle Beach
North Myrtle felt like Myrtle’s calmer sibling. It still had the wide beaches and colorful umbrellas, but everything moved at half the speed. I parked near Main Street, kicked off my shoes, and wandered toward the water past beach chairs and groups playing bocce ball like it was a high-stakes sport.
The sand was warm and fine, and the breeze came steady off the Atlantic. I watched pelicans dive in clean arcs and thought, “This is the kind of place where a beach day doesn’t need a plan—it just needs time.”
I grabbed lunch at Hoskins Restaurant—a shrimp po’boy with a crunchy golden crust and a soft interior that practically melted. The smell of Old Bay and lemon wafted up as I unwrapped it, and I ate it under a shaded pavilion while watching a family build a sandcastle the size of a small shed.
North Myrtle Beach At a Glance
- Drive time from Jacksonville, NC: 2 hours
- Address: Ocean Blvd near Main Street, North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582
- Best Time to Visit: Early morning for a walk or late afternoon for breeze
- Vibe: Easygoing, family-centered, Goldilocks-level energy
- Highlights: Long shoreline, gentle surf, shops nearby
- Facilities: Restrooms, lifeguards, beach access points
- Cost: Paid parking
- Food Nearby: Hoskins Restaurant for classic coastal fare
Surfside Beach
Surfside Beach wore its name well—soft, foamy waves lapping at a shoreline that felt personal. This wasn’t a beach trying to host a party. It was a beach for chairs in a row, for paperback novels and grandparents under umbrellas.
I arrived mid-morning and snagged a spot near the pier, which stretched calmly out to sea with just a few folks fishing off the end. The breeze smelled faintly of sunscreen and french fries. I stretched out, dug my heels into the sand, and thought, "This is what a day off should feel like."
Lunch was from Surf Diner—grilled chicken sandwich with lettuce, tomato, and a house sauce that had just a hint of something tangy I couldn’t quite place. It came wrapped in parchment, still warm, and I ate it with my legs hanging over the pier and salt spray dusting the edges of my sunglasses.
Surfside Beach At a Glance
- Drive time from Jacksonville, NC: 2 hours 10 minutes
- Address: Surfside Beach Pier, Surfside Beach, SC 29575
- Best Time to Visit: Midday for beachgoers, evening for a quiet stroll
- Vibe: Relaxed, neighborhood feel, slow-paced
- Highlights: Fishing pier, clean beach, fewer crowds
- Facilities: Restrooms, parking, pier access
- Cost: Metered parking
- Food Nearby: Surf Diner right at the pier
Topsail Island
I didn’t expect Topsail to feel so personal, but something about it made me want to stay longer than I planned. The houses were spaced wide, the streets quiet, and the beach felt like it was waiting just for me. The sand was soft and pale, the waves steady but never harsh.
I found a stretch of sand between Surf City and North Topsail where there was no one for 50 yards in either direction. I set down my towel and listened to the rhythm of the tide. “You don’t just visit Topsail,” I thought, “you return to it.”
I picked up lunch from Shaka Taco—grilled shrimp tacos with fresh cabbage slaw, lime, and a creamy cilantro sauce. They smelled like a summer breeze wrapped in foil, and the mix of crunch and heat and citrus was enough to make me pause mid-bite. I ate under a palm-thatched umbrella with my toes still sandy.
Topsail Island At a Glance
- Drive time from Jacksonville, NC: 45 minutes
- Address: Multiple access points across Surf City and North Topsail Beach
- Best Time to Visit: Midweek for peace, sunset for quiet magic
- Vibe: Peaceful, scenic, lightly developed
- Highlights: Long beaches, shell collecting, small-town charm
- Facilities: Restrooms at major access points
- Cost: Free access; some areas require paid parking
- Food Nearby: Shaka Taco for fresh and flavorful bites
Wrightsville Beach
Wrightsville felt instantly familiar, even though I’d never been before. Maybe it was the wide sidewalks full of joggers and surfers, the oceanfront homes trimmed in white, or the way the sun hit the water like it had been doing it forever. There was an ease here—nothing flashy, just well-loved routines and the kind of beach day that unfolds without effort.
I parked near the Johnnie Mercer Pier and wandered until I found a quiet spot on the north end. The waves were bigger here, playful, and the water clearer than I expected. I floated just past the break, then came back to shore and sat in the sand with the sun on my face. “If I lived here, I’d walk this beach every morning without checking the forecast,” I thought.
Lunch was from Poe’s Tavern—black bean burger with avocado and chipotle mayo, served on a toasted bun that smelled buttery and warm. It had that smoky-sweet balance I didn’t know I was craving. I ate it slowly, legs stretched across the sand, sunglasses fogged just a little from the steam rising off the plate.
Wrightsville Beach At a Glance
- Drive time from Jacksonville, NC: 1 hour
- Address: Wrightsville Beach, NC 28480
- Best Time to Visit: Early morning or golden hour for light and space
- Vibe: Polished, active, well-kept
- Highlights: Surfing, pier walks, people-watching
- Facilities: Paid parking, restrooms, lifeguards
- Cost: Metered parking
- Food Nearby: Poe’s Tavern for creative burgers and beachy vibes
Fort Fisher State Recreation Area
Fort Fisher was quiet in a way that made me take off my sunglasses and just sit still. The dunes here are low and rolling, the beach long and wide, and the ocean stretches without end. There were maybe five other people in sight when I arrived. It felt like stepping into a story that hadn’t been finished yet.
I walked down the beach past the rock revetments, the wind strong enough to lift the edges of my towel. I kept thinking about how much has happened here—battles, tides, time—and yet today it was just sand, sea, and sky. "There’s a kind of peace in standing somewhere with a past,” I thought, “especially when all you’re asked to do is breathe."
Lunch was packed—a turkey and avocado sandwich on multigrain, with sliced tomato and just enough mustard to taste sharp in the sun. It smelled fresh and clean, and I ate it sitting on a driftwood log, watching the waves push and pull like breath.
Fort Fisher State Recreation Area At a Glance
- Drive time from Jacksonville, NC: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Address: 1000 Loggerhead Rd, Kure Beach, NC 28449
- Best Time to Visit: Morning for solitude, late afternoon for golden light
- Vibe: Quiet, expansive, contemplative
- Highlights: Dunes, protected shoreline, history nearby
- Facilities: Restrooms, showers, trails
- Cost: Free
- Food Nearby: None on site—bring your own
Conclusion
I came to the coast looking for variety—and found a whole chorus of beach days waiting for me. Some were loud and sun-soaked, full of laughter and boardwalk fries. Others were quiet enough to hear the wind moving through the dunes. I swam in surf that pulled at my ankles and floated in waters still as glass. I ate sandwiches with sandy hands, watched pelicans dive, and let the salt settle into my hair until I stopped noticing it.
These beaches near Jacksonville gave me what I didn’t know I needed—a stretch of sand for every version of myself. The one who wanted crowds. The one who needed quiet. The one who just wanted to sit still and breathe in the ocean. I’ll be back. Probably to the same spots. Probably to find something new.
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