Things to do / Travel Guide
Address:Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina
If world-famous surfer Ben Bourgeois, a Wrightsville Beach resident, once called Wrightsville Beach his "home break" then the seashore must be doing something right. Considered the widest and most idyllic beach on North Carolina's Cape Fear coast, Wrightsville Beach is a five-mile-long spit of crisp white sand fringed with whispy, green sea oats, and crystal-blue water. Six miles east of Wilmington, North Carolina, Wrightsville Beach is a well-loved retreat for Southerners and Northerners, locals and tourists alike. With boating and fishing to boast about, a surfing scene, plenty of oceanview accommodation,(that includes quaint, historic cottages), and a collection of contemporary "beach architecture", Wrightsville Beach is perfect in just about every respect.
Getting out on the water at Wrightsville Beach is an ideal way to map out the local, maritime geography. Trace the Intracoastal Waterway, a "protected highway" for power yachts, sailboats, and sea kayakers. Marinas are convenient and accessible at Wrightsville Beach, and several are located on Airlie Road, just before the drawbridge entrance to Wrightsville Beach. If you'd rather a captain introduce you to the Wrightsville waterways, try one of the many riverboat and sunset cruises. Swimmers will gladly take a dip in this section of the Atlantic warmed by the Gulf Stream. Wrightsville regulars recommend sticking to the northern end of the beach, particularly the strip between the Johnnie Mercer Pier and Crystal Pier. This area is controlled by lifeguards in the summer and generally calmer for swimming.
Fishermen enjoy sinking bait off the end of the Johnnie Mercer Pier, casting into the surf from the sands, or taking a deep-sea fishing expedition with one of the local charter companies to catch Red drum, Flounder, Trout, Cobia, Tarpon. Every fall, the competition gets as thick as the catch when anglers of all walks pour in for the Wrightsville Beach King Mackerel Tournament.
To brave the waves with a board, Wrightsville Beach is ideal for the novice and experienced surfer alike. Surf shops and outfitters along Wrightsville Beach will set you up with surfing or kiteboarding gear and lessons are available. . Surfers deep in the scene say Wrightsville Beach has the most positive surfing vibe in Southern North Carolina, and the waves, particularly at the northern end of the shore near Shell Island, generally hold their own. The southside of Crystal Pier (also known as Oceanic Pier) produces some of the more easily ridable waves.
Another feather in the Wrightsville Beach cap is its accessibility. Located a comfortable drive from Wilmington and its international airport, Wrightsville Beach lies at the end of Interstate 40 and is considered the most accessible beach in North Carolina. With a long list of coastal amenities, you simply can't go wrong planning a vacation on Wrightsville Beach.