What and where are some good public beaches to visit along the North & South Carolina coasts?

Answer 1

"Bolan" linked something about Duck, NC. The article is pretty dead-on...I was just there a few weeks ago.

It was beautiful, and while it's not a party town, it's not deserted by any means either. From the bridge that crosses over into Kittyhawk, Route 12 stretches from there, through Duck and through Corolla. Duck is the first major town past the bridge along the road for a few miles, and has a few restaraunts, gas, souvenier shops and things like that. About 10 miles further notrh is Corolla, and there is at least one hotel there. It's a little more commericialized in spots, but it's not that bad since the drive for groceries can be a long one on the only road on the island.

At the top of Corolla, Route 12 ends for the most part and leads to a beach entrance where only trucks and commerical traffic are allowed. Yuo can take your truck out and relax on the beach, but it is like a roadway since about 5-10 miles up is another town--Cordova I think it's called--and there aren't any roads or stores up there. You are bordered by a wild horse sanctuary and the ocean though, so you really can't complain. Like I said though, it cannot be done in a car...it's just not possible to get to that part of the island without 4-wheel drive.

The golf is pretty nice and not too expensive either. The Currituck Club in Corolla is gorgeous, but tee-times need to be made up to 2 weeks in advance.

Answer 2

It is true that Myrtle Beach is very crowded, but there are some nice beaches very close to this area. You can stay in Surfside or Garden City or Cherry Grove and still be close enough to go to Myrtle Beach if you wanted to enjoy the activities there. Huntington State Park is also right up the road, with the beautiful castle! Have fun!

Answer 3

Myrtle Beach in South Carolina is beautiful.

Answer 4

Ugh, Myrtle Beach is the most overcrowded, tourist trap on the East Coast. Head to Topsail Island to be left alone, the Outer Banks to enjoy the drive or to Cherry Grove to eat (Biscuit Shack is the best!)

Answer 5

Go to the Charleston area and hang out on Folly Beach. Isle of Palms and Sullivans Island are also nice, but on the snooty side. Folly is where you'll find laid back locals, hippy college kids, and a light sprinkle of tourists. THere's great cheap beach restaurants and bars, and just a fun time to be had by all.

Answer 6

The beaches near Charleston, SC are very nice. In addition, if you get tired of the beach, there is plenty to see and do all around the area and also some great restaurants. The beach areas are not tourist-y and and as overrun as Myrtle Beach.

Answer 7

NORTH CAROLINA. I recomend The Outer Banks. you may camp available or lease a house and the seashores are just about abandoned. it fairly is my renowned place to pass on holiday, i would not pass everywhere else. it fairly is a without delay street real down the island with water on the two aspects. there is para-crusing, boating, procuring, and a team of alternative stuff to do for the little ones, and the seashores are unquestionably staggering. There are spots alongside the line the place you may in simple terms pull over and drag your stuff out onto a abandoned coastline, without one else around you. it particularly is staggering. do slightly diagnosis, my kinfolk has been going there 4 years in a row, it particularly is the ideal place to holiday. :)

Answer 8

Mrytle beach is overrated, and too crowded and touristy. Too built up. Try Carolina Beach, Holden Beach or Writesville Beach NC.

Answer 9

Hammock beach NC, round the corner from Camp Lejeune. You have to take a ferry to get there, but man o man its beautiful. You can camp out there but come prepaired.

Answer 10

Duck, North Carolina

Stretching for 130 miles along the Atlantic coast, North Carolina's Outer Banks are a skinny strip of barrier islands whose hallmark high, sandy dunes front frothy surf on one side and a gentle sound on the other. While droves of tourists head here in summer, some areas have managed to keep their claim on quaint and quiet longer than others—perhaps none more so than Duck, an upscale community along the northern Outer Banks. Duck's relative solitude and its vast array of neatly constructed rental homes make it ideal for families. There are no hotels or motels in Duck proper, so to stay here you'll have to either rent a vacation home, snag a spot at the one B&B, or head to a nearby town for lodging. While Duck would never make the list for top spring break party spots, boredom is hardly a threat here. The beach is the main attraction and Duck's wide swaths of sand are nothing to scoff at. Oceanside, respectable surf is ideal for boogie boarding, body surfing and swimming, while the sound offers up a perfect playground for nature lovers and sports enthusiasts who require calmer waters. And if you tire of all that, there are many attractions within a short drive.

Hilton Head, South Carolina

Whether your goal for a beach vacation is to take a few strokes off of your golf game, improve that slicing backhand on the tennis court, or just relax by the shore, Hilton Head Island has it all. One of the largest islands on the East Coast, Hilton Head is perfect for families who are looking for a large resort area with an array of activities to enjoy. Visitors are welcome to bike on the beach and countless trails, golf at more than 30 courses, and play on any of 300 tennis courts. And there's plenty for the kids to do, including rollerblading, kayaking and swimming. Even with so much to offer year-round, people continue to vacation at this semi-tropical beach destination en masse in July and August, the hottest times of the year. Consider the "secret seasons," April through May and September through October, when the weather turns more temperate and better values can be found.
Kiawah Island, South Carolina

Many people are familiar with the coastal islands off North Carolina, but fewer are privy to those of South Carolina. Kiawah Island is one of these hidden gems, loaded with 10 miles of pristine beaches and approximately 10,000 acres of natural woodlands. Located only 21 miles from Charleston, S.C., Kiawah offers sun, sand and a short drive to a city chock-full of Southern charm. The island is privately owned and is home to a well-designed beach resort with amenities and activities to meet the needs of the entire family. Most of the beach is private and access is limited to resort guests, with the exception of the island's Beachwalker State Park, which offers public parking, lifeguards and restrooms. Kiawah Island is a paradise not only for beach lovers, but also for golfers, tennis players and nature buffs. There are five championship golf courses and a selection of clay and hard tennis courts as well as clinics and mini-camps for adults and children. The resort's 21-acre Night Heron Park has sand volleyball, basketball, soccer, nature programs and fishing. Walking and paddling tours give insight into the island wildlife, which include a variety of bird and reptile species.
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Of the many beaches along South Carolina's 60-mile Grand Strand, Myrtle Beach is the largest, boasting the greatest number of amusement and water parks, restaurants and live entertainment. As an added bonus, the beach is close to an eclectic assortment of museums, nature preserves and outlet shopping. Over 100 golf courses are a club's stroke away, and most are open to visiting guests. Despite having so much to do, it's impossible to overlook the biggest attraction of all—sun, surf and lots of sand. Myrtle Beach's actual beach is an extensive stretch of silky white sand, and offers opportunities for fishing, swimming, sunbathing, sailing and surfing. The region is rich with activities, and has successfully maintained the image as a family getaway, with most attractions, entertainment and eateries geared toward families. In fact, many area hotels offer water rides, activity programs and playgrounds for youngsters.

From MSN Travel: If your crew wants to mix it up on a hot day, head to Myrtle Beach Waves Water Park, the largest water park in South Carolina. With features like 10-story-high tubular slides and a “Saturation Station” complete with splashes, slides and waterfalls, this is a water-lover’s dream come true. There are many theme restaurants in Myrtle Beach, but NASCAR Café (1808 21st Ave. North) may be the best of the bunch. Choose from a variety of burgers, ribs or chicken potpie amidst an intriguing décor of NASCAR memorabilia. There’s a kid menu at Collector’s Café, Gallery & Coffee House (7726 N. Kings Highway) but your party may be busy taking in the more than 100 original paintings, sculptures and craftwork by 40 artists for a while before ordering.

South Padre Island, Texas

It's a familiar and garish sight—car after car with "Spring Break" or "Padre or Bust" scrawled across the windows in white shoe polish crossing the bridge on highway 100 to South Padre Island. Padre has always been a spring break party animal's paradise, and room rates triple when the island is overrun with hedonistic 20-somethings. The other 11 months of the year, however, are perfect for vacationing families and honeymooners. This beach is for the value-conscious traveler. Although the town offers little in the way of luxury or entertainment, there are scores of moderately priced and budget accommodations, including well-known chains and one-of-a-kind motels with more charm than class. Restaurants, bars, shops and a movie theater add to the atmosphere. Water sports abound; just wander the bayside to find combination bar and grills/water sport rental outfits that offer deep-sea fishing, diving, dolphin watches and other ecological excursions. Both the town and the beach are clean and safe. Off the coast of South Texas, Padre's climate remains pleasant even when the rest of the state is at its coldest.

From MSN Travel: Visit Sea Turtle, Inc. (6617 Padre Blvd.) where your kids can get up close and personal with several endangered sea turtle species and contribute to their conservation—all proceeds from the gift shop go towards saving sea turtles. Take in spectacular views of Port Isabel, South Padre Island and the Gulf of Mexico from the lighthouse while visiting the 1852 Port Isabel Lighthouse State Historical Park (421 E. Queen Isabel Blvd. in Lighthouse Square, Port Isabel). Grab a casual bit to eat at Ted’s Restaurant (5717 Padre Blvd.) where the usuals like eggs, pancakes, burgers and salads are offered alongside tasty Mexican fare like migas, huevos rancheros and fajitas.
Waikiki, Hawaii

More than 100 years have passed since Waikiki was the exclusive playground of Hawaiian royalty and their chosen friends. Now, cheap hotels and package tours allow just about anyone to visit. From throbbing nightclubs to quiet parks to the lions at the zoo, Waikiki has something for everyone. It all begins at the yacht harbor where every boat imaginable, from sporty, racing numbers to salty-dog blue cruisers, lines the water. Next door, the Hilton Hawaiian Village stages hula shows and blasts fireworks visible from miles away. The beach is wide, the water is safe and any beach toy imaginable is available to rent. Few visitors find time to visit the other end of Waikiki, where 200 acres of parkland wrap around the base of Diamond Head Crater and there's always a quiet spot in the shade. This is where the locals come to jog in the park, swim at Sans Souci Beach or barbecue dinner with family and friends. Between these two extremes, the seven-tenths of a square mile that make up Waikiki are packed with hotels, theaters, restaurants and shops and crowded with executives, backpackers and families speaking every language under the sun.

From MSN Travel: Facilities at Waikiki include showers, lifeguards, restrooms, grills, picnic tables and pavilions at the Queen's Surf end of the beach. The best place to park is at Kapiolani Park, near Sans Souci—get to know the area even better through a walking tour, best done on weekday mornings. In addition to the beach, families should make a point to see the small but first-class Waikiki Aquarium (2777 Kalakaua Avenue), located on a live coral reef. For a great breakfast at any hour, try Eggs ’n Things (1911-B Kalakua Avenue). Kids and their parents are sure to enjoy Genki Sushi (900 Kapahulu Ave.), Kids love to lunge for their favorites among the freshly-made, individually-wrapped sushi that parades by on conveyor belts.

Wailea Beach, Hawaii

Maui is the only Hawaiian island to be named after a demigod, and that comes as to no surprise to fans, as this tropical escape is heavenly. Visitors seeking a blend of Hawaiian hospitality and culture in an upscale environment will revel in the many fine points of Wailea. The beach is laid out in golden crescents bordering warm, gentle waters perfect for swimming. Many resorts in this area are so self-contained that they operate like mini-villages, with a variety of activities, restaurants and shops available just a short walk from your room. Nature lovers and thrill seekers can explore the nearby national parks and hike to out-of-the-way waterfalls for the perfect romantic picnic. Even seasoned shoppers will be delighted with the nearby Shops at Wailea. While Wailea may seem like a millionaire's paradise, all the beaches are accessible to everyone and offer public restrooms and showers, as well as parking. Beach lovers who would prefer to stay in a more secluded or less developed part of Maui can still enjoy the golden beaches of Wailea and a sunset mai tai at one of its many restaurants, without the hefty price tag.

From MSN Travel: For an affordable spot amidst high-end Wailea eateries, try SeaWatch (100 Wailea Golf Club Dr.) where the bounties of the island are served in such delicious options as Maui onions on the bagels and lox, kalua pork and Maui onions in the scrambled eggs and so on. Families on the go may want to take advantage of the appealing selections at the take-out counter at Caffé Ciao (4100 Wailea Alanui). If staying in the area, consider one of the condos at the Wailea Grand Champions Destination Resort, or the grand-but-relaxed Wailea Marriott, set in a beautiful banyan grove on the Maui waterfront.

Trunk Bay, St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands

Nearly 50 years after Laurence S. Rockefeller donated Trunk Bay to the National Park Service, making it part of Virgin Islands National Park, the beach and offshore coral reefs remain among St. John's most breathtaking and well-preserved attractions. Considered the most beautiful beach on the island and often called the most pristine in the Caribbean, Trunk Bay's clear, warm waters and silky coral sands draw tourists in droves, and its well-maintained facilities include chair and snorkel equipment rentals and showers. Visitors can bask in the tropical sun, snorkel the 225-yard-long Underwater Trail of reefs, or try their hand at underwater photography—the clean water and variety of colorful sea life promise spectacular photo opportunities. Tourists looking for more active pursuits than sunbathing and snorkeling can opt to explore the park, which consists of hiking trails, and the ruins of historic sugar plantations, remnants of St. John's Danish colonial past.