FAQ

There are public restroom and beach shower facilities at the Carolina Beach Boardwalk. Several parking lots also have beach restroom and shower facilities available. See a map of these locations. 

Yes! Please call (910) 341-4030 for information and requests or request information online.

All accommodations, dining options, things to do and events are listed on our website. Click on the appropriate heading to see a complete list.

Carolina Beach is known for comfortable weather year-round. Find forecasts, average temperatures by month and more weather-related information.

Please contact our Sales and Services team who can assist you with your questions.  Find more information on Meetings and Weddings, including venues, services and more.

Sales and use tax on purchases, including food, clothing, and other retail are taxed at the rate of 7%, grocery store food designed to take home is 2%, and prepared food at restaurants is 7%. In addition to the 7% sales tax, there is a local county room occupancy tax at a rate of 6%.

The Town of Carolina Beach has metered parking spaces as well as parking lots, Town-operated lots and metered spaces are open year round. Paid parking is in effect from March 1 - Oct. 31, 9 a.m. – 8 p.m., $5/hour or $25/day and Nov. 1 - Dec. 31, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., $2/hour or $10/day. Parking is free Jan. 1 - Feb. 28. Parking is managed by Pivot Parking, 1708 Canal Dr.  All parking designated "Handicap" spaces are free as along as the vehicle is displaying a handicap parking placard. For information on parking and any restrictions, call the Town Parking Office at (910) 458-4614. To enjoy overnight beach camping and 4-wheel drive beach access, head to Freeman Park. Find information regarding Freeman Park rules and regulations as well as site availability.

Wilmington International Airport (ILM) is approximately 19 miles from Carolina Beach.

Taxis, rental cars and the Fort Fisher Ferry provide transportation to the island. Find more information about ground transportation.

For information on free beach accessibility equipment/services, call the Carolina Beach Parks & Recreation Department at (910) 458-2977. Find a list of accessible hotels, restaurants and attractions. For more comprehensive handicap information, visit ACCESS North Carolina.

Pleasure Island Rentals, Paddle NC, and Tony Silvagni Surf School rent bicycles. Find information on all equipment rental businesses on the island.

Yes!  Find an Island Greenway map and a self-guided bicycle tour of historic places on the island.

There is no charge to access the beach. Freeman Park Recreation Area requires a paid 4-wheel drive permit to drive on the beach. Prices vary by permit type and time of year.

Lifeguards are on duty every day from Memorial weekend through Labor Day weekend. Carolina Beach is a USLA Advanced Certified Beach. The lifeguards train and exercise daily for the safety of everyone on the beach. Find more information on lifeguard stand locations and public beach access points.

Dogs are allowed on the beach any time from Oct. 1 to March 31 and before 9 a.m. and after 5 p.m. from April 1 to Sept. 30. Mike Chappell Park (located at 501 S Dow Rd, Carolina Beach) has a year-round fenced dog park.

Dogs are not allowed on the historical wooden parts of the Carolina Beach Boardwalk or in the Boardwalk Business District at any time — this includes sidewalks, walkways, or public property east of Canal Dr. from the north side of Harper Ave. (Hampton Inn and Suites location) up to and including Cape Fear Blvd. (Gazebo area).

Freeman Park Pet Regulations: Dogs are required to be on a leash from April 1 to Sept. 30. From Oct. 1 to March 31, dogs are allowed off a leash so long as they remain under voice command and the owner is within a reasonable distance from the pet. For further information, please contact the Carolina Beach Police Department at (910) 458-2540.

All dogs are required to always be on a leash. You must have a plastic or paper container that can be used to clean up and contain dog waste on your person at all times until you can dispose of the waste in an appropriate container. For further information, find the Town of Carolina Beach Pet Rules.

You can rent beach items at Pleasure Island Rentals, Tony Silvagni Surf School or RentABeachChair. Find a full list of equipment rental businesses including beach equipment rentals.

Driving on the beach is permitted at Freeman Park Recreation Area. Annual, daily and daily holiday passes are available in addition to overnight camping. Only four-wheel-drive vehicles are allowed. No all-wheel or two-wheel drive vehicles are permitted. Find more information on  Freeman Park rules and regulations.

You can find Venus flytraps along the Flytrap Trail and throughout Carolina Beach State Park.

You can see what is happening during your visit by checking our Events Calendar.

Find suggestions for eco-tourism activities including exploring coastal reserves, parks, the Island Greenway and protected sea turtle projects and information.

Our Trip Ideas highlight all the fun things you can do, including tours and cruises.

Find a complete list of island outfitters providing water sport rentals including surf, kayak, standup paddleboards and more.

Fresh seafood abounds in Carolina Beach. Experience award-winning clam chowder even New Englanders rave about at Michael’s Seafood Restaurant. Enjoy tiki bars and Caribbean dishes at Salt Fish Restaurant and Tiki Bar, relax on the three outdoor decks at Havana’s or pick up boil-your-own seafood pots to-go and more found on our full list of seafood restaurants.

Perch on the upstairs oceanfront patio at Carolina Smokehouse, enjoy a drink and seafood on the pier at Ocean Grill & Tiki Bar, dine with marina views on the deck at Stoked Restaurant. Find a list of restaurants and restaurants and bars with outdoor dining and water views.

Breakfast options offer many choices including traditional and coastal breakfast dishes at Kate’s Pancake House, Gulfstream Restaurant and Granny’s Country Kitchen. Grab a quick bite or order takeout from Mr. Bagel Meister, Southerly Biscuit & Pie and Malama Café or pick up a box of fresh handmade donuts from Britt’s Donut Shop or Wake n Bake Donuts. Find a variety of breakfast and brunch options.

Fuel up for a day well spent at Melama Café, North End Café To-Go or Crush & Grind at the Carolina Beach Boardwalk. Browse coffee shops on the island.

Britts Donut Shop is a seasonal operation, usually opening for the season in April through sometime in September.