Off the Beaten Path
in Carolina Beach, NC

Solo Travels

Plan a trip that is uniquely you to welcoming, fun-loving Carolina Beach. While exploring the lively Carolina Beach Boardwalk, strike up a conversation with locals and fellow travelers lining up at the famous Britt’s Donut Shop. Join one of Carolina Beach State Park’s ranger-led hikes to learn about the area’s ecology, like the rare Venus flytrap. Embark on water experiences, including a guided kayaking eco-tour or a private surf lesson. Take a self-guided tour of Carolina Beach’s murals, which illustrate the island’s history, culture and originality. Mix and match Carolina Beach’s unique offerings to create a one-of-a-kind solo-cation, and experience island time at your own pace.

Original Festivals & Events

Carolina Beach boasts a calendar full of annual events and festivals, including June’s Carolina Beach Music Festival and weekly summer Fireworks by the Sea and Boardwalk Blast. The celebrations continue beyond summer with the Carolina Beach Dragon Boat Regatta and Festival, a regatta boat race where participants from around the region compete along the waterways of Carolina Beach, the Island of Lights Christmas Flotilla and more.

PET-FRIENDLY

Four-legged friends are paws-itively welcome to join in the fun at Carolina Beach. From April 1 to Sept. 30, leashed dogs are allowed on the beach daily before 9 a.m. and after 5 p.m. During the off-season (Oct. 1 to March 31), leashed dogs are allowed on the beach at any time. Dogs are always welcome at Freeman Park, and during the off-season (Oct. 1 to March 31), they are allowed to play on the beach at any time. Mike Chappell Park has a year-round fenced dog park. Carolina Beach State Park features a dog-friendly, secluded camping area with miles of hiking trails perfect for off-road adventures with your pooch. Unwind at Good Hops, a dog-friendly and family-owned brewery. Choose from pet-friendly lodging options, and follow our dog lover’s guide to Carolina Beach.

ROMANTIC ESCAPES

Escape to Carolina Beach with your special someone on a romantic getaway for Valentine’s Day, an anniversary or just because! Enjoy an adventure on the water together with a Paddle NC eco-tour or explore on two-wheels along the Island Greenway. Indulge in a intimate dinner with drinks for two and take in the colorful sunset hues. After, dance the night away at island tiki bars like SeaWitch Cafe & Tiki Bar, which features year-round live music. When planning your romantic retreat, choose from accommodations such as inns and B&Bs, quiet vacation rentals and full-service hotels with oceanfront balconies.

Travel without Kids

From young professionals to empty nesters, fall is a perfect time to book a beach getaway here. With school back in session, visitors traveling without kids can enjoy less crowds, mild temperatures and off-season lodging rates. Less crowds also means less waiting at island restaurants and bars, and even more space to spread out and relax on the beach. Travelers can experience local nightlife by visiting favorites such as The Fat Pelican or sing karaoke tunes at Silver Dollar or Buzz's Roost at the Beach.

Girls’ and Guys’ Trips

Whether it is a birthday trip, bachelorette party or reunion of old friends, Carolina Beach is the perfect setting for your next girls’ or guys’ getaway. Catch the waves with a group lesson from Odysea Surf School. Learn to surf in a safe and fun environment at an all-women surf camp with Tony Silvagni Surf School. Get out on the water with a cruise aboard the Vonda Kay, a 72-foot partyboat, or use your pedal power for a unique waterfront adventure with Sea Legs Pedal Pub. From the Carolina Beach Fishing Center and Marina, fishing buddies can embark on private fishing charters like Batson Charter Boats or Hot Ticket Fishing Charters to compete and reel in the biggest catch. Find off-road driving fun at Freeman Park, where visitors and locals can take 4x4’s onto the beach, have a bonfire, look for endangered loggerhead sea turtle tracks and even camp overnight for the full effect of the surf and stars. Permits are required for all 4x4s and are available through the Town of Carolina Beach.

Take a break from the sand and sea with Tasting History Tours and savor the local history, landmarks and flavors of Carolina Beach. The signature food tour takes groups through the colorful streets of Carolina Beach to local restaurants, where you’ll swap stories and sample island flavors. Alternatively, choose the "History in a Glass" tour, which is a beverage-only experience perfect for those over 21, allowing you to explore the island one sip at a time.

Foodie friends can stop by Island Burger & Bites to try a classic burger that Yelp named North Carolina’s very best. For a classic low-country boil, gather your group at a beach rental and dig into the "Best-Pot-To-Go" steamer pot from Cape Fear Boil Company.

Play a round of disc golf on the Trinity Disc Golf Course, a PDGA-approved course located behind Good Hops Brewing. Listen to seasonal live music on the roof top bar at Hurricane Alley's while you enjoy scenic waterfront views and beachside cocktails.

WINTERING AT THE BEACH

Carolina Beach becomes a different kind of beach during winter – and provides a sunny escape from winter's gray days. It's the perfect time to visit for fewer crowds, relatively mild weather and adventures in nature. Head to the 761-acre Carolina Beach State Park to discover diverse flora and fauna along the Flytrap Trail and Sugarloaf Trail, also known for a towering 50-foot sand dune. Spend time at the nearby North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher to marvel at marine life exhibits featuring more than 2,500 animal residents. Meander along the scenic trails and discover the area’s history at Fort Fisher State Historic Site, where the largest land-sea battle of the Civil War took place.