Vacation Rentals in Wrightsville Beach

Getting There

By Air: The nearest airport to the town is Wilmington International Airport (ILM), located 12 miles west of Wrightsville's city center. You can also access Wrightsville Beach through connections to Albert J. Ellis Airport (OAJ), 61 miles north of Wrightsville Beach. Cheap flights to Wilmington can be found through Delta Airlines, United Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, and American Airlines.

By Car: Wrightsville Beach can be easily reached by car from all parts of North Carolina. There's plenty of options on various freeway and highway routes. The trip takes about 2 hours southbound from Raleigh on I-40. You can also use NC-87 southbound from Fayetteville which takes about about 2 and a half hours, or US-74 eastbound from Charlotte, which takes about 4 hours.

Parking

There are several designated parking lots across Wrightsville Beach. Visitors are required to comply with the town's paid parking policy which takes effect between 9 am to 7 pm every day. Parking in these lots is free for the first two hours, after which it costs $17 daily or $3 hourly.

Dog Access

Ranked among the best dog-friendly destinations in North Carolina, Wrightsville Beach offers many outdoor activities to keep your animal in the vacation loop. When walking on the streets, always keep your pet on a leash. The beach is only open to pets during the off-season from October to March. Leash laws are strongly enforced, with fines of $250.

Swimming

According to the North Carolina Recreational Water Program, the best time to swim at the beach is between April and October. Many lifeguards are posted by the shore, with colored flags signaling the area's current safety level. Green signals low hazard, yellow moderate conditions, red rough currents and strong waves, and double red means a closed area. No matter the color of the flag, it's critical to exercise caution while swimming because conditions can quickly change.

1. Figure Eight Island

Covering the area between Rich Inlet and Mason Inlet, Figure Eight Island is an affluent vacation community. Surfing access is by special pass, but you'll need to paddle from Shell Island and northward across the inlet. Longboarders will love the surf conditions, thanks to enormous swells that provide adrenaline-inducing surfing. It’s also an ideal beach to bring your pet for an outdoor play session.2. Crystal Pier

Also called the Oceanic Pier, this historic jetty is popular with many visitors as it provides excellent rideable swells. It’s a highly recommended surfing spot for amateur and intermediate short boarders, with gently rolling waves.3. C Street

When on C Street, keep an eye out for water conditions and the tidal aspects. Even at high tides, the surf breaks here offer a fun and exciting ride even at high tides, as the waters remain shallow. C Street's outer banks tend to swell further when the tide recedes, providing surfers with a chance to chase the waves.4. Masonboro Island

Located directly south of Wrightsville Beach, Masonboro Island is one of coastal North Carolina's more secluded areas, which offers a great escape from the bustling urban scene beyond. There's no bridge linking it to the mainland; visitors can easily access the island by boat. The north of the island, near the jetty, provides the best surfing conditions, though it can quickly fill with visitors.

Make like an oystercatcher and follow the River to the Sea Bikeway along with these migratory birds. Discover Mason Inlet Waterbird Management Area, a 300 acre bird sanctuary where you can see the birds nesting. Charter a deep sea fishing boat, or go on a fishing cruise. Another interesting outpost is the Mailbox on the Beach where people pour out their hearts in letters and post them to strangers.

Join in the Wrightsville Beach Marathon or the Iron Man race, right here on the beach. Dive beneath the sea surface on an underwater safari hunt, or catch yourself a marlin at one of the famous marlin tournaments. If you've got surfing skills, this is the place to compete. Chill out at the Jazz Festival, or watch the fireworks and parade of painted boats at the annual Vacation Flotilla.

Wrightsville Beach Museum of History

Discover the storied history of Wrightsville Beach which has been hit by multiple hurricanes during its time as a resort town. Carolina Yacht Club is the second oldest East Coast yacht club. Exciting events like open-air concerts and surf competitions are also organised by the museum.

Wrightsville Beach

Generally considered the birthplace of surfing in the state, Wrightsville is now one of the world's top surfing towns. There's something happening every day of the week, whether you're a wave rider or a canoeist, a bird-watcher, or a people watcher.

Johnnie Mercer's Pier

Stretching 1200 feet into the Atlantic, this pier is top of the to-do list. It's the best place from which to watch the changing moods of the sea as the sun sinks below the horizon line.

Wrightsville Beach Scenic Tours

Take a tour: there are so many to choose from, including children's tours, eco tours, and party tours that let you drink and dance as the sun goes down on your very own party boat. That's to say nothing of the special seasonal tours like Easter egg hunts. Can't find the tour you want? Create your own custom version.

Airlie Gardens

These 100 year old gardens will leave you dumbfounded with their splendid sculptures, freshwater lakes, and views of Bradley Creek. The gardens host regular events that see them filled with music and lights. The Southeast Tourism Society named Enchanted Airlie's events among their Top 20 in the state.