Carolina Beach is 12 miles south of Wilmington and it’s down-to-earth, laid-back and fun for all ages.  

It boasts a happening scenic boardwalk, a beautiful state park and miles of beaches. 

During the summer, the Boardwalk is the hub of the beach with live music, good local food, nightly party cruises, charter fishing, free outdoor movies, sweet treats and more.

Freeman Park Recreation Area is by far our favorite spot on Carolina Beach as it’s one of the few beaches in North Carolina that you can drive your car on.  But make sure yours is a 4WD.  If you don’t have 4WD, don’t worry, you can rent a vehicle on the island.  Freeman Park is located at the north end of the island and offers fishing, beach camping, swimming and crabbing.  We even saw people tailgating for their favorite Saturday college football game day – sounds like the best tailgate ever! If you are planning an overnight camping trip, click here for reservations and information regarding park access. 

The Carolina Beach State Park, located along the beautiful Cape Fear River, is home to the Venus Flytrap, native to the Wilmington area and a pretty cool plant because it’s a carnivore.  The park has nine miles of biking and hiking trails, one is the Venus Flytrap Trail.  You can rent kayaks and paddleboards and head out on the river. 

Beach Access: If you don’t have direct access from your rental or hotel, make sure you check this link for town-owned lots and metered spaces.