Posted in North Carolina June 03, 2019 by

The Hidden Beaches Road Trip That Will Show You North Carolina Like Never Before

While there are plenty of easy access beaches throughout the state, sometimes discovering your own slice of paradise is the best way to experience sand and salt. From the northern Outer Banks to the southern tip of the state, this hidden beaches road trip guarantees you’ll discover some of the very best beaches in North Carolina and have an outstanding adventure on the coast. Click here for a customizable interactive map of the route.

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Our road trip has a combined route that will take a little more than 11 hours of transportation time.
Google Maps
This signature road trip is best planned when you have a full weekend to explore each spot to the fullest; a three-day weekend is even better!
1. Carova
Flickr / abbyladybug
As one of the most hard to access beaches in North Carolina, the beauty here remains fairly unspoiled. Home to wild horses, rugged dunes, turqouis water and yes, plenty of four wheel drives conquering the beach; Carova is one of the most wild yet majestic beaches you'll visit.

For more information and directions to Carova, click here.

Address: Carova Beach, NC, 27927
2. Cape Hatteras
Flickr / Bryan Elkus
While the Cape Hatteras National Seashore in North Carolina stretches 70 total miles, allowed off road vehicles make it easy to drive far enough and find your own private beach. The wild, rugged surf of Cape Hatteras is popular with water sports enthusiasts and also makes for some pretty epic pictures.

Address: Nags Head, NC, 27959
3. Lifeguard Beach
Flickr / Ole Bendik Kvinsberg
Taking the ferry to Ocracoke promises a whole weekend of history and sites to see. Yet, grab the beach chairs and sunscreen cause you'll want to spend plenty of time on Lifeguard Beach. Recently named Third Best Beach in the U.S. by "Dr. Beach," this secret spot of sand even reached the number one spot in 2007. Read all about Lifeguard Beach what to see and do here.

Address: Ocracoke, NC, 27960
4. Shackleford Banks
Steve Markos
Hopping on yet another ferry is totally worth arriving at Shackleford Banks. While the island has no running water or electricity, it's a seriously gorgeous, unique place featuring wild horses roaming the white sand beaches and crystal clear water to take a dip in. Read here why we deemed Shackleford Banks 'like stepping through the magic wardrobe.'

Address: Shackleford Banks, NC
5. Topsail Island
Flickr / gardner41
North of Wilmington, the quiet Topsail Island has long been a place for week-long family vacations and escapes from the day-to-day. Quite simply just a beach, it's a remote place with a decent driving distance to Wilmington (if you did want to spice things up a bit).

Address: Topsail Island, NC, 28460
6. Bird Island
Flickr / -ted
The quiet and isolated Bird Island is home to something truly unique - a mailbox awaiting your penned hopes and dreams. Kindred Spirit mailbox has been a longtime fixture on the island with the source of the creation remaining anonymous. Where else is a more perfect place to write out your true thoughts, or worries, than on a bench on the best sandy beach in North Carolina? It's pure magic. Part of the Brunswick Islands, read more about other beaches to visit in this area here.

Bird Island Reserve Address: 8468 Bay Street, Sunset Beach, NC, 28468

North Carolina is home to some amazing hidden spots and in spite of the popularity of the lovely coastline, there are still many unspoiled spots just waiting to be explored. Ready to hit the road to discover the your favorite among the best beaches in North Carolina? Pack the essentials into the car and let’s get going!

The OIYS Visitor Center

Best Beaches In North Carolina

June 17, 2019
Robin Jarvis

What are the prettiest beaches in North Carolina?

Without a doubt, the beaches found along North Carolina’s Outer Banks are among the prettiest beaches in North Carolina. From the northern beaches of the Outer Banks all the way south to Cape Hatteras National Seashore and even on through Ocracoke Island and to Cape Lookout National Seashore, North Carolina’s coast is home to astoundingly beautiful beaches – many of them secluded!

What are the best beach towns in North Carolina?

Spend any time in Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills, Nags Head, and Duck, and you’ll agree, the best beach towns in North Carolina are in this cluster found along the coastal Outer Banks. A variety of outdoor attractions and activities can be found in each locale, as well as numerous restaurants that offer fresh seafood galore.

What beaches have the clearest water in North Carolina?

North Carolina’s Crystal Coast has the whitest sand and the clearest water. The alluring turquoise water found along the Cape Lookout National Seashore is among the clearest of waters found along the coast. To discover even more information about the gorgeous turquoise waters found along the crystal coast, keep reading here.