Best Coastal Towns in North Carolina - Wrightsville Beach
TOP PLACES TO LIVE IN NORTH CAROLINA
Stretching about 4 miles from end to end, Wrightsville Beach is one of the classic North Carolina barrier islands decorated with homes built on stilts. The cozy island is home to 2,500 beach loving residents and is named one of the Top 10 Surf Towns by Surfer Magazine, where you’ll see surfers all over the place. We favor the island more than others because of the quick access to Uptown Wilmington and unspoiled peninsulas on both ends of the island for beach combing and bird watching. The hard sandy beaches are easy to walk and are scattered with shells.
The South End of the island overlooks Masonboro Island, a 5,000 acre wildlife estuary that’s only accessible by boat. It’s a popular area for surf fishing, shell collecting and strolling along the beach with your four legged best friend. Wrightsville Beach is pet friendly from October 1 to March 31. Speckled trout, red drum, and flounder are what the anglers are catching these days at Wrightsville.
Crystal Pier is located on the South End and is a free fishing pier anchored by a 3 story seafood restaurant, Oceanic. Back in 1934, a massive fire on the island destroyed over one hundred cottages as well as the luxurious Oceanic Hotel. The Oceanic Restaurant on the pier is open 7 days a week with indoor and outdoor seating. Grab a burger, fried oyster basket or spicy Bloody Mary.
The causeway from Uptown Wilmington brings folks smack dab into the center of the island. The island is not overly cluttered with restaurants and shops. South Beach Grill is a popular place to watch colorful sunsets and sip a mojito harbor-side. The grill is known for authentic clam chowder and fried pickles. If you’d prefer a hot dog and fries, Trolly Stop is the place to take the family. Tower 7 Baja Mexican Grill serves up tasty tacos and margaritas.
The North End at Shell Island Resort is one of our favorite breakfast places on the island because we can sit outdoors in comfy chairs and enjoy unobstructed views of the ocean and Figure Eight Island. When we’re lucky, we can watch surfers here too. If you've never been, don’t missing walking out to the point to leave a note in the island’s famous ‘Mailbox on the Beach’. For more than 11 years, folks have been leaving love notes sharing memories and wishes. Letters have been collected for years and are on display in the Wrightsville Beach Museum of History. This is a good example of the small town feel and what makes Wrightsville Beach one of the best coastal towns in North Carolina to find cottage homes. The North End is much more laid back and is where we suggest finding oceanfront condominiums or cottage homes within walking distance of the beach. The streets are prettier and the area provides sweeping views of the Intracoastal Waterway and Big Lollipop Bay on the harbor-side.
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Because the island is in close proximity to the University of North Carolina Wilmington, bars and pubs like the Bluewater Waterfront Grill, Dockside and Buddy’s Crab House & Oyster Bay attract a vibrant night time crowd on the prowl for live entertainment.
With several marinas on the island, it’s perhaps the best place to park your boat. Bridge Tender Marina, Wrightsville Beach Marina and Seapath Yacht Club are the three island marinas. Hanging around Wrightsville Beach may make you feel like a kid again as you watch young folks carrying around a surf board barefoot. Parking is free everywhere before 9am and after 6pm.
During the summer months, the island’s population swells with vacationers and beachgoers. From an investment standpoint, it would be pretty easy to keep vacation Wrightsville Beach homes occupied if one showcased it on VBO or AirBnB. Off seasonal rentals average $2,000 a month. Annual rentals average around $3,000 a month. Prices double and triple during the summer months.
The oldest cottages on the island date back to 1897 but most have been remodeled or rebuilt. Home prices average $750,000 on the island and can easily exceed $1 million. We found 1 bedroom 1.5 bath oceanfront condominiums at Shell Island Resort under $300,000 and condominiums at Seapath Yacht Club with stunning Banks Channel views in the high $300k’s.
If you’re looking for beachfront property or a waterfront home in one of the best coastal towns in North Carolina, fill out the form below for listings or to schedule a tour.
