Named among the “South’s Best Beach Towns” by Southern Living, Wrightsville Beach’s crystal blue waters and exceptional experiences distinguish this island from typical destinations. Find an abundance of vacation possibilities for a trip tailored to your interests.
Multigenerational Families
Whether it’s a grandparents’ and grandkids’ getaway or a reunion with cousins, Wrightsville Beach offers a variety of all-ages activities to create lasting memories. Rent umbrellas or a large canopy from Cape Fear Beach Rentals, then set up your home base on the shore – where older generations can relish pristine surroundings while lounging on beach chairs as the kids ride on boogie boards. Cool off with hand-dipped ice cream at Access 16 Beach Shoppe beside Johnnie Mercers Fishing Pier, then watch a soundside sunset from our magical shore.
Set sail on Soundside Adventures’ Island Hopper Cruise to discover Money Island, rumored to be pirate Captain Kidd’s treasure trove, and Masonboro Island, North Carolina’s longest undisturbed barrier island. Or reserve Wrightsville Beach Scenic Tours’ two-hour Family Day charter option for up to 18 passengers and bond while cruising past barrier islands and spotting marine life and shorebirds. If you’re celebrating a family milestone, consider booking Wrightsville Beach Scenic Tours’ fully catered Island Luau. This elevated experience includes a cruise to Masonboro Island, where you’ll wander trails and gather shells before a barbeque feast and campfire stargazing.
Fitness Fanatics
Huddle with your fitness-focused friends and plan a trip that will take your workouts from the gym to the sea. Lace up and race along The Loop, a 2.5-mile paved trail with views of the inner island’s waterways and marshes. For a refreshing alternative to a stuffy spin class, ride down the 11-mile River to Sea Bikeway beginning at Johnnie Mercers Pier. Rent bikes from local outfitters like Aussie Island Surf Shop and South End Surf Shop, home to the upstairs SUNday’s Café – where you can order smoothie bowls between adventures. Adapt Kitchen & Juice Bar, located inside the famous Robert’s Grocery, serves organic juices and açai bowls for your superfood fix.
Known as a premier watersports destination, Wrightsville Beach was named North Carolina’s most gifted watersport hub by Men’s Journal and one of the country’s best "SUP hubs" by Outside. Book a private tour with Cape Fear Paddleboarding to traverse scenic salt marshes. With rentals from Wrightsville Kayak Company, kayak to Masonboro Island Reserve and discover tidal creeks’ diverse flora and fauna. Rent stand-up paddleboards (SUP) from Wrightsville SUP or board one of the 6-person outrigger canoes for an invigorating water workout along the Intracoastal Waterway.
As the birthplace of surfing in North Carolina, Wrightsville Beach has several surf schools providing friendly instruction and rentals. Learn how to hang ten with an all-inclusive private lesson from WB Surf Camp or Sean's Private Surf Instruction, or contact Indo Jax Surf School to arrange a Private Surf Party session right outside your beachfront vacation rental. Take your active adventures to the next level with an Aquatic Safaris dive charter to explore the historic shipwrecks and fossil ledges off Wrightsville Beach.
Girls’ Getaways
If you're planning a girlfriends’ getaway, Wrightsville Beach is the perfect destination for relaxing and making memories. Start your day by joining BeUnlimited’s sunrise yoga class, held seasonally on the Crystal Pier. Then, dig into a delectable brunch at Drift Cafe and raise a toast to friendship with mimosas or smoothies. Head to the island’s north end and stroll along the shore to find the Wrightsville Beach Mailbox, a landmark where visitors deposit notes containing memories and wishes. If you’re feeling sentimental, pen letters to leave behind together. Stop by Harbor Way Gardens and snap a group photo surrounded by native flowers. For a particularly Instagram-worthy memory, contact Seaside Charcuterie to request a curated picnic of artfully-arranged cheeses, crackers, fruits and more – and the company can set everything up at your location of choice, whether that’s the park or your vacation rental.
Experience beach chic shopping at its finest while browsing Hallelu Boutique for stylish clothing, swimwear and accessories to complete your vacation look. Sip specialty iced lattes at The Workshop as you check out unique jewelry crafted with local divers’ fossil finds. Head to REDIX for favorite brands like Yeti, Liverpool Jeans, Karlie, Southern Tide and more. Just across the bridge, Wilmington’s Lumina Station is filled with locally-owned boutiques, whimsical statues and beautiful landscaping features.
For an unforgettable group dinner, reserve Epic Excursions’ Catered Island Seafood Boil excursion for up to 13 passengers. It begins with a cruise to a private island where you’ll savor steaming seafood – and sip freshly-made margaritas, an add-on option. Or hop aboard Soundside Adventures’ 90-minute Sunset Harbor Cruise for a golden hour experience that will become a fond memory from your girls' getaway.
Bands of Music-Lovers
Escape to Wrightsville Beach for a stay that combines your shared love of music and the beach. View our calendar of events for a full listing of coastal-style live music. Pack your lawn chairs and jam out to sweet tunes during Airlie Gardens' Summer Concert Series, typically held on the first and third Fridays of the summer months. Check Airlie Gardens’ website for the latest concert schedule and ticket information. The WECT Sounds of Summer Concert Series brings musical entertainment to Wrightsville Beach Park throughout the season.
The waterfront patio of Bluewater Waterfront Grill hosts a lively summer music series (view their lineup) every Sunday evening from April through September. Hear songs from talented local musicians while dining on catch-to-table dishes against the backdrop of the Intracoastal Waterway. Oceanfront entertainment awaits on the pier at Oceanic Restaurant, where you’ll take in live tunes over Carolina Crab Dip during the summer music series, occurring Thursday evenings and Sunday afternoons from April through September. Dance to beach beats at The Palm Room, a nearly 70-year-old hotspot that’s still going strong with year-round live shows from touring acts and local musicians. Catch more music at Jimmy’s at Wrightsville Beach, a laidback local hangout featuring regular performances from local and regional bands.
Group Stays
Wrightsville Beach’s many places to stay make it convenient for your travel companions to recharge together. Book rooms at one of our full-service oceanfront resorts. The refurbished Lumina on Wrightsville Beach, a Holiday Inn Resort is ideal for families, offering multiple pools and kids’ suites with bunkbeds – plus the spacious onsite Solstice Oceanfront Kitchen serving coastal-American cuisine. Blockade Runner Beach Resort’s 13-bedroom oceanfront house, The Cottage, offers a comfortable stay for large parties, while the main property’s suites provide flexibility for all. The resort offers surf-to-sound amenities, including an award-winning onsite restaurant with outdoor garden seating, EAST Oceanfront Dining, offering everything from sea-to-table to plant-based selections.
Choose from a variety of beach vacation rental options to stay in comfort under one roof. Intracoastal Rentals’ Southern Exposure Beachfront Cottage features seven bedrooms and a private beach walkway, while Sand Castle has five bedrooms and a spacious front porch. Offering access to both the ocean and the marsh, Sea Scape Properties’ Sea Tranquility rental is a perfect launching point for SUP- and kayak-loving crews of up to 15.
Expect more from your next getaway by choosing Wrightsville Beach, a one-of-a-kind destination known for its abundance of elevated experiences. Don’t be surprised when your crew’s one-time Wrightsville Beach escape becomes a beloved annual tradition!
