Story Ideas
Wrightsville Beach, selected as one of the "South's Best Beach Towns" by Southern Living readers, is a vibrant community known for its crystal blue waters, miles of pristine beach and active island lifestyle. Visitors can experience world-class watersports, abundant family-friendly outdoor activities, boutique shopping and exceptional farm- and sea-to-table dining. Unwind year-round in accommodations ranging from vacation rentals to full-service resorts. This walkable beach town is just a 20-minute drive from Wilmington, named one of the "Best Small Cities in the U.S." by Condé Nast Traveler.
With the abundance of things to do on the island, storytelling possibilities are endless. You can view our current pitch sheet here. Please let us know if you need assistance with a story, or coming up with a unique angle for a potential story.
WELLNESS MEETS RELAXATION
Wrightsville Beach is one of the few North Carolina beach destinations that provides convenient access to celebrated dining, upscale shopping and outdoor activities. Enjoy invigorating watersports like surfing, SUP, sailing and kayaking along the sound, Intracoastal Waterway or oceanfront. Take a walk on The Loop or cycle down the River to the Sea Bikeway. Meditate among blooming native flowers in Harbor Way Gardens or unwind with yoga on the Crystal Pier, where classes occur seasonally. Treat yourself to boutique browsing or a refreshing spa visit before relaxing on a cruise.
MULTI-GENERATIONAL FAMILY TRAVEL
Wrightsville Beach has been featured by Travel + Leisure as one of the "Best Spring Break Destinations in the U.S." Many families return year after year, generation after generation, for year-round outdoor activities, coastal cuisine, events and more. It is the ideal location for a family reunion or vacation. With a variety of places to stay, the whole family can comfortably recharge in one place.
PREMIER WATERSPORT DESTINATION
Wrightsville Beach is renowned for its world-class watersports and activities on crystal blue waters. It is considered the birthplace of surfing in North Carolina and has been dubbed the state’s most gifted watersport hub by Men's Journal. Competitors travel to the area for surfing and SUP events like the Carolina Pro-Am and Carolina Cup, the East Coast's biggest SUP race. Wrightsville Beach is also home to unique diving charters and sites, including historic shipwrecks and fossil ledges.
A CONVENIENT ESCAPE
Known as North Carolina's most accessible beach, Wrightsville Beach is a convenient, drivable road trip destination for travelers from North Carolina and nearby states. Check in at one of our waterfront lodging options, fuel up for adventure with a healthy breakfast from an area café or juice bar and enjoy one of our world-class water activities or a scenic cruise. Set your watch to island time on your next road trip.
Island Nightlife
Wrightsville Beach offers a welcoming social community and vibrant nightlife scene all year long. The energy of the day's activities continues into the night with a variety of options, including live music, local bars, serene lounges and waterfront drinks. Grab a beverage at King Neptune's Pirate Lounge or sample local craft beers at Flying Machine Oyster Bar. Oceanic Restaurant brings seasonal live music to the Crystal Pier, while Bluewater Waterfront Grill hosts a summer music series with views of the Intracoastal Waterway. At Dockside Restaurant and The Bridge Tender, sip a glass of wine or beer at sunset and see why these hotspots have served as filming locations for so many movies and TV shows. No matter your after-dark style, there's something for everyone.
CRUISES, TOURS & TRAILS
Wrightsville Beach provides scenic routes and sights to discover by land and water. Its crystal blue waters are perfect for sailing into the sunset or embarking on a cruise excursion. Wrightsville Beach Scenic Tours’ newest cruise, the Airlie Garden & Bradley Creek Boat Trip, focuses on the rich history of Bradley Creek. Epic Excursions now offers an Oyster Farm Tour and Tasting, including a behind-the-scenes look at Middle Sound Mariculture Farm followed by a cruise to a private island to sample local oysters paired with wine. Named a top "SUP hub” by Outside magazine, Wrightsville Beach boasts scenic soundside waterways to explore on a sunrise SUP tour or eco-paddle kayaking tour. Rent your own kayak, canoe or board from local outfitters for a self-guided tour to spot Masonboro Island Reserve’s protected habitats and wildlife. If you prefer land exploration, stroll along The Loop, a 2.5-mile paved fitness trail that circles the inner island. Bikers can pedal down the River to the Sea Bikeway, an 11-mile route starting at Johnnie Mercers Fishing Pier.
Girlfriends' Getaway
Grab your gal pals and head to this vibrant island community where quality and wellness come together. After soaking up the sun, visit one of the island's chic boutiques or savor a fresh-to-table feast that will give you energy for a night out on the town. Book a spa appointment, try surfing or SUP on the waterways or take a yoga class on the Crystal Pier overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.
HOLIDAYS
For more than 35 years, over 50,000 people have headed to the beach for the NC Holiday Flotilla at Wrightsville Beach during Thanksgiving weekend. The highlight of the weekend-long celebration is the Holiday Boat Parade. As many as 30 decorated yachts and boats bring a dazzling display to the Intracoastal Waterway. In nearby Wilmington, more than 50 holiday events take place, including the spectacular Enchanted Airlie, which features over a million twinkling lights from late November through late December.
COASTAL CUISINE
Wrightsville Beach boasts some of the freshest culinary creations in the area. You can find waterfront restaurants that offer foodie favorites and fresh seafood; farm-to-table kitchens with seasonal menus; and taverns and breweries serving gourmet burgers and craft beer. Book a catered seafood boil dinner on a private island for a truly unforgettable meal. Visitors staying in a vacation rental and preparing a homemade feast can find some of the freshest seafood around at Motts Channel Seafood. Each fall, the annual Taste of Wrightsville Beach showcases the area's top restaurants and chefs.
Romantic Getaway
Wrightsville Beach offers all the right romantic getaway elements – resort accommodations, memorable activities and delicious dining. The Wrightsville Beach Mailbox is memorable for couples, and the soundside sunset views will make you both swoon. Wrightsville Beach filming locations seen in Dawson’s Creek, One Tree Hill and The Choice are perfect destinations for those who share a love of TV and movies. Outdoorsy pairs can bond over kayaking and sailing, and foodies can share romantic meals at casual beachfront cafes, elegant restaurants and more.
RESTORE THE COAST
Give back to the coast during a Wrightsville Beach getaway. Learn about protecting sea turtles with the Wrightsville Beach Sea Turtle Project, which hosts Turtle Talks in the Fred and Alice Stanback Coastal Education Center. Paddlers can support the North Carolina Coastal Federation’s We the Water paddling initiative, which empowers coastal visitors to help protect and restore natural habitats.
SOLO EXPLORATIONS
Wrightsville Beach is the ultimate destination for solo travelers seeking an elevated experience. Customize your coastal itinerary by choosing from an abundance of watersports, dining options, wellness activities and comfortable accommodations – then, embark on an independent island escape.
