Off the Beaten Path in Wrightsville Beach, NC

Solo Travel

Whether you're looking to get out and active on crystal blue waters, savor foodie favorites or simply relax by the shore, Wrightsville Beach is a perfect destination for solo travel. Hit the water on a surfboard rented from Wrightsville Beach SUP, join a guided stand-up paddleboard (SUP) tour with Cape Fear Paddleboarding or find new “mates” on a sailing lesson with Blockade Runner Sailing and Wrightsville Performance Sailing. Stroll around The Loop or take a ride along the River to Sea Bikeway. Unwind at beach chic boutiques, enjoy fresh-to-table coastal cuisine and sip local craft beer in open-air bars. Read our solo getaway guide and start planning your Wrightsville Beach solo escape.

Island Excursions

Embark on island hopping expeditions to remote destinations with ease through island cruises. For the adventure seeker, a surf charter with Epic Excursions lets you experience the best of Wrightsville Beach’s world-class waves and explore secluded surf spots around Masonboro Island, Mason's Inlet and Lea Island. Paddleboarding charters offer a family-friendly option for a day of sun, sand and surf as you glide on the waterways surrounding uninhabited islands and salt marshes. Take your Epic Excursions charter to the next level with a catered seafood boil on a secluded island.

For an evening of passive exploration, relax aboard the Carolina Runner with Soundside Adventures on a Sunset Harbor Cruise. Witness hidden paradises during golden hour as the water comes alive and sightings of dolphins, turtles and seabirds are common. For a private charter experience, reserve an island adventure aboard Bella, Soundside Adventures' fully-equipped catamaran for up to six people, and explore local spots like Palm Tree Island, Masonboro Island or Money Island.

Explore natural history and ecology, including the different types of marsh grasses, shorebirds and fish, on a Masonboro Island Nature Cruise with Wrightsville Beach Scenic Tours. Bring your binoculars to spy historical and ecological locations featured along the way.

Girlfriends' Getaway

Wrightsville Beach invites you and your closest gal pals to share a rejuvenating retreat. Start the morning with a hand-crafted latte from The Workshop then bask in a beautiful sunrise from Johnnie Mercers Fishing Pier. Complement your beach day with cocktails by the pool or in the gardens at Blockade Runner Beach Resort and lunch overlooking the ocean at Oceanic Restaurant. To find the perfect outfit for the evening, browse the racks at Hallelu Boutique or venture to the charming shops of Lumina Station, located just over the bridge in Wilmington.

As the sun sets, Wrightsville Beach’s island nightlife comes alive. Shark Bar & Kitchen offers plenty of appetizers for splitting and sharing around the table and a raw bar serving fresh shrimp, oysters on the half-shell and more. Add zest to your evening with margaritas and delectable fish tacos at Tower 7 Baja Mex. Dance the night away to live music at The Palm Room or mingle with locals and fellow travelers at Lager Heads Tavern.

The next day, re-energize with an acai bowl or smoothie from Surfberry. Get out and active with a morning walk around The Loop and see the sights of the inner island's waterways and marshes. Create lasting memories with a surf or SUP lesson. End the weekend on a high note with a sunset cruise offered by Wrightsville Beach Scenic Tours.

Golf

Work in some tee-time during your vacation at Wilmington Municipal Golf Course, which is open year-round to the public. A local favorite designed by Donald Ross in 1926, the championship golf course has 18 holes covering 6,564 yards with a par of 71. Take on the uphill slope of the third hole, named "One of North Carolina’s Ten Best Holes" by Golf Digest. The Wilmington area has more than 50 public courses within a 60-mile radius.

Mailbox on the Beach

Visit a special, unnamed mailbox where people pour their hearts out to complete strangers in the sand dunes on the north end of the beach. People can write letters, place them in the mailbox, but never have them sent. The mysterious mailbox somehow stays stocked with paper, pens and stories from visitors sharing their fondest beach memories year after year. 

Explore Star-Studded Locales

While visiting Wrightsville Beach, you're treading the same sand where the magic of Hollywood has left its mark. Take a self-guided tour of locations where TV shows and movies have been filmed, and stars have been spotted. Celebrities like Will Ferrell, John Travolta, William Baldwin, Jennifer Aniston and Julianne Hough have frequented popular dining spots, including South Beach Grill, Bluewater Waterfront Grill, Oceanic, Dockside Restaurant and the Bridge Tender. Notable TV shows like Dawson’s Creek, One Tree Hill, Outer Banks and The Summer I Turned Pretty, as well as movies like “A Cinderella Story: Once upon a Song” starring Lucy Hale and “28 Days” starring Sandra Bullock, have filmed scenes on the island. Nicholas Sparks fans can also visit some of the breathtaking spots featured in the film “The Choice” and explore places like Dockside and Brasserie de Soleil, where the story of the main characters unfolded.