The Carolina Coast is like no other coastal region in the United States. It is beautifully preserved in many areas, with unpolluted water and clean sand. It is also biodiverse, with different ecosystems close together– if you love nature and enjoy learning about coastal animals and plants, you MUST plan a Carolina Coast trip soon.
Many of the best beaches on the Carolina Coast are located on thin “barrier islands,” which means a cozier, more intimate beach experience than you’d find elsewhere. While certain places on the coast like Myrtle Beach and Folly Place do offer a livelier pace, people seek out the Carolina Coast for relaxation, contemplation, and connection to nature. (If you like splitting time between the city and the beach, you’re in luck– some destinations are a stone’s throw from Charleston).
The Carolina Coast is also an ideal adventure for history lovers– you can explore some of the places you’ve read about in books or seen in movies firsthand. Here are some of our favorite North and South Carolina beach destinations, along with recommendations for the best travel accommodations in each area.
The Outer Banks are beautiful, and they are also peaceful. Because there are no dense metropolitan areas on the islands, they’re an ideal place for a quiet, restorative vacation.
There’s also a lot of American history in this area of North Carolina. Roanoke Island (yes, THAT Roanoke Island), is included in the thin strip of islands, while the Wright Brothers took flight for the first time from the soft sand dunes of Kitty Hawk, NC.
In addition to leisurely beach days, water activities, and golf, you can visit a variety of museums, memorial sites, and historical landmarks. Visitor favorites include the Roanoke Festival Park, The Wright Brothers National Memorial, and the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum (a museum focused on the maritime history and shipwrecks of the Outer Banks).
The Outer Banks' food scene blends fresh-caught seafood with creative coastal cuisine, offering everything from upscale bistros to Caribbean-inspired surf shacks:
Top Restaurants:
Our 100 Collection partner on the Outer Banks is Coastal Carolina Vacations.
You can stay in Absolute Searenity is a stunning 6-bedroom oceanfront home with multiple decks and ocean views from every room, perfect for large families. Turning Tide offers 7 bedrooms in a semi-oceanfront location with a private pool and game room. For a more intimate stay, A Speckled Trout is a charming 4-bedroom soundfront property with a private dock and peaceful waterway views. This collection of properties includes everything from cozy condos to expansive homes that can easily accommodate 24 people. Amenities differ by location and include private swimming pools, cabanas, private beach walkways, entertainment rooms, and outdoor seating areas.
Holden Beach, located on an 8-mile long barrier island, is known for being family friendly and relaxing. It’s a great place to observe wildlife like birds, turtles, and deer, go for a calming ocean swim, or take an outdoor yoga class.
You can also schedule guided fishing trips, enjoy day cruises, and golf at the area’s multiple country clubs. If you’ve got kids with you, consider swinging by Magic Mountain Fun Park & Treasure Island Golf for ice cream, water slides, and mini golf. Or, spend a day at the nearby Shallotte River Swamp Park for zipline tours and an obstacle course-style jungle gym.
It's a quiet, intimate seaside community perfect for anyone who wants to enjoy the ocean, eat great seafood, and connect with loved ones.
Top Restaurants in Holden Beach:
If you’re looking for a vacation focused on quality time with family, Holden Beach is a great option. It’s a quiet, intimate seaside community perfect for anyone who just wants to enjoy the ocean, eat some great seafood, and connect with loved ones.
Our Holden Beach partner is Hobbs Realty. The top three homes you can easily choose from are Villa Kai a magnificent 8-bedroom oceanfront estate sleeping 20 with expansive decks and a private pool. Heaven Sent offers 10 bedrooms sleeping 26, perfect for multi-family gatherings. For something more intimate, Cadeau De Maman provides 3 bedrooms sleeping 6 in a charming beachfront setting. (There are also many options in between for every group size). Amenities vary by location, but you can expect all the properties to have premium linens, beautifully updated interiors, pools or hot tubs, seasonal beach gear credits, and complimentary personal care gift boxes.
Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina, is a hidden gem along the southeastern coast, offering a perfect blend of natural beauty, rich history, and a relaxed beach atmosphere.Located on the Brunswick Islands, this charming barrier island is known for its wide, uncrowded beaches, making it an ideal destination for families, couples, and nature lovers alike.
Beyond the beach, Ocean Isle Beach has a fascinating history. The island’s historical significance grew with the establishment of the Inland Waterway, which spurred trade and tourism in the area. Today, remnants of this maritime history can still be seen in the local architecture and cultural landmarks. For those interested in history, the nearby Museum of Coastal Carolina offers exhibits on the region’s natural history, shipwrecks, and local wildlife. With a thriving culture focused on outdoor recreation and community events, the island hosts festivals year-round, including the popular Ocean Isle Beach Day, which features live music, local food, and family-friendly activities. For a touch of adventure, you can visit the Ocean Isle Beach Fishing Pier, where you can enjoy a plethora of exciting activities and stunning views of the Atlantic.
Top Restaurants in Ocean Isle:
Our 100 Collection™ partner, Sloane Realty Vacations, guarantees a spectacular stay when visiting Ocean Isle Beach. You, Me & the Sea is a stunning 10-bedroom estate sleeping 39, perfect for large family reunions. The Citrus Beach Club offers 9 bedrooms that sleep 35, with resort-style amenities. For a more intimate experience, Summer Breeze offers 5 bedrooms that sleep 10, with gorgeous ocean views. With a wide variety of homes featuring chef's kitchens, private pools, direct beach access, and coastal charm, Sloane Realty provides the perfect home away from home for an amazing stay. With a wide variety of homes of all shapes and sizes, Sloane Realty provides the perfect home away from home with every comfort and convenience that you need for an amazing stay. Enjoy prime locations and lush amenities that will enhance your vacation and make your time in Ocean Isle Beach one to remember.
Topsail Island, North Carolina, is a peaceful coastal retreat that offers visitors a blend of natural beauty, rich history, and a welcoming, laid-back atmosphere. Located between the Cape Fear River and the Atlantic Ocean, this 26-mile-long barrier island is known for its uncrowded beaches, pristine landscapes, and abundant wildlife. Made up of various communities, this island offers a unique experience focused on relaxation and thrilling activities.
The island's history dates back to the early 18th century when it was a haven for pirates, including the infamous Blackbeard, who used the island’s remote location as a hideout. Today, remnants of this colorful history are celebrated at the Topsail Island Historical Society Museum, where visitors can learn about the island’s role in pirate lore, as well as its military history from World War II, when it served as a missile testing site.
Topsail Island’s culture is one of simplicity and serenity, making it the perfect place for those looking to unwind. There are no large resorts or bustling crowds here- just delicious local seafood restaurants, and small-town charm. Activities range from fishing and kayaking to hiking and cycling. Surfing is popular, especially in Surf City, where the waves are ideal for all skill levels. Visitors can also take a leisurely stroll along the Topsail Beach Pier or explore the Soundside Park, a scenic spot perfect for picnics and birdwatching.
Top Restaurants in Topsail:
For the best vacation rentals on the island, our 100 Collection™ partner, Lewis Realty Associates, guarantees an amazing stay in a beautiful home. With homes that provide amenities such as private docks, picturesque views, direct beach access, private pools, prime locations and so much more, there is no doubt that your time on Topsail Island will not be made better when you stay with Lewis Realty. Embodying the stunning nature, lush atmosphere, and coastal charm of the island, you are sure to enjoy every moment of your vacation with Lewis Realty.
Explore the Carolina Coast with Wrightsville Beach as your home base! Just a stone's throw from Wilmington, this coastal paradise offers a quiet getaway with all the conveniences and comforts you could need. Whether you spend a weekend on the beach or seven days on the coast, you'll seldom run out of things to do.
Of course, you'll want to start with the beautiful sandy beaches. While you can certainly swim and work on your tan, Wrightsville Beach has numerous opportunities for watersports and outdoor recreation. First, try your hand at kayaking or paddle boarding, then take surfing lessons with a local expert. For a calmer waterside experience, you can always do some fishing or charter a boat!
After days spent in the sand, there's also plenty to do ashore. Head into town to enjoy sea-to-table cuisine, the Wrightsville Beach Museum of History, or boutiques filled with handmade creations. The best part? Wrightsville Beach is gloriously walkable, so you can take advantage of all the town has to offer without putting miles on your rental car.
With so much to do in this coastal North Carolina village, you need a place where you can relax after a fun-filled day. Sea Scape Properties boasts a variety of vacation rentals near the action in Wrightsville Beach. You'll choose from classic coastal cottages overlooking the ocean and expansive homes fit for beach royalty.
Stay in Casablanca, which offers 5 bedrooms sleeping 14 with oceanfront luxury. Sea Tranquility offers 5 bedrooms that sleep 15, with resort-style amenities. For a waterfront retreat, Chairman of the Boards features 4 bedrooms sleeping 11 with marsh views. Properties range from oceanfront condos with resort-style amenities to marshfront retreats with private docks, featuring gleaming hardwood floors, gourmet kitchens, expansive decks, saltwater pools, and exclusive waterfront access.
These luxury accommodations are equipped with everything from gourmet kitchens to wide-open decks for outdoor living. These properties are the perfect jumping-off point for your Carolina adventure.
Myrtle Beach (or the “Grand Strand”) is a resort city that is a little more fast-paced than some of the quieter beaches along the Carolina Coast. There’s PLENTY to do in Myrtle Beach, which makes it a fun place to take kids and teens.
You can stroll along the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk and Promenade with its carnival atmosphere and street performers. Ride the SkyWheel, one of the tallest Ferris wheels in the world, for breathtaking coastal views. Play golf at award-winning celebrity courses like TPC Myrtle Beach and Dunes Golf and Beach Club. Head to Broadway at the Beach for dining, shopping, live entertainment, and an aquarium. Visit Ripley's Aquarium to see amazing aquatic animals including sharks, stingrays, and colorful tropical fish in walk-through tunnels.
Top Restaurants in Myrtle Beach:
For the best vacation rental experience in the area, book with our Myrtle Beach partner, Saltwater Grande. You can choose to stay at Inlet Escape, which offers 5 bedrooms sleeping 15 with waterfront luxury, or Crescent Shores South - 612 provides 4 bedrooms sleeping 16 with stunning oceanfront views. Barefoot Yacht Club Villas - 1-404 features 4 bedrooms that sleep 12, with marina access. Properties range from luxurious beachfront condos with ocean-view balconies to spacious units overlooking the Intracoastal Waterway, featuring updated fixtures, custom details such as nautical-themed bunk beds and wine fridges, weathered-wood dining tables, and resort amenities including indoor pools and lazy rivers.
Amenities might be a little different at each property, but each one is modern, updated, and visually appealing. Some of the homes in this collection include private driveways and garages, private outdoor spaces, swimming pool access, and kid-friendly details like nautical themed bunk beds.
North Myrtle Beach offers an outstanding Carolina coastal experience for those who want excellent dining options, family-friendly activities, and plenty of beaches to enjoy. Venture offshore and experience dolphin cruises where families can soak in the ocean environment while observing marine life!
Beyond the shoreline and beaches, inland attractions include Ripley's Aquarium and Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament. North Myrtle Beach features numerous golfing opportunities with over 60 courses offering spectacular views and pleasant weather conditions. This Carolina beach community provides many ways to experience East Coast coastal living while showcasing its own distinctive character!
With several restaurants throughout the North Myrtle Beach area, dining options are endless. Most establishments offer the freshest ingredients, locally sourced products, and creative culinary menus.
Top Restaurants in North Myrtle:
For lodging, select Sea Mountain Vacations. Each of their North Myrtle Beach properties delivers a beautiful, beach-themed experience. Choose from traditional oceanfront homes with colorful exteriors to contemporary, elegant residences, offering a variety of options for your visit. The top vacation homes you shouldn't miss are Blue Paradise, which offers 8 bedrooms sleeping 23 with stunning ocean views. A Boardwalk Away provides 5 bedrooms sleeping 15 with boardwalk access. Cabin by the Sea features 5 bedrooms that sleeps 14 with beachfront luxury. These vacation homes feature luxury amenities including heated swimming pools and private boat docks, complemented by stylish, inviting décor that matches your seaside stay. The spacious layouts allow groups to completely relax and enjoy themselves. Reserve your vacation rental today!
If you’re looking for a quiet beach getaway but you want to stay close to a major city, Isle of Palms is your perfect destination. It is on another narrow barrier island, but it’s only 12 miles away from Charleston, SC (that’s about 36 minutes by car). It is also close to Sullivan’s Island, a historic town located by the Charleston Harbor, along with Shem Creek, a small boating community. Isle of Palms offers beach activities, golf, and downtown dining– ideal if you’re looking for a restful, laid-back vacation, but you also want to sightsee in Charleston.
Top Restaurants in Isle of Palms:
We recommend you use our area partner, Island Realty, as your homebase for exploration. Island Realty’s collection of luxury condos and homes includes Port O Call A101 offers 1 bedroom sleeping 4 with elegant coastal decor in cool blues and sandy neutrals, floor-to-ceiling windows framing ocean views, a screened porch with direct beach access, and steps to the complex pool. Ocean Club 1302 offers 3 bedrooms sleeping 7, with stunning oceanfront views, modern amenities, spacious living areas, and beautiful interior furnishings, perfect for families seeking luxury coastal living. Fishers Alley 2 features 5 bedrooms sleeping 10 with Lowcountry-style design, private pool with waterfall and spa seating, screened porches overlooking the pool, grand primary suite with fireplace and soaking tub, and covered outdoor showers a beautifully home retreat combining resort elegance with home comfort.
Another great option for anyone interested in exploring Charleston is Folly Beach, a barrier island which is about 25 minutes away by car. It has a fun, laid-back vibe– think backyard barbeques, taco shops, and rooftop dance parties.
There are several highly-rated eco-tours on Folly Beach, including boat cruises, fishing excursions, dolphin cruises, and marsh tours, making it a great place to bring any friends or family members that love marine life. (They’re also a great group activity for bachelor/ette parties or special birthdays).
Folly Beach also has some great clubs and bars, and if you’re really passionate about nightlife, you can easily take an Uber or Lyft to Charleston for the evening. Make sure to plan your travel in advance so you and your group make it back to your vacation rental safe and sound.
Top Restaurants in Folly Beach:
And speaking of vacation rentals, we’ve got you covered– our Folly Beach partner, Dunes Properties, has options ideal for medium to large travel groups (the smallest property sleeps 6, and the largest sleeps 14). Choose from 715 W Ashley Avenue which offers 5 bedrooms sleeping 14 with an oceanfront location, private pool, expansive decks with ocean views, chef's kitchen with high-end appliances, and coastal-chic interiors featuring whitewashed, a stunning beachfront retreat steps from the surf. Mariners Watch 4408 offers 3 bedrooms sleeping 8, panoramic ocean views from the fourth floor, a wraparound balcony overlooking the Atlantic, modern coastal decor, community pool access, and elevator convenience and ideal for families seeking turnkey beachfront luxury. 510 W Arctic Avenue features 4 bedrooms sleeping 10 with a private heated pool, outdoor shower, screened porch, updated kitchen, and location just one block from the beach—offering the perfect blend of privacy and easy beach access for relaxed coastal living.
Kiawah Island offers a luxe, resort-style experience that emphasizes water activities and golf. The beaches are well-protected and largely untouched. There’s a lot of wildlife and biodiversity on the island, which means you can spot sea turtles, dolphins, and other marine animals in their natural habitat.
While exploring Kiawah Island, focus on anything you’d do at a resort. Plan to visit the wide variety of spas and restaurants on the Island to custom-tailor your trip. For example, book self-care services like massages and facials at one of the many day spas on the island. (Highly-rated spots include Urban Nirvana Day Spa, Cottage Aroma Bella Day Spa, and Synergy Day Spa). Afterwards, make reservations at FortyEight Wine Bar & Kitchen for fresh seafood and a varied wine selection– or if you’re craving something more casual, head to Duke’s Barbecue for delicious South Carolina style barbeque.
Top Restaurants in Kiawah Island:
We recommend our Kiawah Island partner, Akers Ellis Real Estate & Rentals, for a wide selection of rental options that feel high-end but offer more privacy than a hotel. Properties like 4674 Tennis Club Lane offers 3 bedrooms sleeping 8 with West Beach location, private pool, spacious screened porch, gourmet kitchen with granite counters, and lagoon views a beautifully furnished villa combining resort amenities with the privacy of a personal retreat. 1648 Canoochee Court provides 4 bedrooms sleeping 10 with bike distance to the beach, community pool access, updated coastal interiors, outdoor living spaces, and peaceful marsh views perfect for families seeking relaxed island living with resort conveniences. 4757 Ocean Club Drive features 3 bedrooms sleeping 8 with oceanfront location, expansive ocean view balcony, luxury finishes, resort-style community pool, and short walk to the beach, offering effortless coastal elegance with breathtaking Atlantic panoramas. Remember, traditional resorts won’t offer you as much independence as booking a vacation rental.
Hilton Head Island feels quintessentially Southern. In addition to miles of lush coastline, there are salt marshes and lowcountry forests known for live oaks and Spanish moss trees. Plus, Hilton Head’s unique ecology makes it a perfect place to spot dolphins, stingrays, loggerhead sea turtles, manatees, and a wide variety of birds.
In addition to spending days at the beach, exploring the marshes, and taking eco-friendly wildlife tours, Hilton Head Island is known for its golf courses, live music, and museums. Learn more about the area’s history and ecology by visiting the Gullah Museum of Hilton Head, the Coastal Discovery Museum, and the Harbour Town Lighthouse. You can also, catch a show at The Jazz Corner, snag tickets to see the Hilton Head Choral Society, or see who’s performing at the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina.
Top Restaurants Hilton Head Island:
While visiting an area with so much to do, we recommend the comfort and stability of a high-quality vacation rental. Our Hilton Head Island partner is Bestnest by Beverly Serral, a beautiful collection of homes that can accommodate between 5 and 14 people. Properties like 23 South Beach Lagoon Drive offers 6 bedrooms sleeping 14 with serene lagoon views, private heated pool, chef's kitchen with custom cabinetry, multiple living areas, screened porch, and elegant coastal furnishings an expansive Sea Pines retreat perfect for gatherings. 2 Green Wing Teal Road provides 5 bedrooms sleeping 14 with Palmetto Dunes location, private pool, gourmet kitchen, spacious master suite with spa bath, golf course access, and upscale coastal decor combining resort amenities with private home luxury for unforgettable family vacations. 29 South Beach Lane features 4 bedrooms sleeping 10 with beachside location, updated interiors with natural lighting, outdoor entertainment spaces, community pool access, and bike path to beach offering the quintessential Hilton Head experience with Southern charm and coastal sophistication. Each property feels fresh and spacious. Expect natural lighting, gourmet kitchens, and thoughtful details like custom cabinetry. Plus, while each property has its own special amenities like private pools and outdoor areas, all of them include beautiful views, state-of-the-art electronics, and upscale interiors.
The Carolina Coast is a great place to connect with family and friends away from the distractions of city life or the congestion of other beach destinations. Consider planning your next family reunion or group retreat there. Because this area is remote without being completely off-grid, you’ll strike a perfect balance between the comfort of civilization and the freedom of being unplugged from the rest of the world.
