The Essential Guide to Wrightsville Beach, NC

If you’re currently watching The Summer I Turned Pretty, you’ve already, perhaps unknowingly, seen Wrightsville Beach. This charming North Carolina beach town and barrier island is a popular filming location, and the Jenny Han-created show shot some of its most iconic scenes here. That uncomfortable dinner in the third season where (spoiler alert) Belly and Jeremiah announce their engagement? It was filmed at the Oceanic, the town’s only restaurant located directly on the beach. 

However, even if you don’t have an opinion on the Conrad versus Jeremiah saga, there are still quite a few reasons to visit Wrightsville Beach. The newest addition to its hospitality scene, for starters, is one of the biggest. Earlier this year, Trailborn Surf & Sound opened in the former Blockade Runner Beach Resort after a modern, playful reimagination and renovation. This new chapter follows the hospitality brand’s ethos, which encourages guests to spend as much time in the outdoors as possible, whether they’re relaxing under a beach umbrella or paddleboarding on the Intracoastal Waterway. 

While summer may be beginning its slow wave goodbye, the relatively warm weather, historically, sticks around Wrightsville Beach well into late fall—so you have plenty of time to plan a trip to this laid-back surf town.

Here’s what you need to know before visiting Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina.

Best Hotels & Resorts

Trailborn Surf & Sound

“The central location of Trailborn Surf & Sound to all the restaurants, bars, and shops can’t be beat,” says Matty Roberts, the owner and captain of Soundside Adventures. The 151-room hotel’s position on Waynick Boulevard also means guests have the option to book either an oceanfront or a harbor-view room, but the accommodations facing the Atlantic are truly top-tier. Still, you likely won’t spend a ton of time inside. Beach loungers and umbrellas, reserved for guest usage, await on the beach, and the pool and accompanying Blockade Surf Bar welcome you back when you need a break from the sand and surf.  

Holiday Inn Resort Lumina on Wrightsville Beach by IHG

Another option for a beachfront getaway, the Holiday Inn Resort Lumina on Wrightsville Beach by IHG is a 184-room property located on the north end of the island, which is a bit quieter than the south end. The rooms are light and airy, and amenities are plentiful—there are three on-site restaurants, a pool, daily housekeeping, and easy beach access. 

Best Things to Do

Get out on the water.

“We also have the clearest, bluest water due to the lack of rivers and fresh water in our area. The Gulf Stream water from the Caribbean gets pushed toward us and makes for the most amazing clarity of water and also the marine life that comes this way,” says Roberts.

With that in mind, it should come as no surprise that life in Wrightsville Beach revolves around the water. Sailing, surfing, diving, and fishing are all at the top of Robert’s must-do list, and Montoya notes that, with access to both the ocean and the sound, “you can choose your water activity based on your skill or comfort level.”

“Families with small children find the calm waters of the sound are perfect for swimming or easy kayaking, while those who are a little more adventurous and comfortable in the water can surf, swim, or boogie board,” he adds. You can rent paddleboards or kayaks (or take lessons) with Wrightsville SUP, or, if you’re a Trailborn Surf & Sound guest, you can talk to the front desk about getting you set up with the proper gear. 

Write a note.

“There’s also a really unique and quirky thing on the north end of the island called the Wrightsville Beach Mailbox,” says Nicolas Montoya, the general manager of Trailborn Surf & Sound. “It’s a … mailbox in the sand where visitors will write small notes or letters and leave them inside.” The original mailbox is now housed at the Wrightsville Beach Museum, along with a collection of letters left in it over the years, but a new mailbox, just north of Beach Access No. 2, stands in its place. 

Go on a sunset harbor cruise. 

You can certainly get a solid understanding of Wrightsville Beach’s layout on two feet or two wheels, but you’ll gain even more clarity on a sunset harbor cruise aboard the 40-foot Carolina Runner. Roberts and his crew bring passengers on a 1.5-hour tour around Wrightsville Beach, pointing out various sites and stopping for a photo moment. 

Take a day trip to Wilmington.

If you’re in Wrightsville Beach for more than just a couple of days, carve out some time to explore the nearby town of Wilmington, North Carolina. The port city’s growing restaurant scene is beginning to rival those of other Southern cities—watch out, Charleston and Savannah—and the Wilmington Riverwalk in the downtown area is tailor-made for travelers who want to stretch their legs and take in scenic views. Swing by Bespoke, helmed by Brooklyn’s Grand Army Bar alum Robby Dow, for an ice-cold martini (or a Negroni on tap) before settling into a table at Seabird. The seafood restaurant is faultless when it comes to flavor, presentation, and service, and the menu tempts you to order one of everything—or you can sample several of Chef Dean Neff’s creations by requesting the seasonal seafood tower. 

Visit Airlie Gardens.

Airlie Gardens technically has a Wilmington address, but it’s just a six-minute drive from Wrightsville Beach. Spanning 67 acres, the property is known for its seasonal blooms, massive live oak trees, and historic structures, all of which you can see while leisurely strolling along its walking trails. 

Best Shopping

Redix

“You can’t come to Wrightsville Beach without first stopping at Redix,” says Montoya. “It’s been a staple on the island since 1969, and you can find anything from fishing gear to bathing suits, clothing, and gift items. It’s a one-stop shop for anything you’d need for the beach.

South End Surf Shop

As its name suggests, you’ll find South End Surf Shop on the south end of Wrightsville Beach, and it should be your first stop if surfing is on your agenda. “They offer clothing, surfboards, skateboards, paddleboards, wetsuits, and everything in between,” says Montoya. “And the owners and staff are always willing to chat about surfing.”

Robert’s Grocery

Billed as Wrightsville Beach’s oldest store and only grocery, Robert’s Grocery dates back to 1919. It’s a must if you want to try the famous chicken salad, but the store also carries all sorts of other food as well as beach essentials, including ice, sunscreen, and sunglasses. 

Best Restaurants

La Duna Paradiso

Trailborn Surf & Sound’s on-site restaurant, La Duna Paradiso, is open to guests and non-guests alike, and the dinner menu, which is inspired by coastal Italian dining, has something for everyone. For those who can’t get enough seafood, there’s the diver scallop crudo and the spaghetti and crab pasta. If you prefer something on the lighter side, the market salad—topped with shaved zucchini, beets, quinoa, and pumpkin seeds—is also a home run. 

Sundays Cafe

Start your day with an iced coffee, a smoothie, or a granola-topped acai bowl from Sundays Cafe. The laid-back spot is on the second floor of ​​South End Surf Shop, and it’s common to see surfers coming in for fuel and caffeine after a morning catching waves. Open until 8 p.m. throughout the week (7 p.m. on Sundays), the cozy spot also serves wine and beer, if that’s more your vibe. 

South Beach Grill

“Something that makes Wrightsville Beach unique is that there are no chain restaurants on the island. Many of our dining options are locally-owned and a big part of this small community,” says Montoya. And one of those spots is South Beach Grill, which he notes has incredible views of the sunset over Banks Channel and locally sourced seafood. “They’ve always got unique specials on their chef’s chalkboard, where they list out what the day’s local offerings from land and sea are,” he adds.

Flying Machine Oyster Bar 

“Flying Machine Oyster Bar has great salads, burgers, seafood, pasta, and of course, oysters,” says Montoya. Pair a few local oysters with a pint of craft beer from Flying Machine Brewing Company, some crispy pickles, and a plate of tuna nachos, and you can call it a day. 

Oceanic

“Oceanic‘s view of Crystal Pier and the ocean is unbeatable, and the bar setup is amazing,” says Roberts. Seafood is the star of the show at this local-favorite spot, and the menu has the likes of Carolina crab dip, Parmesan crispy oysters, and grilled mahi mahi tacos. 

Best Time To Visit

“The beauty of Wrightsville Beach is that any time of year has something special to offer,” says Montoya. “In the summer, you get peak beach season and the area is filled with vacationers enjoying all the activities the beach offers both in and out of the water; in the fall, which is called ‘locals’ summer,’ you get warm days, cool nights, and fewer crowds.”

Roberts also prefers the shoulder seasons, noting that April, May, and September are ideal times to visit. “They’re a little quieter, the weather is still beautiful, and the sunsets are spectacular,” he says.  

While winter in Wrightsville Beach isn’t exactly ideal for swimming—and many restaurants and shops do shut down—you can still find a bit of beach magic. “Winter, which can have its warm days, is perfect for couples looking to enjoy some quiet time together … and for many, winter walks on the beach are the best,” says Montoya. 

How to Get There

If you’re flying into the area, look at flights flying out and in from Wilmington International Airport (ILM). It’s only 10 miles from Wrightsville Beach, and it’s serviced by many major airlines, including American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines, as well as Breeze Airways and Avelo Airlines. From there, you can either rent a car (or request a car service) to Wrightsville Beach. Once you’ve crossed over the Heide Trask Drawbridge, you’ve officially arrived. 

How to Get Around

In classic coastal town fashion, Wrightsville Beach is a place where biking is a way of life. There are plenty of designated bicycle lanes and shareable roadways, and bike rentals are available from South End Surf Shop, Wrightsville SUP, and The Shed. You also have the option to see Wrightsville Beach on foot via the 2.5-mile pedestrian “loop” that encircles the heart of the town. That said, a car is necessary if you want to explore the area surrounding Wrightsville Beach.