Wilmington is a city located in southeastern North Carolina along the Cape Fear River. Although an inland river city, it is located between the river and the Atlantic Ocean and is close to several beaches.
This geographical location gives visitors a double opportunity for enjoyment, as the historic river walk in Wilmington is the city's top attraction, while a 15- to 20-minute drive can get you from downtown to a sandy beach on the ocean.
Wrightsville Beach is actually its own town, but is technically a part of the Wilmington metropolitan area. The beach is located 20 minutes east of downtown Wilmington and is made up of a 4-mile-long island just off the mainland that is connected by bridges.
The interior island, known as Harbor Island, is a place where visitors can charter boats, go fishing and enjoy the commercial offerings of local restaurants and clubs. Visitors to the beach island can enjoy miles of white sand beaches for swimming and surfing.
Traditional surfing as well as wind surfing is a very popular activity along this beach and the waves here are suitable for beginners who wish to learn the sport.
Located on a narrow strip of land between the Cape Fear river and the Atlantic is Carolina Beach. This beach is 12 miles south of Wilmington and is separated from the mainland by the Intracoastal Waterway.
This narrow strip, known locally as Pleasure Island, is home to two of the three main beaches in the Wilmington area. Carolina Beach is a quiet town that is reminiscent of life in the mid-20th century. The upscale homes in the area along the beach and the local stores and movie house give this area a small town feel not commonly found in beach towns.
Carolina Beach has a beach boardwalk and a family amusement park compete with an oceanfront Ferris wheel. Fishing is a favorite pastime at Carolina Beach. Anglers can drop a line off one of the piers or charter a boat and set off into the Atlantic depths to hook a big one. There are also camping opportunities within a state park located at Carolina Beach.
Nineteen miles from Wilmington, on the south side of Pleasure Island is Kure Beach. This uncrowded, quiet coastal area is full of local casual restaurants and is home to the Pleasure Island Seafood, Blues and Jazz Festival each fall.
Kure Beach has its share of beach rentals, but pier fishing is the main attraction here as far as water activities go. Located along the beach boardwalk, the Kure Beach Fishing Pier is the oldest fishing pier on the Atlantic Coast. Those who come here often want to find out why it's been popular for so long.
