Carolina Beach

Cape Fear Coast

family nightlife walkable adventure central

Current Weather

9 /10
88°F
Feels like 94°F
Clear
7 mph
Today's Recommendations:
• Perfect beach day - bring sun protection!
• Beautiful sunny day - perfect for all outdoor activities

Must Knows

Famous 1/4 mile boardwalk with Ferris wheel and amusements
Britt's Donuts serving glazed donuts since 1939
The Tropical offers 3-floor dining with rooftop ocean views
Carolina Beach State Park features carnivorous plant trail
Lifeguarded beaches Memorial Day through Labor Day

Sights Worth Seeing

Carolina Beach State Park

Pristine state park with hiking trails, fishing, camping, and diverse coastal ecosystems.

state park hiking trails fishing coastal ecosystems
Good for: hiking nature fishing camping
Beautiful natural area with trails through diverse coastal habitats.

Carolina Beach Fishing Pier

Popular fishing pier extending into the Atlantic with tackle shop, snack bar, and great fishing.

fishing pier tackle shop snack bar Atlantic Ocean
Good for: fishing pier walking families ocean views
Well-maintained pier with good fishing and ocean views.
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Carolina Beach Boardwalk

Lively oceanfront boardwalk with shops, restaurants, amusements, and beach access.

boardwalk shops amusements beach access
Good for: families shopping entertainment beach access
Heart of Carolina Beach with shops, dining, and entertainment.
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Top Restaurants & Bars

Shuckin' Shack Oyster Bar

Popular oyster bar and seafood restaurant with fresh local oysters, steamed seafood, and casual atmosphere.

oyster bar fresh oysters steamed seafood casual
Good for: seafood lovers casual dining groups oysters
Known for fresh local oysters and laid-back beach atmosphere.
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Havana Deluxe

Cuban-inspired restaurant and bar with tropical cocktails, live music, and vibrant atmosphere.

Cuban-inspired tropical cocktails live music vibrant
Good for: nightlife cocktails live music groups
Lively spot with Cuban flair and regular live entertainment.
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Squids Restaurant

Oceanfront dining with fresh seafood, steaks, and panoramic beach views from multiple levels.

oceanfront multi-level beach views seafood
Good for: ocean views families seafood special occasions
Great ocean views from multiple dining levels.
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Britts Donut Shop

Iconic Carolina Beach institution serving fresh-made donuts since 1939. A must-visit local tradition.

iconic donuts since 1939 local tradition
Good for: breakfast local tradition families quick treats
Famous Carolina Beach landmark - try the glazed donuts!
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Coffee & Breakfast

Britt's Donuts

$

Institution since 1939 serving famous glazed donuts, a must-visit Carolina Beach tradition beloved by generations of visitors.

donuts historic institution boardwalk

Gear Rentals & Activities

Carolina Beach Surf Shop

Premier surf shop with board rentals, lessons, and complete line of surf and beach equipment.

surf shop board rentals surf lessons beach equipment
Full-service surf shop with experienced local instructors.
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Waterline Marina

Boat rentals, fishing charters, and water sports equipment with access to Cape Fear River.

boat rentals fishing charters Cape Fear River marina
Full-service marina with access to both river and ocean.
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Beach Equipment Rentals CB

Beach chair, umbrella, and bike rentals with convenient delivery throughout Carolina Beach.

beach chairs umbrellas bike rentals delivery
Convenient delivery service for all beach equipment needs.
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Beach Access & Parking

Getting to the Beach

  • Boardwalk area has paid public parking lots
  • Free street parking available several blocks from beach
  • State park offers parking for nature activities
  • Boardwalk amusements have designated visitor parking
  • Peak season parking fills up quickly - arrive early

Safety & Local Tips

Stay Safe & Respect Local Guidelines

  • Lifeguards on duty Memorial Day through Labor Day
  • Boardwalk well-lit and patrolled for evening activities
  • State park trails clearly marked with safety information
  • Amusement rides inspected regularly for safety compliance
  • Emergency services readily available on boardwalk

Essentials (Grocery, Pharmacy)

Food Lion Carolina Beach

Full-service grocery store with fresh produce, deli, and all vacation essentials.

Main grocery store serving Carolina Beach area.

Beach Shop Carolina Beach

Beach supply store with souvenirs, swimwear, sunscreen, and vacation necessities.

Convenient beach supply store for all vacation needs.