Some beaches in the Carolinas are commercialized into full-blown tourist attractions, while others are tranquil and preserve their natural beauty. Some are single islands separated from the mainland by a sound; others are on the edge of mainland towns. Winter is the best time to visit if you do not like crowds, but the winds and water are very brisk. The warmer months offer great weather and warm water but also bring in large amounts of tourists and traffic. August is the peak hurricane season for Carolina beaches, but after the storms pass, the temperature stays in the high 70s.
Commercialized Beaches
Clubs, food stands, parties, shopping and cruising all characterize the culture of North and South Carolina's most commercialized beaches. Myrtle Beach and Wrightsville beach are top destinations for visitors who do not just want scenery and solitude on their beach trip. Myrtle Beach is home to many clubs, including the House of Blues,and Broadway on the Beach, a shopping destination that has an Egyptian-themed Hard Rock Cafe and a movie theater. Wrightsville Beach's seafood restaurants include the Oceanic, which has tables on a pier. A popular surfing spot with waves are great for beginners and intermediate surfers, Wrightsville Beach hosts several surfing competitions throughout the year.
Undeveloped Beaches
Cape Hatteras, on the farthest east point of the North Carolina coast in the Outer Banks, is close to many secluded public-access spots and home to the tallest lighthouse is the United States. The Hatteras Lighthouse oversees a strong current close to the shore that attracts ships so they can speed up their journey. Cape Hatteras has a subtropical climate and on average has only six days a year with a temperature over 90 degrees. The fastest way to get to the Outer Banks is to drive to Cedar Island on the mainland and take the ferry to Ocracoke Island. From Ocracoke there is a ferry to Hatteras Island. Reaching this destination is not so convenient, but the untouched scenery and brilliant weather make it all worth it.
Adrenaline Sports
Extreme sports are popular in North and South Carolina. Kitty Hawk is the adrenaline capital of the Carolina coast, offering surfing, paragliding, parasailing, kiteboarding, wake boarding, jet skiing and hang gliding. You can take adventure tours, including hang gliding lessons on the nearby Jockey's Ridge sand dune. There are also boat and air tours and surfing lessons available from the shop. There are plenty of rental homes nearby, but plan ahead because they book up fast.
For History Buffs
Charleston, South Carolina, prides itself on being a historic town. There are numerous theme tours including five carriage tours of the colonial downtown and the local plantations. The Cooper River bridge is also a main attraction: the aesthetically pleasing, single-cable pull structure has great views as well as pedestrian and biking lanes. Charleston's restaurants offer plenty of variety, including barbecue, French dining, Irish dining, Soul Food, Mediterranean, upscale Southern and seafood.
Lodging
North and South Carolina beaches have innumerable accommodation options for visitors; camping, hotels, house and condominium rentals are the most common. All lodging follows the same pattern of having low demand in the winter and extremely high demand in the summer. Do not bet on reserving a room at the start of your visit. Plan ahead; you will more options if you book a room for May or June as early as January or February.
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