From its urban centers to its beautiful mountain towns, North Carolina is a state with plenty of sightseeing options and day-trip adventures. Perhaps what draws most to the Tarheel State though is its more than 300 miles of coastline to enjoy, including fishing piers, seafood markets, lighthouses, and more!
At River Landing, you not only have the benefit of two championship golf courses, elegant neighborhoods and landscaping, amenities such as a Fitness Center with both an indoor and outdoor pool, tennis courts, basketball courts, a weightlifting gym, and pickleball facilities – not to mention a thriving resident community – but you are also as little as 40 minutes away from the closest beach! Imagine a summer season where your biggest decision is golf cleats or flip-flops! Whether the beaches are picturesque and beautiful, or accessible only by boat, there is something that makes the shores of North Carolina magical, and just another reason why River Landing is such a perfect place to live!
Let’s take a look at the Top 5 beaches near River Landing (in no particular order):
Topsail Island
With a population of just over 500 full-time residents, Topsail Island is a charming destination that manages a natural beauty and features three awesome beach communities: Surf City, North Topsail Beach, and Topsail Beach. Stretching along 26 miles of North Carolina’s coast, the lack of commercialization provides a peaceful setting to escape the more populated tourist areas.
Historically, Topsail used to be accessible only by boat, but today, there are two bridges in use. The waters are relatively warm, the shells are plentiful, and with a lack of steep sand cliffs and drop-offs, the beaches are great for families.
Wrightsville Beach
Well-known for its wide sandy beaches and deep blue waters, Wrightsville Beach is considered one of the best beaches in both North Carolina and the U.S. Wrightsville is quite popular for kite-boarders and surfers, and even inexperienced surfers can practice their skills here, since during the summer season waves are gentle and provide an excellent practice area and hotspot for longboarders and stand up paddleboarders.
For those looking to cast their line and find a fresh meal, Wrightsville Beach is home to Johnnie Mercers Fishing Pier. The on-site tackle shop sells rods, reels, lures, and more, to help catch the ‘big one’ from off the pier.
Emerald Isle
Located in Carteret County at the end of Bogue Banks, Emerald Isle offers 12 continuous miles of beautiful shoreline. The beaches are family-friendly and dolphin spottings offshore are frequent. Emerald Isle is also known for its award-winning restaurants offering everything from authentic Italian to Carolina BBQ.
Carolina Beach
Carolina Beach is located in New Hanover County and is known for its white-sand shores that are perfect for both fishing and surfing. Carolina Beach also has a nostalgic boardwalk with a variety of rides, games, and, of course, Britts Donut Shop. For the adults, there are regular, live music performances and events throughout the year.
Nearby is the Carolina Beach State Park that offers a number of amenities including a marina, campsites, hiking trails, and indigenous plants including the venus flytrap.
Kure Beach
Well known by locals for its relaxed vibe, beautiful setting, and rich marine life, Kure Beach is also perfect for scuba diving, snorkeling, stand up paddleboarding, fishing, and surfing! Kure is home to a number of non-beach attractions as well. Visitors can check out Fort Fisher, the Kure Beach Aquarium, Ocean Front Park, Zeke’s Island Reserve, and the Kure Beach Fishing Pier, one of the oldest fishing piers on the Atlantic Coast.
