With the start of summer officially just a few weeks away, peak beach season is quickly approaching. Ahead of your July beach vacation, we’ve created the following guide to help your family choose the best beach for you, avoid crowds, and plan a smooth beach day from arrival to sunset.
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Which Beaches Are Best for Summer?
North Carolina’s Brunswick Islands boasts 45 miles of coastline with six beaches across five islands. Each beach has its own personality, and the best beach for summer will depend on what you’re after.
Sunset Beach
- Quieter vibe with more space to spread out on the island’s west end
- Mostly streetside parking
- Lots of summer events happen off the island like weekly outdoor markets and concerts
Ocean Isle Beach
- Very family friendly, with mini golf, a museum, and ice cream shops on the island
- Parking is located right next to beach accesses and along many of the island's cut through streets
- Plenty of summer events including concerts, outdoor movies, and children’s scavenger hunts
Holden Beach
- Very family friendly, although most activities are located just off the island
- Beach parking is concentrated at beach accesses on the island’s east side
- Summer concerts happen on the island weekly
Oak Island
- Very family friendly with parks, a splashpad, mini golf, and more located on the island
- Parking is located right next to the island’s 65 beach accesses and along many island side streets
- Lots of summer events including concerts, outdoor markets, and nature center programming
Caswell Beach
- Quieter vibe even with the close proximity of Oak Island
- Parking and beach access is limited to one public lot
- No summer events; the beach is the main attraction
Bald Head Island
- Remote and resort like vibe
- Plenty of space to spread out while on the beach
- Parking is limited to select beach accesses and exclusively for golf carts and bikes
- Summer events including concerts, markets, and Old Baldy Foundation programming
We also couldn’t forget to mention our charming coastal towns: Southport, Shallotte, Leland, and Calabash. They can also make a great homebase during your stay.
For more information about each island’s beach accesses, including handicap accessible beach access points, visit our Beach Accessibility page.
What Time Should I Arrive at the Beach?
Make sure to check the tide forecast before heading out. Generally, the beach will be at its widest around low tide (as the tide goes out) and shrink at high tide (as the tide comes in).
You can also select your beach arrival time based on your preferred beach experience. Here are some things to note throughout the day.
Early Morning (7 a.m. to 9 a.m.)
- Mild temperatures
- Few people
- Good conditions for walking the beach
- Increased wildlife activity
- Paid parking is not in effect until 9 a.m. on the Brunswick Islands’ beaches
Mid-Morning (9 a.m. to 11 a.m.)
- Pleasant warmer water and temperatures
- Good swimming conditions
- Plenty of parking is still available
- Convenient for families with young children to begin setting up
Noon to Afternoon (11:00 a.m. to 2 p.m.)
- Temperatures and UV at their highest
- The beach at its busiest
- Parking becomes limited
- Hydration and sun safety are top priorities
Late Afternoon (2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.)
- Temperatures start to settle but water remains warm
- Great conditions for swimming
- Parking begins to free up
- Groups typically begin to leave the beach
Evening (5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.)
- Temperatures continue to settle
- Good conditions for a beach walk
- Paid parking ends at 5:00 p.m. on the Brunswick Islands’ beaches
- Fewer people as families leave ahead of dinner time
What to Bring for a July Beach Day
Sun safety is paramount on a hot North Carolina beach day in July. Here are a few tips and shade regulations by island.
- Drink plenty of hydrating fluids including water and electrolytes
- Re-apply UV protective sunscreens regularly throughout the day
- Remember to re-apply sunscreen after swimming
- Bring slip on shoes or flip flops to avoid stepping on hot sand
- Stay shaded under umbrellas and wind powered shades
Visit each island’s beach ordinance page for more information on which sunshade devices are prohibited.
Read our “How to Plan the Perfect Picnic in NC’s Brunswick Islands” blog for more beach set up suggestions.
Looking for a coffee stop during your next visit to Oak Island or Ocean Isle Beach? Check out our “Best Places to Get Coffee in North Carolina’s Brunswick Islands” blog for coffee shop suggestions.
Plan Your Visit (July)
Summer is almost here, so start planning your visit to North Carolina’s Brunswick Islands! Request a free visitors guide for more information on each island, things to do, and places to stay. Or get started on our website!
FAQs:
1. What is the best beach in the Brunswick Islands for summer?
Each Brunswick Islands beach has its own personality and fun things to do. Learn more about each of our island beaches and uncover the best one for your family.
2. What time should I go to the beach to avoid crowds?
Early to mid-morning (7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.) and the evening (5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.) are the best times of day to enjoy warm temperatures and to avoid crowds on the beach.
3. What should I bring for a full beach day?
Bring plenty of water, snacks, sunscreen and a shade device to stay cool on a July day at the beach.
4. Are there quieter beaches in July?
You’ll find plenty of pockets of calm and quiet on the beaches of NC’s Brunswick Islands. Generally, most visitors congregate around ocean pier beach accesses, so choosing an access further from a pier means fewer neighbors on the beach.
5. Where can I park near the beach?
Beach parking is available at most beach accesses on Ocean Isle Beach, Holden Beach, Oak Island, and Bald Head Island. Most of the beach parking on Sunset Beach is streetside parking. Beach parking on Caswell Beach is limited to one public lot.