Wrightsville Beach

Wrightsville Beach Welcome Sign

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Wrightsville Beach is located 9 miles east of Wilmington off of Highway 74 in Wrightsville, North Carolina. Wrightsville Beach is one of the most popular beaches in North Carolina. Located so close to Wilmington (the 9th largest city in North Carolina), it is an extremely popular vacation spot as well as a favorite for many North Carolinians. If you are looking to vacation in North Carolina, Wilmington has its own international airport, making getting there a snap! The Town of Wrightsville Beach has much to do and see. The feeling of “community” runs strong in the area. No matter where you go, it is almost impossible not to see a group of people talking or friends jogging and bike riding. There is a sidewalk locally dubbed, “The Loop” where residents and visitors alike can run, jog, or walk without fear of bicycles or cars.

Wrightsville Beach is esentially an island, formed by the Intracoastal Waterway. The water off of Wrightsville Beach is some of the clearest in North Carolina. Lodging ranges from beach rental property to hotels to resorts. No matter what you are looking for, it is easily found from fine dining to theatre. There are 44 public accesses each with a designated number. Although most of the public accesses are similar, each has its own personality. Here is some general information on Wrightsville Beach. If there is something we forgot to mention, please leave a comment below.

  • General Information
    • No glass containers, fires or cooking devices are allowed on the beach strand.
    • No vehicles are allowed on the beach strand.
    • Removal of vegetation is prohibited year-round.
    • Do not walk, stand, drive, dig, or otherwise get on the dunes. Doing so will result in a hefty fine. Dunes are the only protection the beach has.

  • Surfing
    • Leashes are required for surfing Wrightsville Beach.
    • Surfing is always prohibited in the following locations.
      • Within 500 feet of Johnnie Mercer’s Fishing Pier (between Public Accesses 15 and 16)
      • Within 100 feet of Crystal Pier at Oceanic Restaurant (between Public Accesses 36 and 37)
      • Within 100 feet of the Masonboro Inlet Jetty (between Public Accesses 42 and 43)
    • From Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend, surfing is prohibited in areas located in front of each lifeguard stand. The length of these “No Surfing” areas will be no less than 600 feet and no greater that 750 feet. Surfing is prohibited in these areas whenever lifeguards are on duty. Lifeguard stands are normally staffed from 10 AM to 5 PM, but these hours may be extended when the beach is busy. “No Surfing” areas will be clearly marked with flags.
    • Additional “No Surfing” areas may be posted on other locations due to weather conditions, beach population, special events, etc. These areas will also be marked with flags.
    • Surfers are reminded to respect the “space” of other beach patrons. Reckless surfing that endangers another person is prohibited.
    • For more information about surfing at Wrightsville Beach, check with a lifeguard.

  • Alcohol. There is no alcohol permitted on any public beach in Wrightsville Beach. The only place alcohol is permitted on the beach is on private property. Bars and restaurants serve alcohol until 2:00 am. There are no alcohol sales before noon on Sundays.

  • Parking at Wrightsville Beach. The Metered Parking Season — or so we’ll call it — spans from March 1 to October 31. During this period, all meters and pay stations are enforced seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The parking rate for meters and pay stations is $1.50 per hour.
    • Parking Meters. Parking meters accept nickels, dimes and quarters.
    • Park-by-phone. Park-by-Phone takes an annual membership of just $5.95 and a simple cell phone call to 1-888-310-PARK. Learn more by visiting the Park-by-Phone website.
    • Pay Stations. Pay stations require coins, bills ($1, $5, $10) or Visa or MasterCard.
    • The best deal. Those looking for a smart alternative to pay-by-the-hour parking, $8 daily passes and $50 weekly passes may be purchased from the parking office.
    • Change. The parking office is available to provide up to $10 in change, and parking ambassadors, who can be spotted along the beach stretch, may offer up to $2 in change on the spot.
    • Citations. Parking citations are $20 or $30, depending on the violation, and may be paid by cash, check or credit at the parking office or by credit online. Be sure to pay on time, too, because the late fees rise with the tide.The Lanier Parking Office
      5 Live Oak Drive in Wrightsville Beach
      (910) 256-5453

  • Pets. We all want our pets with us when we go place. Here is some info on pets at Wrightsville Beach
    • No pets are allowed on the beach strand from April 1 to September 30.
    • You must clean up after your pet and have the means to do so at all times anywhere in the town. Dispose of waste in available trash cans. Animal waste needs four weeks to degrade, and if left on sidewalks and grass, it can get into the water supply. Several stations around town feature complimentary dog waste bags.
    • Pets must be on a leash at all times.
    • Never leave your animal unattended in a vehicle. Even on just a warm day, your dog could die in a few minutes from heat stroke or exhaustion. Dog-friendly water stations can be spotted around Wrightsville Beach for a bit of refreshment on the doggiest days of summer. But, the safest plan is to leave Fido at home. The town in summer is no place for a dog. Here’s a quick rule: if it’s too hot for you in bare feet, it’s too hot for your dog.
    • Violation of these regulations could result in a fine up to $250.00 for the first offense.
    • Nearby kennels:
      • Azalea Coast Animal Care 6205 Market Street, Wilmington, NC (910) 790-3112
      • MeadowSweet 5523 Greenville Loop Road, Wilmington, NC (910) 791-6421
      • Port City Animal Hospital 4012 Masonboro Loop Road Wilmington, NC (910) 452-4093
      • Sylvia’s Pet Care Center 26 New Bern Street, Wilmington, NC (910) 799-2375

  • Bicycles. The following rules have been published by the city of Wrightsville Beach
    • Every person riding a bicycle shall be subject to all of the laws of North Carolina applicable to vehicles.
    • Every person operating a bicycle shall ride as near to the right hand side of the roadway as practicable.
    • Persons riding bicycles upon a roadway shall not ride more than two abreast.
    • No person shall ride a bicycle upon any sidewalk or walkway within the town.
      • NOTE: “The Loop” is a sidewalk, and, as such, bicycles are prohibited.
    • North Carolina law requires every person under 16 years old to wear an approved bicycle helmet when operating a bicycle.

  • Fishing. Fishing is allowed on the pier, but not allowed from any bridges in Wrightsville beach.

  • Fireworks. It is unlawful to possess or ignite any firework that explodes or protrudes in the air within the State of North Carolina. The use of any type of fireworks on Wrightsville Beach is highly discouraged due to building density and the potential spread of fire, the resultant litter as well as the potential for personal injury. Town Ordinance prohibits open flames on public property.

  • Handicap Access. Public accesses 2, 3, 4, 8, 9, 16, 36, and 43 are all handicap accessible. The Wrightsville Beach Parks and Recreation office has a few sand/beach wheelchairs available for three days at a time. The chairs allow users to roll down the beach and get their feet wet in the ocean. The chairs aren’t motorized or user-propelled; you’ll need someone else to provide the horsepower. There’s no fee, but advance reservations are a must.
    Wrightsville Parks and Recreation Office
    1 Bob Sawyer Drive in Wrightsville Beach
    (910) 256-7925

  • Public Restrooms. Restrooms are located at public accesses 2, 4, 16, and 36.

  • Emergencies. We all think that nothing bad is going to happen. Let’s face it, if you think something bad will happen, would you go there to begin with? they are called accidents for a reason. In case of emergency, find the nearest Lifeguard. If there are no lifeguards available, call one of the following numbers.
    • Wrightsville Beach Police Department: (910) 256-7911
    • Wrightsville Beach Fire Department: (910) 256-7920
    • New Hanover Regional Medical Center: (910) 343-7000
    • Cape Fear Hospital: (910) 452-8100


As town laws and regulations often change, we are not responsible for any incorrect information contained within this review. The information listed was accurate at the time of publishing. If you find that information provided in this review is incorrect, please email the webmaster and let us know. The below listed links are provided to verify any information. Thanks for visiting, and as always…happy beach day!!


Travel Brochure
View Map
Visitor Information
Surfing Conditions and Web Cam
Tide Tables
Weather Information
Official City Website
City of Wilmington
New Hanover County Information
State of North Carolina Official Website
Laws and Ordinances


The following are located off North Lumina Avenue:

  • Public Access 1: North Ridge Lane
  • Public Access 2: South Ridge Lane
  • Public Access 3: Sand Dollar Lane
  • Public Access 4: Cowrie Lane
  • Public Access 5: Scotch Bonnet Lane
  • Public Access 6: Conch Lane
  • Public Access 7: Moore’s Inlet Street
  • Public Access 8: Sea Oats Lane
  • Public Access 9: 1700 N. Lumina Avenue
  • Public Access 10: Mallard Street
  • Public Access 11: Crane Street
  • Public Access 12: Sandpiper Street
  • Public Access 13: Heron Street
  • Public Access 14: Shearwater Street
  • Public Access 15: Seagull Street
  • Public Access 16: East Salisbury Street
  • Public Access 17: Greensboro Street
  • Public Access 18: Henderson Street
  • Public Access 19: Oxford Street
  • Public Access 20: Fayetteville Street
  • Public Access 21: Asheville Street
  • Public Access 22: Augusta Street
  • Public Access 23: Raleigh Street
  • Public Access 24: Charlotte Street
  • Public Access 25: Atlanta Street
  • Public Access 26: Columbia Street
  • Public Access 27: Burmingham Street
  • Public Access 28: Oceanic Street

The following are located off South Lumina Avenue:

  • Public Access 29: Stone Street
  • Public Access 30: Latimer Street
  • Public Access 31: Chadbourn Street
  • Public Access 32: Arrindale Street
  • Public Access 33: Snyder Street
  • Public Access 34: Sea Shore Street
  • Public Access 35: Taylor Street
  • Public Access 36: Nathan Street
  • Public Access 37: Sunset Avenue
  • Public Access 38: Wright Street
  • Public Access 39: Corbett Street
  • Public Access 40
  • Public Access 41
  • Public Access 42: Albright Street
  • Public Access 43: Northrop Street
  • Public Access 44: Jack Parker Boulevard


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This page was last updated on September 27, 2009.