Find this year’s beach house in North Carolina

So, you’re settled on a break to the wind-lashed, dune-backed coastline of NC? You’re in luck, because there are so many beach houses in North Carolina to pick from that you pretty much have the whole shore of the Tar Heel State to explore. This guide ranges from the sandbanks of mansion-speckled Corolla to wavy Cape Fear in search of properties for a truly memorable escape.

The best beaches with beach house rentals in NC

There’s a medley of awesome places where you can track down alluring beach houses in North Carolina. A cross-section of remote escapes and classic summertime retreats is below.

The Outer Banks for plush rentals

The name Outer Banks is for a collection of narrow barrier islands that run around the Pamlico Sound and the northern reaches of the NC coast. Although they’re a little trickier to get to than the bustling beaches further south, they have a distinct air of refinement and charm. See it ooze from the mansions of Corolla and swirl in the salty airs of Colonial Manteo.

Choose Ocean Isle Beach house rentals

One of the last beach towns you’ll encounter as you venture down the NC coast to the South Carolinian border, Ocean Isle Beach is a low-key and charming escape with lots of condos hidden in the sea oat meadows that fringe its beach. When you want to spice things up, remember that Myrtle Beach, SC, is less than one hour down the road, touting spinning Ferris wheels and amazing aquariums.

Wrightsville Beach house rentals

Sandwiched between the ocean and the Intercoastal Waterway, Wrightsville Beach house rentals have the feel of being totally surrounded by sloshing swells. Head one way and you could hop in a canoe for safaris through reed-sprouting wetlands. Head the other and there’s bound to be space to lay the towel and soak up the rays.

Topsail Beach, a haunt for turtles

You might just be as likely to encounter a rare leatherback sea turtle as you are a board-touting surfer on Topsail Beach. Stretching the length of its very own barrier island, this one fuses verdant maritime forests with acclaimed fishing outposts. Its rentals aren’t crammed onto the shoreline, either, so there’s space enough to spread out and unwind.

Carolina Beach between the Atlantic and Cape Fear

Jetties topped with East Coast chowder houses and oyster kitchens converge on some of the most celebrated surfing spots in the state at Carolina Beach. That makes the vacation homes here excellent bases for testing your ocean skills and learning the tricks of hearty seafood cooking.

Budget NC coastal getaways

Give yourself more spending money for new beachwear and taste-bud-tingling North Carolinian seafood by following these top hints on how to knock stacks of dollars off the cost of an ocean-side vacation.

Be the early bird

There’s no reason why you shouldn’t book your beach house in North Carolina as early as you can. There are reasons to do it, however. They include getting the pick of the best-priced homes in the most stunning oceanside locations before they sell out, and being able to look forward to a trip filled with soft sands and fresh breezes.

Choose fall for beach house rentals in NC

It might seem like you’re going to miss the best weather and vibes if you choose to head to the NC shore in September, but locals often wax lyrical about the loveliness of the coast come fall. It’s a time to watch the woods start to change color, to see the waves pick up, and to enjoy romantic bonfires on the sands. It’s also a time to save oodles on the cost of a vacation rental.

Amenities of beach houses in North Carolina

If you’re wondering why people get so excited about beach homes in the Carolinas, check below for just a few pointers, ranging from salt-washed perches by the surf to something opulent and luxurious.

An irresistible oceanfront setting

Some of the spots that are occupied by beach house rentals in NC are nothing short of gasp-inducing. Clusters of dunes on the remote Outer Banks surround this one, while roaring Atlantic rollers crash onto the flat beaches just feet from another. Get ready for a selection of vacation rentals that have truly special locations.

Perhaps a pool?

The Atlantic Ocean won’t be the only place where you can go to cool off when you choose one of the coveted beach houses in North Carolina with a swimming pool. Some are shared and others are private, but most will make use of any available space by the shoreline to let you swim to the sound of rolling waves and calling seagulls.