Oozing an old-school beach vibe, Carolina Beach is a classic family destination where you can soak up the sun and fun to your heart’s content. Just south of Wilmington, Carolina Beach offers a gorgeous beach, a lively retro boardwalk, and its popular Pleasure Island Seafood, Blues, and Jazz Festival. With so much to see and do, and it’s no wonder Carolina Beach vacation rentals tend to book up early. You can hike along a state park in the morning, sit on the beach until the sun sets, then sip an umbrella drink at a traditional tiki bar. Yum!
Get in on traditional seaside fun and saltwater taffy at the lively boardwalk, which is teeming with shops, entertainment, and a seasonal amusement park. As a random fact, Carolina Beach Boardwalk is allegedly one of country's top boardwalks. Try your hand at world-class fishing, or just go and look at them over at North Carolina Aquarium. Enjoy views of Cape Fear River from along the trails at Carolina Beach State Park, plus there’s a Junior Ranger program for your kids. Then get your history on at nearby Fort Fisher State Historic Site.
Talk about the perfect beach vacation. There’s fishing along the traditional wooden pier, free summer movies along Carolina Lake, and even horseback riding at Freeman Park. If you’re into water sports, you can kayak, paddleboard, or surf non-stop. Slow down by renting a four-wheeled bike to explore the shops, restaurants, and nightlife, where you’ll find retro tiki bars and cool island-style hang-outs. Plus in October, there’s the Pleasure Island Seafood, Blues, and Jazz Festival, and the U.S. Open King Mackerel Fishing Tournament in nearby Southport. And kids will love the Cape Fear Kite Festival in November.
During the summer, the average temperature in Carolina Beach runs to a warm 79° F, while in the winter, it can dip down to a refreshing 45°. With so much to see and do, there’s really no bad time of year to visit, as even in winter, there's only an average snowfall of a mere inch. Summer is most popular with travelers since all the seasonal activities are in full swing, but you’ll typically find the best bargains when booking Carolina Beach vacation rentals during the cooler spring and fall months. Just remember to bring a sweater.
Carolina Beach vacation rentals are popular in this town of just over 6,000 residents, as you’re only 15 miles south of Wilmington. Loggerhead sea turtles nest annually from May until August, but if you want to see them up close and personal, the Pleasure Island Sea Turtle Project recommends visiting the nearby Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center in Surf City. The area is also home to roaming wild horses and more than 400 species of birds, especially during their annual spring and fall migrations.
Our 2023 property listings offer a large selection of 25 vacation rentals around Carolina Beach. From 17 house rentals to 7 condo and apartment rentals, find a unique house rental for you to enjoy a memorable holiday or a weekend with your family and friends.