Wrightsville Beach has been quietly perfecting the art of the coastal escape for well over a century. Sitting just a short bridge ride from the heart of Wilmington, this barrier island has all the things that earn it a regular spot on national “best beaches” lists — pristine white sand, gentle Atlantic surf, a small, walkable community, and a relaxed, salt-air feel that just doesn’t exist in most beach towns anymore. It’s the kind of place where you can spend the morning surfing, the afternoon paddling through the marsh, and the evening watching the sun set behind a sailboat slipping back into the harbor.
A Coastal Town with a Long History
Wrightsville Beach’s roots run deep. Originally known simply as “The Banks,” the island was renamed Wrightsville Beach when it was officially incorporated on March 6, 1899 — named in honor of Joshua Grainger Wright and the prominent Wright family of Wilmington. For more than 125 years, it’s been one of North Carolina’s most beloved coastal destinations.
The island’s history is woven through everything you’ll see today. In its early years, visitors arrived by trolley over the causeway, drawn by grand seaside hotels and the legendary Lumina Pavilion. The Great Fire of 1934 destroyed much of the original beach community, but a handful of historic cottages survived — many of them now preserved at the Wrightsville Beach Historic Square, where the Myers Cottage (circa 1909) houses the Wrightsville Beach Museum of History. The Carolina Yacht Club, just down the beach, was founded in 1853, making it the second-oldest yacht club in the United States. And the island carries one more distinction worth knowing — it’s widely recognized as the birthplace of East Coast surfing, a legacy still celebrated today at the museum’s Waterman’s Hall of Fame.
A Beach Town That Earns the Hype
Wrightsville Beach has shown up on just about every “best of” list worth showing up on — named one of the “Last Best American Beach Towns” by National Geographic, included on Condé Nast‘s list of the 24 Best Beaches in the U.S., and regularly featured in U.S. News & World Report‘s coverage of the country’s top beach destinations. What makes it work isn’t any one thing — it’s the combination. Wide, clean beaches. Warm summer water. Surf shops, boutiques, and great local restaurants are scattered along the island. Marinas full of sailboats and fishing charters. The 2.45-mile Loop walking and jogging trail. And Johnny Mercer’s Pier reaching out into the Atlantic.
Whether you’re here to surf, fish, paddleboard, kayak, eat fresh seafood, or simply spend a quiet morning watching the sunrise from the dunes, Wrightsville Beach has a way of fitting whatever kind of trip you’re looking for.
Plan Your Visit
Whether you’re here for the surf, the seafood, the history, or just a slower pace, Wrightsville Beach has a way of making you want to stay a little longer. Check back as we add more about the places we’ve personally explored around the island.
Photos of Wrightsville Beach, NC
