I have visited many of the beaches of Southeastern North Carolina and hands down, Wrightsville Beach is my absolute favorite! The water is clear, the beaches are clean and laden with white sand, and the people are a beautiful addition to the scenery. There is the spacious and beautiful North end of the barrier island which is home to Shell Island Resort where Mason’s Inlet cuts in towards the Intracoastal Waterway along Figure Eight and Topsail Island. Then there is the South end of Wrightsville Beach where boats can come in and out of the waterway in between two jetties between Masonboro Island and Harbor Island where the kite surfing is off the hook and the fishing is out of this world.
As far as access is concerned, the city bike path provides easy access to the beach from Mayfaire, Landfall, Autumn Hall and other communities off of Eastwood Road and Military Cutoff. Unless it’s a holiday, when driving, traffic is never too much of a bear bringing beach lovers in from I-40, NC Hwy 74 or NC Hwy 76. Once you get to the beach, there is always the challenge of how to lug your gear to the shore. There are several public parking lots, two equipped with bathroom facilities that are ideal when you need to shower off before hopping back into the car. For those who have the luxury of living ocean front, well there is really nothing better! The calming sounds of the breaking waves, the tranquil breezes that constantly blow, the serenity of the never-ending view – seriously, could life be any better?
When talking about the people, being totally fit is a lifestyle that most Wrightsville Beach residents adhere. In fact, Wilmington has been voted one of America’s Fittest Cities twice in past years. Each day, rain or shine, you find people running or walking around the 2 mile loop that travels over both bridges to Wrightsville Beach. The Wrightsville Beach Town Park also provides ample space to play including children’s park, splash pad, and covered picnic facilities, open air stage for concerts, tennis courts and more. There’s always something fun to see or do in Wrightsville Beach!