Ocean98

Beaches in North Carolina

North Carolina reports 248 recreational beaches across 17 counties in the EPA BEACON attribute extract. The tables below list each beach with its waterbody, monitoring tier and access.

Beaches
248
Beach Act beaches
223
Public access
226
Counties
17
107 historical, 0 dormant

Source: US EPA BEACON beach attributes. Attribute year 2026. Last reviewed October 2026.

This page lists beach identity, location and monitoring-program attributes. It does not show current advisories or bacteria sample results. For today's conditions, check your state or local beach program. How to read these attributes.

Map of North Carolina beaches

Dock on S. side of Hwy 92 bridge on the W. side of BathE Shore of Blounts Bay- Pamlico RiverPamlico River- Broad Creek marker #3Pamlico River- City ParkPamlico River- Junction of Upper Goose Creek and Dinah's LanPamlico River- Maul's PointPamlico River- Ragged Point Swim AreaPamlico River- Tripp Point Recrational AreaPamlico River- Washington- Railroad TrestlePamlico River- just N of Fork PtSE of Austin Pt- Pamlico RiverSound access at the intersection of E. Main St. and Tooley SW of Hills Point- Pamlico RiverBeach at the end of Mt. Gould River Rd.Boat ramp at the intersection of SR 1500 and Vincent St.Beach access between Bald Head Harbor entrance & Bald Head CBeach area adjacent to Howells Pt Wildlife boat ramp at theBeach area between ICW Marker #28 & ICW Marker #29 at the enCape Fear River, beach area adjacent to Southport MunicipalCaswell Beach Public Access off Caswell Beach Rd.East Beach area- Beach access #42Ferry Road Public AccessGreensboro St. emergency vehicle accessHolden BeachICW, E. of Bridge at the mouth of Jink's CreekICW, Southport wastewater treatment plant outfallICW, marker #41 near Lockwood Folly RiverICW, overhead powerlines behind Oak IslandICWW, near marker #67, Sailfish Street (HB)ICWW, soundside access at E. end of Ocean Isle Bch.Intracoastal Waterway, shoreline adjacent to Ocean Isle WildIntracoastal Waterway, waterfront park at end of NE 52nd StLockwood Folly River, marker # 5Mouth of Shallotte River at Bowen PointOcean Pier at Causeway and First St.Ocean pier at Main St. and Sunset Blvd.Ocean pier at Ocean Blvd. and Durham St.Ocean pier between 14th and 15th Place East and Beach Dr.Public Access at 30th Place West and Beach Dr.Public Access at 40th and Main St.Public Access at First and Chadbourn St.Public Access at Ocean Dr. and Keziah St.Shollotte River adjacent to area known as 'The Swash'South Beach area- Beach access # 17Wildlife ramp off Fish Factory Rd near SouthportCanal boat ramp on SR 1153Sound access on SR 11531/2 mile W of Mile Marker 10, oceanside100 yds. NE Gallant's Channel Bridge by shoreAO- Public Beach Access, Inlet Rd., West side junction of CoBogue Inlet mouth of Coast Guard ChannelBogue Sd.- Archer PointBogue Sound- 750 yds. E. of Atlantic Beach Bridge, N sideBogue Sound- Boat Landing Tourist CenterBogue Sound- Canal leading to Moonlite BayBogue Sound- E side of Mouth of Gales CreekBogue Sound- Goose Creek, off campgroundBogue Sound- W Salter Path, ~200 yds off of Wam Squam LnBroad Crk. - Highway 24 bridgeBrown's Island public beach in Core Sound near Harkers IslanCape Lookout Coast Guard DockCore Creek- 350 yds. N. of Hwy. 101Core Sd.- Shell Point off Harkers IslandCore Sound White PointDrum Inlet N side (inside)FORT MACON beach access at BathhouseHarker's Island bridge at swimming areaHeaden Ln. Salter Path- Soundside ~200 yds. offshoreICW, Marker #44ICW- marker #40A, by islandKnob Island- N sideLennoxville Boat RampMerrimonMile Marker 15, oceansideMile Marker 7 1/2, oceansideMile Post 19 1/2, oceansideMile Post 4 1/2, oceanside of Pelican Dr.N end of Old Ferry Rd., SoundsideNewport River- Public access NW of BridgeNorth River- at Hwy 70 bridgeNorth side mouth of Town Creek in BeaufortOcean end of Henderson Blvd., AOOcean end of New Bern St., AOPublic Access Near Fawn Drive in Emerald IslePublic beach access adjacent to The IslanderPublic beach access off Atlantic Boulevard in Atlantic BeachRadio Island Public Beach AccessShackelford Banks- by restroomsShackelford Banks- nun bouy #2Ski Beach off the ICW adjacent to the Bogue Inlet Channel inSpoils Island off Salty ShoresSwimming area 100 yards south of Park Service Dock near BardTaylor's Creek at post office dockW side of mouth of South RiverWest end of Sugarloaf Island, Morehead CityWhitehurst Island E of Marker 24Back Creek- Halfway between mouth and station 16AHavelockNeuse River- 100 yds. N of mouth of Upper Broad CreekNeuse River- 200 yds. N of mouth of North West CreekNeuse River- Flanner's BeachNeuse River- Green Spring Swim AreaNeuse River- Mouth of Club Foot CreekNeuse River- Pine Cliff Recreation AreaNeuse River- Union PointNeuse River-Slocum Creek Public Access100 yds offshore in sound near intersection of Hwy 12 and AlAO- 2.8 miles N of Corolla RampCorolla Ramp, end of paved roadCorolla, Albacore St. Beach AccessCurrituck S Beach Access at Pine IslandDock at the end of SR 1245Ocean-side of Corolla Village Road near the lighthouse in CoPark on Woodhouse Dr., GrandySwimming area at end of Waterlily Road at dock in Coinjock.1 1/2 Miles SW of RO Plant1/4 Miles E of EMS Station along the Cape Hatteras National100 yds ENE of Little Bridge, Causeway, Nags Head100 yds offshore at Island Creek Ct. - Avon100 yds offshore at North Holiday Rd. - Rodanthe100 yds offshore at Sunset Strip Dr. - Frisco100 yds. offshore of 7517 S. Va. Dare Trail, Nags Head2 Miles SW of Frisco Volunteer Fire Dept3/4 miles N. of sound access across from Ramp #23500 yds off Sandyridge Rd.- Currituck Sd.500 yds off Spy Glass Rd.- Currituck Sd.500 yds. offshore, 100 yds. S of E. side of Wright Memorial750 yds off Ocean Bay Blvd.- Currituck Sd.800 yds off SR 1425Bath House at Ocean Bay BlvdBath House on SR 1206 Kitty HawkBeach Access 1 1/2 Mile N of Kitty Hawk PierBeach Access S of Refuge offices- Pea Island along the CapeBeach Access at Conch Street / Drain PipeBeach Access at Sportsman Dr.Beach Access at Sprigtail Dr.Beach access at 3rd StBuxton at Cape Hatteras Lighthouse along the Cape Hatteras NBuxton, Sound-side Haulover Day UseColington Harbour Swimming BeachDrain Pipe at Curlew StreetDrain Pipe at Lake Dr Beach AccessDrain Pipe at Martin StreetDrain Pipe at Mile Post 10.5Drain Pipe at Mile Post 12.5Drain Pipe at Oregon StDrain Pipe at S Nags Head/Federal Park BorderFrisco Bath House along the Cape Hatteras National SeashoreFrisco Federal Campground along the Cape Hatteras National SGulf Stream St beach accessHatteras Village Ramp #55 access along the Cape Hatteras NatHillcrest Dr. AccessJockey's Ridge Soundside AccessNags Head Bath House at Mile Post 15New Inlet Sound Access- Pea IslandOcean Ramp #30 along the Cape Hatteras National SeashoreOregon Inlet Coastguard StationOregon Inlet Federal CampgroundPea Island northernmost beach access along the Cape HatterasPublic beach access near drain pipe at E. Baum Street in KilRamp #23 and access along the Cape Hatteras National SeashorRamp #34 and access along the Cape Hatteras National SeashorRamp #38 and access along the Cape Hatteras National SeashorRoanoke Sd.- Swim Platform south side of Manteo BridgeS-turns' just N of Rodanthe along the Cape Hatteras NationalSound access across from Ramp #23 along the Cape Hatteras NaSoutheast side of Mann's Harbor BridgeSouthern Shores Private Soundside AccessThe Swimming HoleThe Swimming HoleWanchese Seafood Industrial ParkWildlife Ramp on Bayview Dr.AO- 5 miles SW of Ocracoke State FerryBeach Access by Airport RampFederal Campground- OcracokeOcracoke- 1st public access SW of State FerrySwanquarter Bay- end of docks on SR 1136Area behind the northern end of Masonboro IslandBanks Channel, swimming beach south of Coast Guard StationCape Fear River, junction of Snow's Cut and Cape Fear RiverCommunity swimming beach at the end of Burnett Rd. - directlFort Fisher Beach State Park access off Loggerhead Rd.Fort Fisher- Beach adjacent to NCWRC RampICW, Middle Sd. Between Mason's Cr. And Page's Cr.Intracoastal Waterway, Masonboro Sound near marker # 135Middle Sound at Nixon's ChannelMiddle Sound at south end of Figure Eight IslandN. end of CB Boardwalk at Harper Ave and Carolina Beach AveN. end of Wrightsville Beach at Public Access #2 off LuminaOcean Pier at K. Ave.Ocean pier at Nathan St. and S. Lumina Dr.Ocean pier at Salisbury St. Public AccessPublic Access at the Hanby Beach Storm DrainWrightsville Sound at Stokley CutAO- ~1 mile S of Bogue InletAO- ~2 miles S of Brown's InletICW, Swan PointICW, marker #25 at Alligator BayIntracoastal Waterway, Stump Sound at mouth of Turkey CreekN side of Onslow Beach Bridge, at dockNew River at Hadnot PtNew River at day marker #61New River at mouth of Southwest CreekNew River, Cedar PointNew River, NC Hwy. 172 bridgeNew River, Wilson ParkNew River, area between marker #18 and Poverty PointNew river, Hyw 24 Bridge, JacksonvilleOcean pier between mile markers 17 and 18 on New River InletRegional Public Access at Mile Marker 12 on New River InletRegional Public Access at Mile Marker 17 on New River InletSanders Creek at Bear CreekShellrock Landing Wildlife Ramp in HubertSound side Bear IslandStump Sound just east of Dixon PointWards Shore Public Access off South Waters St. - SwansboroDawson Crk., 500 yds N of bridgeE side mouth of Burton Cr.Just E of Wilkinson PtJust E of the Mouth of Beard CkKennals BeachNear mouth of Gatlin CrkNeuse River- Oriental, Whittaker CreekNeuse River- end of state Rd 1310Public Beach S side of Dawson Crk BridgeVandemere Creek- just N of Windmill Pt.Pasquatank River- E.C. Coast Guard Station BeachICW, Hwy. 210 bridge at Surf CityICW, marker #110 in Middle SoundICW, marker #92 in Topsail SoundICW, marker #98 in Topsail SoundPublic Access #O-10 at Ocean Blvd and Crews Ave.Public Access #O-3 at Mile Marker 3Public Access #S-1 at end of Shore Line Dr. (soundside statiPublic Access at S. Shore Dr. and Kinston Ave.Albemarle Sd. at end of Holiday Lane Rd.Dock at the end of SR 1212Albermarle Sd. - Pea Ridge, S. side Hwy 32 bridge
Start coordinates of 238 beaches with reported coordinates Beach Act beach OtherView area on OpenStreetMap
Beaches by monitoring tier (blank tiers omitted)
  • Tier 191
  • Tier 299
  • Tier 336
Beaches by waterbody type (blank omitted)
  • Sound, Bay, or Inlet52
  • Open Coast4

Counties in North Carolina

Counties
Dare County585455
Carteret County504748
Brunswick County323030
Onslow County232122
New Hanover County211616
Beaufort County131313
Craven County1166
Pamlico County1099
Currituck County999
Pender County888
Hyde County555
Bertie County211
Camden County222
Pasquotank County111
Perquimans County111
Tyrrell County100
Washington County100

All North Carolina beaches

Beaches
1 1/2 Miles Sw of Ro PlantHistoricalDare CountyYes2Public1.51
1/2 Mile W of Mile Marker 10, OceansideCarteret CountyYes1Public2.21
1/4 Miles E of Ems Station Along the Cape Hatteras NationalDare CountyYes1Public2.72
100 Yds Ene of Little Bridge, Causeway, Nags HeadHistoricalDare CountyYes2Public1.37
100 Yds Offshore at Island Creek Ct. - AvonHistoricalDare CountyYes2Public2.35
100 Yds Offshore at North Holiday Rd. - RodantheHistoricalDare CountyYes2Public1.47
100 Yds Offshore at Sunset Strip Dr. - FriscoHistoricalDare CountyYes2Public0.20
100 Yds Offshore in Sound Near Intersection of Hwy 12 and AlHistoricalCurrituck CountyYes2Public0.02
100 Yds. Ne Gallant's Channel Bridge by ShoreCarteret CountyYes2Public0.10
100 Yds. Offshore of 7517 S. Va. Dare Trail, Nags HeadHistoricalDare CountyYes2Public0.86
10Th St. Boat Ramp and Access AreaHistoricalCarteret CountyAtlantic OceanNo0.06
2 Miles Sw of Frisco Volunteer Fire DeptHistoricalDare CountyYes3Public0.03
3/4 Miles N. of Sound Access Across From Ramp #23HistoricalDare CountyYes2Public1.65
500 Yds Off Sandyridge Rd.- Currituck Sd.HistoricalDare CountyYes2Public2.83
500 Yds Off Spy Glass Rd.- Currituck Sd.HistoricalDare CountyYes2Public2.16
500 Yds. Offshore, 100 Yds. S of E. Side of Wright MemorialHistoricalDare CountyYes2Public1.49
750 Yds Off Ocean Bay Blvd.- Currituck Sd.HistoricalDare CountyYes2Public1.82
800 Yds Off Sr 1425HistoricalDare CountyYes2Public2.67
Albemarle Sd. at End of Holiday Lane Rd.HistoricalPerquimans CountyYes3Public0.12
Albermarle Sd. - Pea Ridge, S. Side Hwy 32 BridgeHistoricalWashington CountyAtlantic OceanNo0.12
Ao- ~1 Mile S of Bogue InletOnslow CountyYes1Public5.00
Ao- ~2 Miles S of Brown's InletOnslow CountyYes1Public7.29
Ao- 2.8 Miles N of Corolla RampCurrituck CountyYes1Public9.43
Ao- 5 Miles Sw of Ocracoke State FerryHyde CountyYes1Public4.50
Ao- Public Beach Access, Inlet Rd., West Side Junction of CoCarteret CountyYes1Public1.29
Area Behind the Northern End of Masonboro IslandNew Hanover CountyYes2Public0.50
Back Creek- Halfway Between Mouth and Station 16AHistoricalCraven CountyAtlantic OceanNo0.81
Banks Channel, Swimming Beach South of Coast Guard StationNew Hanover CountyYes1Public0.25
Bath House at Ocean Bay BlvdDare CountyYes1Public0.04
Bath House on Sr 1206 Kitty HawkDare CountyYes1Public2.98
Beach Access 1 1/2 Mile N of Kitty Hawk PierDare CountyYes1Public3.00
Beach Access at 3Rd StHistoricalDare CountyYes1Public1.12
Beach Access at Conch Street / Drain PipeDare CountyYes1Public0.21
Beach Access at Sportsman Dr.Dare CountyYes1Public1.25
Beach Access at Sprigtail Dr.Dare CountyYes1Public4.86
Beach Access Between Bald Head Harbor Entrance & Bald Head CBrunswick CountyYes1Public1.54
Beach Access by Airport RampHyde CountyYes1Public5.00
Beach Access S of Refuge Offices- Pea Island Along the CapeDare CountyYes1Public4.73
Beach Area Adjacent to Howells Pt Wildlife Boat Ramp at theHistoricalBrunswick CountyYes2Public0.09
Beach Area Between Icw Marker #28 & Icw Marker #29 at the EnHistoricalBrunswick CountyYes3Public0.07
Beach at the End of Mt. Gould River Rd.HistoricalBertie CountyAtlantic OceanNo0.05
Boat Ramp at the Intersection of Sr 1500 and Vincent St.HistoricalBertie CountyYes3Public0.04
Bogue Inlet Mouth of Coast Guard ChannelCarteret CountyYes2Public1.45
Bogue Sd.- Archer PointHistoricalCarteret CountyYes3Public0.12
Bogue Sound- 750 Yds. E. of Atlantic Beach Bridge, N SideHistoricalCarteret CountyAtlantic OceanYes2Public0.32
Bogue Sound- Boat Landing Tourist CenterCarteret CountyYes2Public0.23
Bogue Sound- Canal Leading to Moonlite BayCarteret CountyYes2Public0.65
Bogue Sound- E Side of Mouth of Gales CreekCarteret CountyYes2Public0.26
Bogue Sound- Goose Creek, Off CampgroundCarteret CountyYes2Public0.16
Bogue Sound- W Salter Path, ~200 Yds Off of Wam Squam LnCarteret CountyYes2Public2.99
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