We are doing a 10-12 day road trip out east with our 3 young teen kids in July and are hoping to add in a little beach time. We might go as far north as Wilmington, NC and all the way down to Savannah, GA.

Any beaches and/or towns to zero in on or avoid? We are just wanting to show them to get a feel for the Atlantic ocean side as opposed to the gulf or Pacific ocean that they've been to plenty of times.

Thanks for the advice.

Currently set up at the pier at Folly Beach getting some work done. I've been to a handful up and down the east coast and nothing really screamed avoid. You're not going to get Florida beaches but I'll take this any day of the week compared to Galveston. And it is about 10 minutes from my house.

Surfside Beach, SC is a good option if you're interested in more of a low rise, less busy experience. It's also just south of Myrtle Beach, so real easy to get up there for more food and entertainment options as a change of pace.

Savannah is a great place to visit, but not for the beach.

Also, if you do head as far north as Wilmington, I recommend Wrightsville Beach, which is east of Wilmington.

Isle of Palms outside of Mount Pleasant, SC has a great beach. I can't vouch for the parking situation though, as when I was there we were staying in an Airbnb within walking distance.

I loved our trip to Oak Island, NC back in 2020. I also loved Pawleys Island, SC but haven't been there since 2006.
I prefer the Atlantic over the Gulf.

Thank you guys for the info and recommendations. Appreciate it.

I live in NC, and this is probably too far out of the way for you, but the Outer Banks (will be there in couple weeks at Ocracoke island) is a whole different coastal experience. Highly recommend and only coastal area we will go to now.

Anyways, Wilmington is a cool town but busy beach area. You can go up and down from there and find similar but different beaches/coastal towns.

Second the Outer Banks recommendation if your plans allow. Really unique place.

We like Hunting Island State Park. Great beach, a lighthouse and a trail that felt like hiking through Gilligan's Island.

Things were clean and there was a well stocked store at the entrance of the campground.

What do you know about bald head island

Will be in Salvo for the week leading up to the 4th. Looking forward to it, would love any suggestions if you have them. Got a fishing charter booked out of Hatteras on 7/1, other than that we left the week pretty open. I rented a Jeep off Turo (coming in from RDU) so will have ability to get on 4x4 only areas. Definitely wanting to spend a day on Ocracoke.

Below is a post I did in 2022. If you search my user name under the travel forum and search for Ocracoke you will see my other posts as well too with some more info. Great that you have a 4x4...be sure to get the pass for them on the beaches ....just google for it and it will allow you to do online. They patrol those areas like a hawk and will ticket you if you don't have it or the proper vehicles. Get the one for Hatteras (which will include Ocracoke). The ferry to Ocracoke is at the southern end of Hatteras.





First, very northern (Corolla area) and Southern (Hatteras area) parts are more isolated and secluded. Our favorite parts. Kitty Hawk/Nags Head/Kill Devil Hills are the more commercial areas with the putt putts and such and in the middle of the OBX. Part of Highway 12 in Corolla is just beach. Down near Hatteras you will drive and the ocean is only about 100 yards from you on each side in parts. Lot's of undeveloped stretches of ocean and beaches.

Quick thoughts on what to do:

-See the wild horses while in Corolla area...couple very good tours that will take you to them. Below is the one we used and was great. Driving all on the beach in that area. Very cool IMO.

https://wildhorsetour.com/?utm_source=icwnet

-Get Duck Donuts in Duck (and other areas).

-See the lighthouses....Corrituck, Bodie, Hatteras, Ocracoke-see more below on Ocracoke. Those are from North to South--can do Manteo (Roanoke) one too if you want. That is near the Lost Colony mystery if you are into history as well)

https://www.outerbanks.com/lighthouses.html

-Wright museum/monument is a cool stop ...can walk their actual first flight path.

-Jockey's Ridge State Park in Nags Head....a huge dunes area. Can hang glide off of them.


May not be feasible time wise, but a day at Ocracoke Island. Best part of all of the OBX. This is where we only go and stay now. Almost a best kept secret. Have to take a 45 minute free ferry from Hatteras to it (and the lines can be long to get on). Quaint, small, and just it's own little magical island is the best way to put it. One of the top 5 ranked beaches in the US is there---no development and no crowds. Can see the Milky Way at night at the beaches just outside of "town". Also have 4x4 vehicle beaches as well, great restaurants, etc. No chains of anything, all local islander owned. Which is only like 300 people. Most people rent a golf cart or bikes to get around. Home of Blackbeard too, but no nightlife really.

https://www.visitocracokenc.com/

I'll post some pics/links later

Thank you, I had read your previous posts before but thanks for sharing again. We initially were looking for houses up on the northern end but found this one in Salvo and I'm excited to be on what I think will be the less busy/touristy end of the strip but I guess we'll find out!

Awesome, hope you have a great time! We will be in Ocracoke in 2 weeks for most of a week. Let me know if you want to know anything else or if I can help.

It's such a unique and different experience. Just driving highway 12 with sand blowing on it and parts where water is on both sides and only sand between you and the road is fun. If you are looking for seclusion, north and south like Hatteras are the way to go. On Ocracoke, you can hear a pin drop at 10:00 pm it seems. We will go to the beach and can't see any human or the presence for as far you can see (minus a few others that may do the same thing)

I really want to go to Ocracoke for a day. It's seven of us with two cars. What are the pro tips for a day there?

OP said he's not going north of Wilmimgton. Wrightsville is nice, but if you could score a place on Caswell Beach, it's amazing. More private.

Get to the ferry early as you can for when they start running. They will run I think 4 or more constantly and still can back up, especially if any of them break down. You might get right on, but I have seen 3 hr waits happen.

When you get off the ferry you will drive like 10 miles (it will be highway 12 again) that runs into the village/Silver Lake Marina. No developments on either side. You can stop and walk over a dune and have nothing but beaches and ocean.

Right before you get the village is the Lifeguarded Beach with a parking lot, bathrooms, etc. This is the highly rated beach area that you can access. So if you like the beach and no development and no crowds, this is the place to hang out. Even closer to town are 4x4 beaches...have your permit and go park on the beach.

Definitely go into the village and explore. They have one little general/grocery store right when you get in. Look on their visitor guide link and see the restaurants (all good), coffee shop, book store, lighthouse, shops, Blackbeard locations, etc. Walk around the Silver Lake marina and have a beverage or lunch right on the docks at SmackNallys. Get some fig cake. Again, it is a laid back, chill, no frills island.

Thanks, how early is early?