VOTE NOW: Several Wilmington-area beaches competing for state's favorite beach
Beach season has official started in Southeastern North Carolina, which is home to more than 300 miles of barrier island beaches.
Several Wilmington-area beaches are in the running for top beach in North Carolina for USA TODAY 10Best Readers' Choice 2024.
Nominees are submitted by a panel of experts and 10Best editors narrowed the field to select the final set of nominees. Vote once per day at https://10best.usatoday.com/awards/travel/best-beach-in-north-carolina-2024/. Voting ends Monday, May 20 at noon. The top 10 will be announced on Wednesday, May 29.
There were 20 nominees with nine of the beaches in the Wilmington area.
Carolina Beach
Describe as laid-back and down-to-earth beach vacation on the Atlantic coast. The vintage Carolina Beach Boardwalk is lined with shops, restaurants, bars, a seaside amusement park and home to Britt's Donut Shop, which opened in 1939. Visitors can also enjoy fishing, diving, surfing, paddleboarding and kayaking.
Holden Beach
The main attraction in this restful, quiet and small town in Brunswick County is nine miles of oceanfront. Golfing is also a very popular hobby, and it is also home to Holden Beach Turtle Watch program.
Kure Beach
This small beach town, part of Pleasure Island in New Hanover County, is bursting with picturesque landscapes. Kure Beach Pier, which is 101 years old, is the town's long-standing fishing pier.
Oak Island
Visitors to this Brunswick County beach can enjoy magnificent views of both the sunrise and sunset over the ocean, all from the same stretch of sand. Popular activities include fishing, kayaking and golfing. If you love wildlife, you can visit the Oak Island Nature Center to spot native birds and mammals.
Ocean Isle Beach
Another Brunswick beach that made the top 10 is Ocean Isle Beach. Visitors may spot dolphins and sea turtles on shore. Ocean Isle is home to the Museum of Coastal Carolina, which provides insight into the biology of the region's native marine creatures.
Sunset Beach
Boardwalks or high rises at Sunset Beach are not to be found, but beachgoers can enjoy the seemingly endless stretch of sand and can leave a note at the Kindred Spirit Mailbox. Also, as its name suggest, visitors most likely can watch the sunset from the south-facing beach.
Surf City
One of three towns on Topsail Island, Surf City showcases the picturesque beauty of the North Carolina coast at its best. Visitors in between trips to the beach can take advantage of the many restaurants scattered along the shore. And the Topsail Touch Tank Aquarium is the perfect attraction for any marine biology aficionados.
Topsail Beach
Topsail Beach, located in Pender County, is a tranquil destination. However, legend once stated it was frequented by pirates, with the infamous Blackbeard once having prowled the surrounding area. Visitors can relax along the water or enjoy surfing, swimming or fishing.
Wrightsville Beach
Wrightsville Beach, located in New Hanover County, offers an idyllic escape to enjoy the iconic Johnnie Mercers Fishing Pier, along with its soft, sandy shoreline. Wrightsville Beach also is a top spot for "Dawson's Creek" fans as it was a prominent filming location during the TV show's run.
Other NC beaches
Other beaches that are nominated include Atlantic Beach, Cape Lookout National Seashore, Carova Beach, Corolla, Duck, Indian Beach, Kill Devil Hills, Kitty Hawk, Nags Head, Ocracoke Beach and Old Lighthouse Beach.
This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Several beaches around Wilmington competing for NC's favorite beach
