Our Wrightsville Beach Oceanfront Hotels guide will provide you with everything you need to plan your stay in Wrightsville Beach. Wrightsville Beach is home to five miles of wide, sandy beaches, beautiful crystal blue water, and stunning views surrounding the island. Wrightsville Beach is located in Southeastern North Carolina, and will make the ultimate family vacation destination. Activities range from fishing to paddle boarding, surfing or just relaxing on the beach. Wrightsville offers activities for everyone. You can visit all the Best North Carolina Beaches here.
Wrightsville Beach Weather – When to Visit
The best times to visit Wrightsville Beach, is from March to May (temperatures from high 60s to low 80s by end of May) and September to November (temperatures from high 80s to low 60s by end of November) when room rates and temperatures drop from their summertime highs. The months between June and August are considered high season, when vacationers descend on the city and nearby beaches. The winter months of December, January and February (temperatures from high 50s to low 60s) are characterized by cold weather and a deserted city.
Wrightsville Beach
There is plenty of water sports and outdoor activities at Wrightsville Beach. This is North Carolina’s most accessible beach located just 8.5 miles from Wilmington.
Rated top surfing towns in the world by National Geographic, enjoy the world-class waves with a surf lesson or SUP tour. Take out a sailboat on the Intracoastal Waterway, jog “The Loop” fitness trail or discover wildlife on Masonboro Island. Fish on Johnnie Mercers Pier, take a fishing charter or go on a scenic cruise. There’s is plenty to do at Wrightsville Beach.
Best Wrightsville Beach Tours & Activities by Viator
Sunset Sail Tour from Wrightsville Beach
Cruise through the waters of Wrightsville Beach aboard a 42-foot (13-meter) yacht during this small-group coastal sailing adventure. Enjoy scenic views of the surrounding waterways and barrier islands, and catch a glimpse of marine life. Soft drinks, juice, bottled water, and light refreshments are provided on board the boat. Plus, choose from morning, afternoon, or sunset cruises to best suit your schedule. Learn more about the Sunset Sail Tour.
Wrightsville Beach Fishing Trips
Let Capt. Jennings Rose of North State Guide Service take you to fish and explore the water around Wrightsville Beach! We are dedicated to ensuring you have a excellent experience on the water. Fishing trips, family outings, scenic cruises and dolphin tours; we’ve got you covered! Over 10 years of professional guiding experience. Learn more about the Wrightsville Beach Fishing Trips.
Afternoon Sail
Take a 2.0 hour sailing cruise on a Sparkman and Stephens Sailing Yacht. With your small-group, engage on this classic 42 ft yacht, that accommodates a 6 passenger maximum for an intimate cruise through the waters of Wrightsville Beach. This tour is a spectacular way to see the waterways, barrier islands, and marine life surrounding Wrightsville Beach in North Carolina. Learn more about the Afternoon Sail.
Private Charter
The captain works with the guest to design a custom outing based on his 30 years of cruising experience in the local area. With knowledge of the local sea conditions and coastal ecology. you build a custom experience. Learn more about the Private Charter.
Best Wrightsville Beach Restaurants
Tower 7 Baja Mexican Grill $11 – 30
Baja Fish Tacos, Prickly Pear Margaritas and specials all week long. Tower 7 Baja Mexican Grill offers fresh Mexican Cuisine with a local twist. Also good for vegetarians and those who keep a gluten free diet. Telephone: 910-256-8585 Web: Tower 7 Baja Mexican Grill
The Bridge Tender $11 – 30
At the foot of the Wrightsville Beach Draw Bridge is a restaurant well known to locals – the Bridge Tender Restaurant! They have a great patio with huge bay windows for those looking to sit inside and still enjoy the view. Telephone: 910-256-4519 Web: The Bridge Tender
South Beach Grill $11 – 30
Get a taste of good old Southern comfort at the South Beach Grill. They serve up local food with a Southern twist. Their crispy Southern Fried Pickles are a must-eat appetizer! Telephone: 910-256-4646 Web: South Beach Grill
Poe’s Tavern $11 – 30
House-ground Angus beef makes for the perfect burger at Poe’s Tavern. Enjoy with their hand-cut french fries and a craft beer and you’ll go back again and again. Their huge selection of craft beer rotates on a regular basis, so you’re sure to find something you love. Telephone: 910-509-2739 Web: Poe’s Tavern
Bluewater Waterfront Grill $11 – 30
Enjoy Carolina coastal cuisine at its finest at Bluewater Waterfront Grill. They have a great outdoor patio and offer a summer music series so you can enjoy a delicious meal with local music. Telephone: 910-256-8500 Web: Bluewater Waterfront Grill
Best Wrightsville Beach Nightlife
Blockade Runner Lounge
The poolside bar offers guests a covered area to enjoy the salt air, while the modern glass-encased lounge inside the hotel offers visitors a garden lawn view and a glimpse of the beach’s horizon. Telephone: 866-884-5781 Web: Blockade Runner Lounge
22 North
An array of menu items awaits you at 22 North on North Lumina Avenue and for late night, a pool table and booth seating offers guests a chance to relax and enjoy life at the beach. Telephone: 910-509-0177 Web: 22 North
Gabby’s Lounge at the Holiday Inn SunSpree
One of the lounges located within the hotel, open from late morning until… Live entertainment is featured on the weekends and outdoor seating is available. Telephone: 910-256-2231 Web: Gabby’s Lounge at the Holiday Inn SunSpree
Jerry Allen’s Sports Bar and Grill
To catch up on all the games you missed while lounging seaside and catch a quick bite to eat, pop over to Jerry Allen’s Sports Bar and Grill. The tantalizing treats off the late night menu are served until they close up shop at 2 a.m. Telephone: 910-256-8286 Web: Jerry Allen’s Sports Bar & Grill
King Neptune’s Pirate Lounge
The lounge at King Neptune’s offers visitors a peek into the life of a pirate. With Jolly Rogers flags and pirate memorabilia mounted on every inch of the walls. Telephone: 910-333-6688 Web: King Neptune’s Pirate Lounge
Best Wrightsville Beach Oceanfront Hotels
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March through May and September through early November are usually some of the best times to visit because the weather stays warm and pleasant while the summer crowds begin to thin out. Early fall is especially nice since the ocean is still warm enough for swimming, boating, and paddleboarding, although the beach often feels much more relaxed than during peak summer weeks.
I had no idea Wrightsville Beach had this much to offer! Five miles of wide sand, surfing, sunsets, fishing, even scenic cruises—this sounds like the perfect beach town for both families and couples. The weather breakdown was super helpful too, because I always wondered if visiting outside of summer was worth it. After reading this, I’m thinking a late-spring trip might be ideal!
I’m so glad the guide helped! Late spring really is one of the best times to visit—warm enough for beach days, but without the summer crowds. Wrightsville has such a great mix of adventure and relaxation, so no matter what style of trip you love, it fits. If you ever want help narrowing down the best oceanfront hotels or choosing which activities to squeeze in, I’d be happy to help you map out the perfect getaway!
This post brought back memories—I visited Wrightsville Beach years ago, but I clearly didn’t explore enough! I had no clue about the Intracoastal Waterway sailing tours or the fact that it’s considered one of the top surfing towns in the world. Now I definitely want to return and try one of those yacht cruises you mentioned. Your restaurant list also looks fantastic… Tower 7’s prickly pear margarita sounds dangerous in the best way!
Love that it brought back good memories! A lot of people miss the sailing and SUP options on their first trip—it’s one of the things that makes Wrightsville such a standout compared to other Carolina beaches. And yes, Tower 7 is always a hit! If you plan a return visit, let me know what kind of vibe you want—laid-back, active, romantic—and I can help you pick the best hotel and activities so you don’t miss any of the good stuff this time around.
Wrightsville Beach sounds like such a fun and beautiful place to visit! I love that it’s close to Wilmington but still feels like a real beach getaway. Those sailing and fishing tours sound amazing, especially the sunset sail. Do you think it’s still nice to visit in late September, or does it start to get too cool by then?
That’s a wonderful time to go! Late September is actually one of the best months to visit Wrightsville Beach — the weather is still warm, the ocean feels great for swimming, and the summer crowds have mostly gone home. You’ll get gorgeous sunsets, quieter beaches, and lower hotel rates — a perfect combo for a relaxing coastal escape.
Wrightsville Beach sounds like such a perfect coastal escape — beautiful water, great restaurants, and just the right mix of activity and relaxation. I love that you can go from paddle boarding and sailing to live music and waterfront dining all in one day. The Bluewater Waterfront Grill and that sunset sail both sound amazing! For a first-time visitor, would you recommend staying right on the beach or near the Intracoastal Waterway to be close to the restaurants and tours?
Thank you! You summed up Wrightsville Beach perfectly — it really does offer the best of both worlds. For your first visit, I’d recommend staying oceanfront if you want those easy beach days and gorgeous sunrise views — nothing beats walking straight from your hotel onto the sand. But if you enjoy dining, boating, or evening strolls by the docks, a spot near the Intracoastal Waterway (like around The Bridge Tender or Bluewater Waterfront Grill) is ideal. Either way, everything is close by, so you can easily enjoy both the beach and the lively waterfront scene!
Wrightsville Beach looks like such a fun spot! I love that it has both relaxing beaches and active things like paddle boarding and surfing. Do you think it’s better to visit in spring or fall if you want fewer crowds but still warm weather?
Great question! Both spring and fall are perfect times for Wrightsville Beach if you want to avoid the heavy summer crowds. Spring gives you fresh, sunny days with temps warming into the 70s, while fall has that cozy beach vibe with warm water lingering from summer. Personally, I love early fall when the ocean is still warm and the beaches feel more laid-back. Do you usually plan your trips around water temps or just overall atmosphere?
This guide is perfect! I’ve been planning a trip to Wrightsville Beach for next summer, and this really helped narrow things down. The mix of hotel options, restaurants, and local bars sounds amazing. I love that it’s close to Wilmington too. If I want an oceanfront hotel that’s also walkable to restaurants and nightlife, which one would you recommend?
Thank you! Wrightsville Beach is such a fantastic mix of relaxation and coastal fun, and being close to Wilmington makes it even better. If you want to stay right on the ocean but still be near great food and nightlife, I’d recommend the Blockade Runner Beach Resort. It’s beachfront, beautifully designed, and just a short stroll to spots like Tower 7 Baja Grill and 22 North for dinner and cocktails. The Holiday Inn Resort is another great pick — ocean views, a lively pool bar, and easy access to both the beach and the main strip.