About the Town . . . For many visitors, this timeless beach town exemplifies the classic summer playgrounds of years gone by. It's no accident Carolina Beach is situated on a spot of land called Pleasure Island which it shares with Kure Beach to the south. It's all here: the fishing piers filled with kids angling for their first big one and old-timers looking for another one. The boardwalk is perfect for evening strolls and ice cream cones. And no one can forget Britt's Donuts - a Carolina Beach icon. The arcades are as challenging and addictive as when you were a teenager. The gazebo, paddleboats on the lake and miniature golf remind you of days gone by. And of course the big attraction is the clean, uncrowded ribbon of beach by the warm ocean waters. In addition to its nostalgic charm there's a state park full of coastal vegetation (think Venus Flytrap!), fine locally owned restaurants, and shopping for everything from sunglasses to surfboards to area souvenirs. In addition to the many lovely homes and condos already here, more new homes, condos, restaurants, and a new Hilton Garden Inn soon to be under construction on the ocean front are coming to the community. There are more plans for renovation of the central business district, which should continue to enhance the town's image in a positive way. Come down and see the "new" Carolina Beach boardwalk. A committee of residents is taking an active interest in revitalizing and beautifying it. As we grow, we are more and more a year round town with a new Harris Teeter food store just six miles north. The Monkey Junction area is growing by leaps and bounds with a new Home Depot and other new stores. Come down and look us over. Climate . . . Carolina Beach has a humid, subtropical climate. Winters are cool with daytime temperatures generally in the 50s and 60s. Night time temperatures are generally in the 30s and 40s, with occasional dips into the 20s. Spring and fall temperatures are generally in the 60s, 70s and low 80s. Heavy pollen is common in the spring. Humidity climbs late in the spring and is present throughout the summer and early fall. Summer is hot, with higher humidity and temperatures in the 80s and 90s. Summer and early fall can bring tropical cyclones (hurricanes) at an average of once every 7 years. Recreation and Entertainment . . . The Carolina Beach Parks and Recreation Department operates and maintains a large recreation center with a basketball court and complete workout facilities. The city also maintains a softball and soccer park which includes a community skateboard facility. There is also an open air theatre near the Carolina Beach Lake which hosts outdoor movies and community activities. The gazebo on the boardwalk hosts musical entertainment on weekends and holidays beginning in the spring and extending into the fall. Weekly fireworks displays are conducted on the waterfront at the boardwalk. Nearby activities include the Carolina Beach State Park, The Fort Fisher Aquarium and the Fort Fisher State Park. The Carolina Beach State Park provides camping, hiking, nature trails with supervised tours, a marina with Cape Fear River access to riverside beaches for fishing. The Fort Fisher Aquarium is one of 3 North Carolina-maintained facilities and recently underwent a $17 million dollar renovation - don't miss it. The Fort Fisher State Park includes a Civil War Museum and a state operated beach recreation center. Carolina Beach is bordered on the North by Snow's Cut and the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, on the west by the Cape Fear River and on the east by the Atlantic Ocean. Just 15 miles southeast of Wilmington, Carolina Beach is one of three Atlantic Ocean beaches near Wilmington, and it's one of the great beaches in all of southeastern North Carolina.
A small, year round community, Carolina Beach has a thriving central business district, several distinct residential areas, a large commercial marina and charter boat basin and several private marinas, together which are home to offshore fishing excursions and nightly party cruises. There are a number of excellent restaurants serving almost every variety of food as well as numerous shops and stores. Be sure to visit world famous Britt's Donuts on the Boardwalk for a treat you will always remember. They are open 7 days a week from Easter to Labor Day and weekends until Thanksgiving. |