Trip Report

We just returned two days ago from a one week visit to Carolina Beach and our family of four had a wonderful time. It was our first visit to the area and after reading some of the posts on this forum I was nervous about what we would find when we arrived. We were very pleasantly surprised to find a very clean family beach with sunny skies and warm waters. The ocean was just beautiful and we spent hours at the beach every day of our vacation. There was just enough wind off the ocean to keep the heat at bay, and the waves were so much fun for our kids to play in. They collected sea shells, played in the sand and spent our last morning digging up tiny baby clams (about 50 by the time we stopped counting).

We spent an afternoon at the North Carolina Aquarium at Kure Beach and I highly recommend a visit there. The facility was absolutely wonderful and the fish were displayed so beautifully. We were able to touch the baby stingrays, feed the horseshoe crabs and sea anemone, and saw a dive show in the two-story aquarium filled with hundreds of stunning fish (including sharks, stingrays and eels). The jellyfish tanks were by far the highlight of the day.

We also took the ferry to Southport, which was a real treat for our kids as they had never been on a ferry before. Southport is a beautiful little town reminiscent of Cape Cod and we stopped in a few very nice antique shops. At $5.00 a carload, the ferry is a fun, inexpensive outing for the whole family.

We played Jungle Mini Golf one afternoon and I have to say it was the most beautiful miniature golf course I have ever seen. If you have mini golf fans in the family, definitely check out this course on the main road in Carolina Beach. We also spent a few hours at the Arcade on the Kure Beach pier and our kids had a blast. The gentleman behind the counter was quite generous with tokens and extra prize tickets, and our kids came away with a bunch of loot to show for our $10.00 investment!

On our last day we visited Wilmington and strolled the art festival that was taking place near the river. We also made a stop at the Railroad Museum, which our train-enthusiast kids just loved.

By far the best part of our trip was the beach. My husband and I visit Miami Beach frequently and while the beach there is beautiful in a completely different way, I have to say I found Carolina Beach more inviting. There is something very welcoming about the ocean at Carolina Beach and I didn%26#39;t hesitate to go into the water, whereas in Miami I never feel comfortable enough to do more than dip my toes in.

All in all it was a great vacation and we will very likely go back to Carolina Beach next year. My only disappointment was that our beachfront condo was on the first floor, which put us eye level with the small dune that runs along the beach. We could see the water, but not the actual beach. Next time I%26#39;ll rent a second or third floor condo so that we have a complete view of the beach.

Trip Report

maya, your trip sounds very similar to the ones that my family has had there. Always a wonderful vacation! We go to the Aquarium and do the ferry ride also. Did you happen to go to the Kure Beach Pier. If not, be sure to next time. The kids will love it!

Great report. Thanks!!

Trip Report

Yes, we did visit the Kure Beach pier. We came across an adorable pelican who probably would have let the kids pet him! He sat about two feet away from us and was very patient while we took his picture. We loved the pier!

I just returned from Carolina Beach. We stayed at the Golden Sands. It was a very nice place. We did most the same things you guys did on your trip.

Carolina Beach is not has nice as Nags Head or Kill Devil Hills in my opinion, but its still a nice to place to visit and vacation.

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