Visitors are often surprised at the number and variety of weekly vacation rentals throughout the area.. Vacation rentals are, in fact, an increasingly popular accommodation available to vacationers, and visitors will find that the sheer number of rentals available allows them to find an ideal retreat to fit their crew, from quiet condo complexes to brightly colored oceanfront sand castles.

Wrightsville Beach is one of the Cape Fear’s most popular destinations for fans of sand, salt and sun. Located just east of Wilmington, this hopping beach town is a Mecca for surfers, surf fishermen, beachcombers, and anyone who enjoys relaxing along the oceanfront. When it comes to visiting this enticing area, beach-goers should note that the town has a number of beach guidelines that cover everything from parking to pets. So before you go, be sure and brush up on these rules, regulations, and safety tips which will ensure everyone in your party has a sunny time while on the sand.

Because of Wrightsville Beach’s longstanding status as a popular beach town, as well as its proximity to historic sites like Fort Fisher and Downtown Wilmington, the area is the perfect spot to add a little learning to a traditional beach vacation. Check out these destinations, museums, and veritable natural playgrounds where garnering a little education is a breeze, and is always a fun and exciting way to fully explore the Cape Fear area.

Umbrellas and canopies create shade, lower ambient temperatures and block UV rays on hot, sunny Summer days. Sitting under the canopy of a quality beach umbrella can make the difference between comfort and sweltering. When choosing an umbrella, we look for durability, wind ratings, weight and size.

One of the most common questions from new visitors to Wrightsville Beach is “Where can I find shells?” And while Wrightsville Beach can have decent shelling conditions, a little planning and timing may be required to find the true treasures that wash up on this section of the North Carolina coastline. Visitors who love beachcombing, however, will find ample options for catching a ride to the best shelling spots, or increasing their chances of finding a prize-worthy shell or two close to home. So bring along your bags and your sense of adventure on your next Wrightsville Beach vacation, and try your hand at uncovering some of the best souvenirs that Atlantic Ocean has to offer.

Little Lollipop Bay is a small oval-shaped bay that lies just north of the US 74 / Wrightsville Beach Bridge. The small enclosure of water, surrounded by vacation rental homes with private docks and fishing piers, is a popular launching point for novice kayakers, windsurfers and kiteboarders who want to enjoy a quick paddle in a safe location, or experienced boaters who want a fast way to head out to the deserted, and barely-above-water islands in between Wilmington and Wrightsville Beach.

For families travelling to the beach, or fishermen carrying tackle/coolers, a beach cart can be the best purchase of your vacation. These carts feature extra-wide wheels to move across soft sand, even when loaded. Carts are often built for specific scenarios, so think about the gear you’d be putting on your cart before making a decision.

Once you have your coastal recreational fishing license in hand, it’s time to start thinking about gear. Anglers will find tons of options when it comes to equipment for casting into the surf, from custom designed rods and reels at local tackle shops, to name brand varieties that are designed for multiple areas along the coastline. Here are just a few of the most popular gear options for surf fishermen. Keep in mind that there are endless options available, and your local bait and tackle store staff will be happy to point you in the right direction if you have any questions about what you’ll need for successful surf fishing in any given area along the North Carolina coastline.

With an on-site museum and a local population that has been enjoying the sun and fun for generations, Wrightsville Beach is unique in that it’s a coastal vacation destination that truly celebrates its history. Originally home to one of the most iconic pavilions along the shoreline, and famed in visitors’ circles since the late 19th century, there’s more than meets the eye when it comes to Wrightsville Beach’s roots.

Visitors who want to spend a chunk of their vacation dropping a line will find plenty of opportunities to go fishing in Wrightsville Beach. Surrounded by water, home to numerous charter businesses, and featuring roughly four miles of beaches, fishing is easily one of this coastal town’s most popular activities. On your next vacation, spend a day at the beach or at Johnnie Mercer's Pier, or head out to the outlying shipwrecks on an offshore charter trip to target the big catches – regardless of your angling ambitions, Wrightsville Beach has every fishing adventure covered, and then some.

While Wrightsville Beach has a collection of hotels and motels, the primary type of accommodations in this region are vacation rentals. There are literally hundreds of vacation rentals in the town of Wrightsville Beach, which are scattered throughout the landscape and are found along the oceanfront, soundfront, and in between waterfront regions in the interior section of the island. Because of the sheer geography of this skinny barrier island, guests in vacation rentals will never be far from the town’s top attractions, which include the local beaches, the waterfront boasting, fishing, and paddling scenes, and the variety of shops and restaurants that are found throughout the area.

The coastline of North Carolina is unique in that beach-goers have ample opportunities to explore the shoreline from the comfort and convenience of a 4WD vehicle. From the northern Outer Banks along the Virginia state border to the sunny beach towns that border Wilmington, visitors will find that there are plenty of options when it comes to cruising the coast.