Carolina Beach: A True Southern Seaside Town

In response to an article titled Why You Should Visit Carolina Beach.

For some, Carolina Beach is a traditional summer getaway spot. For others, like myself, it was home. Like Heather's article shares, "Pleasure Island", as Carolina Beach is called, has many wonderful tourist attractions providing hours of fun for children and adults.

Each Thursday night during the summer months, the town of Carolina Beach has a fireworks display at 9pm over the ocean. They are shot from the Boardwalk, but can be seen from the North End (now referred to as Freeman Park) and Fort Fisher. Also along the Boardwalk is an arcade, bars, restaurants, and Britt's Donuts. Fresh, hot doughnuts from Britt's are the BEST you will find anywhere!

The North End is by far my favorite hangout during the warm months. I can pay $40 for a year's permit to drive my 4Runner out onto the beach, which is located at the Northern end of the island. For visitors, you can pay $10 at the gate for each time you drive out there. I love being able to park my SUV right on the water and have my chairs, lotions, hats, coolers, surfing stuff, etc. right there with me. I don't have to lug them around and over dunes. As Heather said, on Memorial Day and Labor Day, it's bumper to bumper - well, more like door to door with others. It's a pain in the rear trying to find parking out there those 2 days, but it's still a lot of fun to watch everyone, camp out, and join in on a few parties.

There are some amazing restaurants to eat at on Pleasure Island. The Deck House was a church that has been turned into a restaurant. They have excellent, delicious yellow fin tuna steaks, steaks, other seafood platters, and fresh salads. Subway is popular on the island if you like to eat a little bit healthier, but enjoy a fast food meal. A&G's has tasty southern bar-b-que and chicken with all the fixings available for eat-in or take-out. Bowman's has outstanding cheeseburgers! They also serve other American favorites as well as BBQ, seafood, and steaks.

Fishing is the way of life of many Carolina Beach people. If you get a chance, take a charter boat out to catch some smokers! We fish out of Carolina Beach and target Mahi, King Mackerel, Spanish Mackerel, Bonito, False Albacore, Amberjack, and Grouper. There are tons of shipwrecks and artificial reefs which hold a myriad of sport-fish species. If you go to the Gulf Stream (60-75 miles offshore), you can get Wahoo, Tuna, Billfish, and bigger Mahi.

I love to sit at the Marina and watch the fish as they are brought in at the end of the day. I also enjoy visiting the docks to watch people as the launch and load their boats. Every single day I walk away with a funny story to share with others. For instance, one evening I was there, a lady was backing a 26' boat down the ramp, and the boat started sliding off the trailer way before the waterline. Other times, I've seen husbands and wives arguing over how to load the boat. And, occasionally, you'll see people leave their outboard motors down and hear them drag across the ramp as they haul it out.

The residents of Carolina Beach are very "down-home" and simple. That way of life rubs off onto the environment and can be seen in the surroundings and businesses. Homes are not overly extravagant like at Hilton Head or Wrightsville Beach, but they are still beachy nonetheless. Lately, however, there has been talk and beginnings of a new development called Arcadius that is supposed to "liven-up" the quiet beach town. It's a very modern condo-like tower which is selling units at around $450K.

Kids will love coming to Carolina Beach. There is always surf here, so body boards and surfboards are a must. When the children aren't begging to go out in the water, take them to the Aquarium to see all the beautiful fish of the sea. Or, you can take them to the Lake to play on the playground or take a paddle boat around the water.

Carolina Beach is conveniently located not more than 15 minutes from Wilmington. If you want to go shopping and visit the mall, or see the historical sites Downtown, you won't have to drive very far.

I would recommend everyone to Carolina Beach! There isn't a lot of traffic or busy-ness like Myrtle Beach, so it's quiet and relaxed. I, for one, plan on being there for many, many years to come!