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The key IS getting there early & also being organized. Because we live over 2 hours from the closest beaches you need to work a little harder - prepare a little better and do a little more heavy lifting if you expect to pull up and find a spot. I also do mostly day trips too and head to Wrightsville Beach most of the time.
My routine is to be ready the night before. I get my car packed, cooler packed, gas topped off - essentially anything you want to bring and get it in the car. I have ice ready to pour in cooler just before I leave. I also fill a big 5 gallon water cooler with fresh water and put in car to use to rinse off in the event you need to wash off sandy feet, get the salt water out of your hair, etc. (Immediate access to a shower and/or hose is not always possible depending on where you park)
This "readiness" makes ALL the difference. Leaving anything for the next morning can derail you and because I leave typically between 6-6:30am, even a 30 minute delay can cost you the parking you want.
When all that is ready, it makes leaving early the next morning a breeze. Wake up, put on bathing suit, grab a cup of coffee and hit the road.
If you get there between 8-8:30, you will find parking. (At least in my experience) I prefer a lot that is past the Holiday Inn Resort that is "L" shaped and has a shower, bathrooms, changing stalls and a hose. If that is full, I like the lot right next to the Holiday Inn. I always but the all day parking pass.
From that point, because I am there early, I don't feel rushed and can ease into the day, enjoy the beach, pour a few beverages, hit the water, etc.
When I'm done, if in the preferred lot, I can shower/rinse off and change into dry clothes. (I always back a back with dry clothes because there is nothing worse than a long drive back in wet clothes while sitting on wet towels and sand, etc) If the preferred lot is full and I had to park elsewhere, I go back to that lot with the showers on the way out. Often, I find a spot. (Your original parking pass covers all lots) If I don't find a spot, I quickly pull up to the back where the showers are, rinse off quick and change quick.
From there, depending on the time and how I feel, we will often stop somewhere for an early dinner or just some appetizers and a cocktail before heading back to the Triangle. This is one of the best parts of the day - your sun-soaked, in dry clothes, had a great beach day and can now just relax.
It can make for a long day but leaving early and being ready to leave early is the key and sets up the whole day.
This sounds like my ideal day trip to the beach. The part that always gets me is my tendency to nod off as soon as the air conditioned air hits my face when I get up to speed on I-40, need to build some nap time into the trip home. This is made even worse if my belly is full of seafood before I leave Wrightsville.
At Wrightsville on the weekends, the key is getting there early. No later than 10. On HOLIDAY weekends, I'd aim for between 8 and 9.
On weekdays there is always street parking pretty much all day.
I also suggest hitting the south end of the island versus the north end where most people seem to gravitate.
Looks like this thread is several years old, and conditions are likely worse, as they seem to have been along the whole of Brunswick County during the summer of 2016. Hope they will thin out a bit next year, 'cause I'm not ready to move just yet.
Any nominations for least crowded beach in Southern NC? I know the southern Outer Banks used to be pretty good for elbow room. Any other nominations? Portsmouth island doesn't count - accessibility is the issue there, since it's a true island.
I know the southern Outer Banks used to be pretty good for elbow room.
Still good for elbow room. When we go to the Outer Banks we stay in the Frisco area and I don't find it crowded at all.
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When we go to the Outer Banks we stay in the Frisco area and I don't find it crowded at all.
