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Beaches in North Carolina

43 beaches in North Carolina with photography planning data — sunrise and sunset azimuths, golden hour by month, Milky Way windows and estimated sky darkness. Dare County has the most (17). The darkest skies are at Beach Access Ramp 34 (Seasonal) (Bortle 2).

Top beaches

Coquina BeachBeach
Coquina BeachDare County
Beach
Onslow BeachOnslow County
Beach
Beach Access Ramp 1Dare County
Beach
Beach Access Ramp 2Dare County
Beach
Beach Access Ramp 23 (Seasonal)Dare County
Beach
Beach Access Ramp 25Dare County
Beach
Beach Access Ramp 27Dare County
Beach
Beach Access Ramp 30Dare County
Beach
Beach Access Ramp 32Dare County
Beach
Beach Access Ramp 34 (Seasonal)Dare County
Beach
Beach Access Ramp 38 (Seasonal)Dare County
Beach
Beach Access Ramp 4Dare County

Beaches by county

All beaches (43)

NameCountyElevationNearest townSky
Coquina BeachCape HatterasDare County1 mWanchese2
Onslow BeachOnslow County—Sneads Ferry3
Beach Access Ramp 1Cape HatterasDare County—Wanchese2
Beach Access Ramp 2Cape HatterasDare County—Wanchese2
Beach Access Ramp 23 (Seasonal)Cape HatterasDare County—Buxton2
Beach Access Ramp 25Cape HatterasDare County—Buxton2
Beach Access Ramp 27Cape HatterasDare County—Buxton2
Beach Access Ramp 30Cape HatterasDare County—Buxton2
Beach Access Ramp 32Cape HatterasDare County—Buxton2
Beach Access Ramp 34 (Seasonal)Cape HatterasDare County—Buxton2
Beach Access Ramp 38 (Seasonal)Cape HatterasDare County—Buxton2
Beach Access Ramp 4Cape HatterasDare County—Wanchese2
Beach Access Ramp 43Cape HatterasDare County—Buxton1
Beach Access Ramp 44Cape HatterasDare County—Buxton1
Beach Access Ramp 48Cape HatterasDare County—Buxton1
Beach Access Ramp 49Cape HatterasDare County—Buxton2
Beach Access Ramp 55 (Seasonal)Cape HatterasDare County—Buxton2
Beach Access Ramp 59Cape HatterasDare County—Buxton2
Beach Access Ramp 67Cape HatterasHyde County—Buxton2
Beach Access Ramp 68 (Seasonal)Cape HatterasHyde County—Buxton2
Beach Access Ramp 70Cape HatterasHyde County—Buxton2
Beach Access Ramp 72Cape HatterasHyde County—Buxton2
Bald BeachBrunswick County2 mSunset Beach5
Bare Sand BeachCarteret County3 mHarkers Island2
Bay BeachBrunswick County1 mSouthport3
Bible ShoreBeaufort County1 mBelhaven2
Big BeachBrunswick County3 mShallotte3
Caswell BeachBrunswick County1 mSouthport4
Currituck BeachCurrituck County1 mSouthern Shores3
Deer Field ShoresCarteret County1 mBeaufort4
East BeachBrunswick County2 mSouthport3
Gatlin BeachCraven County1 mNew Bern4
Holden BeachBrunswick County1 mShallotte3
Indian BeachCarteret County3 mPine Knoll Shores3
Island View ShoresBeaufort County2 mBelhaven2
Kennel BeachPamlico County2 mNeuse Forest4
Long BeachBrunswick County2 mOak Island5
Norflick ShoreBeaufort County1 mBelhaven2
North Topsail ShoresOnslow County2 mSneads Ferry3
Ocean Isle BeachBrunswick County1 mSunset Beach3
Old House BeachCarteret County1 mHarkers Island2
Pine Bush BeachLenoir County9 mLa Grange3
Pine Knoll ShoresCarteret County2 mPine Knoll Shores4

Sky = estimated Bortle class (1 darkest – 9 brightest).

Map

How to photograph beaches

Beaches facing east suit sunrise and west-facing beaches suit sunset; wet sand mirrors the sky color during golden hour.

  • Time visits around low tide to reveal tide pools, sea stacks and reflective sand — check the tide widget below.
  • Slow shutter speeds (0.5–2 s) turn receding waves into streaks that lead toward the horizon.
  • Watch for sneaker waves; never turn your back on the ocean on exposed coasts.
  • Salt spray coats lenses quickly; wipe often and rinse gear afterward.
  • Fog and marine layers can make minimalist images; don't give up on grey days.

Season: Winter storms bring dramatic surf on Pacific coasts; summer and autumn sunsets are popular on Atlantic and Gulf beaches.