We are often asked, “Which end of the beach is the best?” Of course, our answer is “Both ends and everywhere in between!” The mid-section of the island and blocks that extend towards the south end are often viewed as where the action is. It is true, that the area along Lumina Avenue and Waynick Boulevard is a hub of activity. Here is where to find shops and restaurants, and the island’s only grocery store. In just one block, it is possible to grab lunch, stock up on sunscreen, replace your worn out flip flops or board shorts and come back later for a fabulous dinner, cold beer or irresistible cone of homemade ice cream. Those blocks also encompass a stretch of everyone’s favorite place to exercise, see and be seen: The Loop. The ever-changing backdrop provided by the boaters, sailors and stand-up paddle boarders along Banks Channel is also a great source of free entertainment.
Then there are those who regard the beach as a place to get away from the hustle and bustle of the daily routine. They only want to park the car, unload the groceries, and immerse themselves in the natural beauty of Wrightsville Beach. One of the best spots for accomplishing this is the north end of the island. Aside from the Holiday Inn SunSpree Resort and the Shell Island Resort, there is no commercial activity. Larger homes with lovingly landscaped yards also give this area more of a traditional neighborhood feel.
On a clear, Carolina blue sky day, the beach strand at the north end of Wrightsville Beach offers unparalleled views of Figure Eight and Topsail Island. This is also where savvy seashell collectors come to see what bounty Mason’s Inlet and the Atlantic have delivered overnight. Like the rest of Wrightsville, the pristine ocean water provides hours of enjoyment for those who like to swim, fish, surf, skim board, SUP, or just wade along the water’s edge. Of course, since it is far from the crowds, it is also one of the best places to catch up on your summer reading.
Naturalists and bird watchers have been flocking to the north end for years. Although the beach side is gorgeous, the north end’s vast expanse of marsh grass that extends towards the Intracoastal Waterway is breathtaking in its own right. Here is the site of the 300-acre Mason Inlet Waterbird Management Area. Although it is a designated protected nesting site, lucky visitors have several excellent vantage points from which to observe shorebirds in their natural habitat. There is also path that starts at the informational kiosk and directs visitors across the dunes to the beach. According to the N.C. Birding Trail website, “Along the way visitors will see typical barrier island dune and swale plants in their natural setting. During summer, colonial waterbirds and shorebirds nest within the dunes and forage along the inlet shoreline.”
Are you curious about the Mason Inlet bird sanctuary? Here is more information:
http://ncbirdingtrail.org/sites/2012/8/1/mason-inlet-waterbird-management-area.html
Evenings at the north end are exceptional-here is where the sea meets the sky and there’s nothing like it! It is the perfect place for a full moon picnic…or if that requires too much effort-no worries. There’s no need to drive into town. Both the Shell Island Resort and the Holiday Inn SunSpree have outstanding full-service restaurants, and from the north end-they’re within walking distance.
If life at the north end sounds appealing, there are multiple listings to choose from, plus units for sale in a number of condo communities. Here are a few current listings for properties located at the north end of Wrightsville Beach:
- Beautiful 2-story soundfront cottage
- A real gem, 4-story, coastal contemporary
- Wrightsville Dunes, Sterling edition condo, oceanfront
- Luxury condo at Duneridge
These are just a handful of listings! In addition to Wrightsville Beach, we also have properties in several surrounding coastal communities, including Figure Eight Island. Click here to see more: https://hardeehuntandwilliams.com/listings/PropListings.asp