Carolina Beach Surfing

Ask any local, Carolina Beach, NC is one of the best beaches to learn to surf. During the summer months, the waves are small but consistent due to the natural gentle slope of the ocean floor along the coast. There are around 3 miles of coastline where approximately 20 lifeguards are stationed between Memorial Day and Labor Day so you are sure to be safe while surfing.

Before heading out to try your hand at surfing in Carolina Beach, let us help you learn more about the beach, where to find the best surfboard rentals, and who to turn to for the surfing lessons. We also have the best websites to use for surf forecasts and beach cams.

About Carolina Beach Surfing

As we said, the summer months provide the best surfing experience for newcomers and for those who enjoy longboarding with Carolina Beach’s small but consistent waves. The waves in Carolina Beach do tend to be larger during the spring and fall months.

If you are looking for more of a challenge, check out the waves near the Carolina Beach Fishing Pier, where most local competitions take place. Also, there is always a chance for a nice swell when storms are nearby during hurricane season or when a nor’easter passes offshore.

If you do plan on surfing in Carolina Beach during the offseason, we recommend bringing a full or spring wetsuit, depending on your acclimation to the cooler temperatures. The months with the coolest water temperatures are February and March averaging in the mid-50s. By mid to late Spring the water temperatures will jump to between 62° and 70° and reach 80° by August.

Carolina Beach Surf Reports & Webcams

The best online surf reports we have found are by Magic Seaweed. This site provides surfers with hourly and 7-day reports at no charge. (There is a Pro version that you can use for a membership fee which provides a 16-day forecast with other added features.) The free version is very in-depth, giving surfers a full surf forecast with tide schedules, surf height, winds, primary and secondary swells, weather, forecast probability, and more. There is also historical and seasonal information plus pictures of waves and other surfers in the area.

For the best webcams, we have two websites. Golden Sands Beach Resort has its own Carolina Beach webcam that can be viewed anytime with live footage of the beach just beyond the resort. Another great website is Surf Chex. This site has multiple webcams along Carolina Beach plus webcams on surrounding beaches and beyond.

Carolina Beach Surfboard & Wetsuit Rentals

Pleasure Island Rentals

The best-known Carolina Beach rental shop is Pleasure Island Rentals. This locally-owned rental shop has been serving the area for over 20 years providing not only surfboard and wetsuit rentals but also kayak, paddleboard, and beach gear rentals.

Surfboard rental prices at Pleasure Island range from $17 per day to $85 per week. They offer surfboards from 5’10” to 10’ in high-performance fiberglass, Bic Sport, and soft-top (this type is great for beginners). Wetsuit rental prices range from $15 per day to $35 per week. All wetsuits are full-body featuring a 3/2 mm design with reinforced knees. Pleasure Island has children’s sizes up to XXL.

Pleasure Island Rentals is conveniently located one mile north of Golden Sands Beach Resort on Park Lake Blvd. They offer a 10% discount to all military and teachers. For orders of $90 or more, Pleasure Island will deliver your rentals to Carolina Beach for free. (There is a $30 fee for orders under $90 and additional charges for delivery to other NC beaches.)

CB Surf Shop

Another locally-owned shop in Carolina Beach is CB Surf Shop. CB offers surfboard, paddleboard, and bodyboard rentals. There are two shortboard and two longboard style surfboards available for rent. Rental prices are as follows:

$15 – ½ Day

$20 – Full Day

$45 – 3 Days

$85 – 7 Days

CB Surf Shop also has surfing supplies like wetsuits, hoods, and fins for sale along with clothing, accessories, shoes, and more. CB is located 0.8 miles north of Golden Sands on Park Lake Blvd. Their hours are 10am – 6pm daily.

Carolina Beach Surfing Lessons

Odysea Surf School

Odysea Surf School is located in Carolina Beach offering group and private surfing lessons. All of their instructors have been surfing for at least 10 years, and 75% of them also are local certified school teachers. The owners of Odysea have over 30 years of surfing and lifeguarding experience between them. Odysea prides itself on having a positive learning environment during all of their surf lessons.

All surf lessons are two hours long, and all necessary equipment is provided by Odysea including wetsuits when needed. Small group lessons are $60 per person. Private lessons are $80 per person. Call or text Kevin at 910-431-0594 to set up your surf lessons or fill out the form online.

Odysea has partnered with UNCW MarineQuest to offer week-long summer camps for kids who are interested in surfing and marine biology. Surf-and-Science Groms is for kids ages 10-13. This program teaches kids surfing lessons while also learning about modern marine science and the impact it has on surfing. Surf-N-Science is for kids ages 14-17. This camp not only teaches kids to surf but also gives them a chance to make a difference in the community helping with coastal restoration efforts and working with underserved kids. Find out more about both camps and the 2021 dates online.

Tony Silvagni Surf School

Tony Silvagni is a pro surfer from Carolina Beach. He has surfed competitively for over 25 years and won numerous awards. Tony opened his Surf School in 2008 and has been serving Carolina Beach ever since.

Tony Silvagni Surf School offers group surf lessons for $50 per person per hour and private lessons for $60 per person per hour. The student to instructor ratio for group lessons is 2:1 with all instructors being CPR, AED, and First Aid certified. All Tony Silvagni lessons start with water safety tips. Surf Camps are available from March 15th – September 20th, 2021. Each camp meets 2 hours per day Monday through Friday. Participants will receive a tote bag filled with stickers, a water bottle, discounts, and a certificate of achievement. Spring Break and Summer Camps are $330 per person.

Tony Silvagni Surf School also has surfboard rentals plus skimboard, bodyboard, and other beach gear rentals with complimentary delivery, set up, and pick up. Surfboard rentals are $15 for 5 hours, $20 for a day, and $90 for a week. Wetsuit rentals are $15 for a day and $35 for a week. Stop by their Tiki Trailer for retails at 107 Charlotte Ave.

Carolina Beach Surf Competitions

With Carolina Beach Surfing becoming more popular each year, the number of surf competitions on the Pleasure Island (Carolina Beach and Kure Beach) has also started to increase. Here are a few of our favorite competitions in Carolina Beach.

Wahine Classic

The Wahine Classic is an all-female surf competition for amateur and pro surfers started by Jo Pickette, a renowned surfing instructor with more than 20 years of experience. “The mission of Wahine Classic is to empower girls of all ages, build their self-confidence and self-esteem, and to promote physical, mental, and emotional wellness,” said Pickett.

The Wahine is held every August in Wrightsville Beach. In 2020, the Wahine Classic was moved to the Carolina Beach Pier. The 2021 venue has not yet been announced, but check the website for updates.

Life Rolls On

Life Rolls On hosts Adaptive Surf & Skate Events in Carolina Beach and around the country. While this is not exactly a surf competition, it is a gathering of individuals who love the ocean and surfing and want to share that with others.

Life Rolls On meets in Carolina Beach annually during the summer for a one-day Adaptive Surf Clinic. They provide adaptive surfboards and beach transfer wheelchairs. Guests are asked to provide their own wetsuits and lifejackets. Breakfast snacks, lunch, and water are also provided for the athletes. Check the website for the date of the 2021 Adaptive Surf Clinic.

We hope your excitement has been stirred for Carolina Beach Surfing this Spring and Summer season. We look forward to accommodating you at Golden Sands Beach Resort for your Carolina Beach vacation. Our quaint resort has 113 rooms, 2 pools, convenient in-room amenities, a fitness center, and on-site dining at the Ocean Grill & Tiki Bar which has its own pier. Find out more about Carolina Beach and our resort online.

Carolina Beach State Park Trails

Carolina Beach State Park was named Regional State Park of the Year in 2015. With some of the best fishing in North Carolina, private camping areas, miles of hiking trails, and unique habitats, Carolina Beach State Park is a popular coastal attraction for locals and tourists alike. 

The Carolina Beach State Park Trails are some of the most beautiful in the area. Totaling almost 9 miles, hikers will see a variety of distinct habitats with diverse plants and animals while soaking up plenty of sunshine. In this guide, we are going to highlight all of the trails that Carolina Beach State Park has, their distance, difficulty, and distinct features. 

Hikers are encouraged to download a park map offline or pick one up at the visitor center. Many of the trails overlap at certain points, so be sure to take note of the trail’s blaze on signposts. Also, during the summer months, insects are prevalent so please wear bug repellent while in the woods. We hope you enjoy your time on the Carolina Beach State Park Trails. 

Remember, entrance into the Carolina Beach State Park is always free!

Campground Trail 

The Campground Trail loops through a sandhill forest on the edge of the coast with longleaf pines and live oaks predominantly. 

• Length: 1-mile loop

• Difficulty: easy

• Blaze: blue circle

• Trailhead: Visitor Center 

• Surface: natural and sand

• Accessibility: Hiking only 

Carolina Beach TRACK Trail 

The Carolina Beach TRACK Trail is a smaller section of the Snow’s Cut Trail. This trail is designed to be a self-guided trail for kids. 

• Length: 0.25 miles one way

• Difficulty: easy

• Blaze: red diamond

• Trailhead: Picnic Area or Campground near campsite #20 

• Surface: natural and sand

• Accessibility: Hiking only 

Fitness Trail 

The Fitness Trail loops around the Carolina Beach Recreation Center and has exercise and activity stations throughout. 

• Length: 1-mile loop

• Difficulty: easy

• Blaze: yellow circle

• Trailhead: 7th Street 

• Surface: gravel

• Accessibility: Hiking and biking, wheelchair accessible

Flytrap Trail

The Flytrap Trail features some of the unique plant habitats of the Carolina Beach State Park. Hikers will see venus flytraps and wildflowers along the end of the trail in the pocosin wetlands. Please keep on the trail to avoid damaging these fragile ecosystems. 

• Length: 0.5-mile loop

• Difficulty: easy

• Blaze: orange diamond

• Trailhead: Parking area on Nature Trail Lane 

• Surface: natural and boardwalk

• Accessibility: Hiking and wheelchair accessible 

Oak Toe Trail 

The Oak Toe Trail is a branch off of the Sugarloaf Trail. This trail leads to the Marsh Overlook with a view of the Cape Fear River and brackish marsh. Hikers will see plants like the dwarf palmetto and oak toe lichen along the way. And be on the lookout for fiddler crabs scurrying across the sand. 

• Length: 0.25 miles one way

• Difficulty: easy

• Blaze: blue diamond

• Trailhead: Spur off Sugarloaf Trail  

• Surface: natural and sand

• Accessibility: Hiking only

Sand Live Oak Trail 

The Sand Live Oak Trail takes hikers along the Cape Fear River and through an ancient sand dune forest at Sugarloaf Dune. 

• Length: 1.5-mile loop

• Difficulty: easy

• Blaze: yellow-green diamond

• Trailhead: South of Sugarloaf Dune 

• Surface: natural and sand

• Accessibility: Hiking only

Snow’s Cut Trail

The Snow’s Cut Trail takes hikers through a pine-hardwood forest along the Intracoastal Waterway. This trail includes the TRACK trail. 

• Length: 0.75 miles one way

• Difficulty: easy

• Blaze: red diamond

• Trailhead: Picnic Area

• Surface: natural and sand

• Accessibility: Hiking only

Sugarloaf Trail 

The Sugarloaf Trail will take hikers throughout most of the park with great bird-watching opportunities. Hikers will walk through tidal cypress-gum swamps, longleaf pine savannas, coastal fringe sandhill forests, and coastal evergreen forests. 

• Length: 3-miles loop

• Difficulty: easy

• Blaze: orange circle

• Trailhead: Main Parking at end of State Park Road 

• Surface: natural and sand

• Accessibility: Hiking only

Swamp Trail 

The Swamp Trail is a branch of the Sugarloaf Trail. This trail provides hikers with views of the tidal cypress-gum swamp and brackish marsh. 

• Length: 0.75 miles one way

• Difficulty: easy

• Blaze: red circle

• Trailhead: Off the Sugarloaf Trail at Group Camping Area 

• Surface: natural and sand

• Accessibility: Hiking only

Learn more about Carolina Beach parks, attractions, restaurants, and water-sports with this Ultimate Visitor’s Guide to Carolina Beach.  

We can’t wait to hear about your adventures on the Carolina Beach State Park Trails during your next stay at Golden Sands Beach Resort. 

Charter Fishing Carolina Beach

Carolina Beach is well known for its charter fishing and fisherman from all over flock to the Carolina coast to experience the thrill of the catch. When you plan a fishing trip off the coast of Carolina Beach you can expect to catch King Mackerel, Tuna, Tarpon, Mahi Mahi, and Red Fish –just to name a few. We’ve put together a list of charter fishing companies and the packages to offer to help you decide where to book during your next fishing expedition.

Lucky 13 Sportfishing

401 Marina Street | (252) 904-0042

Google Reviews: 5 stars

Facebook Reviews: 5 stars

Captain Mark Cogdell captains a 24’ Mako with the latest fishing technology and comfortable fishing experience. Lucky 13 Sportfishing offers a variety of charter packages for any group of 1-4 people; if you’d like to add an additional person it’s $50/per person. All packages include bait, tackle, and fishing license.

Fishing Charters Available with Lucky 13:

½ Day Nearshore – $400

4 hours of fishing right off the beach typically catching Bluefish, King Mackerel, Spanish Mackerel, and Sharks.

¾ Day Offshore – $700

6 hours of fishing 10-15 miles off the beach typically catching King Mackerel, Sharks, Amberjack, Cobia, and (if you’re lucky) Mahi Mahi.

Full-Day Off Shore – $900

8 hours of fishing 10-25 miles off the beach typically catching King Mackerel, Sharks, Cobia, Amberjacks, Mahi Mahi, and a variety of other bottom fish.

Wet-N-Wild & Fish Dance Sportfishing Charters

300 Canal Drive | (910) 367-0884

Google Reviews: 4 stars

Facebook Reviews: 5 stars

Hop aboard the Wet-N-Wild, a 54’ Custom Carolina Gillikin, or the Fish Dance, a 43’ Uniflite Sportfisherman for an unforgettable charter fishing experience. This charter is family-friendly and each boat offers different amenities like an air-conditioned cabin, bathrooms, lounge seating, top electronics, and more.

Fishing Charters Available with Wet-N-Wild:

Trolling With Bated Line:

4 hours – $500

5 hours – $600

6 hours – $750

8 hours – $1100

10 hours – $1400

12 hours – $1600

Gulfstream Fishing:

13 hours – $2000

Fishing Charters Available with Fish Dance:

Trolling With Bated Line:

4 hours – $500

5 hours – $600

6 hours – $700

8 hours – $1000

10 hours – $1200

12 hours – $1400

Bottom Fishing:

8 hours – $1100

10 hours – $1300

12 hours – $1500

Charlie’s Fishing Charters

116 Georgia Avenue | (910) 279-0966

Google Reviews: 5 stars

Facebook Reviews: 4 stars

Captain Charles Powell has been fishing for over 30 years and offers a more intimate charter fishing experience on a 24’ Carolina Skiff. Charters are available for 1-4 people (5 for an additional $50) and include all gear, bait, ice, and fishing licenses. All the charters with Charlie’s Fishing Charters are inshore or near-shore trips.

Fishing Charters Available with Charlie’s Fishing Charters:

4 hours – $400

5 hours – $500

6 hours – $600

Batson Charter Boats

301 Canal Drive | (910) 367-0653

Google Reviews: 4 stars

Facebook Reviews: 5 stars

The Cheerio Lady is a 40’ fiberglass sportfisherman ready to take you out on the salty sea for a day of fun and fierce fishing. The boat is equipped with fishing gear, a bathroom, bunks (for after a long day in the sun), and the latest fishing technology.

Fishing Charters Available with Batson Charter Boats:

½ Day Nearshore – $500

4 hours just 3 miles off the Carolina shore you’ll troll for Spanish Mackerel and Bluefish or bottom fish for White Grunt, Pink Snapper, Black Sea Bass, and Gag Grouper.

¾ Day Offshore – $750

6 hours of fishing among offshore wrecks and artificial reefs where you’ll troll for King Mackerel, Barracuda, Cobia, Mahi, or bottom fish for White Grunt, Pink Snapper, Black Sea Bass, and Gag Grouper.

Full-Day Off Shore – $1000

8 hours of trolling for King Mackerel, Mahi, Barracuda, Amberjacks or bottom fishing for Vermillion Snapper, Pink Snapper, Grey Trigger, Gag Grouper, White Grunt, Black Sea Bass, Scamp Grouper and Red Grouper.

Wilmington NC Breweries

Just outside the Carolina Beach area is the small city of Wilmington, NC. It’s known for its historic river district, island beaches, authentic seafood, and breweries. Many people who travel to Carolina Beach don’t know about the Wilmington NC breweries that lie just 10 miles from Golden Sands. If you’re a brewery fanatic we recommend stopping by Wilmington for their remarkable breweries. 

Broomtail Craft Brewery | 6404 Amsterdam Way

Broomtail Craft Brewery takes brewing down to the science with its clean IPAs, brown ales, and lagers. They have outdoor seating set up for flight tasting and are open Tuesday-Thursday from 4-9 PM, Friday from 4-10 PM, Saturday from 2-10 PM, and Sunday from 1-8 PM.

Edward Teach Brewing | 604 N 4th Street

The ambiance at Edward Teach Brewing is laid-back but also unique and modern. They offer a variety of lagers, IPAs, and pale ales that will titillate your tastebuds. Stop by for a taste of their freshly brewed beer Tuesday-Thursday from 1-10 PM, Friday-Saturday from 12 PM to 12 AM, or Sunday from 12-8 PM.

Flying Machine Brewing Company | 3130 Randall Parkway

Flying Machine is a well-known brewing company on the east coast. If you pop in for a visit you can choose from their extensive list of fresh brews like IPAs, stouts, ales, and more. Feel like a nosh while you sample some cold beer? Grab a bite from one of the local food trucks that set up shop depending on the day of the week. Open Monday-Thursday from 4-10 PM, Friday from 2-11 PM, Saturday from 12-11 PM, and Sunday from 12-8 PM.

Flytrap Brewing | 319 Walnut Street

Flytrap Brewing is another Wilmington brewery with an extensive list of beers on tap. Sit inside or enjoy sipping your brew in their beer garden. Choose from freshly brewed beers like their Belgian Blond, Saison, or Hoppy Pale –just to name a few. The Flytrap Brewing beer garden is open Wednesday-Friday from 4-10 PM, Saturday from 3-10 PM, and Sunday from 3-9 PM.

Front Street Brewery | 9 N Front Street

Located in the historic district of Wilmington, Front Street Brewery offers brewery tours, flight tasting, and elevated pub grub. They have 6 core beers including a Scottish ale, IPA, and wheat beer. Front Street Brewery is open Tuesday-Saturday from 11:30 AM to 10 PM and Sunday from 11:30 AM to 5 PM.

Good Hops Brewing | 811 Harper Avenue

Good Hops has a beautiful taproom and beer garden along with delicious beers including IPAs and ales. They offer seasonal beers throughout the year like their Blacky Sky IPA, NC Batatas Sweet Potato Ale, and Barley Wine offered in fall, winter, and during the holidays. Stop in for a flight or grab a beer and play a round of disc golf at Good Hops. Open daily from 1-8 PM (7 PM on Sunday).

Ironclad Brewery

Also located in the historic district and with a rustic vibe is Ironclad Brewery. They have 9 flagship brews that they keep on tap including a Belgian tripel, brown ale, red ale, and IPA. Ironclad Brewery is an exceptional space to host an event whether it’s a reunion or wedding, and of course, share their brews with your loved ones. The taproom is open Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday 2-8 PM, Friday-Saturday 2-10 PM, and Sunday 12-6 PM.

Mad Mole Brewing | 6309 Boathouse Road Unit C

Mad Mole is another unique brewery with a really cool vibe. They offer IPAs, ales, and stouts with interesting names like Mole Dancer, Pure Molevolence, and Marilyn MonMole. Like Flying Machine they have food trucks that hang out, so you can enjoy a quick bite while you enjoy a cold brew. Mad Mole Brewing is open Monday-Wednesday from 4-9 PM, Thursday from 12-10 PM, Friday-Saturday from 12-11 PM, and Sunday from 12-8 PM.

Makai Brewing Company | 5850 Ocean Highway West

A nod to the Aloha State, Makai Brewing Company creates tropical beers for the East Coast. Try year-round favorites like Carolina Tropical IPA, Nightingale a coffee porter, or Island Falls a cream ale. Makai Brewing is open Tuesday-Saturday from 1-6 PM and Sunday from 1-4 PM.

The Sour Barn | 7211 Market Street

The Sour Barn is an extension of Broomtail Craft Brewery that specializes in aged sours. Try some of their amazing sours like the Galloping Gose, Elysium, and Smashing Grapefruits. The Sour Barn has a taproom and beer garden and is open Monday-Thursday from 4-10 PM, Friday-Saturday from 12-11:30 PM, and Sunday from 12-9 PM.

Waterline Brewing Co. | 721 Surry Street

Waterline Brewing Company has a great mix of all types of house-made beers. Try their Kolsch, American pale ale, IPA, Tripel, red ale, or oatmeal stout. Waterline Brewing gives you blue collar vibes and hosts live events with music and food trucks throughout the year. Open Tuesday-Thursday from 3-9 PM, Friday from 3-10 PM, Saturday from 11 AM to 10 PM, and Sunday from 12-8 PM.

Waterman’s Brewing | 1610 Pavilion Place

You’ll get surf and beach vibes when you visit Waterman’s Brewing in Wilmington. This brewery offers delicious pub grub along with some mouth-watering brews. Choose from 12 different flagship beers including Abundant Sunshine, Morning Glass Coffe Ale, Wicked Mojo, and Goseway –cool names right? Waterman’s is open Monday-Thursday from 11:30 AM to 9 P, Friday from 11:30 AM to 10 PM, Saturday from 10 AM to 10 PM, and Sunday from 10 AM to 9 PM.

Wilmington Brewing Company | 824 South Kerr Avenue

Wilmington Brewing Company is a laid-back and cool brewery experience. They offer unique house brews like their Lime Gose and Jalapeno Saison. Currently they taproom is closed but don’t let that stop you from enjoying their to-go brews! To-go is available daily from 12-7 PM (closed on Monday).

Wrightsville Beach Brewery | 6201 Oleander Drive

Wrightsville Beach Brewery is the perfect spot for grabbing a meal and an ice-cold local brew. They have an amazing menu with homemade pizza, seafood dishes, and other pub grub fare. Taste their selection of IPAs, ales, stouts, and porter beers on tap. Wrightsville Beach Brewery is open daily from 11 AM to 10 PM.