27 Awesome Beaches Near Charlotte, NC: Your Next Family Vacation

Inside: Beach-loving parents share their favorite things about the best beaches closest to Charlotte, NC with links to real parent reviews.

If you are looking for beaches near Charlotte, NC, then you’ve found our list of the top beaches for your next family trip.

We gathered some wonderful beaches on the SC and NC coast with kid-friendly attractions and things to do, perfect for planning your itinerary. Though finding beaches within 3 hours of Charlotte, NC is pretty tough, most of these beaches are within a 3 to 4-hour drive.

What is the closest beach to Charlotte, NC? Myrtle Beach and the beaches of the Brunswick Islands in North Carolina are the closest by drive time and mileage. They are just over 3 hours away and totally worth the trip. Want more options and all the details? Use the buttons below to navigate our list.

Myrtle Beach, SC

Distance: Myrtle Beach is 3.5 Hours from Charlotte

People travel from across the country to come to Myrtle Beach, SC. Over the years it has transformed many times, and the area is very family-friendly with lots to do. Plus, it is the closest beach to Charlotte, NC.

From attractions like Ripley’s Aquarium Website and the epic SkyWheel to fun activities for nature lovers like Myrtle Beach State Park and Brookgreen Gardens Website, you’ll have a full itinerary in no time. There are also luxury golf courses to check out if that’s your kind of thing. Our Travel Guide to Myrtle Beach offers ideas for great hotels and family-friendly activities.

Check out our Travel Guide to Myrtle Beach, with information about things to do, places to stay, and even places to eat!

Huntington Beach State Park

Distance: Huntington Beach State Park is about 3.5 Hours from Charlotte

Staying on the beaches of an SC State Park offers something magical, the chance to see some amazing wildlife! Plus, the earthy smell of a protected beach and the small crowds make for a relaxing time. Kids can hunt for seashells and play in the sand or head to the nature center to learn about coastal wildlife. explore.

Check out our parent review, Visiting Huntington Beach State Park. This coastal state park has beach camping, perfect for nature lovers.

Folly Beach and the Beaches Near Charleston, SC

Distance: Folly Beach is 3.5 Hours from Charlotte 

This beach, located just 20 minutes from downtown Charleston, SC, is my personal favorite. You’ll find surfers lining up along the break every morning, a cute downtown area with total beach vibes, and proximity to several other beaches and the major cities of Charleston and Mt. Pleasant.

Edisto Beach

Distance: Edisto Beach is 3.75 Hours from Charlotte

Wanting a more nature-based vacation? Edisto Beach has tons of wildlife to see, quiet beaches to look for seashells and crabs, and trees lined in Spanish moss that make your vacation feel so dreamy! Quaint restaurants make find a great meal easy. We really enjoyed our dinner plus pie at the SeaCow Eatery.

Kids (and adults!) will love looking for shark teeth on the beach.

Personally, I had never found any shark’s teeth on any beach anywhere until we visited Edisto!

And the sunsets, sometimes with dolphins, are simply stunning!

Fripp Island Golf and Beach Resort

Distance from Charlotte: 4 hours from Charlotte

Looking for a coastal escape with serious charm? Fripp Island Beach & Golf Resort is a private island just outside of Beaufort, South Carolina, and it’s got all the good stuff: quiet beaches, breezy bike trails, and a lush forest that feels like a storybook come to life. You’ll have to rent a house, villa, or condo on the island to be able to access it.

One of the best parts? The wildlife is wildly impressive. It’s not unusual to spot deer strolling by as you bike or head to the beach. The island is full of fun ways to relax and play—think two golf courses, tennis courts, swimming pools, a marina, and plenty of spots to grab a bite, from laid-back cafes to waterfront dining with a view.

Escape to the private island of Fripp Island Golf and Beach Resort.

Brunswick Islands Beaches

North Carolina’s Brunswick Islands are a laid-back coastal escape where families can enjoy wide beaches, lighthouse climbs, boat tours, and tasty seafood—all with fewer crowds. From Oak Island’s scenic pier to Ocean Isle’s splash pad and mini golf, each island offers simple, memorable fun for kids and parents alike. It’s the kind of spot where you can explore or just kick back and enjoy the ocean breezes together.

Watch! What you’ll see in the Brunswick Islands

Get all the details about the super family-friendly things to do in North Carolina’s Brunswick Islands in our spotlight guide: Kidding Around’s Guide to the Brunswick Islands

Holden Beach

Distance: Holden Beach is 3.25 Hours from Charlotte

Just south of Wilmington, you’ll find Holden Beach near Ocean Isle. Holden Beach offers small-town charm and unspoiled beauty, making it a great option for a vacation with kids. My family got together with all my siblings, nieces and nephews, and grandparents for a week at Holden Beach and everyone had a great time. It was the perfect place for a trip like that.

Holden Beach offers fewer extra activities but lots of beach space, as there are mainly beach homes to rent on the island and few public parking lots.

Our family enjoyed driving into Southport for the day. We took the ferry across to Fort Fisher and visited the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher. The aquarium is small but very informative and was a great place to spend a couple of hours. The otters were particularly fun to watch. Make sure you purchase your tickets in advance. People were turned away who did not.

Pro-tip: The closest grocery store is Food Lion, just over the bridge from the island. As such, it is a very busy store. We used Walmart delivery from the Walmart in nearby Shallote and it was so worth it. We arranged for the delivery while we drove to the island and the groceries arrived about 2 hours after our arrival right to our beach house.

Bald Head Island

Distance: Bald Head Island is 4 hours from Charlotte

Head to this island on the coast of NC if you are looking for kayaking, hiking, nature adventure with your kids, and learn about crabbing with the Conservancy staff at Village Creek Access. They also have a cool Bald Head After Dark program, where you can learn all about the night creatures that call the island home. You’ll find lots of kid-friendly things to do in the camps and recreation center website as well!

Ocean Isle Beach

Distance: About 3 1/2 hours from Charlotte

Ocean Isle offers a lot of old-fashioned family beach fun like go-karts, mini-golf, hunting sharks’ teeth, sunshine, and splashing. We really enjoyed our visit to Ocean Isle!

We visited Ocean Isle Beach and have a whole article on how amazing our trip was! Check it out: The Kidding Around Guide to Ocean Isle Beach, NC

Sunset Beach

Distance: about 3.5 hours from Charlotte, NC

Looking for an easy getaway that’s big on relaxation and family fun? Just across the NC state line, Sunset Beach is part of the beautiful Brunswick Islands and offers a peaceful coastal vibe perfect for slowing down, soaking up sunshine, and making sweet memories with your crew.

Oak Island and Caswell Beach

Distance: about 3.5 hours from Charlotte, NC

You can visit and climb the Oak Island lighthouse for free. It’s also free to walk the pier, though there is a fee for fishing. Then snag a delicious cup of coffee at Ruby’s right on the pier. Parking is free. The beaches are beautiful. What more do you need?

Get the full story on the Oak Island Lighthouse and things to do nearby!

We Climbed the Oak Island Lighthouse!

Wrightsville Beach

Distance: Wrightsville Beach is 3.5 Hours from Charlotte

With watersports like surfing and SUP being very popular, Wrightsville Beach is great for the family looking for adventure! There are also scenic tours of the island and an awesome nature center at the Fred and Alice Stanback Coastal Education Center website your kids will enjoy learning about the wildlife the area has and the importance of protecting it.

Topsail Beach

Distance: Topsail Beach is 4 hours from Charlotte

Located on the southern end of the 26-mile barrier island, Topsail Beach is worth the 4-hour trip from Charlotte. Enjoy a few hours on the expansive beach. Then head to the marsh to watch seabirds and catch a glimpse of a dolphin or two! We recommend the southern tip of the island’s pristine undeveloped beach, Serenity Point Sandbar. Here, you’ll find a peaceful day away from the busy part of the island.