I love sandy beaches and this one's my favorite. Sunset Beach is quiet, serene and home to my beloved 'Kindred Spirits mailbox', Wind Phone(Google it, you won't be disappointed) & Bird Island Preserve. One of the cleanest beaches I've been to, it's great for beach combing. The kid in you would rejoice if you love shells :) Important: There are no lifeguards on duty so please don't stay late after sunset. Although it can get extremely chilly and windy during cold seasons, it is a must-visit for people of all ages, especially families with kids. Free parking is limited and sometimes impossible to find during peak seasons so recommend going there early. read more

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This was the third year (2026) in a row we vacationed at Sunset Beach. The beach parking rules have changed three times in the three years we have been there. And NOT for the better. Golf carts are regularly used to access the beach (for people and beach equipment) and the parking rules have become increasingly restrictive. Payment by kiosk or a parking permit is mandatory for beach access parking, adding to the expense of staying here. Additionally, police are harassing golf cart users for not following state car rules for going two or three blocks to the beach. Ridiculous. Seriously considering going elsewhere next summer. read more

While I love the beach at Sunset, and the general quiet nature of the town, they are a predatory town. Their sheriff and parking enforcement is ridiculous. Clearly they make a lot of money on fines. For example, I got a parking ticket when I was parked in a public parking spot at the south end of the island. If there was signage, it was not clear. But fine, I guess I missed the signage and so be it. But now take a look at their parking violation. $25 - IF I pay it same day. I didn't even notice the violation on my window until the next day. So now I just paid $50. After 3 days, they Jack it up to $75. After one week it quadruples to $100. This is just shameful and disgraceful and I hope the town of Sunset NC lives to regret being so petty. Everything on and around the island is already pricey so I suppose the Sheriff and parking folks feel quite entitled. Get your act together Sunset and stop ripping people off you power and money hungry fascists. read more

This used to be my favorite beach, the town created new paying rules this year, there are so few spots available, I won't be returning.

I spent the day exploring North Carolina's beaches. Between here and Ocean Isle and Oak Island, this part of the state is simply beautiful. I can't really choose a favorite because they each have charms. Sunset Beach extends for miles and in fact crosses the border for a toenail-sized touch into South Carolina at the Little River Inlet. I wasn't dressed or prepared for a long walk on the beach today, though. There are few commercial spots here. There are only a couple of small restaurants and no large supermarket on the island side of the Intracoastal. The beach has firm sand with lots of shells and it's clean. Not terribly crowded in late September despite the 80+ degree sunshine and clear skies. Smooth and easy boardwalks for getting across the dunes without damaging them and the flat beach is easy for walking with a gentle slope down to the ocean. Sunset Beach has a single bridge that has no toll. Lots of homes are packed into the space and parking can be quite limited for visitors. I'm not sure how they manage to do this during high season. [Review 13987 overall, 1309 of 2020, number 2627 in North Carolina.] read more

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Great beach to hang out. Family oriented Parking can be an issue in summer . Nice covered pergola. Walkway to beach and handicapped access on the beach. Port a potties. are generally clean ( except for messy visitors ) read more

Loved my time here! Dog friendly & relaxing. The shoreline is so vast that there was plenty of space between parties. There are no cabanas or tents - so be sure to bring a chair and some towels! read more

Please Read befow going to Sunset Beach North Carolina....They have changed the beach walkways due to some bonehead city code. The walkways are elevated above the dunes, too narrow for 2 people and have a lot of steep, steep steps. If you are elderly, young, have bad knees, hip problems or out of shape its dangerous to access the beach. Their are a couple of handicap access walkways but no parking and too crowded. I recommend you find another beach without all the steps and beach rules. We have been going to Sunset Beach over 40 years but now will find another family beach because of beach access and beach rule changes. Someone in the Sunset Beach city council should be ashamed of what they have done. There are better ways to protect dunes while maintaining beach access. Apparently they did not reach out to engineering firms before wasting a lot of money. read more

Sunset Beach - Typical Walkway Beach Access, Multiple Steps due to the elevation of the walkways - Beaches Near Me

My wife and I went down here a few years back and we had a great time at Sunset Beach. We had a hotel that look right to the beach and we went down and sat in the sun all day haven't drinks food getting in the ocean is having a great time and then at nighttime we will return and watch the sunset on the beach and it was very beautiful read more

It's a huge beach yes and the community is alive but it's definitely tourist central here. People are always fighting for parking, bathrooms are sub par and you at least have to settle down quite far to get decent spots to enjoy your time. The people that work here definitely take time in the work they do and there's many beach access points read more

This is a really nice beach, only 10 mins from Calabash. The fire chief who runs the safety here is a bit overzealous when it comes rules regarding the use of umbrellas and what they call "cabanas" but we didn't let him spoil our time on the beach. The restrooms and amenities here are very nice too. There's a free parking lot, which fills up quickly, as well as a $10 parking lot. The sand is very soft and fine here, uniquely different. read more

Sunset Beach - The obligatory "toes in sand" pic - Beaches Near Me

Laid back and quiet, you can't find a more relaxing beach on the east coast. The locals are fantastic and welcoming. The area is the definition of what you think a beach vacay should be read more

Sunset Beach is a beautiful area! Love walking in the sand; very relaxing. Great place to live and visit! Delicious food--Calabash! Everyone have a wonderful LABOR DAY read more

To say this is the best kept secret on the East Coast is an understatement. I have been going to the beaches of North Carolina for years, and it's a shame I have overlooked this stunning stretch of land. Sunset beach is a long stretch of white sand beach with almost Bay of Fundy style tides. This lends itself to large tidepools during low tide with fun sealife to admire. The beach even at the peak season is not as crowded as it's East Coast counterparts. For families: it's sleepy town with affordable rental homes. Most of the families here have been coming for generations. Great seafood and pizza restaurants. Prepare for priceless family moments as your kid picks up a jellyfish, drops it in your lap and says "look mom, a clear shell". Not for families: it has a topless beach close to the border of South Carolina. A few down to earth fun bars, but all in all pretty quiet at nights. Not a party town. For surfers: A long sandbar that churns out consistent clean waves. If it's flat elsewhere, it's waist high here. No one else in the line up. Ever. The beach is yours, thank me later. Sunset beach now has a piece of my heart... read more

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Love the beach. Be aware when parking some fire hydrants are not clearly visible do to vegetation growth. Since there is no clear signage and the vegetation is not trimmed back seems like a money maker for the town. We will be visiting ocean isle Beach from now on. read more

I will forever love this beach. We've been visiting since the bridge to get to/from the island was a floating swing bridge. The beaches are usually clean with dramatic tidal shifts. At low tide the beach is super long and flat. At high tide the beach is sandy and short. I love the gazebo and the feet wash station. The pier is $1 to just go out and walk on. The water is typically warm, especially "in season" and the houses are fun to bike around and look at the beach houses. There are many beach access points, so don't be too sad if you can't find a spot in the parking lot by the gazebo at the end of the road. read more

My last review was glowing, however I must change my review of the beach. There are FAR too many rules on what kind of canopy you can have and it seems that the rules are VERY subjective. They are enforced for some, but not for others. Make up your minds please. Either enforce the rules for everyone or don't enforce them at all. It makes for a very unpleasant experience, however it is a great way to teach your children about injustice and double standards. read more

First day here we tried out Cherry Grove Beach. It was "ok". Beautiful beach, but it has a lot of broken shells by the water. My aunt and uncle recommended Sunset Beach and we weren't disappointed! This beach is gorgeous! Smooth, fine, white sand the distance to the water is huge so it's easy for little kids to play on the shore. The water is shallow enough towards the shower for kids and there is some shade under the pier for those CRAZY people that don't like the sun (my pale Minnesotan spouse!). I would suggest trying to come early for the free public parking (which we got the first time) or we paid $8 for the day (you can go in/out) in the lot next door. It is worth it though! You won't be disappointed. If you have kids though, I would suggest an umbrella. I don't ever want to leave here! read more

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Enjoy one of the 21 best beaches in the world according to National Geographic 2017 and arguably one of the most romantic beaches according to magazine articles. You'll find clean, silky, fine, soft sand to bury your toes. The waves break far out, so young children can wade into the water quite a distance. That and the ample tidal pools make this a perfect family beach. Skim boards, paddle boards, kayaks, and boogie boards are staples here. Do you like dogs? They're welcome on the beach everyday! Times are restricted during the high summer season, but dogs are able to enjoy the beach all year. Do you like biking? You can bike on the beach. Do you like fishing? There are plenty of fantastic fishing spots along the ocean or ICW side of the island. Do you like long walks on the beach? Stroll to the Kindred Spirit mailbox where you'll find journal entries by hundreds of people. Add your comments or ponder on the life lessons and cherished moments of others. I can't say enough about the treasures found on the east and west ends of the island. We found a baby loggerhead sea turtle make its way to the ocean, hermit crabs, sea pork, sand dollars, starfish, etc. We saw an adult leatherback female make her way onto the beach but pass away prior to laying her eggs. We saw a 6 ft stingray wash upon the beach. All this (and more) happened in only one summer. We've been to countless beaches in the USA and elsewhere, and this is our favorite one! Enjoy the splendor. read more

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The beach is wonderful for kids play and just relaxing. Being a full time resident we hit the beach quite often and especially when guests are in town. The beach although open to all gets overcrowded by the pier from points Ocean Isle renters to the influx of new building on the island. The beach needs to become a non smoking beach, the stench of cheap cigars is awful. Other than that: Excellent Beach Create a revenue spice for the island through improved parking facility from what is already available so island residents can park in the current designated parking areas, and keep Parking off of Main Street. read more

We visited Sunset Beach for the first time back in September. Rented a beach house c within walking distance of the beach. We had a wonderful time the 7 days we were there. The beach wasn't overly crowded which we liked plus our dog got to spend the days with us on the beach! Disappointed there wasn't more shells but it could have been the time we went too. Overall a beautiful beach and we will definitely be back!! read more

The best kept secret on the North Carolina coast...I should probably rate Sunset Beach with 1 star so nobody discovers this gem. If you like a quiet beach getaway, THIS is your place. If you like touristy crap...go to Myrtle Beach. 'Nuff said... read more

Sunset Beach - A clear summer morning in Sunset Beach, NC - Beaches Near Me

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Not too crowded at the time of the year. Beautiful sunlight, warm water and a nice clean beach to lay on. read more

Yes! This is a refreshing treat when in the area. Great selection and the best Italian ice around. A must for all visitors.

Great beach, even though it has gotten more touristy it's still quiet and conveniently located to Myrtle and other bigger beaches. read more

Sunset Beach - Beaches Near Me

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As others have said, it's with mixed emotions that I rate Sunset Beach and give it 5 stars. Not because I don't think it's not the greatest beach ever (which I do) but because one of the things that has made it special is its ability to be overlooked by the swarming masses that clog and congest other beaches on the East Coast. However, I would be doing it a disservice to allowed it to be unsung. My family has been coming here since 1980 and has owned a home here since 1984. Coming back to Sunset Beach is like coming home and is a place to get away from the chaos and stress of the "real world" and allows us to recharge our batteries to make us able to go on until we can return. Even though our beloved swing bridge is no longer floating on the waterway, acting as a turnstile to keep out those who lack patience, the crowds have not increased as badly as I had feared ... yet. There's no question that the streets are more congested and the beaches more crowded. But there are still plenty of places to find solitude and you can still let your kids go ride their bikes out on the streets without fear of being run down by cars too eager to drive over the giant new bridge spend their time in stores and restaurants on the mainland. read more

We were staying in Ocean Isle Beach but actually went next door to Sunset Beach during the day. It is a much quieter beach and the sand is softer to walk on. During low tide, you can find tons of sand dollars and huge seashells if you know what you're looking for. Also at this time, the water goes out and forms little "kiddy" pools on the beach. We loved this for swimming with our baby niece! read more

This is my favorite beach! I love taking a walk here at night. If you take a left as you get to the beach, you can walk all the way to the end. It's beautiful and you can often find jellyfish and starfish. My kids love discovering something new every time. I've never had a bad time here. Go early if you want free parking. Otherwise plan a bit of a walk or just pay $5 for the lot. read more

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Beautiful..A Hidden Gem!! I was born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona. So that being said, I appreciate the beauty of the Carolina's. I'm living in South Carolina, and driving up the coast from Myrtle Beach to Sunset Beach was a breath of fresh air. I fell in love with everything from the trees, the beautiful homes and the beach houses lined up. Love read more

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Been coming to this beach for years. Deep, clean, Grand Strand sand, great people...a fabulous family vacation destination.

AWESOME BEACH!!! I've been to manyyyyy east coast beaches growing up and this takes the cake. No jelly fish, the water is warm, never really too crowded! Families everywhere and plenty of parking for day trips. Came here the past two summers and plan on coming again next year! read more

The beach, town and surrounding area is perfect. We have been renting house on Sunset Beach for 35 years. Over the past 5 to 10 years the cleaning and maintenance on the different homes we have rented has gone way down hill. The last ocean front house we rented was the last straw. It was a duplex and we rented both sides. It was filthy dirty, the kitchen sinks were leaking underneath and had been for quite some time because it was all black mold on all of the wood and soaking wet. My mister-fix-it husband wound up stopping the leaks and told maintenance about it. But here we were in this home for a week with my adult kids and grand babies. We also had to ask that maintenance to come change the air conditioning return filters that were so caked up they were getting sucked in. The cleaning standards now are just, go in and do a lick and a promise and hope nobody complains, it doesn't matter if you do anyway because nothing changes. At this point, our tradition of a week on Sunset Beach with our family is being moved elsewhere. I refuse to spend good money to be uncomfortable and in fear of a vacation home. read more

Sunset Beach is just *Amazing*!!!!! BEST Beach ever! ;*) My Family and I have been going to this beach for yearsssss! Truly a wonderful, magical place like a hidden gem or diamond!!! read more

Home, sweet home. The best kept secret on the east coast and one of my favorite spots on earth! I've been spending every summer of my life on this little island for the past 35 years and I will probably do so until the day I die. My father will have his ashes spread here off the end of the fishing pier, and my parents live a mere 250 meters off the water. Sunset Beach is truly one of my favorite places in the world and I live in Hawaii. You will see the same faces, year after year, just a little older. Then your friends when you were a kid will have their kids, and your kids will make friends with those kids. Surf is great for beginners, the water is warm all the way thru October, you'll see everything from deer to sea turtles and it's one of the most peaceful places on earth. It's the widest beach I've ever been on world wide. The golf in the area is the best in the country. The food is second to none, and although my parents hate the new bridge, I feel much better knowing EMS vehicle can get to them without waiting for the old bridge to close. North Carolina, specifically Sunset Beach will always be home to me. I'm torn writing this review because I don't want everyone to know what a magical place it is. When Carolina's on my mind... it's always Sunset Beach. read more

Favorite beach(: The cabins are affordable and there are A LOT of different ones to choose from. The cabins are a walk away from the beach unless you're beach-front ($$$). The pier is pretty boring, but adequate if you're just interested in watching the sunset. It's a clean beach (for now...ahem, BP) and its a small walk to Bird Island, a small stretch of peaceful beach with lots of crabs and fish. Nice beach for a nice trip, not incredible crowded, but slowly becoming more and more crowded as this new bridge gains fame. read more

There is a reason why this place has five stars and a reason why most people wish they could give it one... A hidden gem no one wants to change. Nice and quiet, great place to take the kids. Beaches are clean and patrolled so no one gets rowdy. We stayed at "Six on the Beach". Very clean and spacious, and a great view from the roof balcony! read more

You almost don't want to say anything about this beach because it truely is a hidden gem. Wide, clean, powdery white sand with very few shells etc. Sit for hours, just watching the boats, dolphins etc. Rarely crowded even in high season. Such a family oriented beach-no high rises or bars, just miles of pristine beach. Oh, and Sunday services on the beach...just a heavenly experience! We stay at T's Time- a rental home on 36th St.- always well kept, reasonably priced especially for what you get, and close to the beach! Oh, and if you need more hustle and bustle for a day or two, just head to Myrtle, just a 20 min ride away. Great family get-a-way!!! read more

Nice beach, fantastic recently renovated restrooms and boardwalk to the beach. Good place near the pier for sandwiches and other lunch items. Very friendly area and close parking, you have to pay for the larger lots but not much and it beats the walk if you are hauling a lot of stuff. read more

beautiful.very big and long Beach. did a four mile walk here today and it felt awesome in November to be on the beach.we are very fortunate to be staying in sunset beach. for a few weeks at a friend's summer house.although it's off season it's very beautiful and peaceful here.love it. read more

Best beach on the east coast in my opinion! I've been coming to Sunset for 17 years and ever visit is memorable. Beach is never crowded even in the high season. The strand has the best sand and is very wide and clean. Water is always warm in the summer and fall. What's not to like? read more