Historic Sea Breeze is the gateway to Carolina Beach
Salty ocean air is only a few miles away in Sea Breeze, a Wilmington suburb that draws in buyers looking for property along the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway or family-friendly subdivisions within reach of the beach. The community of fewer than 2,300 people is mainly a patchwork of single-family homes and undeveloped land. Boating is a lifestyle here, and access to highly rated public and private schools adds to the appeal. Normally quiet, Sea Breeze can hum with traffic during the summer months when thousands of tourists pass through the community on their way to Carolina Beach.
Sea Breeze was a well-known beach resort destination for Black families during the Jim Crow Era, drawing visitors from near and far to its hotels, restaurants, beaches and amusement park. While little remains of this once-thriving vacation spot, a historical marker honors its memory at the intersection of U.S. Route 421 and South Seabreeze Road.
A mix of traditional homes and lavish waterfront properties
Many single-family homes in Sea Breeze rest on wide streets that course through dense pine forest. Some roads head straight to the marshy coast of the Intracoastal Waterway, where private and community docks stretch into the water. Other streets are narrow and made of a mix of gravel and sand. Homes feature neatly manicured lots that can exceed half an acre, and architecture is diverse. Ranch-style homes, traditional brick homes, farmhouses and Craftsman-inspired neotraditional builds often feature covered front porches and attached garages. Custom coastal houses, sometimes resting on stilts, are designed for entertaining, and many offer multiple porches and patios with water views.
The median price for a single-family home here is around $930,000, significantly above the national median. Homes east of U.S. 421 typically fall between $230,000 and $600,000, while properties west of the highway usually start around $430,000 and can surpass $1.5 million. Townhouses range from $285,000 to $430,000. Due to the coastal nature of the area, there is a risk of flooding, but the region’s barrier islands provide a buffer from tropical storms and hurricanes.
Outdoor recreation includes day trips to Masonboro Island
Spending time on the water is a popular pastime in Sea Breeze. “There are a lot of boaters in that area,” says Matt Freeman, a Team Thirty 4 North broker at Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage who’s lived in the Port City for more than 15 years. A public boat ramp is available at Trails End Park, or residents can join a yacht club or marina. Tricia Bursell, a Blue Coast Realty Corporation Realtor who’s lived in Wilmington since 2019, recommends Freedom Boat Club nearby in Carolina Beach, “You can ride right under the Snow’s Cut Bridge and get to downtown. They have lots of water activities, kayaking and jet skiing.” Masonboro Island, a coastal nature preserve not reachable by car, is a popular destination for quiet afternoons of fishing and paddleboarding. While Sea Breeze doesn’t have any traditional parks, it’s less than 5 miles from Veterans Park, where baseball and soccer complexes surround a playground, and Carolina Beach State Park, which offers hiking and camping. Carolina Beach’s sandy shoreline and nostalgic boardwalk are also close by.
New Hanover County Schools offers some school choice
New Hanover County Schools earns an A-minus overall rating from Niche. The district has more than 40 schools, four of which serve Sea Breeze: the A-minus-rated Carolina Beach Elementary, the A-minus-rated Edwin A. Anderson Elementary, the A-minus-rated Charles P. Murray Middle and the B-rated Eugene Ashley High. The high school offers a Marine Science Academy for students interested in oceanography and marine biology. However, the district lets rising ninth graders apply to a high school of their choice, as each one offers a specialty or signature program. Myrtle Grove Christian, which Niche does not yet rate, and Coastal Christian High, which earns a B-plus, are nearby private options.
Shopping and dining in Wilmington and Carolina Beach
Residents can shop and dine in Wilmington and Carolina Beach. National retailers, grocery stores and a mix of chain and local restaurants fill shopping centers nearby along Carolina Beach Road. Food Lion anchors Masonboro Commons, where Joe’s Oasis Bar and Grill serves American fare and Seaside Bagels has a variety of toppings and spreads for bagel sandwiches. Seafood joints and surf shops dot Carolina Beach, while Downtown Wilmington offers boutique shopping, nightlife and entertainment. Dozens of name-brand stores are about 13 and 16 miles away at University Centre and Mayfaire Town Center, respectively.
Boating, driving and biking around the Port City area
Boating is a common way to reach coastal destinations around Wilmington, such as Wrightsville Beach, but most people drive to get around for daily life. Carolina Beach Road (U.S. Route 421) is a major thoroughfare bisecting Sea Breeze. The highway takes commuters into Historic Downtown Wilmington, less than 15 miles away. The scenic River Road is a well-traveled route for cyclists. Wave Transit’s RideMICRO service is available in Sea Breeze. Wilmington International Airport is about 17 miles away, and Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center is around 11 miles away.
