Laid-back surf culture and walkability define Wrightsville Beach
The Wilmington barrier island of Wrightsville Beach is known for its village-like feel and walkability to shops, restaurants and the sandy shore. While the island sees its fair share of tourists, it is defined by a laid-back surfing culture and quiet beaches. Local Marcello Caliva, a broker with Intracoastal Realty Corporation, says it is a “Goldilocks” zone. "It's popular and busy, but it's still relatively quiet and a quaint, charming area," he says.
Cottages, condos and luxury homes all find a place here
Wrightsville Beach has a median price of about $1.6 million, those costs tend to vary widely depending on condition and proximity to the water. "There's a lot of new construction on the beach, but at the same time, there are also very quaint cottages just off the ocean and the sound," Caliva says. "Those are just as charming and not too expensive." Smaller bungalows and cottages start around $1.2 million, while the priciest oceanfront homes can reach up to $10 million. Condos can range from about $300,000 to $4.2 million. Lees Cut at Channel Walk features modern townhouses with boat slips and water views for about $1.2 to $2 million.
Students attend top-rated schools with strong athletics
The area falls within the well-regarded New Hanover County Schools system. Wrightsville Beach Elementary feeds into M.C.S. Noble Middle School and John T. Hoggard High School, all earning A-minus grades from Niche. Hoggard has a strong athletics program with about 20 varsity-level sports. The school has won 38 out of the last 40 Wells Fargo Cup competitions, based on performance in state championship events.
Clean beaches, Caribbean-blue water and trails
Wrightsville Beach's surf culture dates back to 1909. The island offers more than 40 public beach access points. Both locals and city representatives work to keep the beaches clean, according to Caliva. "The water is some of the clearest on the East Coast, probably second to Florida," he says. "We're far from the river, so you get very clear, clean, bright blue water that is very Caribbean-esque." Residents and visitors walk The Loop – the town's 2-and-a-half-mile pedestrian route around the town center with water views. The town manages six neighborhood parks and the larger Wrightsville Beach Park, featuring an inclusive playground, sports courts and a stage for annual events.
Boutique markets and beachside restaurants within walking distance
Surf shops, restaurants and boutique grocers are available on the island. "You can walk or ride your bike to all of these retail services, and I think that's one of the biggest things about Wrightsville Beach," Caliva says. Robert's Grocery provides a small selection of produce, prepared foods, meats and pantry staples, and locals supplement their grocery trips at Harris Teeter across the Causeway Drive bridge. Drift Cafe serves lattes and breakfast and lunch options garnished with fresh greens and fruit. Oceanic Restaurant offers outdoor dining on the Crystal Pier and seafood options such as scallop and shrimp linguine.
Paddle surf pros and lighted boats headline annual events
The Carolina Pro-Am hosts some of the top amateurs and professionals in stand-up paddle surfing. Flotilla, the longstanding lighted boat parade and fireworks show, kicks off the holidays at the end of November. The event continues into the weekend with arts and craft vendors, an antique car show and kids' activities at the park. The Sounds of Summer concert series hosts rock, dance, country and island bands at the Wrightsville Beach Park stage.
Drawbridge delays aside, the island is easy to navigate
In 2025, the city wrapped up two improvement projects, adding new bike lanes on Causeway Drive and expanding pedestrian lanes on North Lumina Avenue. The Loop provides walking access to parks, shops, restaurants and beaches. U.S. Route 74 leads through town and connects to U.S. 17 and Interstate 40. Boat traffic at the drawbridge can create longer commutes. The town is about 6 miles from Wilmington and about 10 miles from Wilmington International Airport, offering 29 direct domestic routes.
Flood mitigation and quick recovery times after storms
Hurricanes are an annual possibility here, as with the rest of North Carolina's coastline. The entire town is within a special flood hazard area. Recent building codes help to prevent flooding, and existing structures may need to be retrofitted to reduce or eliminate exposure to water. "We're fortunate that there are some not-too-exciting events where there is a lot of wind, rain, maybe some downed trees and powerlines, and Duke Energy comes out and gets them repaired very quickly," Caliva says. "It's amazing how, within a day or two, everything is operational again after a storm."
