Sunset Beach, NC: The Ultimate Guide 2024 (From a local)
If you’re planning a visit to Sunset Beach, NC then you have come to the right place! Sunset Beach is a calm and peaceful beach that is away from the other popular (and touristy!) beaches of North Carolina and provides relaxation after spending time hiking through the waterfalls in the state!
You won’t have to worry too much about playing a game of ‘spot your towel’ among a sea of sunbathers or having sand kicked up your swimsuit from little kiddos running around while you’re just trying to relax!
Sunset Beach is home to miles of sand, amazing seafood, and incredible surfing and it’s one of the only places you can see the sunrise and sunset. It’s perfect for a romantic road trip weekend away, which is exactly what Caleb and I did. We spent a perfect weekend in Sunset Beach discovering the hidden gems and best places to eat it and it’s safe to say this might be one of our favorite North Carolina beaches!
Culture Craving Couple contains affiliate links and is a member of the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. If you make a purchase using one of these Amazon links, we may receive compensation at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting us! You can see our disclosure policy.
If you’re a foodie couple? It’s got incredible seafood.
Do you prefer relaxing on the beach together? You can do that for hours?
Maybe you want to explore cute little coastal NC towns together? There’s plenty!
Let’s dive in – come on, the water is warm! (I can’t help a cheesy aside!)
Where is Sunset Beach in North Carolina?
Sunset Beach North Carolina is located in Southwestern Brunswick County. It is actually the southernmost beach in the Brunswick islands and is the last Atlantic Beach that has been developed before you hit the South Carolina border.
About ⅓ of this quiet, beachy town is situated on a barrier island that is between the Atlantic Ocean and the Intracoastal Waterway. The rest of the town is on the northern mainland and is surrounded by Bird Island to the west, Ocean Isle Beach to the west and the South Carolina border to the south.
How far is Sunset Beach from Myrtle Beach?
Being the last developed beach before South Carolina means that Sunset Beach is only a 45-50 minute drive from the main portion of Myrtle Beach! If you want to go to Northern Myrtle Beach, you’re only looking at a 30-minute drive!
You could even combine both beaches for an awesome North Carolina and South Carolina road trip! Hello, salty air, fresh seafood, AND southern food! Don’t forget the road trip questions to pass the time and bring some romance. Oh lala!
The Best Time to Visit Sunset Beach
The best time to visit Sunset Beach REALLY depends on what you’re looking for. I know, you’re like “It’s a beach, what would I be looking for other than a sweet tan and a cocktail with an umbrella!” There are two best windows of time to visit Sunset Beach:
Best Time To Visit For Heat
If you’re a sun-bunny and just want to get brown and crispy then visiting between July and August is going to be your best bet, as this is when North Carolina really brings the heat! The average highs are 88.5°F and rarely drop below 74°F at night.
Keep in mind: this is the busiest tourist season so the beach will be BUSY and accommodation will be pricier! But, if you don’t mind getting elbowed by the coconut-smelling person beside you, by all means! This is YOUR TIME.
If you’re looking for fewer people and don’t mind slightly cooler temps (but, STILL WARM!) then you should hit up Sunset Beach in the fall (September or October) when the daily highs range from 86.7°F and 64.5°F. There are also fewer tourists and things get a little less expensive! We visited in September and it was still warm enough to tan!
If you don’t care about going to the beach at ALL, then consider December through February. You won’t be able to tan, but things will be a heck of a lot less booked, and less expensive and there will be far fewer tourists!
Sunset Beach, NC Weather
Here’s a quick chart of each season with the average temperature, followed by more details below!
| Season | Months | Average Temp |
|---|---|---|
| Winter | December – February | Between 55.6°F (13.1°C) and 63°F (17.2°C) |
| Spring | March – May | Between 58.8°F (14.9°C) and 82.8°F (28.2°C) |
| Summer | June – August | Up to 88.5°F (31.4°C) |
| Fall | September – November | Between 64.5°F (18.1°C) and 86.7°F (30.4°C) |
Winter ❄️
Average Temp: Between 55.6°F (13.1°C) and 63°F (17.2°C)
Oh, winter in Sunset Beach! While it might be a tad too chilly for a beach day, it’s still milder than many places. Expect temperatures to hover between the mid-50s to low 60s.
Spring 🌸
Average Temp: Between 58.8°F (14.9°C) and 82.8°F (28.2°C)
Springtime is when Sunset Beach starts to truly shine. The temperatures are moderate, and the flowers begin to bloom. It’s a fantastic time to explore, with highs reaching up to the low 80s by May. Plus, with 5 to 6 days of rain per month, you’ll have plenty of sunny days to enjoy the beach vibes.
Summer ☀️
Average Temp: Up to 88.5°F (31.4°C)
Hello, summer! This is when Sunset Beach is at its warmest. Expect temperatures to soar, making it the perfect time for sunbathing, swimming, and all those beach activities you’ve been dreaming of. But, a heads up – it can get a bit humid!
Fall 🍁
Average Temp: Between 64.5°F (18.1°C) and 86.7°F (30.4°C)
Fall in Sunset Beach is a blend of summer warmth and autumn coolness. The temperatures are comfortable but it’s a bit rainier with 5 to 6 days of precipitation per month.
Sunset Beach NC Hotels
No matter how you prefer to travel, Sunset Beach has a hotel for you. We also love that most of the options are more reasonable than in big cities like if you were to spend a weekend in Charlotte or Raleigh. Our top picks are:
The Sunset Inn Bed and Breakfast ($$) – A quiet inn with a long porch, hot and fresh coffee, and a great breakfast just a minutes walk from the beach. Great for a romantic weekend getaway!
Islander Inn ($$) – A pool and gym set this adorable Inn apart from others! There is lots of parking, breakfast included (with delish waffles!) and it’s right on the beach!
Ocean Isle Inn ($) – This budget accommodation is a little outside of Sunset beach, but offers a heated pool and hot tub! If you’re trying to save some bucks, it’s a great option!
Or click here to check out other accommodation options!
Sunset Beach Restaurants
Surprisingly, this small town is home to some INCREDIBLE restaurants, especially if you’re a seafood fanatic like we are! A good getaway is never complete without delicious food, so here are the best restaurants in Sunset Beach depending on what you’re in the mood for:
- For breakfast: Sarah’s Kitchen. Try the homemade pancakes or biscuits at this local favorite.
- Seafood with a view: The Boat Landing. Try the shrimp and grits or a beachy basket of fried seafood!
- If you want some downhome pub food like a good burger: Fibber McGees.
- If you’re craving steaks, pasta, or any other Italian food: La Cucina.
- For a quick lunch, sandwiches, or coffee that rivaled our favorite Raleigh coffee shops: Beach House Cafe
Spots outside Sunset Beach:
The town of Calabash is a 5-minute drive from Sunset Beach and we LOVED the food there, so I can’t leave these two spots out:
- The BEST Bagels: You must take a quick 10-minute drive to the famous Bagel Dock Cafe in Calabash for some INCREDIBLE hand-made bagels. We were obsessed!
- Low-key seafood: Waterfront Seafood Shack in Calabash. Caleb had their incredible carb cakes and I had their catch of the day and shrimp. Fresh, delicious, and worth a 10-minute drive outside of Sunset Beach.
Fun fact: Calabash is known for its “Calabash-style” seafood which is lightly breaded, fried, and always served with hushpuppies. It is usually served buffet style as well! We had the best seafood in this tiny town!
Things to Do In Sunset Beach, NC
Sunset Beach is so much more than just a beach! There are many other things to do in Sunset Beach such as:
- Check out the Kindred Spirit Mailbox – Located on Bird Island, this mailbox on the beach is surrounded by a bench and filled with pens and journals. People walk 30 minutes down the beach to write their deepest thoughts, desires, and fears and leave them by the Ocean.
The mailbox is the inspiration behind Nicholas Sparks’ novel “Every Breath!”
- Explore Bald Head Island – hop on the passenger-only ferry to explore the island and enjoy its AMAZING sunsets. This makes an awesome, romantic! date spot
- Explore the Swing Bridge and Museum – This swing bridge was used to link the island and mainland and is now a small museum.
- Golf Courses – There is a HUGE number of golf courses around the beach if that is your kind of relaxing!
- Check out Ocean Isle Beach – A 10-minute drive from Sunset Beach, this beach is a little bigger, more crowded, and more commercialized but does have more options for eating, shopping, etc!
This is just the tip of the iceberg (hotberg?) because there are so many more things to do in Sunset Beach!
Helpful Tips For Planning Your Trip
- If you’re visiting Sunset Beach and want to make the most of wandering out into the water, you need to check out this Sunset Beach tide chart to plan your trip accordingly. You’ll get information for the next 2-ish weeks which is so helpful for planning your trip!
- Want to check out how the weather is looking or how many tourists you’re about to bump arms with on the beach? Check out this Sunset Beach NC Webcam!
- Looking for a vacation rental? Sunset Properties focuses on areas around the beach! They also do real estate sales if that is what you’re looking for!
- Parking around the Beach Access points are limited and you may have to drive around awhile before finding a spot! If you can, go early!
Packing List For Your Beach Day
To make the most of this gorgeous beach, you need to make sure that you’re prepared! Here is what we recommend having:
- Sunscreen (of course)
- A great sun hat.
- Snacks such as granola bars, fruit, etc.
- Lots of water because it gets very hot!
- A big beach towel!
- Your swimsuit! A cute bikini for women and great swim trunks for men.
- A beach umbrella so you can take some time out of the sun. We love the built-in table on this beach umbrella.
- Water shoes so your feet don’t get scratched by shells.
- A cute beach cover-up if you want to go in stores.
- A large beach bag to put everything in.
- Comfy, light beach chairs to sit on.
- Snorkel gear.
- An awesome beach cooler to keep your drinks and snacks cold!
- A waterproof mini speaker to keep the vibes going. We LOVE our Boom 3!
FAQ
What is Sunset Beach NC famous for?
Sunset Beach is famous for its amazing sunsets, miles of soft and sandy shoes, world-class surfing, amazing seafood, and adorable beachfront homes. It’s also the home of the famous Kindred Spirit Mailbox.
Is Sunset Beach Nice?
Sunset Beach is so nice that it was voted one of the top 12 beaches in the world by National Geographic! But, you don’t have to leave the USA for this one!
Is there a boardwalk at Sunset Beach NC?
There is a short boardwalk on Sunset Beach but it is not like other boardwalks. It’s not loaded with tourist shops or restaurants. It’s a simple, nice way to get to the beach!
Can you swim at Sunset Beach NC?
Yes, you can swim at Sunset Beach! The beaches are long and less crowded than other beaches which makes them perfect for swimming! Just know that there is no lifeguard on duty!
Is Sunset Beach dog-friendly?
Sunset Beach is dog-friendly at certain times. From the Friday before Memorial Day through Labor Day, dogs are not allowed on the beach between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. After 6 p.m., dogs are allowed on a leash not longer than 10 feet. After Labor Day and before the Friday before Memorial Day, dogs are allowed all day but must be leashed.
Does Sunset Beach Offer Sunrise Views?
Yes, Sunset Beach offers sunrise views, but only in the late fall through early Spring. Weather.com named this 1 of the “10 Incredible Phenomena You Have to See in Fall!” This is because the beach runs east-west as it parallels the shore and the sun is far enough south during this season that you get both sunrise and sunset!
Wrap-Up: The Ultimate Guide to Sunset Beach, NC
I know I know: you’re already slathering on the Sunscreen, feeling the salty breeze through the screen and you can almost hear “Margaritaville” playing after reading all about this incredible beach. If you’re a lover of all things “beachy” then it’s time you get Sunset Beach on your list!
Once you relax on the shoreline and eat the freshest of seafood, you’ll probably be making it a yearly trip!
Do you think you’ll be visiting anytime soon?
