Which beach? Which realty company?

Our family is planning a week in mid June; wanting an oceanfront or oceanview house for 6 - 8 of us on one of the Wilmington area beaches. We have 2 teens, who are bringing friends, plus 3-4 of us adults. Would like quiet beach beauty, but also restaurants %26amp; shopping. What are your beach recommendations? Topsail, Kure, Carolina, or Wrightsville? Do we just plan to drive into Wilmington for non-beach interests?

Also, what is the best realty company for the beach you recommend?

Many thanks for any guidance!

Which beach? Which realty company?

If you are looking for a lot of secondary activity, I%26#39;d recommend Wrightsville Beach. Wrightsville is closer to the shopping areas of Wilmington and it is a great beach if you don%26#39;t mind the crowds. For a first visit to the area, you can%26#39;t go wrong with this choice.

Kure and Carolina are wonderful beaches areas as well but a bit more quiet with not as many shopping options. Even if you stay at Wrightsville Beach, it is worth coming down to Pleasure Island for a day trip. If you have four wheel drive, there are two areas that you can drive on the beach and find your own swimming spot. Also, the NC Aquarium is very nice and Fort Fisher should not be missed. From Fort Fisher, you can take the auto ferry over to Southport and spend a few hours enjoying a step back in time wandering through this quaint, beautiful town. From there you can take the highway back to Wilmington (along the way it is worth a stop at Orton Plantation where you may spot an Alligator or two). Good luck with your search.

Here are some links that might be of help:

Pleasure Island/Southport area links

http://www.ortongardens.com/

http://www.carolinabeachgetaway.com/

http://www.pleasureislandchambernc.org/

http://www.ncaquariums.com/

www.ncparks.gov/Visit/parks/fofi/main.php

ncdot.org/transit/…route008.html

Wilmington/Wrightsville Beach

http://www.visitwrightsville.com/

http://www.mayfairetown.com/

www.cape-fear.nc.us/Home/Wilmington.asp

http://www.wilmingtondowntown.com/

Which beach? Which realty company?

Thanks so much. You%26#39;ve really been helpful. We%26#39;ll stay at Wrightsville Beach and explore the whole area. It looks like there will be something for everyone!

we%26#39;ve always been happy with hobbs realty on holden beach. good folks!

We have had good luck with Bryant Real estate at WB.

Oh, and while WB can be crowded, there are definately areas of the beach that are more crowded than others... Especially near the piers and beach access (parking areas). So talk to the people at Bryant and tell them that you would like a quieter end of the beach. The North end and south end are a bit quieter. It will be a bit longer walk to ';town'; (a little strip of t-shirt and surf shops, ice cream, a good restaurant, a great hot dog place, and a couple bars) It is only about 10-15 minutes into WIlmington proper, if you want to check out what the City has to offer (a lot, including a river walk...and if you have teens...locales from WB%26#39;s ';One Tree Hill';) There is also tons to do in between...including a great water park.

I stayed at Carolina Beach last July, and I would not return. The beach is short, sloped and there is a drop off. I have been to Wrightsville Beach 4 times and it has never changed. The beach is always wide, and flat with tons of shells. We stayed at the Holiday Inn and loved it, however, the prices are really steep. When we stayed at Carolina Beach we found only a few shells. The other beach we went to a few times is Ocean Isle. It is about 1 hour south of Carolina, and it too has wide flat beaches with tons of shells. We are going there in July for the 3rd time. So much more affordable than Wrightsville Beach. And as far as crowds, I don%26#39;t feel any of the beaches are not that crowded.

this works