What to know about parking at Wilmington-area beaches

Cheryl M. Whitaker, Wilmington StarNews
·5 min read

With temperatures still climbing in the 90s most days, people are still finding relief dipping their toes or swimming in the ocean.

Whether you're heading to local beaches for the Labor Day weekend or later, make sure to manage some time to finding parking. And in most cases, paid parking.

Here's a list of costs and the last days for paid parking (if it applies) in New Hanover, Brunswick and Pender counties.

The town of Carolina Beach enforces two paid parking periods. One runs March 1-Oct. 31 and the second runs Nov. 1-Dec. 31.
The town of Carolina Beach enforces two paid parking periods. One runs March 1-Oct. 31 and the second runs Nov. 1-Dec. 31.

New Hanover

Carolina Beach

Town-operated parking is open year-round and paid parking is enforced 9 a.m.-8 p.m. March 1-Oct. 31; 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Nov. 1-Dec. 31.

Rates through Oct. 31

  • Parking lots $5 hour or $25 per day

  • Bus, limo or oversized vehicle $10 hour or $40 day

  • On-street parking: Without time restrictions, $5 hour or $25 day. With time restrictions: $5 hour (2 hour limit)

  • $100 weekly

Rates through Nov. 1-Dec. 31

  • Parking lots $2 hour or $10 per day

  • Bus, limo or oversized vehicle, $5 hour or $20 day

  • On street parking: Without time restrictions, $2 hour or $10 day. With time restrictions: $2 hour (2 hour limit)

  • $100 weekly

Where to park: There are 13 town-operated lots with more than 560 spaces, mostly along Canal Drive. There are also a handful of single-space spots throughout the Carolina Beach Boardwalk area along with privately managed lots, which may have different rates. Hourly rates apply for single space town designated parking lots (credit and debit cards may also be used as well to purchase time with an hour minimum).

Details: Parking/ Carolina Beach, NC

Kure Beach

  • Dates: March 15-Sept. 30

  • Rates: $5 hourly, $20 daily, $100 weekly

Where to park: Several public parking lots exist along Fort Fisher Boulevard South.

Exceptions: Marked handicap spaces are free parking with handicap placard or license plate. Purple Heart recipients with a Purple Heart license plate may park for free in any marked space. Church parking on Sunday is free from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the following locations: Third Avenue between K and L avenues, Sixth Avenue between I and J avenues, Kure Beach Community Center parking lot, 118 N. Third Ave.

Details: Parking/Town of Kure Beach, NC

Wrightsville Beach

  • Dates: March 1-Oct. 31

  • Times: 9 a.m.-7 p.m.

  • Rates: $5 hour, $25 day

Where to park: On-street parking is available along Lumina Avenue and on several nearby residential streets. Spots are available in beachside lots toward the north and south end.

Exceptions: Text to park at Wrightsville United Methodist Church (unless church activities are occurring).

Details: Parking/Wrightsville Beach, NC

Brunswick

Holden Beach

  • Dates: April 1-Oct. 31

  • Times: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

  • Rates: $ per hour (up to 4 hours), $20 per day (more than 4 hours), $80 per week

  • Annual passes: $150 for a single vehicle, $300 for two vehicles

Where to park: Holden Beach has no parking on streets or rights-of-way, except where designated by signs. Go to https://www.scribblemaps.com/maps/view/HB-Parking/HBParking for a map with details of available parking.

Details: 910-200-1497 or email customerservice@ottoconnect.us

Oak Island

  • Dates: April 1-Sept. 30

  • Times: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

  • Rates: $4 hourly, $20 per day, $80 weekly

Where to park: Paid parking zone consists of the beachfront areas south of the Davis Canal (West of SE 40th St) and E Oak Island Drive (East of SE 40th St). During the enforcement times, all spaces not directly marked as handicapped or town resident. Parking is considered regular paid parking spaces and requires a permit.

Details: Town Parking Information / Oak Island

Ocean Isle Beach

  • Currently, parking is free to public beach access at many locations, but overnight parking is not allowed in the town-owned spaces.

  • Ocean Isle Pier: $10 daily, $5 weekly, $175 seasonally and free after 6 p.m.

  • Private-owned lots charge a fee and are not operated by the town of Ocean Isle Beach.

Details: Town Parking Information / Ocean Isle Beach

Onslow/Pender

North Topsail Beach

  • Bordering Surf City, visitors have to pay to use North Topsail Beach's parking areas.

  • Times: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. every day, year-round.

  • Rates for standard lots: $5 hourly, $25 daily, $100 weekly. Annually $150 per vehicle if purchased one at a time, $250 for two vehicles purchased at the same time.

  • 4X4 drive-on-lot parking rates: $25 daily, $100 weekly, $150 annual per vehicle if purchased one at a time, $250 annually for two vehicles purchased at the same time.

  • Free parking is available at three access points controlled by Onslow County: Beach Access No. 1, 1795 New River Inlet Road, North Topsail Beach; Beach Access No. 2 - 2950 Island Drive, North Topsail Beach; and Beach Access No. 4 - 484 New River Inlet Road, North Topsail Beach.

Details: northtopsailbeachnc.gov/community/paid parking

Surf City

  • Paid parking season runs from March 1-Oct. 31. From November to April, it's free within town limits.

  • Times: 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Parking before or after these hours are free.

  • Free parking: Year-round free parking is available at 423 Wilmington Ave., Surf City. There are 14 spaces available, according to Surf City mapping.

More: Where to find free parking at Topsail Island beaches

This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: What to know about paid parking in Wilmington NC