Want to go to the beach? Rules vary by town. Here’s a guide for Virginia, NC and SC.
As Memorial Day weekend arrives and North Carolina enters Phase Two of loosening restrictions amid the coronavirus, more people are heading outdoors and to the beach.
Counties, cities and towns along the coasts of Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina are starting to remove certain restrictions that had been in place on things like parking, restrooms, sunbathing and social distancing.
Here’s what to know about beaches in those three states:
Dare County (Outer Banks)
Status: Public beaches reopened May 16.
Open: Restaurants are open, take out, drive thru or delivery only. No seated service, indoors or outdoors.
Rules: Proper social distancing must be practiced.
Piers: Nags Head Fish Pier is under construction; Outer Banks Fishing Pier is open for fishing; Avon Fishing Pier is open; Rodanthe Pier Place is open for fishing.
Emerald Isle
Status: Beaches are open to the public.
Open: Restaurants are open for take out, drive thru or delivery only. No seated service, indoors or outdoors. Parking is available at Third Street, Station Street and EORA lots.
Closed: EORA public restrooms and outside showers will remain closed.
Rules: Proper social distancing must be practiced.
Piers: Bogue Inlet Pier is open.
Wrightsville Beach
Status: Beaches open daily for activities such as sunbathing, fishing, games, walking and running.
Open: Restaurants are open for limited outdoor seating in addition to takeout, drive thru and delivery service. Restaurants can convert 25 percent of their parking lots into dining areas and must be cleared of all customers by 10 p.m. Indoor seated service is prohibited. Short-term rentals (hotels, motels, vacation rentals) are open. Most public restrooms are open. Six parking lots, which include 329 spaces, are open.
Closed: East Salisbury Street public restrooms and public on street parking spaces
Rules: Dogs and alcohol are prohibited on the beach. Social distancing is encouraged and the state’s mass gathering restrictions (no more than 10 people indoors, no more than 25 outdoors) are in effect.
Piers: No fishing permitted.
Atlantic Beach
Status: Open to the public.
Open: All public parking lots and lifeguard service have resumed. Public restrooms are open. Restaurants and bars open for takeout, drive thru and delivery service. No indoor or outdoor dining service allowed. Parking available at New Bern Avenue and Henderson Blvd access. The parking lot at the Circle remains closed.
Rules: Proper social distancing must be practiced.
Kure Beach
Status: Normal activities have resumed.
Open: Restaurants are open for limited onsite dining, take out, drive thru or delivery only. Ban on short rentals are lifted. Town owned bumper and marked parking spaces will be open to the public. Marked spaces in front of the businesses is limited to 30-minute parking to support curbside operations of open restaurants and shops. Each Public Beach Access parking lot will be opened at 100% capacity east of Fort Fisher Blvd.
Rules: Proper social distancing must be practiced. Overnight parking is not allowed at Beach Access Parking.
Piers: Open 24 hours
Topsail Beach
Status: Normal activities have resumed.
Open: Public parking available. Restaurants are open for limited indoor service in addition to takeout, drive thru or delivery.
Rules: Proper social distancing must be practiced.
Carolina Beach
Status: Normal activities have resumed.
Open: Public parking. Restaurants are open for take out, drive thru or delivery only. Grocery stores are open, but with limits on number of people allowed inside.
Rules: Proper social distancing must be practiced.
Piers: Open 24 hours
Holden Beach
Status: Open to the public
Open: Public parking. Restaurants are open for takeout, drive thru or delivery only. Public restrooms are open.
Rules: Proper social distancing must be practiced. Gatherings must be 10 people or less indoors, 25 people or less outdoors.
Surf City
Status: Open to the public.
Open: Public parking. Southside Park boat ramp and boardwalk. Portable toilets at select access points.
Closed: Public restrooms.
Rules: Proper social distancing must be practiced. Face coverings required in all indoor establishments open to the public.
Piers: Only open for fishing.
Ocean Isle
Status: Open to the public.
Open: Restaurants are open for limited indoor dining, takeout and delivery. Public parking. Beach Strand is open for exercise, recreational activity and relaxation. Chairs allowed.
Rules: Public gatherings still limited to no more than 10 people indoors and 25 people outdoors, including the beach. Social distancing of at least six feet is required.
Oak Island
Status: Open to the public.
Open: Beach parking. All boat ramps will be open. Short-term rentals will be available once again beginning May 22.
Closed: Restrooms.
Rules: Proper social distancing must be practiced.
Piers: Piers are open.
Bald Head Island
Status: Island will reopen to visitors beginning May 27.
Open: Restaurants can serve customers indoors with limited seating capacity as well as offer take-out service Retailers open with limitations on capacity.
Rules: Ferry vessels limited to 75 passengers, plus crew. Ferries will run from 7 a.m-7 p.m. from Deep Point and 7:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m. from Bald Head. All passengers required to wear face masks/coverings. Proper social distancing must be practiced.
Myrtle Beach, SC
Status: Open to the public.
Open: Restaurants are open at 50 percent capacity.
Rules: Proper social distancing must be practiced.
Piers: Surfside Beach Pier under construction until July or August.
Hilton Head Island, SC
Status: Public beaches, including Coligny Beach Park and Islanders Beach Park, are open.
Rules: Most parking lots were opened to people with beach passes on May 15. Two beach parks, Islanders and Dreissen, are limited to beach pass holders only.
Virginia Beach, Va.
Status: Beaches are open. Chairs, umbrellas and beach towels, which were previously prohibited, will be allowed again starting May 22.
Open: Public restrooms open 24 hours on 2nd, 17th, 24th, 30th and 31st streets.
Rules: Proper social distancing must be practiced.
Piers: Virginia Beach Fishing Pier is open from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m.
Katherine Kokal contributed.
