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Carolina Beach is easily accessible by car, plane or boat. You'll find it's easy to get to with convenient access to highways and an international airport nearby. With a variety of public parking lots and metered spaces to choose from, including those with restroom and beach shower facilities, this beach town is comfortable and easy to navigate once you’re here.
Directions
Carolina Beach is located 15 miles from Wilmington, which is centrally located on the East Coast, midway between New York and Florida. The major east/west interstate artery I-40 leads to Wilmington, which is also served by U.S. highways 17, 74, 76, 117 and 421. Follow I-40 Eastbound to US-117 S/N College Road. Continue onto South College Road to US-421 South/Carolina Beach Road.
To and from Wilmington International Airport (ILM)
The Wilmington International Airport is located 19 miles from Carolina Beach. Rental cars and taxis are available at the airport terminal. From the airport, take Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway eastbound to North Kerr Avenue and take a right on South College Road. Continue onto south College Road to US-421 South/Carolina Beach Road.
Map at a Glance
Carolina Beach, North Carolina
There’s Only One Carolina Beach
A vintage beachside boardwalk, state park, miles of alluring beach, first-class fishing, live music and more add to the allure of a Carolina Beach vacation.
carolina
Carolina Beach, North Carolina
There’s Only One Carolina Beach
A vintage beachside boardwalk, state park, miles of alluring beach, first-class fishing, live music and more add to the allure of a Carolina Beach vacation.
Parking
Once on the island, you will find Carolina Beach has metered parking spaces as well as parking lots. Town-operated lots and metered spaces are open year round, and paid parking is in effect March 1 - Oct. 31, 9 a.m. – 8 p.m. and Nov. 1 - Dec. 31,9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Parking is free for the months of January and February. Payment for parking at all town-operated locations may be done using a credit or debit card or use the Text-2-Park app on a smart phone. Some lots and meters still take cash or coins, however not all do. Free parking is available in all handicap marked spaces located in town-operated lots or metered spaces for those vehicles displaying a valid handicap designated license plate, placard, or hang tag.
Downtown Carolina Beach Parking
Carolina Beach parking fees help support projects and services that enhance the visitor experience including:
- Parking lot cleaning and maintenance
- Parking equipment repairs and purchases (meters, improved pay stations)
- Beach cleaning and maintenance (beach access paths, trash collections)
- Carolina Beach Boardwalk cleaning and maintenance (benches/swings, tables, sun covers, visitor’s booth, trash collections)
- Visitor related facility cleaning and maintenance (bathrooms, walkways)
Pivot Parking is responsible for ticket issuance, ticket payments, appeals, as well as meter collection and maintenance. For other parking information, please visit the Town of Carolina Beach website.
