Wrightsville Beach South End Area Guide

The four-mile stretch of Wrightsville Beach offers plenty of spots to “set up camp” and enjoy a day at the beach. If you’re looking to find the best stretch of shoreline, set your sights towards Wrightsville Beach’s South End!

This area near the southern tip of the barrier island is home to one of the most iconic piers on the North Carolina coast, a surfer’s enclave, and, of course, the best vacation homes in Wrightsville Beach.

Here’s why our guests love staying on the South End.

How to get to the South End

“South End” refers to the southern end of Wrightsville Beach. Turn right after crossing the Causeway Drive Bridge onto S. Lumina Ave., and it’s a straight shot from there! You can locate it by standing between two landmarks: Crystal Pier and the Jetty at the South End of Wrightsville (yes, it has its own Google Map location!).

Beach Access #43 (next to the South End Pavilion) and #44 (wheelchair accessible) are the most popular entrance points accessing the South End near the main parking lot. Access #37 is the closest to Crystal Pier.

Top 5 Things to Do on the Wrightsville Beach South End

1. Surf’s up for the best swells

National Geographic ranked Wrightsville Beach as one of the World’s Best Surf Towns. The South End of Wrightsville Beach is where you’ll find the best waves in town!

Surfers of all experience levels can enjoy the waves here. For the experienced surfers, the big swells are consistent—and you may even catch the occasional barrel! Private surf lessons with Sean are great for beginners to achieve their first ride by the end of the session. It’s even a popular winter surfing spot.

2. A Dazzling Good Time on Crystal Pier

Crystal Pier (built in 1939) is the younger brother of Johnnie Mercer’s Pier (built in 1935). It was built four years later and less than half the length of Johnnie Mercer’s Pier. But what Crystal Pier has going for it is that it’s free to walk out! That means you can enjoy views from 475 feet over the Atlantic Ocean. Go fishing at the end of the pier to catch kingfish, flounders, and mackerel. Look to the sky to spot Red-shouldered Hawk, Black Skimmer, Willet, and other shorebirds. There’s also a delicious seafood restaurant.

Read below to see why Oceanic at the Crystal Pier is one of the top dining spots in Wrightsville Beach!

3. Discover the best sunset spot on Wrightsville Beach

The east-facing Atlantic coastline is ideal for sunrises. But for those picturesque coastal sunsets, Wrightsville Beach South End provides the best vistas. The southern tip of the barrier island, past the jetty, gives the best view towards the Intracoastal Waterway to watch the sun set below the horizon.

4. Enjoy the beach

Spending time on the beach is the obvious choice. But there’s something about the South End that makes it even more special. The main stretch between Johnnie Mercer’s Pier and Crystal Pier is usually the most crowded. So, continuing down the shore to the south end of the beach will usually give you a bit more space to spread out. Walk beneath the pier for one of the iconic Wrightsville Beach photo locations.

The main parking lot near the South End Pavilion (Beach access #44) has changing rooms and showers.

5. Explore Masonboro Island

More than double the length of Wrightsville Beach, Masonboro Island is southern North Carolina’s longest undisturbed barrier island (8.4 miles long). It’s classified as the Masonboro Island Reserve and sits right across the narrow Masonboro Inlet at the South End of Wrightsville Beach. Although it appears close enough to leap across, we recommend taking a boat to reach this natural island utopia.

The Masonboro Inlet stays busy with boats navigating between the ICW and the Atlantic Ocean. It’s also the preferred route for surfers and kayakers paddling to the remote island. Alternatively, local tour operators have a daily ferry service to Masonboro Island. If you’re up for the boating adventure, you can have the beach (almost) to yourself or treat yourself to a beach picnic.

See how others are enjoying the South End on its dedicated Instagram location tag.

Shopping & Dining on Wrightsville Beach South End

The laid-back beach-town vibe in the South End can be attributed to the limited commercial activity on this end of the island. Luckily, the options it does offer have made a name for themselves and become must-visit destinations for anyone visiting Wrightsville Beach.

Gear up for the beach at the South End Surf Shop. Shop merch featuring the famous barrel logo—as seen on Netflix’s Outer Banks series. Rent a surfboard to enjoy the waves or opt for a kayak rental to paddle to Masonboro Island (check out the Chairman of the Boards vacation rental in the South End of Wrightsville Beach, which provides complimentary SUP, body boards, and other beach gear for guests).

Start your day right above the South End Surf Shop at SUNdays Cafe. You’ll have a view of the Atlantic Ocean while grubbing on a fresh Tropical Acai Bowl and made-to-order smoothies. Dinner at Oceanic will be a highlight of your Wrightsville Beach vacation. Sitting right on Crystal Pier, it pairs fresh seafood with breathtaking ocean views.

South End Wrightsville Beach Insider Tips

If it’s your first time exploring the South End of Wrightsville Beach, these tips will make you feel like a regular.

• Use beach access #44 for the main parking lot with visitor facilities. It costs $6 per hour. Street parking in the area is $5 per hour, but can be harder to find, especially during the beach season.
• The beach on the South End is popular for surfers during big swells. Post-stormy weather and winter have bigger waves. Expect bigger crowds on good surf days.
• The lifeguard tower is staffed only during the beach season.

Best Vacation Homes in Wrightsville Beach South End

The South End is predominantly residential homes. It’s a quiet waterfront area that puts you on or within a few steps from the beach. Pedal beach bikes down Lumina Ave to the island’s southern tip for an unforgettable sunset. Reserve your next stay at one of these popular Wrightsville Beach vacation rentals on the South End:

Blue Wave Retreat

Carolina Breezy

Gray Whale

Explore all of our Wrightsville Beach vacation rentals here!