Wilmington Area Beaches Ranked the Best in the South by Southern Living

The North Carolina coast shines in Southern Living’s “50 Best Beach Towns in the South 2025.” Wrightsville Beach, Topsail Beach, and Oak Island rank among the best beaches in the South.

Sea Scape Properties proudly welcomes travelers to the South’s best beach destinations. Enjoy oceanfront properties set right on Wrightsville Beach. Escape to the stunning shoreline at Topsail Island. Take a boat tour from your coastal accommodation to Oak Island’s untouched beauty. See what makes these beaches the best in the South and how you can experience them with stays at our coastal North Carolina vacation rentals.

Southern Living ranks the “50 Best Beach Towns in the South 2025”

Southern Living is the region’s most trusted resource for everything about living in the South. From places to travel to local cultural happenings to showcasing an authentic Southern style, readers rely on this magazine to stay in the know about the South.

It recently polled more than 10,000 readers in an online survey about their favorite things about the South—the best new hotels, the best cruise lines, the best seafood, the best beach bars, and, of course, the best beach towns! The magazine compiled the results for its 9th annual, ‘The South’s Best 2025.’ This year’s list turns the spotlight on the North Carolina coast, with Wrightsville Beach, Topsail Island, and Oak Island ranking among the best beach towns.

Why Southern Living Readers Love the North Carolina Coast (And You Will Too!)

Making the list of best beach towns in the South is a major accomplishment. The South has approximately 3,000 miles of coastline (North Carolina to Texas). North Carolina alone has approximately 320+ miles of oceanfront coast, without counting the barrier islands, bays, inlets, etc.

So, what makes Wrightsville Beach, Topsail Island, and Oak Island stand out from the other amazing beaches in the South? Each beach town offers something unique to travelers that you won’t find anywhere else in the South.

Wrightsville Beach ranks #28 on the list of top 50 beach towns in the South. It’s celebrated for its appeal to travelers seeking an upscale beach lifestyle. According to Southern Living, Wrightsville Beach is a “quaint village [with] upscale stores and restaurants (many on the water), beautifully preserved historic homes, and a stunning coastline that’s popular for surfing.” It’s a place to enjoy a beautiful beach in the morning, afternoon leisure on the 2.5-mile John T. Nesbitt Loop, and evening waterfront dining capped with an ice cream treat.

Topsail Beach sits at #46 in the ranking of best beach towns. It’s one of the few places on the list to get a taste of unspoiled shoreline. Few permanent residents and no major hotel developments are a recipe for an authentic beach town atmosphere. Southern Living recommends visiting during the summer “when loggerhead sea turtles come ashore to nest and lay their eggs, is truly amazing.”

Oak Island rounds out the list at #50. It’s one of the idyllic beach towns nestled on a quiet barrier island. It’s a vacation where you can expect scenic golf cart rides along the beautiful coast. Southern Living’s readers favor this destination for “the two fishing piers, North Carolina’s newest active lighthouse, and some of the finest shelling in the state.”

The South’s Best Beach Towns Await

Visitors can experience three of the best 50 Beach Towns in the South while staying in the Wilmington Area. Sea Scape Properties manages local vacation rentals in Wrightsville Beach and Topsail Island. Oceanfront vacation homes on Wrightsville Beach put you in the heart of this upscale beach town’s charming atmosphere. Our vacation homes in North Topsail Island are just a few steps from Topsail Beach and sea turtle nesting spots. These locations also give easy access to visiting Oak Island.

Discover our accommodations and see for yourself why North Carolina beaches are the best in the South!

Here’s the entire list of Southern Living’s ‘50 Best Beach Towns in the South’ to discover other fantastic destinations to visit:

1. Simons Island, Georgia
2. Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, Alabama
3. Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
4. Tybee Island, Georgia
5. Jekyll Island, Georgia
6. Sanibel Island, Florida
7. Augustine Beach, Florida
8. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
9. Fairhope, Alabama
10. Fernandina Beach, Florida
11. Anna Maria Island, Florida
12. Rosemary Beach, Florida
13. Isle of Palms, South Carolina
14. Kiawah Island, South Carolina
15. Siesta Key, Florida
16. Beaufort, South Carolina
17. Ocean Springs, Mississippi
18. Seaside, Florida
19. Folly Beach, South Carolina
20. Pawleys Island, South Carolina
21. Port Aransas, Texas
22. Naples, Florida
23. Santa Rosa Beach, Florida
24. Perdido Key, Florida
25. Captiva Island, Florida
26. Navarre, Florida
27. Islamorada, Florida
28. Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina
29. Bay St. Louis, Mississippi
30. Sullivan’s Island, South Carolina
31. Grayton Beach, Florida
32. Nags Head, North Carolina
33. Chincoteague, Virginia
34. Edisto Beach, South Carolina
35. Emerald Isle, North Carolina
36. Cocoa Beach, Florida
37. Palm Beach, Florida
38. Beaufort, North Carolina
39. Duck, North Carolina
40. Rehoboth Beach, Delaware
41. Apalachicola, Florida
42. Murrells Inlet, South Carolina
43. Ocracoke, North Carolina
44. Michaels, Maryland
45. Rockport, Texas
46. Topsail Beach, North Carolina
47. New Smyrna, Florida
48. Hatteras Island, North Carolina
49. Alys Beach, Florida
50. Oak Island, North Carolina