FAQ

Visitor Parking, Pets and Other Frequently Asked Questions

When a getaway to Wrightsville Beach is in your future, you may have questions about trip-planning basics. From parking to pet friendly things to do, find information to plan the perfect vacation with our list of answers to frequently asked visitor questions. If you don’t find the answers you need, reach out to our Visitor Information Specialist or stop by our Visitor Information Center for customized trip tips.

 

GENERAL INFORMATION

  • Find town information on public restrooms and beach shower facilities available for your convenience.

  • Yes! Please call (910) 341-4030 for information and requests or request information online.

  • All accommodations, dining options, things to do and events are listed on our website. Click on the appropriate heading to see a complete list.

  • Wrightsville Beach is known for comfortable weather year-round. Find forecasts, average temperatures by month and more weather-related information.

  • Yes! Please contact our Sales and Services team who can assist you with your questions and planning. Find more information on Meetings & Conventions and Weddings, including venues, services and more.

  • Sales and use tax on purchases, including food, clothing, and other retail are taxed at the rate of 7%, grocery store food designed to take home is 2%, and prepared food at restaurants is 7%. In addition to the 7% sales tax, there is a local county room occupancy tax at a rate of 6%.

Transportation & Accessibility

  • The Town of Wrightsville Beach has over 1,600 metered spaces available for public parking. Meters are enforced every day from March 1 to Oct. 31 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. (with some enforced 9 a.m. - 8 p.m.). Wrightsville Beach also uses pay stations and offers pay-by-phone for your convenience at some public parking locations. There are 26 pay stations located on the island. Find more parking information about locations, payment options, rates and other miscellaneous information. If a valid handicapped placard or license plate is displayed in/on a vehicle parked in a marked handicapped space, no payment is required. A handicapped placard or plate does not enable free parking elsewhere.

  • Wilmington International Airport (ILM) is approximately 10 miles from Wrightsville Beach.

  • Some hotels at Wrightsville Beach have airport shuttles. Check with your lodging property for availability. Taxis and rental cars are also available. Find more information about ground transportation and car rentals.

  • For information on free beach accessibility equipment/services, call the Wrightsville Beach Parks & Recreation office at (910) 256-7925. Find a list of accessible-friendly hotels, restaurants and attractions. For more comprehensive handicap information, visit ACCESS North Carolina.

  • South End Surf Shop and Wrightsville SUP rent bicycles. Find information on all equipment rental businesses on the island.

  • Four (4) Level 2 (220-240 volts) EV charging stations are located in Wrightsville Beach Park (intersection of Bob Sawyer & Fran Russ Drs) across from the basketball courts. Users must download and pay through the Shell Recharge App prior to charging.

Beach

  • There is no charge to access the beach.

  • Lifeguards are on duty every day from Memorial weekend through Labor Day weekend. Wrightsville Beach is a USLA Advanced Certified Beach. All seasonal ocean rescue personnel are trained as both open water lifeguards and emergency medical responders according to ULSA advanced agency standards. Find more information on lifeguard stand locations and public beach access points.

  • You can bring your dog to the beach from Oct. 1 – March 31. Your pet must always be on a leash while in the Town of Wrightsville Beach. You are required to always clean up after your pet and dispose of pet waste in available trash cans. No pets are allowed on the beach strand from April 1 – Sept. 30.

    There are several stations containing complimentary dog waste bags just in case you forget to bring your own means of disposal and several dog-friendly water fountains located around the Town of Wrightsville Beach. For further information, please contact the Wrightsville Beach Planning & Parks Department at (910) 256-7937 or view the Dogs at Wrightsville Beach flyer (PDF).

  • You can rent beach items at South End Surf Shop and Cape Fear Beach Rentals. Find a full list of equipment rental businesses including beach equipment rentals.

  • No.

  • Equipment rentals are available from Cape Fear Paddleboarding, South End Surf Shop, Soundside Adventures, Sweetwater Surf Shop, Wrightsville SUP or Wrightsville Kayak Co. Find a complete list of island outfitters providing water sport rentals.

  • There are numerous water activities in Wrightsville Beach including surfing, paddleboarding, kayaking, SCUBA diving, sailing, wakeboarding, fishing and more. Find more information on water experiences and activities.

  • You may ride your bicycle on the beach anytime Oct. 1 – March 31. Between April 1 – Sept. 30, bicycles are not allowed on the beach from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Things to Do

  • Please check our events calendar to see what is happening on the dates you are visiting.

  • Please find eco-tourism trip ideas including eco-adventure, parks and gardens.

  • There are many tours and cruises available to enjoy. Find more information on island tours and cruises.

  • The Loop is easily accessed from the Wrightsville Beach Park at 1 Bob Sawyer Dr. Find a map of The Loop and more parks and recreation information.

Food & Drink

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