Whether you’re heading out of town to celebrate a special occasion or just looking to spend some time with the guys, you’re probably searching for somewhere with the right mix of adventure and relaxation. Wrightsville Beach is the ultimate guys’ retreat, where you can hit the boards or links, sip craft brews, jam to live music, cast a line and more. 

Hit the Links

Enjoy some friendly competition on the links at the nearby, revitalized Wilmington Municipal Golf Course. Designed by one of the world’s most influential golf course designers, Donald Ross, this course will give your group a championship experience at an affordable price. With a par of 71 on 18 holes, this course is perfect for seasoned golfers and amateurs alike. 

Island Bites

Start your day at a local favorite in the area, The Workshop, for panini style breakfast sandwiches, fresh smoothies, coffee and more. Then, spend the evening feasting at one of Wrightsville Beach’s top restaurants. Locals and visitors alike will enjoy an alfresco meal at the seaside seating on the Crystal Pier at the Oceanic. Spice up your trip with tacos at Tower 7 Baja Mex, a favorite of celebrities who have filmed on location in the area. Dine at South Beach Grill, providing waterfront views of the Banks Channel, to enjoy Southern inspired, locally sourced North Carolina cuisine at its best. Or, relax with casual, coastal fare at Shark Bar & Kitchen, where the menu offers fresh, seasonal dishes and delightful desserts.

 

Coastal Libations

Kick back and relax for an evening of live music and local brews at Wrightsville Beach Brewery. Located just over the drawbridge and known for its 11 different craft beer options, the brewery features live music every Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. Don’t miss out on tasty bites from the brewpub’s menu, such as oysters and other seafood specialties. Or, catch a game at Jerry Allen’s Sports Bar & Grill and dig into their famous $3 cheeseburger on the outdoor patio. Check out the long list of craft brews at Poe’s Tavern and enjoy one of their gourmet burgers featuring unusual ingredients, such as crab cakes, shrimp, pimento cheese or guacamole.

 

On the Water

Grab a kayak and paddle out on a remote island adventure to Masonboro Island Reserve, the longest undisturbed barrier island ecosystem in southern North Carolina. Keep your eyes peeled for the birds, fish, invertebrates and sea turtles that call the reserve home. You can also sail away along Wrightsville Beach’s beautiful waterways. Amateurs will quickly become pros with a lesson on the water from Wrightsville Performance Sailing or Blockade Runner Sailing School. Or, build a customized three-and-a-half-hour sailing experience with Shamrock Sailing Adventures’ Captain Jim. Grab up to six friends and embark on a private charter adventure to sail offshore, cruise along the Intracoastal Waterway or relax in secluded anchorages. Lauded by Outside magazine as one of the best “SUP hubs” in the U.S., the variety of nearby waterways makes Wrightsville Beach the perfect place to test out your stand-up paddleboarding skills. Rent all the gear you’ll need from Wrightsville SUP and enjoy a group lesson before heading out to explore local uninhabited islands and unpopulated waterways. Learn how to ride the waves during a surfing lesson in the birthplace of surfing in North Carolina with Sean’s Private Surf Instruction or WB Surf Camp. For an under the sea experience where you will find a wide variety of offshore reefs, ledges, shipwrecks and underwater habitats, book a scuba diving with one of our charters.

 

Hook, Line & Sinker

Avid anglers can take to the open waters with a full- or half-day boat charter from Deep Sea Express Charters. Experienced captains can help even the most amateur fishermen hook a fish both inshore and in the deep sea. Take your fresh caught Spanish and King Mackerel, Mahi-Mahi and Sailfish to grill back at the vacation rental. Opt to stay on dry land and cast a line from the iconic Johnnie Mercers Pier, where you can kick back and relax with sweeping views of the Atlantic Ocean. Or, head to the south end of the island to fish from the Crystal Pier. If you’d rather leave the fishing to the pros, pick up the latest fresh catch at Motts Channel Seafood.

 

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