Updated: August 28, 2025
North Carolina is a treasured destination for beachgoers, as it offers more than 300 miles of oceanfront coastline to explore. While some of the most well-known beaches in North Carolina, such as Wrightsville Beach and Nags Head Beach, offer plenty of attractions and activities for tourists, they can also be crowded with beach chairs, umbrellas and endless sand toys.
If you are hoping to enjoy a peaceful and restorative beach trip to North Carolina, you may want to consider visiting some of the best North Carolina beaches for low crowds. These hidden gems offer unparalleled natural beauty and plenty of space for you to enjoy it. Below, we detail the six least crowded beaches in North Carolina, to best help you plan your upcoming beach vacation.
This pristine beach can be found in the small town of Emerald Isle, which is located at the western tip of the Bogue Banks barrier island. It is considered to be one of the best beaches along North Carolina's Crystal Coast, largely because it is a peaceful and quiet beach that is rarely packed with crowds.
The beach doesn't have a designated access point. Locals and visitors are able to walk onto the beach from many points in town, due to the fact that it stretches for more than 12 miles along the Atlantic Coast. Once you arrive on this gorgeous stretch of beach, you will feel as if you have found your own personal oasis in North Carolina. This beach is a favorite among swimmers and bodyboarders and it's a treasure trove for those in search of picture-perfect seashells.
One thing to be aware of, however, is that there are often nesting sea turtles on the beach. Visitors need to be aware of the turtles and give them the space that they need. If you are lucky, you may wake up to see some tiny turtles making their way into the ocean again! Just remember, all sea turtles in North Carolina are protected by federal law and it's illegal to touch or disturb them. Stay at least 30 feet away from all nests, turtles and baby sea turtles.
While you may have to share the beach with the wildlife in the area, you won't feel like you are sitting side-by-side with the thousands of tourists who flock to other North Carolina beaches. On Emerald Isle Beach, you will feel as if you have those Atlantic Ocean or Bogue Inlet views all to yourself.
Recently, Ocracoke Beach was named as one of the best beaches in America, according to our AAA travel editors. While this title often reserved for those high-impact tourist destinations that bring in travelers around the world, Ocracoke Beach received this honor because it's the exact opposite of those popular tourist attractions. It's a secluded and protected seashore, allowing visitors to truly experience the natural beauty of the North Carolina shoreline.
Ocracoke Beach is found on Ocracoke Island and is maintained by the National Park Service as part of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. Stretching for more than 16 miles, this is a beach that never feels crowded — even during those ever-popular holiday weekends in the summer. Whether you want to spend the day flying a kite along the seashore or reading your favorite book as you listen to the sound of the waves rolling in, you will find that this spectacular beach is one of North Carolina's true hidden gems.
This beach may be relatively remote and secluded, but that doesn't mean that it's rustic. Visitors will be greeted with all of the amenities that make for a relaxing and comfortable day at the beach, such as outdoor showers, restrooms and plenty of parking. Rental gear is available for those who want chairs, umbrellas or recreational equipment.
Offering family-friendly fun and unbeatable views, Ocracoke Beach is the perfect spot for those who truly want to get away from it all.
The Outer Banks is defined as a string of barrier islands off the Atlantic Coast of North Carolina, stretching from the northernmost Carova until the far-away Ocracoke Island. If you truly want to enjoy one of the best North Carolina low crowd beaches, you should spend a day at Carova Beach during your OBX vacation. The Outer Banks is one of the best family beach vacation destinations in the world, and while many areas are full of visitors, Carova Beach is a remote stretch of shoreline that is ideal for recreational enthusiasts and those who prefer to be surrounded by natural beauty rather than people.
Carova Beach is one of the only beaches located north of the town of Corolla and it's only accessible by 4x4 vehicle — which means that you aren't going to find a ton of people soaking up the sun and playing in the waves. Actually, you may find that you have the beach to yourself, as it's often nearly empty due to its remote location and limited accessibility. Adventure-seekers often bring along their kayak so that they can paddle along the soundside of the beach.
As a result, this beach is incredibly private, giving you the opportunity to appreciate the wilds of the North Carolina shoreline. If you are lucky, you may even catch a glimpse of the wild horses that Corolla is famous for. There's nothing quite as magical as watching these whimsical creatures gallop through the surf.
Often overlooked due to its proximity to the ever-popular Wrightsville and Carolina beaches, Topsail Beach is one of North Carolina's best beaches for low crowds. The town of Topsail Beach is home to just under 400 residents and visitors often appreciate the small-town charm of this community. There's a quaint downtown area where you will find a few restaurants and shops and there are just a few motels nearby where you can stay. It's nothing like the most well-known beaches, which are defined by high-rise hotels and bustling downtown areas. But that's part of the allure of Topsail Beach.
The beach has become known as one of the best places to watch the sunset in North Carolina. Defined by pristine white sand and breathtaking turquoise waters, this beach is beyond beautiful. Whether you are looking for a romantic escape or a more relaxing getaway with your kids, you will find that Topsail Beach fits the bill.
Balancing the effervescent energy of popular North Carolina beach towns with the peacefulness of a hidden gem destination, Kure Beach is a favorite among families who want to be near it all without dealing with the crowds. One of the reasons that Kure Beach has been able to maintain its status as one of the least crowded beaches in North Carolina is that many travelers never make it past Wrightsville Beach, which is one of the most popular beaches in the state. Those that do decide to go a little further are rewarded with a lively beach atmosphere that is not overstimulating or overwhelming.
Known as one of the most family-friendly beaches, visitors can often be found playing in the waves, fishing on the pier or relaxing in the sand. Kure Beach is also located near some beloved local attractions, such as the Fort Fisher State Historic Site and the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher. Families with young children appreciate the fact that this is one of the best North Carolina beaches for low crowds, yet it is still a short drive away from some of the most exciting and inviting attractions in the state.
Throughout the Outer Banks, you will find dozens of charming towns and picturesque beaches, but none quite compare to the quaintness of Avon. Avon is one of the tiny villages on Hatteras Island and is home to Avon Beach, which is one of the least crowded beaches in North Carolina.
In the town of Avon itself, you can easily access its shoreline. This is where you will find families enjoying a restful day in the surf and sand, often attempting to fly kites together or building sandcastles. Treasure hunters, however, often find themselves using a recreational 4x4 vehicle in order to get to some of the more remote stretches of beach, where they can search for some of the most beautiful shells in the Outer Banks. These secluded areas of beachfront are more difficult for most people to access, which means that there is always an abundance of seashells regardless of the tide.
If you want to live like a local during your North Carolina beach vacation, Avon is an excellent option. Most visitors stay in nearby cottages, giving them the opportunity to try out the simple yet rewarding lifestyle that this boat-building town has enjoyed for more than a century.
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