Kure Beach, NC

Located about fifteen miles south of Wilmington on Pleasure Island, Kure Beach is a quiet coastal town with a relaxed, small-town atmosphere. With around 2,200 year-round residents, it offers a peaceful setting while keeping you within an easy drive of city amenities. The town sits between Carolina Beach to the north and Fort Fisher to the south, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean on one side and the Cape Fear River on the other. Families here are part of the New Hanover County school district, with nearby schools serving the island community.

ATTRAlexisrael / CC BY-SA 3.0

Daily life revolves around the water, anchored by the classic Kure Beach Fishing Pier, one of the oldest wooden piers on the Atlantic coast. On weekends, locals enjoy uncrowded stretches of sand, surf sessions, and quick trips to the southern tip of the island to explore Fort Fisher and the North Carolina Aquarium. You can also catch the nearby ferry for an easy day trip across the river to historic Southport. Between its colorful beach cottages and friendly neighbors, Kure Beach offers an easygoing lifestyle where it is simple to settle in.