Sunset Beach, NC

Sunset Beach sits at the southern edge of North Carolina's Brunswick County, just minutes from the South Carolina state line. With around 4,200 year-round residents, it offers a relaxed, small-town coastal atmosphere that avoids the heavy commercial crowds of other beach destinations. The community is split between a quiet barrier island bordered by the Atlantic and the Intracoastal Waterway, and a mainland side filled with residential neighborhoods, golf courses, and everyday conveniences.

ATTRJ.Paylor / CC BY-SA 4.0

Locals cherish the town's preserved history and easygoing pace. The beloved old swing bridge that once connected the island to the mainland now serves as a community museum, celebrating the town's mid-century roots. Whether you want to spend your mornings strolling the wide beaches or enjoy a quiet neighborhood on the mainland, Sunset Beach provides a peaceful lifestyle within an easy drive of both Wilmington and Myrtle Beach.