Beach Parking & Access

Where to park, what it costs, before you are circling the block

Nothing kills beach-day momentum like circling the same block for twenty minutes when the water is right there. Here is what parking actually looks like at the beaches we cover.

Wrightsville Beach

Paid parking runs through most of the season, and lots fill up fast on weekends and holidays. Get there early, or the lot decides your plans for you.

Official Wrightsville Beach parking info

Carolina Beach

Metered and pay-by-app parking lines the oceanfront and boardwalk, with municipal lots as a backup. Download the app before you leave the driveway, not after you are already circling.

Official Carolina Beach parking info

Live Spot Availability, Carolina Beach

Carolina Beach runs a real-time parking availability map through Pivot Parking. Check it before you load up the car: view the live map.

Topsail Beach

Paid parking runs March 1 through October 31 at beach accesses 5–15 and the South End Lot ($6/hr up to 4 hours or $30/day oceanfront; $7/hr or $35/day at the South End Lot). Other accesses stay free. Pay through the SurfCAST by Otto app or the QR code posted at the lot.

Official Topsail Beach parking info

Surf City

Paid parking runs March 1 through October 31, 9am to 6pm daily, at town lots and right-of-way spaces on Topsail Island, roughly $3–$6/hour with daily and weekly options. Pay by text-to-park or the QR code at the space, run by Pivot Parking.

Official Surf City parking info

Live Spot Availability, Surf City

Surf City runs on the same Pivot Parking system as Carolina Beach: view the live map.

Oak Island

Paid parking runs April 1 through September 30, 9am to 5pm daily, at beach and marina accesses. Right-of-way parking is banned entirely during that window. Rates run about $5/hr (up to 3 hours), $20/day, or $80/week, through the SurfCAST/Otto app or the QR code on-site.

Official Oak Island parking info

Holden Beach

Paid parking is enforced 9am to 5pm daily (free outside that window) at spaces marked “Pay-to-Park.” Rates run about $5/hr (up to 4 hours), $20/day, or $80/week, through the SurfCAST by Otto Connect app or the QR code on posted signage.

Official Holden Beach parking info

Live Spot Availability, Holden Beach

Holden Beach runs OttoView by Otto Connect, a real-time parking map with availability by lot: check it on SurfCAST.

Rules and rates change season to season. Always double-check the official town link before you go, especially early in the summer when new rates take effect.