Has anyone been to Holden Beach, NC?

[Disneymaddness]

We're thinking of vacationing at Holden Beach, NC next year and don't know which house to pick, they all look great! Looking for any advice on location, east end, west end? I know we want oceanfront. TIA

 

[Jeafl]

No, but I will bump this up for you.

We've rented beach houses on Ocean Isle Beach which is pretty close to there and have had a great time every time.

 

[johnsontrio]

We used to vacation there in the early 90's. Not sure which end of the beach but I'm guessing east, as you turned right when you got on the island. We rented from Holden Beach Realty IIRC and always oceanfront, but the canal homes are nice if you bring a boat. It was nice and quiet back then, no neon. Probably not changed much.

Have a good time!

 

[Sabeking]

Oh I hate to be a downer but we have lived in NC our whole life and are about 2 hours from there. We have been to Holden, Ocean Isle and Sunset. They are about 10 minutes from each other, Holden being the most northern. Of these three beaches Holden would be my last pick based on proximity to other things. Sunset is very family oriented/ non commercial BUT if you want, Myrtle beach is only 15 minutes away. Ocean Isle has a little more activity. I might get flamed but Holden has less charm than the other two. Anyway, sorry if I seemed to be negative. Bottom line, NC beaches are amazing. If you want more info please email me; I would be happy to be more specific. Enjoy your vaction wherever you go!

 

[bcvgal]

Oh I hate to be a downer but we have lived in NC our whole life and are about 2 hours from there. We have been to Holden, Ocean Isle and Sunset. They are about 10 minutes from each other, Holden being the most northern. Of these three beaches Holden would be my last pick based on proximity to other things. Sunset is very family oriented/ non commercial BUT if you want, Myrtle beach is only 15 minutes away. Ocean Isle has a little more activity. I might get flamed but Holden has less charm than the other two. Anyway, sorry if I seemed to be negative. Bottom line, NC beaches are amazing. If you want more info please email me; I would be happy to be more specific. Enjoy your vaction wherever you go!

I sooo agree Sunset is Ocean Isle

 

[Disneymaddness]

Thanks for the info. I will check out those other two beaches also.

 

[RunningGirl]

Another NCer here agreeing with the advice given.

Of course, my preference is Corolla in the Outer Banks.

 

[DrCavin]

Have been going to Sunset Beach for 20+ years. If you want to be close enough to MB, but far away from the crowds then Sunset is the place. Ocean Isle is a bit farther north, we have walked up the beach to OI many times.

Sunset Beach has an old swing bridge over the intercoastal waterway that opens to allow boats to continue up/down the waterway. Sadly they are building a new high-rise bridge that will replace the swing bridge. Part of me will miss the swing bridge, but at least there will be no more waiting for the bridge to swing back.

 

[Heather1101]

My grandparents live there and I have been visiting Holden Beach since I was a child in the early 80's. I have always found it to be my last choice, even as a kid. Carolina/Kure beach is my personal favorite, but Sunset and Ocean Isle are great too.

 

[pirateofthecarolinas]

Just left Sunset last Saturday. Sunset isn't as crowded because it is a smaller island. It isn't as wide and there aren't as many rows of houses behind you. We stayed on the West end near Bird Island. It is a deserted island that has become a bird sanctuary.

The only down side is the large amount of brush and dunes between an oceanfront house and the beach. You have to use the public access paths to get to the beach. The beach also can only be seen from the upper deck. If your house has a lower level living area, those people will not have an ocean view.

My children also commented that it was strange to have an oceanfront house and not be able to hear the ocean.

We really did have a great time last week at Sunset.

 

[Disneymaddness]

Thanks for all the info. My son recently graduated from UNCW and we just love the weather there. Now I need to vacation down there!

 

[micki7337]

Another NCer here agreeing with the advice given.

Of course, my preference is Corolla in the Outer Banks.

We just spent our first non-Disney vacation there last month. Can't wait to go back!!