What's your favorite north Carolina Beach? Updated

I currently live in Nags Head but I prefer the southern beaches near Wilimington. Bald Head Island is my fave.

I only know the stretch from Atlantic Beach to Emerald Isle. I'm partial since i went to high school there.

Go further south....Surfside Beach in SC is awesome

Wrightsville Beach is my favorite.

Check out Holden Beach, NC.  Great beach for walking, even at high tide.
lots of really nice, ocean front houses to rent at very reasonable prices.

We enjoy going to Corolla.

I've been to beaches up and down the Atlantic Coast. I think the Charleston area (and particularly Kiawah) is hard to beat. We'd retire to Kiawah if we could afford it.

That being said, we also love Hatteras Island and the beaches in the national seashore. They are remote, not crowded and pristine. That also means less amenities and activities so that may be a deal breaker for some people.

Myrtle Beach is fine for what it is - an urban area along the coast with thousands of rental units crammed into a small swath along the coast. Many people prefer this type of beach experience - condos with lazy rivers and indoor pools, hundreds of restaurant choices, lots of entertainment and activity options, lots of shopping, lots of golf.

If you're looking for a happy medium, Hilton Head is a good option. Lots of restaurants, activities and shopping with a more thoughtfully laid out coastal community.  Hilton Head is great for biking. 

Then you definitely don't want Myrtle Beach!

ETA: Isle of Palms, Sullivan's Island, Folly Beach and Seabrook are all beach areas near Charleston that have less cost prohibitive options than Kiawah.  Unfortunately, you can't access Kiawah's beaches at all unless you are staying on the island.  I think that may also be the case with Seabrook. 

If you think Hilton Head is too urban you would want to stay away from Myrtle Beach. I'm shocked to hear it's cheaper though. Are we talking actual whole house rentals right on or very near to the beach?

We are Outer Banks lovers. I need to break out of our comfort zone and try some of these other NC beaches that I've never tried. In the Outer Banks we live Rodanthe, Waves, and Salvo. They are quiet smaller towns. Most attractions are a short drive away. We love it because the beaches are so uncrowded. It's nice because you can have fires on the beaches at night. Even though at kids are grown or almost grown, they still love to chase the ghost crabs that only come out at night around with flashlights. This year I've promised my daughter she can try parasailing. Here's the house we're renting this year.

Another one that says avoid Mrytle Beach. Hilton Head is nothing compared to Mrytle Beach. And Hilton Head is extremely quiet depending on where you stay and time of year. April will not be bad at all. We always stay in a house in Sea Pines on the water, and it's always so, so peaceful. Yes it's busy to get to the grocery, etc., but we know back roads and things to avoid from the "tourists." LOL! We have been going for 27+ years. Hard to count anymore.