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Party & Palm

September 1, 2026 · 4 min read

A Wrightsville Beach Bachelorette: How We'd Spend the Day

When people around Wilmington say they're heading to the beach, they usually mean Wrightsville. It sits about 8.5 miles from town, and the visitor bureau calls it North Carolina's surf and watersports island, which feels like a gentle nudge about how to spend the day.

Here's how we'd plan a bachelorette day on the island, starting with a few house rules so nothing catches you by surprise.

A few things to know first

The beach itself is alcohol-free. The town doesn't allow drinking on the beach strand or any public property, and its posted beach rules keep glass off the sand as well. That works out nicely, because the best toast of the day happens on a boat anyway.

If you're dreaming up a proper celebration on the sand, with decorations, a setup, or a tent, take a peek at the town's special event page first. Planned celebrations on public property need a permit, starting at $130 for up to 25 people.

Parking is paid every day from March 1 through October 31: $5 an hour or $25 for the day in regular spaces, and $30 a day in the premium lots. You can pay at a kiosk or by text (digital wallets aren't accepted), and the PivotGO! site shows open spaces before you even leave the house.

Morning: into the water

  • Indo Jax Surf School

    Private surf lessons from March through October. Ask about a private lesson for the whole party; they put those together case by case.

  • WB Surf Camp

    Private and group surf and paddleboard lessons, from a crew that's been at it since 2001.

  • Wrightsville SUP96 W Salisbury St

    Paddleboard and kayak rentals, beginner classes, and group rentals. For something a little different, they also run SUP yoga and paddles after dark.

  • Johnnie Mercer's Fishing Pier23 E Salisbury St

    More than 1,200 feet long and the first concrete fishing pier in North Carolina. A walk-out pass costs a couple of dollars, and the end of the pier makes a lovely backdrop for a group photo.

Afternoon: lunch and a lazy stretch

If anyone fancies a stroll after lunch, the Loop wanders about 2.45 miles along the causeway and over the Banks Channel bridge, with water stops along the way.

  • Drift114 Causeway Dr

    Coffee and breakfast from 7 a.m., for the early birds heading to a surf lesson.

  • Shark Bar & Kitchen13 E Salisbury St

    Steps from the pier, open from 10:30 every morning, with happy hour from 3 to 5.

  • South Beach Grill100 S Lumina Ave

    Chicken and waffles, seafood nachos, and a view over Banks Channel that turns golden around sunset.

Evening: raise a glass on the water

With the beach staying dry, a boat is the natural spot for the big toast. Several leave right from the island, and some are happy for you to bring your own drinks.

  • Epic Excursions109 Causeway Dr boat ramp

    Private sunset cruises, and BYOB is welcome. They also run trips out to Masonboro Island, plus an on-board seafood boil they suggest for bachelorette parties.

  • Soundside Adventures275 Waynick Blvd

    A harbor sunset cruise for up to 25 people, along with private charters and kayak and paddleboard rentals.

  • BELLA Catamaran

    A two-hour sunset cocktail sail for up to six on a 44-foot catamaran. Lovely for a small group, and you're welcome to bring your own drinks.

  • Masonboro Island

    An 8.4-mile island with no development at all, reachable only by boat. Whatever you bring along comes home with you, footprints excepted.

Night: dinner and a nightcap

  • OceanicCrystal Pier

    Southern-style seafood out on the pier, with live music on Thursday nights and Sunday afternoons in season.

  • Bluewater Waterfront Grill

    Intracoastal Waterway views from a covered patio. The Sunset Sipper sangria is practically required.

  • The Bridge Tender

    Dinner Tuesday through Sunday, looking out over the marina.

  • The Palm Room

    Pouring since 1955, with live music all year long.

  • Jimmy's

    Live bands, and the slushies it's famous for around here.

  • EAST BarTrailborn Surf & Sound

    The bar at the hotel that used to be the Blockade Runner, for a last drink somewhere a little quieter.

The drive back downtown takes 20 to 30 minutes, and a bit longer in summer traffic or when the drawbridge is up. Settle on a driver or line up rides before everyone boards the boat, and the night can end as smoothly as it started.