Nothing ruins a good day at the beach like not being able to find a parking space. And if you’re not careful, parking in the wrong spot—or missing the fine print—can cost you more than just a sunburn. Across the Cape Fear region, beach towns are rolling out their paid parking programs for 2025, with some changes you’ll want to know before packing the cooler and hitting the road.
Some towns, like Sunset Beach and Ocean Isle Beach, are jumping into paid parking for the first time this April. Others, like Wrightsville Beach and Carolina Beach, are continuing their usual seasons but with updated rates and new zones. It’s a mix of hourly fees, daily passes, weekly options, and even a few free spots—if you know where to look.
In Brunswick County, Holden Beach charges $5 an hour (up to four hours), or $25 for the day, from April through October. Oak Island has similar pricing, but their seasonal permits have jumped to $225 this year. Ocean Isle Beach is going with a tiered system—$5 for the first hour, $10 for the second, and $15 for the third, capping at $20 a day. Sunset Beach is keeping it simple with $5 an hour or $20 for the day in clearly marked spots.
Pender County’s Surf City got a head start, launching its paid parking season back on March 1, with hourly rates between $3 and $5 depending on where you park. North Topsail Beach is charging all year, with options ranging from $5 an hour for on-street parking to $7 an hour in premium lots—and even higher rates for oversized vehicles.
Over in New Hanover County, Carolina Beach has parking from March through October, charging $5 an hour or $25 a day, with a few free options around town if you know where to find them. Kure Beach runs from mid-March through September at $6 an hour or $25 daily, with free church parking Sunday mornings and perks for Purple Heart recipients. Wrightsville Beach has one of the longest seasons and most detailed systems, with different rates for premium and non-premium spots—ranging from $5 to $6 an hour and up to $35 a day.
The bottom line? Paid parking is here, and it’s not one-size-fits-all. Before you head to your favorite stretch of sand, check out the local maps, apps, and rules so you can skip the hassle—and focus on the sunshine.