Sunset Beach, on the North Carolina/South Carolina border, located on a barrier island in Brunswick County, North Carolina, is a quiet gem some even describe as a sweet spot on the North Carolina coast, just outside some of the area’s most notable beach towns. This makes it the ideal place to live or own a second home on the North Carolina shoreline.
What Makes Sunset Beach a Gem Hidden Near Myrtle Beach?
Though just off the shore is a famous shipwreck that draws many visitors. The town of Sunset Beach remains fairly quiet compared to other destinations on the North Carolina Shoreline. This means it is a sweet spot for those who want to come frequently to vacation or live in a relaxed yet picture-perfect spot along the coastline.
Some tourism interest has picked up in Sunset Beach over the last years, but the town has remained fairly quiet as compared to areas like Myrtle Beach. Myrtle Beach is amazing in its own right, but if you are looking for that pristine, sandy beach that is far less crowded and much more relaxed, Sunset Beach is that hidden gem nearby.
When you visit Sunset Beach, you instantly fall in love
The North Carolina coastline is dotted with amazing beaches, and many people dream to own a vacation property or live here full-time. People check out all of the areas along the coast, and many of them, upon discovering Sunset Beach, instantly find peace and are ready to settle in. On Sunset Beach, you will not find long stretches of apartment complexes or other major coastline tourist attractions. Sunset Beach is one of a set of laid-back barrier islands that stretch out from Bald Head Island to the east and meet the South Carolina border on the west.
Sunset Beach’s most popular attraction
There is a popular attraction beyond the amazing sandy beaches in Sunset Beach. It is a historic shipwreck. On historic maps, Sunset Beach is originally labeled as Bald Beach. You will find this name on a 1937 edition of Mosley’s map. The areas around these islands were developed in North Carolina, but the islands remained untouched and undeveloped at the time. In 1864, a blockade runner crashed by running aground just off the island on its way to Wilmington. This shipwreck is highlighted in the 1952 book Shipwrecks of the North Carolina Coast. It does bring in tourist interest, but it does not bring in the major crowds that other areas do.
There is this sweet sort of balance between population density and popularity of Sunset Beach, North Carolina. That makes it feel like it is quite possibly the most perfect coastal spot in the state and maybe on the coast. The construction of bridges brought the ability to live on the island, but Sunset Beach retains a peacefulness that keeps it so charming and relaxing.
The population has increased significantly in the last 30 years, but it is still that small-town warmth of community feel that Sunset Beach retains that draws people. Sunset Beach holds onto and keeps the charm, it is the gem of the North Carolina coastline.
Yes, Sunset Beach is growing, but not at the pace of other areas. Larger areas like Myrtle Beach and Wilmington are also growing. Sunset Beach remains one of those areas that is large enough to have modern amenities, but remains charming without the high-rise developments and close-together houses you see in other areas.
If you are hoping to find a property on Sunset Beach, you want a local Sunset Beach real estate agent to help you out. Sunset Beach is a special place in North Carolina with a culture and real estate market all its own. Making sure you have an expert Sunset Beach real estate agent working with you to find your ideal home in this “hidden” gem of North Carolina is essential. Contact the team at Sunset Beach and Beyond to help you find the coastal North Carolina home that meets both your wants and your needs.