Where to Watch the Sunrise and Sunset on Holden Beach, NC

Holden Beach is one of those places where you do not need a complicated plan to catch a good sunrise or sunset. The beach faces south, so the view changes through the year, and in the cooler months you can get some especially good color over the water.

Sunrise is easiest on the east end. For sunset, I like heading west and giving yourself room to walk until the view opens up.

Best Sunrise: The East End

For sunrise, I would start at the East End beach access at the end of McCray Street. It is a public access and an easy place to get onto the sand without wandering around looking for a spot before daylight.

Get there about 20 minutes before sunrise. Some mornings the best color happens before the sun clears the horizon, especially when there are a few clouds offshore.

If you are staying on the east side of the island, walking or riding over is usually easier than moving the car. If your rental has a nearby beach access, there is also nothing wrong with keeping it simple and watching from there.

Best Beach Sunset: Head West

For sunset from the beach, head west. The farther you go toward the west end, the more the shoreline opens up and the better the evening view gets.

PW440 at 917 Ocean Boulevard West is a public beach access with a bike rack and makes a useful west-side starting point. If you are driving, use a designated public parking area and walk or ride from there rather than counting on parking right at the far end.

This is one of the places where a bike actually makes the outing easier. You can ride west, lock up near a public access, walk onto the beach for sunset and ride back without moving the car.

Rent Bikes on Holden Beach

The Beach Near Your Rental Is Still a Good Option

You do not need to make every sunrise or sunset an excursion. Holden Beach has a long, open shoreline, and most evenings I would use the beach access closest to the house unless I specifically wanted the west-end view.

Bring a chair, stay a few minutes after the sun drops and watch the color change. Low tide can be especially nice because the wet sand reflects the sky.

If you want to time the walk around the waterline, check our Holden Beach tide chart before you head out.

A Different Sunset: The Intracoastal Side

If you want something besides another ocean view, the Intracoastal side near the bridge gives you marsh, boats and the western sky together. It is a nice change of scenery and an easy option if you are already near the middle of the island.

A Few Local Tips

Partly cloudy skies usually give you more color than a perfectly clear horizon.

In fall and winter, bring an extra layer. It can feel noticeably cooler once the sun drops.

For sunrise, arrive before the sun comes up instead of right at sunrise. For sunset, stay at least 10 or 15 minutes after the sun disappears. The best color is often late.

Holden Beach has public accesses throughout the island, but use marked public walkways unless your rental gives you access to a private one. Parking rules can change, so use marked spaces and check the current signs where you park.

Keep It Simple

One of the best parts of Holden Beach is that you do not need much of a plan. Pick an end of the island when you want a different view, or walk out from the closest access when you do not. Either way, sunrise and sunset are an easy reason to spend another half hour outside.

For more local ideas while you are here, see our Holden Beach vacation guide.

If you need beach gear during your stay, our Holden Beach rentals are delivered directly to your vacation rental.

Where to Watch the Sunrise and Sunset on Ocean Isle Beach, NC

Ocean Isle Beach gives you several good options for both sunrise and sunset without turning either one into a big outing. Most mornings, the best sunrise spot is simply the beach access closest to where you're staying. For sunset, the west end and the pier give you a couple of different views worth planning around.

Best Sunrise: The East End

For sunrise, I would head toward the east end of Ocean Isle Beach. The Shallotte Boulevard beach access puts you close to the end of the island and gives you a wide-open ocean view without having to overthink it.

Get there about 20 minutes before sunrise. The beach is usually quiet, and some of the best color shows up before the sun actually clears the horizon.

Best Beach Sunset: Head West

For sunset from the beach, head the other direction. The west end opens up as you get closer to the end of the island and gives you some of the best evening views on Ocean Isle.

A bike works especially well for this. You can explore farther down the island, stop wherever the view looks best and ride back after the sun goes down without moving the car. Try an e-bike rental for an upgraded experience!

Rent Bikes on Ocean Isle Beach

For a Different Sunset: Ferry Landing Park

Ferry Landing Park is a great option when you want something besides an ocean view. The pier looks out across the Intracoastal Waterway and marsh, so you get boats, marsh grass and the evening sky all in the same view.

There is also plenty of parking available which makes this one of the easier options. Ferry Landing Park is at the end of Shallotte Blvd. I would choose the park for sunset rather than sunrise and save the beach access for the morning.

The Pier Is the Easy Central Option

If you are staying near the center of Ocean Isle, the pier is still an easy choice for either end of the day. You can walk the beach before sunrise or use the pier as a backdrop in the evening without making a trip to either end of the island.

If you are planning more of your trip, our Ocean Isle Beach vacation guide has more local ideas for beaches, activities and getting around the island.

A Few Local Tips

Partly cloudy skies often make better sunrise and sunset photos than a completely clear horizon. Give yourself an extra 15 to 30 minutes on either side of sunrise or sunset, and don't pack up the second the sun disappears.

If you're planning to explore more of the island, a bike is an easy way to get around without moving the car every time you want to head back toward the beach.

One of the Easiest Ocean Isle Beach Activities

You don't need a reservation, a schedule or much planning to catch a good sunrise or sunset on Ocean Isle Beach. Pick the closest access in the morning, try the west end or the pier in the evening, and give yourself enough time to slow down and enjoy it.