Published February 8, 2023

Kure Beach, North Carolina | What We Love About Living in Kure Beach

Written by Kirk Pugh

Kure Beach, North Carolina

Courtesy of Google maps, retrieved Dec 8 2021

Kure Beach is a town on Pleasure Island, the piece of land that lies between the Atlantic Ocean and the Cape Fear River, about 15 miles south of Wilmington North Carolina in New Hanover County. Kure Beach is a small oceanfront community, with a 2010 population of only 2,012 people. Kure Beach is between Carolina Beach and Fort Fisher.

Find Your Next Home in Kure Beach, North Carolina

In December 2021, there are 36 active property listings in Kure Beach. Real estate for sale in Kure Beach ranges from luxury beach front listings at more than $2.5 million, to single family homes from $400-700,000, and homes sites for sale. Because Kure Beach is small in total area, there are a limited number of listings at any one time and the properties do not stay on the market long.

The population is relatively stable too: when people move to Kure Beach, locals say, they don't leave!

People ask me all the time my favorite restaurant in the area. Hands down it’s Freddie’s at Kure Beach! The menu is great (try the pork chops or the shrimp fra diavalo for something spicy) and the staff is always so friendly. The location is small so I recommend reservations any time they’re taking them!

Teri Moylan, Broker/REALTOR® & local expert

Kure Beach North Carolina Weather

Kure Beach summers are warm and humid, with some comfort provided by the ocean breezes. Winters are short, windy, and cold. The temperature in Kure Beach varies from 40 degrees in the winter to an average high of 86 degrees in the summer, with temperature rarely going above 91 degrees.

Locals recommend a visit from mid April through June, and in the fall from late September to October.

Kure Beach Close-up: Recreation & Attractions

Kure Beach bills itself as a "small-town beach with big-time attractions." It is the little brother to Carolina Beach, on Pleasure Island, with a more local feel and a much smaller community vibe. The 700-foot fishing pier is a point of pride and destination for both locals and tourists. It's a great stroll, or the perfect place to set up for a day of fishing.

The beach in Kure Beach is clean and expansive. One of the town's most noticeable features is the ocean-front row of brightly colored homes: coral, royal blue, yellow, and orange alternate to make the beach-y architecture standout against the sand and bright blue sky.

Here's the scoop on Kure Beach! First, the restaurants. If you are there during the summer and are craving a burger, Beach House Burgers is a little burger shack at the first stoplight intersection in town. They are phenomenal! Jack Mackerel's is always upping its game and the owners

switch up the menu a few times a year. The staples are the short ribs, crab dip, burgers, and flounder.

For outdoor adventures, try kayaking from the Federal Point Wildlife Access (at the bottom of the island) over to Zeke's Island. It is a beautiful, unspoiled natural preserve and is good for a little hike. Next, turn your kayak towards the south end and have a great afternoon on the beach. Speaking of the south end, get your annual driving pass from the state park office and drive your 4-wheeler down there for a day of sunning and swimming! Be sure to lower the air pressure in your tires or you will be calling the tow truck to get you out of there! We go on Sunday's with a group of friends and have brunch on the beach.

You also cannot miss visiting the Kure Beach pier... take a stroll out there. The pier is the oldest privately-owned pier on the east coast. Ocean Front Park is a newer addition to Kure Beach. It has a play area for the kids with nice, large, clean bathrooms. There are classes there almost year round for beach front yoga, pilates, Zumba and hula hooping! There is also Boogie in the Park, with live music every other Sunday evening during the summer.

~ Mary Ellen Slugg, Kure Beach resident, local expert & Director of Operations