This Might Be North Carolina’s Most Underrated Coastal Getaway
When you think about a North Carolina coastal getaway, you probably picture long days on the beach. But after spending a few days in Onslow County, I was surprised by just how much there is to do beyond lying in the sand.
We stayed in North Topsail Beach in early May, and despite unseasonably cold weather and a day of rain, we packed our trip with kayaking through the marsh, visiting Hammocks Beach State Park, learning about a local oyster farm, exploring Swansboro, and visiting the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center.
If you love the outdoors but still want that coastal getaway feel, this might be one of North Carolina’s most underrated spots. Here’s what I’d recommend doing, where to eat, and where to stay when you visit.
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Why This North Carolina Coastal Getaway Is So Underrated
When people start planning a coastal getaway in North Carolina, I think places like the Outer Banks and Wilmington usually come to mind first. Onslow County is a little lesser-known, but that’s part of what makes it a great option if you want something more laid-back.
The area has a much more local feel (in my opinion), and there’s far more to do than just spend time on the beach. You can kayak through coastal marshes, visit Hammocks Beach State Park, learn how oysters are grown, see sea turtles being rehabilitated, and explore small waterfront towns like Swansboro.
There are also a few surprises farther inland. Mike’s Farm is absolutely worth the drive, especially for dinner, and Jacksonville has a better international dining scene than you might expect thanks in part to the military community around Camp Lejeune.
If you’ve already visited some of North Carolina’s better-known coastal destinations or you simply want somewhere that feels less touristy, Onslow County is a great place to try next.
North Topsail Beach & Sneads Ferry
North Topsail Beach was our home base for the trip, and in early May, it was incredibly quiet. You’ll find lots of vacation rentals here, including plenty of larger homes if you’re traveling with family or a group.
Summer is much busier, but I loved visiting during the off-season. You still get the coastal setting and access to outdoor activities without the peak-season crowds.
Things to Do in North Topsail Beach & Sneads Ferry
One of my favorite experiences of the entire trip was kayaking in the Intracoastal Waterway with Paddle NC. We launched from their site around sunset, and if you’ve ever been on the water at that time of day, you know how special it can be. The changing colors in the sky reflected on the water with the marsh surrounding you made this such a peaceful paddle.
I was also really looking forward to our tour with Hold Fast Oyster Co. Their typical oyster farm experience takes you by boat to a floating wooden platform in the middle of the farm, where you can get in the water and try oysters right where they’re grown.
Since it was so cold during our visit, getting in the water wasn’t happening. Instead, they took us out on a pontoon boat to see the farm, explained more about how they grow their oysters, and let us try some while we were out on the water. It wasn’t the normal experience, but it was still fascinating and made me want to come back and do the full tour.
You can, of course, spend plenty of time on North Topsail Beach itself. The Mountains-to-Sea Trail also passes through the Sneads Ferry and North Topsail Beach area, and you can book charter trips for fishing, shrimping, or clamming if you want to spend even more time on the water.
One nearby stop I’d absolutely add to your itinerary is the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Center. It’s technically just outside Onslow County in Surf City, but it’s close enough that you’ll want to plan a visit. Reservations are required for tours here!
You’ll get to see some of the turtles being rehabilitated, learn about the challenges they face in the wild, and find out what you can do to help protect them. Seeing the turtles themselves was easily my favorite part. They’re so cute!
Where to Eat Near North Topsail Beach & Sneads Ferry
There are plenty of restaurants in the area, but these are the spots I personally tried and would recommend.
House of Breakfast was an easy 11/10 for me. The owner was incredibly kind, and the food was excellent. I ordered a breakfast skillet that was huge, and the crispy home fries were probably my favorite part.
Riverview Cafe is a longtime local favorite that sits right on the New River. The coconut shrimp appetizer was delicious, and I always love a waterfront setting.
Napoli Cafe is a good choice when you need something quick in the morning. We grabbed breakfast and coffee to go one day, and it was an easy stop before heading out for the day.
Swansboro
Swansboro completely won me over. The historic downtown feels like a tiny Hallmark town, with the cute shops and restaurants packed into a walkable waterfront area.
We spent some time popping into shops and stopped at Bake Bottle & Brew, which is part coffee shop and part gift shop. Definitely grab a drink and take it out to the deck overlooking the river.
Things to Do in Swansboro
One of the biggest surprises of the entire trip was a morning shelling cruise with Marsh Cruises. Before this trip, I always thought shelling sounded nice but probably wasn’t something I’d get that excited about.
I was very wrong. Walking along the shore looking for shells felt like a real-life treasure hunt, and I had so much fun seeing what we could find.
You should also make time for Hammocks Beach State Park. We stopped at the visitor center before taking the ferry to Bear Island, which is where you’ll find the park’s beautiful, undeveloped beach.
One important thing to know is that there isn’t a beach at the Hammocks Beach State Park Visitor Center. You’ll need to take the seasonal ferry, paddle over, or arrange another boat ride to reach Bear Island.
Bear Island is also home to primitive campsites, and camping here is absolutely on my list. The island feels so remote and untouched that I can only imagine how incredible it would be to spend the night with just a handful of other campers and a sky full of stars.
If you want even more time on the water, Paddle NC has an outpost near Hammocks Beach State Park, and you can also find sunset cruises and other boat tours around Swansboro.
Where to Eat in Swansboro
Yana’s Restaurant is a fun 1950s-style diner right in downtown Swansboro. If you have a sweet tooth, don’t miss the fruit fritters. They were SO good. My omelet was also fantastic, so this is an easy pick for breakfast or brunch.
Il Cigno Italiano is one of those meals that I can’t think about too hard or I’ll start drooling. We started with the house-made mozzarella and eggplant meatballs, then I ordered one of the specials, snapper over risotto, and finished with gelato for dessert.
Other Things to Do Around Onslow County
Here are a few more ideas for things to do in the area. There are plenty more from biking and paddling trails to walking tours and other ways to get out on the water, but I just couldn’t squeeze them all into my 4-day trip!
Visit Mike’s Farm
Mike’s Farm is farther inland, but I absolutely think it’s worth the drive, especially if you can stay for dinner. Their family-style meal in the barn setting is one of the most fun dining experiences in North Carolina.
There’s plenty to explore before or after you eat, including a farm stand, bakery, and the North Carolina Products Barn, where you can shop for products made or produced around the state.
Christmas is a HUGE deal at Mike’s Farm and one of their busiest times of year. If you’re visiting during the holiday season, make dinner reservations in advance and check their website for current activities and policies before you go.
Tour Walton’s Distillery
We also toured Walton’s Distillery, where you can learn more about how their spirits are made and sample some of their products. I don’t drink spirits myself, but everyone I was traveling with who tried them really enjoyed the tasting.
Explore the Onslow County Museum
If you want to learn more about the area, stop by the Onslow County Museum. The exhibits cover different pieces of local history, including the region’s Native American, coastal, and military stories.
The children’s area was actually really neat. They’ve done an excellent job making it interactive, so I’d especially recommend this stop if you’re traveling with kids.
Visit Lejeune Memorial Gardens
Lejeune Memorial Gardens in Jacksonville is a very moving place to visit, with multiple memorials honoring members of the military who served and sacrificed their lives. Set aside some time to wander through the gardens and reflect.
Since my visit, the Carolina Museum of the Marine has also opened beside the gardens. The museum opened in June 2026 and shares the stories of Marines and Sailors connected to the Carolinas through exhibits, artifacts, and personal stories, so this would be another stop I’d add on a future trip.
Where to Stay in Onslow County
Where you stay in Onslow County really depends on what you want to prioritize during your trip.
If you want a more central location with the widest variety of mainstream hotel options, Jacksonville is probably your best bet. This also makes sense if you need to be close to Camp Lejeune or plan to spend time exploring more of the inland attractions around the county.
If your priority is waking up near the beach, look for a vacation rental in North Topsail Beach or Sneads Ferry. North Topsail Beach has plenty of larger rental homes, so it’s an especially good option for families or groups traveling together.
Swansboro would be my pick if you want to stay near a cute, walkable downtown and have easy access to Hammocks Beach State Park and other water-based activities. You’ll also be close to restaurants, shops, and boat tours without having to drive somewhere every time you want to explore.
If you prefer a traditional hotel, Jacksonville has the most options. Both Sneads Ferry and Swansboro also have Hampton Inn properties, which are personally some of my favorite chain hotels because I usually find them to be a good value for the price.
Tips for Planning Your Coastal Getaway
A little planning goes a long way here since Onslow County covers a fairly large area and many of the best experiences are outdoors.
Group your activities by area. Swansboro is about an hour from North Topsail Beach, so you’ll save yourself a lot of driving if you plan one part of your trip around Swansboro and another around Sneads Ferry and North Topsail Beach.
Consider visiting during shoulder season. Late April through early June and September through October are great times to visit if you want fewer crowds and plenty of opportunities to get outside. Just keep in mind that fall overlaps with hurricane season.
Book activities in advance. You typically won’t need restaurant reservations, with Mike’s Farm being one notable exception, but I’d reserve boat tours, paddling trips, the oyster farm experience, and other guided activities ahead of time, especially for weekends. Reservations are required for the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Center.
Have a backup plan for the weather. Coastal weather can be unpredictable during shoulder season, so build some flexibility into your itinerary and keep a few indoor activities in mind in case plans change.
Be careful when getting out on the water. Tides can make a big difference in coastal waterways. If you aren’t familiar with the area or comfortable reading the tides, I’d recommend going with a guide or booking a boat tour rather than heading out on your own.
Is Onslow County Worth Visiting?
If you’re looking for a North Carolina coastal getaway that feels a little less touristy, Onslow County is absolutely worth visiting. Between the beaches, small towns, paddling, wildlife experiences, local food, and easy access to the water, there’s much more here than I expected.
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