Kure Beach, North Carolina claims less than one square mile of scenic New Hanover County on the renowned Cape Fear Coast. Occupying the southern tip of Pleasure Island, Kure Beach maintains accessibility to the mainland via Snow’s Cut Bridge. In addition to Kure Beach, the communities of Carolina Beach, Fort Fisher, and Wilmington Beach encompass Pleasure Island. This stunning island, found just off the coast of southeastern NC, features panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean, Cape Fear River, Carolina Beach Inlet, and Snow’s Cut Inlet.

Located fifteen miles south of Wilmington, Kure Beach, NC lies within a wildly popular region for vacationers. Local uncrowded beaches bring people of all ages out into the sand and surf during the warmer months, where casual restaurants and oceanfront hotel accommodations serve the needs of visitors to the area. In addition, anglers have access to the oldest fishing pier on the Atlantic Coast. Kure Beach, NC hosts the Annual Street Festival, the Seafood, Blues & Jazz Festival, and the Southern Coastal Bluegrass Festival and was the filming site of the 1991 movie Sleeping With the Enemy. Kure Beach was home to 1,507 year round residents at the time of the 2000 Census.

Carolina Beach, NC, population 4,701, is a small, quiet beachfront community popular for its beaches as well as its business and social accommodations. Carolina Beach features a quaint boardwalk complete with numerous boutiques, restaurants, and entertainment venues. The Carolina Beach Fishing Pier, Carolina Beach Lake Park (home of the NC Birding Trail), the Federal Point History Center, and Freeman Park are among the varied sites of interest in Carolina Beach. In 2000, Carolina Beach, NC annexed the community of Wilmington Beach, once a tiny unincorporated coastal town.

Visitors also may enjoy exploring nearby Fort Fisher, the site of the final stronghold of the Confederacy. Located here are the Fort Fisher State Historical Site, the Airforce Recreation Area, and the NC Underwater Archaeology Center, where local dive site exhibits and maritime history date back from prehistoric to the Civil War times through the present. Fort Fisher also has a ferry, a NC State Recreation Area, and the North Carolina Aquarium.

Kure Beach, NC lies within a prosperous tourist sector; however, myriad employment opportunities exist within other fields of industry. Residents of Kure Beach earn an annual household income of $47,143, which ranks well above the national average of $41,994. While many residents live and work in Kure Beach, numerous others commute to surrounding areas such as the City of Wilmington for additional career options. Arby’s, General Electric Corporation, the New Hanover County School System, and the University of North Carolina at Wilmington are among the top employers in New Hanover County.

Kure Beach, North Carolina affords scenic coastal views, southern hospitality, and a respite from the hustle and bustle of surrounding resort areas. This welcoming atmosphere captures the spirit of America’s beach towns of days gone by. With its small, but thriving business district, unspoiled beaches, and wide range of amenities, Kure Beach adds to the vitality of Pleasure Island.

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