Several local beaches named best in North Carolina

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — After weeks of voting, USA Today has named the best beach in North Carolina but unfortunately it wasn’t in the Cape Fear. The top spot went to Emerald Isle located on the Crystal Coast.

Three Cape Fear region beaches placed top 5 on the list including Oak Island, Holden Beach, and Carolina Beach.

The first 20 nominees were selected by a panel of experts partnered with 10Best editors. The top ten were ranked by popular vote.

Here’s all of the North Carolina beaches that made it on the final list:

1. Emerald Isle
2. Oak Island
3. Holden Beach
4. Atlantic Beach
5. Carolina Beach
6. Topsail Island – Surf City
7. Ocracoke Lifeguarded Beach
8. Wrightsville Beach
9. Sunset Beach
10. Kure Beach