CLOSER THAN YOU THINK, WORTH EVERY MILE TO GET THERE
Where is Holden Beach and How Do I get there?
Holden Beach is tucked along North Carolina’s southern coast in Brunswick County, part of the South Brunswick Islands, about halfway between Wilmington, NC and Myrtle Beach, SC. It’s a barrier island just across the Intracoastal Waterway from the mainland, about 10 minutes from Shallotte.
Here’s what makes it special: Holden Beach runs east to west, so the beach faces south. That means you can watch the sunrise over the ocean with your morning coffee and catch the sunset over the water at the end of the day, all from the same beach. Not many places on the East Coast can say that.
Driving to Holden Beach:
All roads lead to NC 130 (Holden Beach Road), the road that takes you over the bridge and onto the island.
| Coming from | Approx. distance | Approx. drive |
|---|---|---|
| Wilmington, NC | 25–37 miles | 40 min – 1 hour |
| Myrtle Beach, SC | ~53 miles | 1 hour |
| Fayetteville, NC | ~116 miles | 2 hours |
| Charleston, SC | ~155 miles | 3 hours |
| Raleigh, NC | 152–184 miles | 3 hours |
| Columbia, SC | ~200 miles | 4 hours |
| Charlotte, NC | ~209 miles | 3.5–4 hours |
| Winston-Salem, NC | ~264 miles | 4.5 hours |
| Richmond, VA | ~300 miles | 5.25 hours |
| Asheville, NC | ~356 miles | 6.5 hours |
| Atlanta, GA | ~411 miles | 7.5 hours |
From Raleigh and the Triangle (I-40): Take I-40 East toward Wilmington. Pick up I-140 West toward Myrtle Beach. It’s the bypass, so it’s the fastest way around Wilmington traffic. Follow it to US 17 South, stay on US 17 South to Supply, then turn left onto NC 130 East (Holden Beach Road) and head straight over the bridge.
- Going through Wilmington instead? I-40 becomes College Road. Turn right onto Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway and follow the signs for US 74/76 toward Whiteville and US 17. After you cross the Cape Fear River bridge, follow the signs for Myrtle Beach and then the Brunswick County beaches.
From I-95 (north or south, through South Carolina): This back-roads route skips a lot of highway traffic.
- Past Florence, SC, take Exit 170 (Francis Marion / SC 327).
- At the intersection with US 76 / SC 576, there’s a flea market on the right. Turn left onto US 76 East / SC 576.
- When 76 and 576 split, stay on SC 576 to the US 501 Bypass.
- Take US 501 to SC 22, then SC 22 to SC 31 East (Carolina Bays Parkway).
- Take SC 31 to Exit 9 (Loris). Merge, then take the next right at the light onto Hickman’s Crossroad Road. It leads into North Carolina and US 17.
- Take US 17 North past Shallotte, then turn right on Mt. Pisgah Road, which merges into NC 130 East.
- Turn right at the light at the Holden Beach causeway and go over the bridge.
From Charlotte and the west: Take US 74 East toward Whiteville. Pick up NC 130 East and follow it through Shallotte. Stay on NC 130 (Holden Beach Road) all the way over the bridge.
From Myrtle Beach and the south: Take US 17 North into North Carolina. Past Shallotte, take Mt. Pisgah Road (or the NC 130 East exit) toward Holden Beach. Turn right at the causeway light and go over the bridge.
Once you cross the bridge: You’ll come to a stop sign at Ocean Boulevard, the island’s main street. Turn right for the west end, where The Ohana House sits, or left for the east end and 226 Ocean Blvd E.
GPS tip: Some GPS apps list Holden Beach addresses as Supply, NC. Don’t worry, you’re headed the right way. Your check-in message will include easy directions from the bridge.
Flying in:
| Airport | Distance | Approx. drive |
|---|---|---|
| Wilmington International (ILM) | ~41 miles | 45–50 min |
| Myrtle Beach International (MYR) | ~56 miles | 1–1.25 hours |
We recommend renting a car. Uber, Lyft and taxis are limited on the island and may need to pick you up on the mainland.
Arriving by boat:
Holden Beach sits right on the Intracoastal Waterway. The town has a transient dock at Bridgeview Park for short stays, and you can make reservations through Town Hall at (910) 842-6488.
Before you hit the road:
- DriveNC.gov has live NC traffic, construction and road closures.
- NWS Wilmington Weather has the local forecast and storm updates.
- Summer weekends are turnover days, so expect heavier traffic on US 17 and at the bridge. Leave early, or plan a lunch stop in Shallotte.
Explore the map:
Use the interactive map below to explore Holden Beach and get driving directions right to the island.
- 📍 Holden Beach on Google Maps
- 🗺️ Interactive Holden Beach Visitors Map shows public accesses, parking, restrooms and showers.
- 📄 Printable Holden Beach Visitors Map (PDF)
- ♿ For public and wheelchair accessible beach access points, see our Beach Access page.
We can’t wait to see you! Need help with directions or have a question before your trip? Send us a message HERE
