The beach strand rules & regulations:

• Use marked walkways. Get to the beach on the public access points marked with a CAMA sign, or use your rental’s private beach walkway. Other walkways are private property.
• Stay off the dunes. The dunes and their fragile plants protect the island from storms. Walking on any part of a frontal dune is strictly prohibited. Use the wooden walkways and ramps.
• No vehicles on the beach. Only emergency and official town vehicles may drive on the beach.
• No alcohol. Alcoholic beverages aren’t allowed anywhere on the beach strand or in any public place.
• Don’t litter. Trash cans are placed along the beach for your convenience.
• Shells are yours to keep! Collect sea shells and beach treasures to your heart’s content.

Beach equipment rules & regulations:

• Off the beach every night. All beach equipment has to come off the beach between 6:00 PM and 7:00 AM. That includes cabanas, tents, umbrellas, chairs, loungers, horseshoes and stakes, kayaks, paddleboards, surfboards, rafts, floats, fishing gear, coolers, towels, bags, baskets and toys.
• Left-behind items are thrown away. Anything left on the beach overnight is considered abandoned, and the town will remove it and dispose of it.
• Nothing in the dunes. Don’t store or place equipment in or on the dunes.
• Keep away from sea turtle nests. Set all beach equipment at least 10 feet from any marked sea turtle nest or dune vegetation.

Digging rules & regulations:

Holes deeper than 12 inches aren’t allowed unless someone is watching the area at all times. Fill every hole back in, level with the sand, before you leave the beach. Holes are a real danger to nighttime walkers, emergency responders and baby sea turtles.

Turtle Season rules & regulations:

Sea turtle season (May 1 – October 31)

Holden Beach is a sea turtle sanctuary.

• At night, turn off outdoor lights that face the ocean, and close the blinds in oceanfront rooms.
• Don’t use flashlights on the beach at night. If you need one, use a red or purple light. Never shine a light or use flash photography on a turtle or a nest.
• Don’t release balloons on the beach.
• To report a nesting mother, hatchlings or an injured turtle, call the Holden Beach Turtle Watch at (910) 754-0766.

Pets  rules & regulations:

• May 20 – September 10: Pets are allowed on the beach only before 9:00 AM and after 5:00 PM.
• Leash at all times. Pets must be on a physical leash everywhere on the island when they’re off your rental property. Electronic collars don’t count.
• Clean up after your pet.

Swimming & water safety  rules & regulations:

• No lifeguards. There are no lifeguards on duty, and rip currents can be deadly. Check the NWS Wilmington Beach Forecast for the rip current risk before you swim.
• If you’re caught in a rip current, swim parallel to the shoreline until you’re out of it. Don’t swim against it.
• The east end of the island near McCray Street is a favorite spot to fish, wade and shell. Watch for underwater debris there at high tide, since it’s easier to see at low tide. If you spot dangerous debris, call Town Hall at (910) 842-6488.
• See our Water Safety page for more.

Jet skis, boats & surfing rules & regulations:

• Jet skis must stay at least 500 feet from shore. Never ride them onto the beach.
• Powered boats can’t land anywhere along the oceanfront. Sailboards and small sailboats may land briefly, so watch for swimmers.
• Surfing isn’t allowed within 500 feet of the fishing pier.

Fishing rules & regulations:

• License required. Anyone 16 or older needs a North Carolina Coastal Recreational Fishing License to fish in the surf, from a boat or in the waterway.
• Give swimmers room when you’re surf fishing.

Island-wide rules & regulations:

Fires, grills & fireworks

• No open fires. Open burning, including bonfires, is prohibited anywhere in town limits.
• Grills must be at least 10 feet from any part of any structure, including overhangs, and can never be used on a deck.
• No fireworks of any kind anywhere on the island, except sparklers. Police will confiscate any fireworks they find.

Parking

• Paid parking is enforced from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM daily. Park only in marked pay-to-park spaces, and pay with the SurfCAST app. Details are on the Holden Beach Paid Parking page.
• Free handicap parking in marked handicap spaces with a valid plate or hangtag.
• No parking on Ocean Boulevard or McCray Street unless signs say otherwise.
• The largest public lot is under the bridge, with public restrooms right there.
• Never block driveways or fire hydrants.

Bikes, walkers & runners

• Share the sidewalk. Sidewalks and bike lanes run the full length of Ocean Boulevard. Walkers, joggers and runners should use the sidewalk.
• Ride with traffic in the bike lanes, single file.
• Helmets are required for anyone under 16.
• At night, bikes need a working white headlight and a red rear light. A flashlight or phone doesn’t count.
• No roller blades on Ocean Boulevard.

Golf carts & low-speed vehicles

Regular golf carts aren’t allowed on island roads. Only street-legal low-speed vehicles (LSVs) are allowed. They need:

• Headlights, taillights, turn signals and mirrors
• A state inspection, NC license plate and liability insurance
• A driver with a valid license
• Child car seats for young passengers

LSVs can only drive on streets posted 35 mph or less, and never in bike lanes or on sidewalks. LSVs also need a parking permit.

 Noise

Holden Beach has noise limits that are stricter at night, so be considerate of your neighbors whenever you’re outside. Police may give a warning first, but repeat problems can lead to fines, seized speakers or arrest. At The Ohana House, quiet hours are 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM.

Helpful links

• Town of Holden Beach
• Holden Beach Visitors Information
• Holden Beach Renters Information
• Holden Beach Ordinance Summary
• Full Holden Beach Code of Ordinances
• Holden Beach Paid Parking
• Town Hall: (910) 842-6488
• Holden Beach Police (non-emergency): (910) 842-6707