Ultimate Guide to Visiting Atlantic Beach and How do you Get There?

Did you know that many families return to Atlantic Beach every year for family vacations? It’s true! Visitors love the laid-back, stress-free, and convenient lifestyle that Atlantic Beach has to offer. Better yet, it’s extremely easy to get to Atlantic Beach since you can get here by flying or simply driving. 

If you’re curious about how to visit Atlantic Beach, keep reading for all the information you need. Once you’re done, check out our Atlantic Beach vacation rentals! Renting our Crystal Coast accommodations guarantees a delightful experience. 

Where is Atlantic Beach, NC

Atlantic Beach is a lovely town on a barrier island off the coast of North Carolina. It’s connected to Morehead City, North Carolina, by the Atlantic City Bridge. It’s a great vacation destination if you enjoy the sea, peace and quiet, and friendly people.

Overall, Atlantic Beach is genuinely the place to go for a relaxing family seaside vacation.

Closest Airport to Atlantic Beach 

The very closest airport to Atlantic beach is New Bern (EWN). American Airlines is the only airline that services this small, friendly, and personable airport. It’s less than an hour’s drive from Atlantic Beach. Other airports near Atlantic Beach include Raleigh-Durham (RDU), Norfolk (ORF), Wilmington (ILM), and Myrtle Beach (MYR). You can fly into any of these airports, rent a car or minivan, and drive to Atlantic Beach.

Driving to Atlantic Beach 

The drive from New Bern airport is a one-hour cruise down US-70. You would also take US-70 for just under three hours from Raleigh-Durhan airport. You would drive down the scenic Coastal Highway 17 south from Norfolk airport for just under four hours. Take the Coastal Highway north for two hours to get to Atlantic Beach from Wilmington airport. The Myrtle Beach airport is about a three-and-a-half-hour drive north along the Coastal Highway. Be sure to enjoy the scenery as you drive down the beautiful Coastal Highway.

The Coastal Highway can be considered an attraction all by itself. It is a scenic route that runs from Winchester, Virginia, to Punta Gorda, Florida. You can drive along the coast and see many lovely small towns, beaches, and sites. In North Carolina, the Coastal Highway Route 17 goes by the Dismal Swamp Canal, the marshes and cypress trees near Vanceboro, next to the Neuse River, the Wilmington Historic District, and the Cape Fear River Bridge. All of the towns along the Coastal Highway, including Atlantic Beach, are hidden gems.

Closest Driveable Towns

Atlantic Beach is your destination for a laid-back family vacation, as there is not a lot of commercial activity on Atlantic Beach. Suppose you are looking for something different, some shopping or various restaurants. In that case, there are towns nearby that you can drive to for the afternoon or evening before returning to your oasis on Atlantic Beach. 

The closest town to Atlantic Beach is Morehead City, a fishing village just across the Atlantic Beach Bridge. It has all of the amenities of your typical small town. Beaufort is a short 15-minute drive north of Atlantic Beach. It offers museums, cultural festivals, historical sites, shopping, and restaurants. Swansboro is another small town with shops, nightlife, and historical sites. It’s a half-hour drive on NC-24 from Atlantic Beach.

You’ll find many fine dining, family dining, and family fun choices in these nearby towns. You and your family can also explore the area’s numerous hidden treasures.

The town of Atlantic Beach also has some lovely small businesses. You will find a fish shop that sells fresh and prepared fish as well as produce, skate and surf shops, women’s clothing stores, wine shops, a bookstore, and many other establishments you can walk to when you are staying in Atlantic Beach.

Your Atlantic Beach Vacation Rental 

Cannon & Gruber has the perfect Atlantic Beach vacation rental for you. We work closely with owners and guests to provide the Atlantic Beach rental that fits your needs. We have so many offerings that you are sure to find your ideal Atlantic Beach, NC rental. We’ll be right here to answer any questions you have or provide any help you need during the entire time of your vacation.

We offer oceanfront Atlantic Beach vacation rentals so you can be just steps away from the beach. We have condos that have private beach access, indoor pools, hot tubs, tennis & basketball courts, miniature golf and shuffleboard, and BBQ grills. You’ll find that we also have Atlantic Beach cottage rentals for more privacy with some of the same amenities. 

Plan Your Atlantic Beach Vacation

Planning your vacation to Atlantic Beach doesn’t have to be difficult! When you book with Cannon and Gruber, it’s simple! Just view our Atlantic Beach vacation rentals, book your favorite, and prepare for an unforgettable getaway!

There are also pet-friendly Atlantic Beach rentals so you can vacation with your four-legged family members. Atlantic Beach has many dog-friendly attractions, so your canine companion will have many places that welcome them. You can play on the beach and get a drink at one of the local pubs while your pup gets its own bowl of water.

Your Atlantic Beach vacation rental will be your vacation home away from home. It may be even more cozy and fun than your regular home. Our Atlantic Beach vacation rentals are decorated, cleaned, and maintained by owners who take pride in their homes. Many families return to our Beach rentals year after year. Between the incredible homes and the friendly customer service from our agents, your vacation is sure to create warm and wonderful memories.


Contact one of our agents today to find your dream Atlantic Beach vacation rental. We know you’ll love to keep coming back to enjoy the free and easy atmosphere, so many of our Atlantic Beach rentals offer specials for repeat customers. You’ll find comfort and luxury at an affordable price, and we will go out of our way to surpass all of your expectations for service.