My family goes to Holden Beach often, my folks have a place there, it is nice and quiet, not too crowded except for holidays, and is close enough to MB or Wilmington if you want just a little action one evening.
I know at HB you can rent a shack (cheap) or a 5 million dollar house (not cheap), but reserve soon cause the shacks go fast. Probably the same at OIB, Sunset, Oak Island.
I agree with all the others too, you can't really go wrong on the NC coast in the summertime....or any other time really.
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Sold - 1984 V-20 Cuddy with a 2003 Johnson 140 hp gas sippin 4-stroke.
1995 Ranger 250C with a 2015 Suzuki 300 hp 4-stroke.