Holden Beach, NC

[Anonymous]

Can anyone offer any advice, recommendations, or feedback about Holden Beach, NC? We go on an annual beach trip with 6 families and found a great house there - our concern would be (a) how long does it take to drive there from the DC area and (b) are there grocery stores/liquor stores nearby? With 13 kids under 5 in the group, we don't worry about restaurants, but groceries and booze are musts! In the past we've gone to Corolla in the OBX and Pawley's Island, SC and those are lovely. Hoping to hear that Holden Beach is similar in feel.
Thanks in advance for any help!

[Anonymous]

Hi, Holden Beach is a family oriented beach. There are no high rises or real commercial property on the island. We have across the bridge a few small putt-putt courses, a waterslide, a few ice cream shops, several resturants etc. We are 30 minutes north of Myrtle Beach, Sc and 30 minutes south of Wilmington, NC. We have a large chain grocery store (Food Lion) and the ABC store is about 2 miles off the island. It is very close. Our office is Alan Holden Vacations and we rent beach homes. We have about 300 or so and have been here for 31 years. You can see our site with more info on www.Holden-Beach.com and we also have a live webcam. it is out of focus right now, but keep checking back as we are trying to get it fixed soon. Thanks

[Anonymous]

Thanks! Sounds great. Do you have an estimate for how long it might take to get to you from DC? I am hearing conflicting reports...Google puts it at much longer than some other people who've been there tell me.

[Anonymous]

Ugh. My DH's family insists on going every year. I don't think it's all that and wish that they'd agree to go to the OBX instead. Holden is FAR...about 7 1/2 hours from DC...very near the SC border...and the beach is meh. You have to go off the penninsula to get to the grocery store and the liquor store, which is a total pain if there is traffic. Good thing you don't have to think about restaurants because they are not very good. The good thing is that the houses are way cheaper than the OBX...but the bad thing is that the houses don't have the amenities (game rooms, pools) that the OBX houses have. I think it'll be fine for you, but I personally don't think it's worth such a long drive for a seriously so-so beach.

[Anonymous]

Interesting - thanks for the feedback. We found a huge new house with a pool, home theater, etc. that looks absolutely amazing. It is def'y cheaper than the OBX (where everything that can accommodate us is booked already anyway).

Why do you say the beach is seriously so-so? Is it too narrow/rocky/crowded/etc.? Or are you talking about the location in general?

[Anonymous]

I don't like the location in general. There aren't really any waves so it should be safer for little kids than OBX. The beach isn't too crowded, but it does tend to have jellyfish come in at weird times. I just think there's a serious lack of amenities, the food sucks, and it's too far of a drive for us.