Author: Jennifer Jeffcoat
Jennifer writes for Bryant Real Estate, sharing vacation planning tips, travel insights, and property highlights to help guests make the most of their time on the North Carolina Coast.
Planning a trip with teens or young adults can feel like a game of chess. At home, they’re hard to impress; on vacation, the stakes can feel even higher. You want a getaway where they’re not glued to their phones, and they want a vacation that feels exciting, independent, and—most importantly—not boring. Thankfully, the beaches of North Carolina offer a lineup of activities that go far beyond the expected. Whether your teen is a “beach teenager” who could spend the whole day in the waves or someone who prefers adrenaline, indoor fun, or hands-on learning, the North Carolina coast delivers.
This guide brings together fun places to go for teens, water adventures, indoor escapes, outdoor adventures, and unexpected experiences that make our stretch of shoreline one of the best destinations for fun things to do in North Carolina for young adults. These ideas help your teen feel like the vacation was made for them—while you get to enjoy a smoother, happier trip.
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In This Article
- Beach Activities for Teens & Young Adults
- Water Adventures
- Outdoor Adventures & Aerial Courses
- Fishing Charters & Educational Coastal Outings
- Indoor Fun & Rainy-Day Go-Tos
- Sweet Treats Teens Love
- Tips for Planning a Vacation Your Teen Won’t Hate
- Why You Should Book Your Trip with Bryant Real Estate
Beach Activities for Teens & Young Adults
A North Carolina beach trip naturally starts at the shore, but this is more than just a place to set up a chair. Here, beach activities for teens are built around independence, excitement, and a mix of classic and new experiences.
Wrightsville Beach
Wrightsville Beach is a consistent crowd pleaser. The water is clear, the waves are steady, and the vibe is always right. You can swim, boogie board, toss a football, or take photos on the iconic causeway. With lifeguarded stretches during the summer, it’s a spot where you can relax while your teen has room to roam.
Carolina Beach
Carolina Beach has long been a favorite for families, but it’s also ideal for teens who want more than just sunbathing. The boardwalk’s throwback charm gives them somewhere fun to wander—grab a bite, take sunset pictures, or hang out with the friend they brought along. From beach cruiser rentals to pier strolls, it’s simple, classic coastal fun.
Kure Beach
If your teen prefers a quieter day, Kure Beach has fewer crowds and a mellow feel. The beach here is great for young adults who want space to spread out, read, decompress, or watch dolphins cruise by. It’s a small change of pace, and sometimes that's all a teen needs.
High-Energy Water Adventures
When your kid or young adult wants something beyond the beach, these fun-filled activities shine.
Parasailing in Wrightsville Beach
Is your teen looking for something dramatic enough to brag about later? If so, pictures of them sailing hundreds of feet above the ocean are the way to go. Wrightsville Parasailing Company has been a part of the local scene for decades. Flights are longer than the national average and take off directly from the flight deck at the back of the boat. Get the thrill of soaring over the water and seeing the shoreline from a fresh angle, with this popular coastal activity.
Details:
- Open: Memorial Day – September
- Departure: 8:30 AM and 11 AM
- Price: $75 per person
- Restrictions apply: weight minimums and maximums – ask when booking
Learn to Surf with Indo Jax
Surfing is the ultimate North Carolina coastal skill, and Indo Jax Surf School has nearly 20 years of experience instructing kids, teens, and adults of all skill levels. Their instructors are highly trained, safety-focused, and excellent at helping beginners feel confident in no time.
Their private lessons and half-day camps include guidance on ocean safety, board control, paddling technique, and reading the waves. Teens who love to see quick progress will appreciate their approach—each lesson is structured around goal-setting and noticeable improvement. It’s a standout option for building confidence in and out of the water.
- Ages: 12+
- When: Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 12 PM
- Student to Teacher Ratio: 3:1
- Price: $535 per person
Surf School Inc. Weekly Camp
If you’re closer to Carolina Beach, Surf School Inc. runs a popular five-day surf camp designed for beginners and intermediate surfers. With a 2:1 student-to-instructor ratio and structured daily sessions, it offers a focused, fun learning environment. All equipment is provided, and the camp’s steady pace makes it a great fit for young adults who want to try something new without feeling overwhelmed.
Outdoor Adventures & Aerial Courses
Does your teen love a challenge or the thrill of a chase? Add these top experiences to your itinerary!
Cape Fearless Extreme Aerial Adventure
About 20 miles west of Wilmington, Cape Fearless Extreme gives teens the chance to climb, swing, zip, and test their limits high up in the leaves. Their aerial courses are arranged from easiest (Green) to most challenging (Black), allowing you and your group to progress as you gain confidence. The full aerial adventure includes four progressively difficult courses plus a 650-foot zipline finale and typically runs three to four hours.
If you’re looking for something slightly quicker, the half-course option lets you tackle the Green and Blue courses plus the zipline in about two hours.
Details:
- Prices range from $60-$70
Fishing Charters & Educational Coastal Outings
Not every young adult wants high-speed action—some would rather be outdoors learning something hands-on. Fishing charters are an excellent fit if that’s your teen.
FoxSea Lady Charters
From Carolina Beach, FoxSea Lady Charters offers private trips aboard a 35’ vessel equipped for nearshore and offshore fishing. Teens can experience trolling for species like Spanish Mackerel, Bonito, and Bluefish, all with guidance from an experienced captain and first mate. It’s exciting without being intense, and the atmosphere is great for family outings. Trips range from three to eight hours, giving you flexibility depending on your schedule.
Coastal Life Outfitters: Learn While You Fish
For a more educational approach, Coastal Life Outfitters offers guided surf-fishing experiences along beaches from North Topsail to Fort Fisher. Teens learn practical skills such as knot-tying, making their own rigs, reading the shoreline, and preparing bait. It’s outdoorsy, unique, and offers a sense of accomplishment—especially when something bites. All gear is provided, and up to four anglers can participate. This is a great unplugged activity for families who want a memorable shared experience.
Indoor Fun & Rainy-Day Go-Tos
Even the sunniest beach trips need a backup plan. These activities are worth keeping in your back pocket, should a pop-up rain shower encroach on your stay.
Jungle Rapids Family Fun Park
This Wilmington favorite is part waterpark, part adventure zone, part arcade—and entirely teen-approved. On warm days, the waterpark is the perfect place to cool off with slides, a wave pool, and a lazy river. When the weather turns, or you need a break from the sun, the dry side keeps the energy high with bumper cars, go-karts, laser tag, climbing walls, and a multi-story arcade. It’s an easy pick for groups with different interests.
Flip N Fly Trampoline Park
Flip N Fly is the largest trampoline park in Wilmington and a guaranteed way to burn some energy. Teens can rotate between the freestyle jump area, ninja course, Olympic-style trampolines, air track, and dodgeball zone. If you’re traveling with friends or multiple young adults, this place is fantastic, offering enough variety to keep everyone entertained for hours.
Battle House Laser Combat
For competitive teens—or families where everyone likes to get in on the action—Battle House Laser Combat is a must. This isn’t kiddie-zone laser tag; it’s a multi-room, mission-based combat arena with advanced equipment and strategy-focused gameplay. Visit on Wednesday or Thursday for student pricing: 1.5 hours of play for just $30.
Details:
- Buy tickets online in advance to guarantee space
- Family 4-pack for $99 weekdays and Sunday | $139 on Saturday
Movies: Pointe 14 & Regal Mayfaire IMAX
Sometimes the best rainy-day activity is a straightforward one: a movie. Wilmington gives you two great theaters:
- Pointe 14 — Known for comfortable seating, Dolby sound, and a wide selection of showtimes.
- Regal Mayfaire IMAX — For teens who love blockbusters, IMAX adds a larger-than-life experience.
If you're staying in Carolina Beach or Kure Beach, both theaters are about a short drive away.
Sweet Treats Teens (and You) Will Love
A beach trip isn’t complete without at least one ice cream run, and these two local shops are both worth your time.
Boombalatti’s
With a Carolina Beach location right next to Riko’s Pizza, Boombalatti’s serves inventive flavors made from North Carolina grass-fed dairy. Teens love the rotating specials, and you can always count on classics like cookies and cream, coffee, and chocolate. It’s a perfect treat after a beach day or pizza dinner.
Squigley’s Ice Cream & Treats
Squigley’s is a Carolina Beach icon open seasonally from Easter through October. It’s known for its “Squigley’s Mix-Ins,” which allow you to create your own flavor combinations using candies, fruits, and cookies blended into their vanilla base. If you want a sweet memory your teen will talk about later, this is it.
Tips for Planning a Vacation Your Teen Won’t Hate
A little strategy goes a long way when traveling with teens or young adults. Here are some helpful ideas to keep the peace:
- Let them help plan a few activities - Ownership gives them something to look forward to.
- Give them some independence - Safe boardwalk areas or beach access points provide space to explore.
- Consider letting them bring a friend - This one move can transform the entire trip for everyone.
- Build in downtime - Teens may need more recharge time than you expect.
- Mix high-energy days with relaxed ones - A balanced schedule keeps the vacation enjoyable for everyone.
- Add variety - Alternate between water sports, indoor adventures, and learning-based outings to keep the trip fresh.
Book Your Family Vacation with Bryant Real Estate
Featured Property: Check out this view at CB Sea #1
Your family’s best beach memories start with the right home base. At Bryant Real Estate, we offer vacation rentals across Kure Beach, Carolina Beach, and Wrightsville Beach—each with comfortable amenities, thoughtful touches, and plenty of space for teens and young adults to unwind after a full day of adventure.
And don’t forget the best perk of all: booking directly with us saves you money by avoiding third-party fees. Traveling with young adults can be pricey enough. Keep money in your pocket for what matters. Browse our vacation rentals, find the perfect fit, and enjoy a relaxing coastal trip everyone will love.