Right Beaches › North Carolina › Atlantic Beach
Fort Macon Beach & Historic Landmark
4.8★ · 761 Google ratings · Atlantic Beach, North Carolina
✓ Parking✓ Short walk✓ Restrooms✓ Showers✓ Picnic tables✓ Good for kids✓ Free
At a glance
Parking
On-site lot · 270 ft away · about 42 spaces · free
Access
9am to 5:30pm
Walk
240 ft · under a minute
Restrooms
Yes · 330 ft away
Cost
Free
Water
83°F
Tide
4 ft range today
Children
Reported good for young kids
Water quality
Good · all 34 samples clean · 2025
Crowds
Quietest Mon 8am
Map of Fort Macon Beach & Historic Landmark
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1Parking270 ft from the listing2Restrooms and picnic tables290 ft from the listing3Showers150 ft from the listing4Covered shelter110 ft from the listing
Guide
Good to know
Free parking reported
Visitors report no charge to park here.Mentioned by 31 visitors · 2017–2026
Reported good with little kids
Visitors often mention shallow or calm water. This is what reviewers report, not a safety assessment.Mentioned by 19 visitors · 2017–2026
Some shade is available
Visitors mention trees, cliffs or umbrellas to get out of the sun.Mentioned by 8 visitors · 2017–2026
Combine beach with historic fort tour
The Fort Macon museum and cannons demonstrations appeal to children ages seven and up and provide educational value.
Perfect for families and long walks
Fine sand, clear water, lifeguards until early evening, and protected picnic areas with grills make this ideal.
Arrive early on weekends
The large parking lots fill up quickly on summer Saturdays and Sundays, though overflow parking exists near Fort Macon itself.
Expect strong winds and shells
The beach is consistently windy, making it ideal for kites, but sharp shells cover the sand.
Pack cash for paid showers
Indoor showers cost three dollars for a five-minute token, though outdoor foot-wash stations and showers are free.
Conditions
How it is right now
Air
79°F · mostly clear
Water
83°F
Waves
1.8 ft · 5 s apart
Wind
7 mph from the N
UV index
7 peak today
| Time | Tide | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 00:01 | Low tide | ↓ |
| 05:53 | High tide | ↑ |
| 11:53 | Low tide | ↓ |
| 18:22 | High tide | ↑ |
Last updated Aug 25, 5:41 PM.
Crowds
When it gets busy
| 8a | 9a | 10a | 11a | 12p | 1p | 2p | 3p | 4p | 5p | 6p | 7p | |
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QuietBusy
Practical
Plan your visit
📍 2303 E Fort Macon Rd, Atlantic Beach, NC 28512
🅿 Parking 270 ft from the listing
🌊 Water 240 ft away, under a minute walk
🚽 Restrooms 330 ft away
Nearby
Other beaches close by
0.8 miles away
1.7 miles away
2.4 miles away
3.1 miles away
5.5 miles away
5.7 miles away
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Questions
Common questions
Where do you park at Fort Macon Beach & Historic Landmark?
The nearest mapped parking area is 270 ft from the listed location. Positions come from OpenStreetMap, not from review text.
How far is the walk to the water at Fort Macon Beach & Historic Landmark?
150 ft in a straight line from the listing to the mapped shoreline, under a minute. Soft sand and dune make the real walk longer than the straight line.
Does Fort Macon Beach & Historic Landmark have restrooms?
Restrooms are mapped 330 ft from the listing.
When is Fort Macon Beach & Historic Landmark least busy?
Google visit patterns put the quietest hour at Mon 8am and the busiest at Sat 2pm.
Measured from OpenStreetMap, public aerial imagery and live conditions data, and counted from visitor reviews. Every source, in full.
