As the summer beach season begins, the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Coastal Management (DCM) Public Beach and Coastal Waterfront Access Program reminds coastal residents and visitors about its helpful, interactive public beach and waterfront access map. The map can be accessed directly from mobile devices and desktops to help locate public beach and waterfront access sites along North Carolina’s coast. The map includes a “Find Sites Near Me,” feature that helps users locate sites within 10 miles of a location.
The online map provides information on the location and amenities available at more than 800 local, state and federally funded public access sites along the ocean beaches and estuarine waters of North Carolina.
Access Map Features:
- My Location tool allows the map to pinpoint your current location. For best results, enable location sharing on your device.
- Near Me tool allows users to search for access sites within 1-10 miles of a selected location. This tool also can be used in combination with the with the “My Location” and “Filter” tools.
- Filter tool allows users to search for access sites based on available amenities. For example, users can select filters for restrooms and showers to find access sites with those amenities.
- Basemap tool allows you to switch between several map styles, including satellite imagery, street maps and topographic maps.
DCM provides funding for land acquisition and construction projects that improve pedestrian access to the state's beaches and waterways through its Public Beach and Coastal Waterfront Access Program. The program has awarded 538 grants totaling more than $56.7 million to improve public waterfront access sites since it began in 1981.
Access projects may include walkways, dune crossovers, restrooms, parking areas, piers and related projects. Funds also may be used for land acquisition or urban waterfront revitalization.
Click here to go directly to the beach and waterfront access map. Question and comments should be directed to Rachel Love-Adrick at Rachel.love-adrick@deq.nc.gov and include the site location in your correspondence.
IMAGES AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD: Photo credit NC Division of Coastal Management