Certainly the beach is the area's greatest natural attraction, and careful planning has assured that the public has access to the beach at nearly 100 points along New Hanover County's shoreline. Marked by distinctive orange and blue signs, public access points permit visitors to get to the water without crossing private property. Public access points range from regional facilities with parking, restrooms, outdoor showers, and litter receptacles to simple dune crossovers.
Some accesses have lifeguards on duty and many are handicap accessible.
The N.C. Ferry at Fort Fisher provides ferry service across the Cape Fear River between Fort Fisher and Southport. A small toll is charged for the scenic 30 minute ride that crosses the channel. The Intracoastal Waterway threads its way through the Cape Fear Coast bringing yachts, as well as vessels transporting cargo. Intracoastal Waterway cruise ships often include stops at Wrightsville Beach. A number of marinas from Hampstead south to Bald Head Island, including Wrightsville and Carolina Beach, cater to transient pleasure boaters and offer opportunities to dock for a few days of sightseeing in the area.