For the uninitiated, the coastal "season" in North Carolina ends on Labor Day. The tourists pack up, the rental signs flip to "vacant," and the beaches of Wrightsville, Surf City, and Oak Island go quiet.

But for locals in the know, winter is when the real coast comes alive.

In Southeastern North Carolina, January and February aren't months to hibernate—they are prime time for our region's most dedicated watermen and women. The humidity is gone, the crowds have vanished, and the water offers a clarity you simply cannot find in August.

If you are looking to buy or live in New Hanover, Pender, or Brunswick County, here is your guide to the "Second Season" of coastal living.

Winter Surfing: Heavier Neoprene, Cleaner Lines

While the water temperature dips into the 50s (and sometimes high 40s), winter brings the most consistent swell energy of the year to our beaches.

The Conditions: Summer doldrums are replaced by energetic Nor'easters. This often means cleaner, more organized waves at spots like Masonboro Inlet and The Southend of Wrightsville Beach. The prevailing offshore winds groom the surf, creating hollower, punchier waves that seasoned surfers wait all year for.

The Gear Check: You cannot trunk it in January. To enjoy a 2-hour session, you will need a 4/3mm wetsuit at a minimum. On the coldest mornings, a 5/4mm with a hood, 5mm booties, and 3mm gloves are standard.

Local Vibe: The lineup is friendlier in the winter. It’s mostly locals, and there is a shared camaraderie in braving the chill. Keep an eye out for the annual "Santa Surf" events in December, where hundreds of locals paddle out in Santa suits—a testament to our year-round board culture.

Winter Fishing: The "Silver and Red" Pursuit

The boat traffic has died down, leaving the creeks and inlets open for the serious angler. In 2026, the focus is on precision over volume.

The Target: Winter is the season for Spotted Seatrout (Speckled Trout) and Red Drum. As the water cools, these fish school up in the deeper holes of tidal creeks and around the jetties.

The Technique: Fish are cold-blooded; their metabolism slows down in winter. The "power fishing" of summer won't work. You need to slow your retrieve significantly. A MirrOlure or a soft plastic on a light jig head, worked painfully slow along the bottom, is the ticket.

2026 Regulatory Update: Be aware of the new Spotted Seatrout regulations that took effect recently. The daily creel limit is now 3 fish per person with a strict slot: you cannot keep fish between 20 and 26 inches. This conservation measure is designed to protect the breeding stock, ensuring our fishery remains world-class for years to come.

The "Waterman" Real Estate Angle

For buyers, understanding the winter water lifestyle changes how you look at property.

Garage Logic: If you plan to surf or fish year-round, a finished garage or a climate-controlled storage room becomes a high-priority "want" for drying wetsuits and storing waders.

Access Matters: In summer, parking at the beach is a nightmare. In winter, having a home in Winnabow or Hampstead doesn't feel "too far" because you can drive to a prime public access at Topsail or Carolina Beach and park front-row in minutes.

Community Boat Ramps: Properties in communities with private boat ramps (like those along the Intracoastal in Pender County) see their value skyrocket in winter. When the public ramps are icy or crowded with duck hunters, a private neighborhood ramp is a luxury that pays for itself.

We Speak "Local"

Real estate is about more than just the house; it’s about the life you live inside and outside of it. Whether you need a home with a heated outdoor shower for post-surf warm-ups or a property with deep-water access for your center console, we get it because we live it.

At Aspyre Realty Group, we specialize in matching your specific lifestyle—whether that’s catching the dawn patrol swell or limiting out on trout before noon—with the perfect home base. Let's find your year-round sanctuary.