Onslow Beach

U.S. Military exercises conducted at Onslow Beach. Click on the image to be brought to a gallery.

Onslow Beach is an 11-mile (17.7 kilometer) stretch of undeveloped beach along the Atlantic coast, located in Onslow County, in southeastern North Carolina, that supports both military and recreational needs of the Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune community, as well to the extent possible serving as a recreational area to the surrounding community. Militarily, the Marine base since 1941 has used the area for various military training exercises and amphibious landings, as has the U.S. Navy. Recreationally, during times when no exercises are being conducted, it is popular for fishing, sunbathing, and shell collecting, especially during warmer months.

The beach also supports habitat for several endangered species, both plant and animal. Sea turtles habitually nest on its adjacent sand, and a U.S. federally protected annual plant called seabeach amaranth grows on its dunes and overwash flats. These species are carefully managed in order to protect them while simultaneously allowing for continued military use of the beach.

As with most beaches that support important human and wildlife activity, restoration efforts to counter natural erosion are an ongoing effort. In September 2005, Hurricane Ophelia took an especial toll, not only causing significant erosion but nearly destroying the beach's historic Riseley Pier.

Onslow Beach in 2006--clearly not just for military uses.