Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina Short-Term Rental Market
Southeastern North Carolina coast STRs averaged $382 ADR, 51.0% occupancy and $5,179 monthly revenue in September 2026.
Quick Answer: Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina is an active short-term rental market. average occupancy in the Wilmington market area is 51%. average monthly revenue in the Wilmington market area is $5,179. average daily rate in the Wilmington market area is $382. the top operator in the Wilmington market area is Vacasa with 770 listings. market score is 64/100 (grade C).
Market data reflects the Wilmington regional market, which includes Ocean Isle Beach. Regulations, taxes, and permit details below are specific to Ocean Isle Beach.
Market Score Breakdown
Five dimensions StaySTRA evaluates per market.
Market Overview
Ocean Isle Beach is a small barrier island town on North Carolina’s southern Brunswick coast, with a population of 867. Its short-term rental metrics are tracked at a shared regional level, so the performance figures on this page describe the southeastern North Carolina coast STR market rather than Ocean Isle Beach alone. As of September 2026, that market averaged an ADR of $382, occupancy of 51.0%, and revenue of $5,179 per listing for the month. Compared with September 2025, occupancy rose 12.3%, ADR rose 10.1%, and revenue rose 14.8%. The entire-home ADR was $387, close to the all-listings average, which shows that most rental demand is for whole-home stays. The island itself is dominated by vacation use. It has roughly 3,200 homes and condos, most of which serve as vacation rentals, and summer visitation is estimated near 25,000 people at any given time in the high season. No annual visitor total is published, and the 25,000 figure is a seasonal peak estimate only. Visitors are mostly leisure travelers from the Carolinas and the wider Southeast who book week-long house stays. The draws are over five miles of beach, a fishing pier, boating on the Intracoastal Waterway, and golf. Year-to-date 2026 figures through September show occupancy of 56.1%, ADR of $352, and monthly revenue of $5,370, ahead of the full-year 2025 averages of 51.4%, $314, and $4,538. Bedroom, channel, and listing-type counts are tracked at a shared regional level rather than uniquely for Ocean Isle Beach, so this profile omits them. September sits in the shoulder season, so the monthly snapshot is well below the summer peak described in the seasonal section.
Seasonal Patterns
| Month | Occupancy |
|---|---|
| Jan | 32% |
| Feb | 45% |
| Mar | 56% |
| Apr | 56% |
| May | 60% |
| Jun | 76% |
| Jul | 81% |
| Aug | 68% |
| Sep | 52% |
| Oct | 47% |
| Nov | 39% |
| Dec | 34% |
Month-by-month nightly rates and revenue figures for Ocean Isle Beach are available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Top Short-Term Rental Operators in Wilmington market area
Ranked by total active listings. Useful for understanding the competitive landscape. Operator data is published for the Wilmington market as a whole, which includes Ocean Isle Beach, so these counts are not Ocean Isle Beach-only figures.
| # | Operator | Listings | Reviews | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vacasa | 770 | 18,253 | ★ 4.46 |
| 2 | Oak Island Accommodations | 469 | 2,466 | ★ 4.42 |
| 3 | Better Beach Rentals | 439 | 3,661 | ★ 4.37 |
| 4 | Evolve | 331 | 12,224 | ★ 4.75 |
| 5 | Carolina Retreats by Vtrips | 314 | 3,759 | ★ 4.54 |
What Kind of STR Should I Buy in Ocean Isle Beach?
Revenue and nightly-rate breakdowns by bedroom count, property tier, and dwelling type for Ocean Isle Beach are available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Booking Channel Mix
Distribution of bookings across major STR platforms.
| Channel | Share |
|---|---|
| airbnb | 21.3% |
| vrbo | 17% |
| both | 61.7% |
Home Value Trends (Ocean Isle Beach)
Typical home values, median sale prices, and the 10-year price trend for Ocean Isle Beach are available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Booking Insights
Booking-window and length-of-stay analysis for Ocean Isle Beach — how far ahead guests book and how to price around it — is available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Short-Term Rental Regulations
Short-term rentals are permitted in Ocean Isle Beach and are the dominant housing use on the island. Enforcement severity is rated minimal. Owners must register an accommodations account with the Town of Ocean Isle Beach at Town Hall before renting, so the town can collect and remit its occupancy tax. The town levies a 5% accommodations tax on gross rental receipts, and 2% of that is earmarked for beach renourishment. Brunswick County also administers a room occupancy tax, and guests pay North Carolina state and local sales tax on accommodations. The profile does not list a permit fee or renewal period. There is no owner-occupancy requirement, no primary residence requirement, and no published cap on the number of nights a property can be rented. Zoning allows rentals in residential districts, and operators must meet the town’s off-street parking requirements along with noise, trash, and occupancy limits. Condo and HOA associations may add their own rental restrictions, so buyers should check the covenants for any specific building. North Carolina’s 2021 vacation-rental provisions limit a town’s ability to ban or cap short-term rentals outright. The most recent change was an expanded paid parking program in 2025, in effect April 1 to October 31 from 9am to 5pm, with hourly, daily, weekly, and seasonal permit options that affect guests. No new restrictions on operating a short-term rental were identified. Confirm current rates and account steps with Town Hall.
Market Comparison
The southeastern North Carolina coast STR market looks like a rate-driven market, with a September 2026 ADR of $382 and occupancy of 51.0%. The summer months lift occupancy sharply: July reaches 80.6% and June 76.3%, while January falls to 31.7%. Year-to-date 2026 occupancy is 56.1% and the 2026 ADR is $352. The pattern points to a coastal destination where rates are high but income depends heavily on a short peak season. Growth is also notable: revenue is up 14.8% year over year, with ADR up 10.1% and occupancy up 12.3%. For comparison, the area’s annual average occupancy has hovered between about 49% and 60% since 2017, so the current recovery follows a few softer years. Top operator names are tracked at a shared regional level rather than uniquely for Ocean Isle Beach, so this profile omits them. Investors should compare these regional figures with their own property-level comps before committing capital.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina
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