Wilmington NC Waterfront Homes for Sale

Wilmington has more ways to live on the water than almost anywhere on the North Carolina coast: deep-water lots on the Intracoastal Waterway, creekfront homes off Masonboro and Middle Sound, condos on the Cape Fear River downtown and a handful of oceanfront homes on private Figure Eight Island. Below you will find every Wilmington home listed in the MLS as waterfront, updated throughout the day.

Wilmington has the largest selection of waterfront homes, condos and townhomes in the area, from river and marsh-front condos to deep-water estates. Single-family homes on navigable water with a dock sit at the top of the market.

Jump to: Current listings | Types of waterfront | Waterfront communities | Buyer checklist | FAQ

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Types of waterfront in Wilmington

• Intracoastal Waterway and the sounds. The most sought-after frontage. Homes along Masonboro Sound, Middle Sound and the ICW give quick boat access to Masonboro Inlet, Mason Inlet and the ocean. Creek lots on Futch Creek, Whiskey Creek, Hewletts Creek and Bradley Creek trade open views for calmer water and more privacy.
• Cape Fear River. Downtown condos along the Riverwalk and newer neighborhoods such as Riverlights and Saponas Pointe sit on the river south of downtown. Expect river views, sunsets and community docks or a marina rather than private deep-water piers.
• Oceanfront. Inside the Wilmington city limits, oceanfront means Figure Eight Island, a private, gated barrier island. For more beach options see Wrightsville Beach waterfront homes and Carolina Beach waterfront homes.
• Lakes, ponds and marsh. Many listings tagged waterfront back up to a lake, pond or salt marsh. These cost far less than navigable frontage, so use the ICW Front or Boat Dock searches if you need to keep a boat at the house.

Wilmington waterfront communities

• Landfall - gated club community on the ICW across from Wrightsville Beach, with a mix of sound-front, marsh-front and golf homes.
• Porters Neck Plantation - golf and water community on the ICW and Futch Creek in north Wilmington.
• Figure Eight Island - private oceanfront, sound-front and marsh-front homes.
• Riverlights - master-planned community on the Cape Fear River with a marina village and lakes; the busiest waterfront community for sales in Wilmington.
• Helms Port, Trails End, Windchase and Inlet Watch - Masonboro Sound neighborhoods, several with community or private docks.
• Middle Sound and Bayshore - established neighborhoods off Middle Sound Loop with deeded water access in many sections.
• Downtown Wilmington and River Place - riverfront condos within walking distance of restaurants and the Riverwalk.

What to check before you buy waterfront

• Flood zone and insurance. Ask for the elevation certificate and get flood insurance quotes early. Premiums depend on the flood zone and the home's elevation, and they can vary widely between two houses on the same street.
• Water depth at low tide. Tides here run several feet. A dock that looks great at high tide may sit in mud at low tide, so check depth at mean low water for the boat you plan to own.
• Docks, piers and permits. New or expanded docks, piers and bulkheads in coastal waters need a CAMA permit from the NC Division of Coastal Management. Ask whether existing structures were permitted and what condition the bulkhead or riprap is in.
• Bridges and route to the inlet. Know the bridge clearances and drawbridge schedules between the house and open water if you run a sailboat or a tall center console.
• HOA rules. Community slips may be assigned, leased or first come, first served. Read the rules on boat size, lifts and rentals before you write an offer.

Wilmington waterfront market

Waterfront homes sell at a clear premium over the rest of Wilmington, and the best deep-water lots rarely sit long. For closed sales, price per square foot and the communities with the most waterfront sales, see the Wilmington waterfront market stats. You can also build a custom market report for any neighborhood.

Own a waterfront home in Wilmington? See what your Wilmington waterfront home is worth or browse Wilmington home values.

Wilmington waterfront FAQ

Nearby waterfront searches: Wrightsville Beach | Carolina Beach | Kure Beach | Hampstead | Leland | All Wilmington homes for sale

Questions about a waterfront property? Contact us - we can pull dock permits, flood zone details and recent sales on any home you are considering.