🏖️ The Master Beach Bum Parking Guide to Ocean Isle Beach (2025 Edition)
🏖️ The Master Beach Bum Parking Guide to Ocean Isle Beach (2025 Edition)
A Red Carpet Guide for OceanIsleGetaways.com Guests
Well folks, it finally happened.
Ocean Isle Beach was one of the last holdouts. A sweet slice of sand where the only thing you had to shell out was sunscreen money—not parking fees. But as of April 1, 2025, that glorious run of free beach parking is over. Our lucky streak has ended, and we’re officially part of the modern, meter-reading world now.
But fear not—this handy, halfway-entertaining guide will help you beat the system (legally, of course), understand the rules, and keep your beach days easy-breezy.
The above chart is lifted from the oib.gov site and is accurate as of June 10, 2025.
🗓️ When and Where You’ll Pay to Park
Paid Parking Season:
🗓️ April 1 – October 31
🕘 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM, 7 days a week
Outside those hours? It’s still FREE to park in paid zones before 9 AM and after 5 PM. So if you’re an early riser or a sunset lover, you’re golden.
💰 How Much Does It Cost?
Hourly: $5/hour
Daily: $20/day
Weekly: $80/week
Season Max: $175/year max per vehicle (auto-converts once you hit this total)
Yep, even golf carts and LSVs pay the same as full-size vehicles.
📱 How Do You Pay?
There’s ONE app to rule them all:
🌀 SurfCAST by Otto Connect
This is the only way to register, pay, or manage parking in OIB.
👉 Pay online here
📲 Or download the SurfCAST app for iPhone/Android
📞 Or call Otto Connect at (910) 200-1497 if you’re not feeling techy
📱 Android (Google Play Store)
SurfCAST by otto – Official Android download:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.otto.surfcast
🍏 iOS (Apple App Store)
SurfCAST by otto – Official iPhone/iPad download:
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/surfcast-by-otto/id1552487334
⚠️ Important:
You don’t buy passes through the Town of OIB—ONLY through Otto Connect
Fines, violations, and complaints? Take them straight to Otto Connect
Each license plate = separate registration. Car + golf cart? That’s two permits.
🔄 Need to Switch Cars?
No problem. You can transfer a permit to a new vehicle once every 90 days with proof.
🏆 How to (Maybe) Park for Free
Let’s get creative…
Go early or go late: Park between 6 AM – 9 AM or after 5 PM—it’s FREE.
Town Center Park: Free for 2 hours—great for a quick stop or a lunch break.
Ferry Landing Park: Totally free, no time limit. Bring a beach wagon and enjoy the walk!
Event exemptions: Some Town events or festivals may include free parking nearby.
Handicap spots: FREE if you have a valid plate or placard—only in designated spaces.
Book a Picnic Shelter: You’ll get a 4-hour permit for nearby parking included with your rental (from Town Hall).
🚧 Bonus Notes for Guests (and Locals):
Season max of $175 applies to each license plate. So no surprises—pay as you go until you hit that amount, then you’re done for the season.
Town Employees and Business Owners have to pay too (no special treatment here).
Employee-only lot is being built at 3 W. Third Street for registered businesses ($250 annual fee to enroll).
Park ONLY in designated spots—don’t get creative or you’ll get fined.
Violations/fines go through Otto Connect, not the Town.
🏁 Final Words from the Sand
We know. Paid parking is kind of a bummer. But hey—at least we’ve still got beautiful beaches, a laid-back vibe, and now…a helpful blog post to help you outsmart the meters. 🕶️
Feel free to share this with your fellow beach bums and guests before their trip. A little planning goes a long way—and now you’re officially parking like a pro.
☀️ See you on the sand,
The Red Carpet Team at Ocean Isle Getaways
Which do you like better? lol
Have fun at the beach and good luck parking! It's a breeze most of the time!
