Johnnie Mercers Fishing Pier may be the longest pier in North Carolina, extending more than 1,200 feet into the Atlantic Ocean. And thanks to some enduring love and care, it’s still located in the heart of Wrightsville Beach and is the first concrete fishing pier in the state. While we go to the beach for the sun, sand, and surf, the experience would be lost without the familiar sight of a fishing pier leading our eyes out to the great blue sea, likely accommodating our grandfathers, dads, and other enthusiastic anglers discussing their bait and photographing their catches of the day. Let’s take a look at one of the most impressive piers on the coast.

Originally called the Atlantic View pier, the structure was built by Julian Morton in the 1930s, whose son, Hugh Morton, owned Grandfather Mountain.
Johnnie Mercers Fishing Pier
Luther Rogers bought it and sold it to avid fisherman Johnnie Mercer in 1939.
Fast-forward several decades and Matt Johnson and his family run the pier now, which was destroyed by hurricanes twice.
DiscoA340, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
It was rebuilt after Hurricane Hazel in 1954, and in 1996, hurricanes Fran and Bertha destroyed the wooden pier again.
Thankfully Bob and Shirley Johnson who own the pier wouldn't let it die as construction on the new concrete pier began in 1999.
Dion G/TripAdvisor
The impressive composition can now withstand up to 200 mph winds.
The new Johnnie Mercers Fishing Pier reopened in 2002, the first concrete pier along the N.C. coastline.
Johnnie Mercers Fishing Pier
And we love the daily excitement it brings.

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Just look how far it stretches out into the ocean.
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Inside there's a gift shop to remember the fun we had on the trip.
Johnnie Mercers Fishing Pier
Order some food in the restaurant beginning with a hot breakfast at 8 a.m.
Johnnie Mercers Fishing Pier
Or pack a picnic and eat out just in time for the sunset.
Johnnie Mercers Fishing Pier

See what’s happening right now at the pier on this live camera.

Discover more about the longest pier in North Carolina on Johnnie Mercers Fishing Pier’s website.

Stay the night at Wrightsville Beach and eat at the Edgar Allan Poe-inspired Poe’s Tavern.

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Johnnie Mercers Fishing Pier, 23 E Salisbury St, Wrightsville Beach, NC 28480, USA