We moved away from the beach in February 2021. Beaches do not change as much as restaurants and accommodations so I am likely safe in telling about Third Street Beach. If you drive down Highway towards Salter Path, there is a regular drop in Street numbers. That might lead someone to believe that could wait to Third St. turns up, make a turn and be at Third Street Beach access.
Actually that would not work very well since there is no Third Street. You have to turn at either Second, Fourth or Fifth to get there.
Why would someone want to go to Third Street? Well, it is almost a secret and most beach goers stop well before they get to Third Street. There are only eight or ten parking places but in the fifteen years I lived at the coast. I never found the parking lot filled.
Third Street also has the shortest walk from the parking lot to the water. In the fall you will usually find two or three surf fishermen. Like all beaches sometimes it changes but usually it is a nice even slope. I have seen it with a serious bench. We would off drive over after 5PM in the summer when the beaches are cooler and most people have started cleaning.
Third Street is about seven miles down the beach from the Crystal Coast Visitor Center.
Here are some links to pictures, including these done in 2019.
Visit my full online Travel Guide to Emerald Isle.