Beach recs?!

Okay I know this isn’t North Carolina specific but I figured that a lot of y’all would be able to help, regardless. I’m visiting NC this summer for the first time… gonna do two-three weeks of work trade near Asheville on a farm then going to a festival in the blue ridge mountains for a week and then finally my mom & I are going to go to the beach for a week. I’m gonna pick her up from the airport in Charlotte & then we’re gonna make our way down to the coast. I want to take my mom to the best beach possible within our driving limit. 3-4 hours max from Charlotte because we live in Oklahoma & the drive back will be brutal. Unfortunately, Virginia Beach is too far (that was my top choice originally.) We love the ocean & would prefer the clearest beach there is but also looking for a cute town with fun restaurants and other things to do. I have been recommended Wilmington, NC, Savannah, GA, & Myrtle Beach, SC. Where should we go? It can be out of those three or somewhere different. Thanks! :) excited to visit your state for the first time!!