I have sailed a Hobie 16 for 22 years (bought it new in '85) in NC. I am inland so usually sail in Lake Norman or Jordan Lake but have taken it to the coast a few times. Two years ago I sailed off the beach for a week at Emerald Isle which is in your area. We had perfect weather and wind all week. I have sailed off North Myrtle Beach a few times. I also sail a monohull, a Cape Cod catboat. For sheer fun and excitement the catamaran is the best choice. I wouldn't sail far from shore in any small sailboat. There is no purpose to it. You can sail all you want fairly close to shore. I also wouldn't single hand an H-16 in the ocean though I do it all the time in the lakes. You need help getting out through the surf and dragging the boat back up the beach. You don't want to try to right the boat alone when you have waves to contend with. My boat of choice would be an H-16 but I am biased. It is the most common so more available on the used market. It is a rugged boat that, in my case, has stood up extremely well.
