It's the most wonderful time of the year – to visit North Carolina's Brunswick Islands, that is. A beach vacation to the Brunswick Islands doesn't have to be limited to summer. This year, escape the snow, freezing temperatures, and frostbite by taking a special winter getaway. From great off-season rates on accommodations to beautiful sunrises and sunsets over the ocean, here are five reasons why you should make the Brunswick Islands your next winter getaway. 

1. It feels like you're on your own private island.

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to have your very own private island? Pristine, unspoiled, and carefree – the beaches in the Brunswick Islands feel like just that, especially during the off-season. Come winter, you'll find that our 45 miles of shoreline are practically yours and yours alone, which makes the company of family and loved ones extra special and intimate. This winter, pick one of six pristine island beaches and call it your own.  

2. Get more bang for your buck with off-season rates.

In the off-season, vacation accommodations, golf courses, and other area attractions will often offer special promotions or rates to entice visitors to come and see how wonderful the area is during winter. And, don't forget about the big holidays that are coming up! Treating someone to a weekend beach getaway or a golf trip would make an excellent present for anyone who needs a winter vacation.

3. Enjoy relaxed pet regulations during the off-season.

The off-season is the best time to take a dog-friendly vacation! With relaxed pet regulations, your furry friends are bound to have the time of their lives. Rules and regulations vary from town to town, but, come winter, dogs are allowed on the beach all day at each beach community in the Brunswick Islands. And, if you want to give your dog a chance to be off-leash, take them up to Caswell Beach, Oak Island, or out to Bald Head Island for some fetching fun! For tips on how to better prepare for a beach trip with your pup, read our blog post "This Beach Trip Has Gone to the Dogs!"

4. Watch both the sunrise and sunset over the ocean.

The Brunswick Islands are unique compared to other East Coast beaches. It's because they have a rare distinction in that they face south, running east to west, parallel with the shore. Because the sun reaches far enough south in the late fall through early spring, you can watch both the sunrise and sunset over the Atlantic Ocean. This phenomenon has been called one of the "10 Incredible Phenomena You Have to See in Fall" by Weather.com.

5. Make new traditions.

Make the Brunswick Islands your new winter getaway for years to come! Come and rejuvenate or have some fun by attending an outdoor market, festival, parade, or Christmas flotilla! Especially around the holidays, the quaint coastal towns of the Brunswick Islands are in no short supply of fun things to do. Or come after the holidays and spend some time relaxing and unwinding from the holiday hustle and bustle. Enjoy dining on fresh seafood, playing a round of golf, visiting a lighthouse, or strolling along quiet beaches, a riverwalk, or oak-lined streets. And who knows, you might even start a new family tradition!

The average winter temperature in North Carolina's Brunswick Islands is around the mid-50s. So, this year, ditch the snowman for a sandman and spend this winter on an incredible beach vacation. To learn more about the Brunswick Islands or to start planning your winter getaway, visit ncbrunswick.com.