With 45 miles of beaches, stretches of waterways, a variety of wildlife, and an easy pace of life, NC’s Brunswick Islands is an excellent destination for adventure travelers looking to explore the wonders of the coast.  

Water-Based Adventures

Have some fun on the canals, rivers, marshes, and beaches of the Brunswick Islands.  

Kayaking & SUP

Journey through the waterways of NC’s Brunswick Islands by kayaking or with a stand-up paddleboard. Adventure outfitters across the islands offer equipment rentals, training, and even guided tours.

ariel view of a group of kayaks on the ICW

Already have your own equipment? Great! Visit our directory of kayaking and boat launches across the Brunswick Islands. And when it comes to decide on your perfect place to stay, consider a vacation rental along a canal or the Intracoastal Waterway side of our islands for easy access to your own private dock.

Surfing

You’ll find plenty of friendly locals happy to hang ten here. Beginners can sign up for summer surf camps through one of the several surfing companies in the area.

Scuba Diving

Get scuba certified in the Brunswick Islands. Both Scuba Rec and Tech and Blackbeard Scuba operate out of Southport, where their experienced instructors are ready to help you take the first steps to certification. Further along our coast in Holden Beach, the folks at Holden Beach Scuba and Dive are also just as passionate about getting you out into the water.

Deep Sea Fishing Charter, man pulling fish into a boat

Deep Sea Fishing

There are numerous charter companies across the Brunswick Islands capable of taking you and your group out on an offshore fishing trip. Our area’s experienced captains possess the knowledge and equipment it takes to put you on some big fish including, mahi mahi, blackfin tuna, king mackerel, wahoo, and marlin.

Jet Skiing

You’ll find many options for watersport rentals in NC’s Brunswick Islands. For jet ski rentals check out:

  • Ocean Isle Beach Boat Rentals (Ocean Isle Beach)
  • Holden Beach Jet Ski Rentals (Holden Beach)
  • Holden Beach Marina (Holden Beach)

And for a guided jet ski tour, visit the folks with Southport Jet Ski Tours operating out of Morningstar Marina in Southport.

You and a buddy should also head out on a guided tour with Carolinas Coastal Adventure Tours. Their two-person powerboats are an exhilarating way to experience Ocean Isle Beach’s waterways.

Shelling and Shark Tooth Hunting

Shell hunters delight searching for scallops, baby’s ear, whelks, sand dollars, and more on the beaches of NC’s Brunswick Islands. Holden Beach and Caswell Beach especially are hotbeds for shell activity.

Land & Trail Expeditions

You’ll need more than your sea legs to experience all the fun. Here are some of the best land-based activities and nature trails in NC’s Brunswick Islands.

a wooden walkway with an informational sign leading to a trail in the woods on Bald Head Island

Nature on Bald Head Island

There are over 180 acres of protected maritime forest on Bald Head Island, and you can explore them during your next visit. Many trailheads with access to the Bald Head Woods Maritime Forest Preserve are located along Federal Road on the island.

Inquire about organized hikes with the Bald Head Island Conservancy.

Kindred Spirit Mailbox and Bird Island Nature Trail

Visiting the Kindred Spirit Mailbox on Bird Island is a popular activity for those seeking a moment of reflection among the sand dunes.

a view of a trail along marsh with an informational sign, directional sign, and a sailboat floating past in the background

Bird Island is also an operating coastal reserve with a nature trail that winds through the maritime grasslands. The trail head is not far from the Kindred Spirit Mailbox, so be on the lookout as you approach from Sunset Beach.

Mountain Biking at Brunswick Nature Park

Carve through the woods on the mountain bike trails at Brunswick Nature Park. The more than 5 miles of trails are divided by three paths, each with a varying level of difficulty.

The Point on Oak Island

Located at the furthest-most western end of Oak Island at the mouth of the Lockwood Folly River is a stretch of beach affectionately known as The Point. Taking an evening walk to the Point is an especially popular activity thanks to the stunning sunset views.

Up in the Air Activities

Climb the Oak Island Lighthouse

Free guided tours to the top of the Oak Island Lighthouse are offered year-round, but reservations should be made at least 2 weeks ahead of your visit (up to 6 weeks in the summer months).

view of a lighthouse at the beach

Make the climb up the lighthouse’s series of 131 ships ladder steps and you’ll be greeted by sweeping views of Caswell Beach, Bald Head Island, Southport, and Oak Island.

Skydive Along the Coast

The professional and experienced tandem instructors at Skydive Coastal Carolinas will tell you the view never gets old. So come join them for the skydiving experience of a lifetime.

Take a Scenic Airplane/Helicopter Tour

Lift off with High Tide Aviation and fly across historical landmarks like the Oak Island Lighthouse and Fort Caswell. From there, keep your eyes peeled for dolphins below and enjoy the sweeping views of our Carolina coast.

people standing on a zipline platform

Aerial Obstacle Course and Zipline

Zip through the trees of a more than 100-year-old cypress swamp on The Swamp Park’s ten station zipline. Or take on the adult jungle gym that is their aerial obstacle course.

Wildlife Experiences

Learn more about local wildlife in North Carolina’s Brunswick Islands.

Venus Flytraps in the Green Swamp Preserve

Brunswick County is one of the few places in the world where the vulnerable Venus Flytrap grows naturally. Visit the Green Swamp Preserve to see these fascinating plants in their natural environment.

Venus Flytrap at Green Swamp Preserve

Venus flytraps blossom small white flowers that make them easier to spot in the spring. But please remember to look and not touch. It is illegal to remove Venus flytraps from their habitat.

Alligator Spotting at The Swamp Park

A ticket to any of the activities (zipline, obstacle course, guided ATV rides & eco-boat tour) at The Swamp Park in Ocean Isle Beach also comes with access to see the park’s group of rescued alligators.

Please note that it is illegal to feed alligators in North Carolina.

Visit During Sea Turtle Hatching Season

If you’ve got “see a sea turtle” on your bucket list, you’ll want to visit NC’s Brunswick Islands in the summer.

Join dedicated sea turtle protection organization volunteers as they closely monitor our beaches from May through August for nesting turtles. Many volunteers are also happy to answer questions about their work as they sit guard over nests during hatching season (July through October).

two sea turtle hatchlings crawling down a sand runway as people watch from the side

Members of the public are also sometimes invited to attend nest inventories. During these events, authorized volunteers typically uncover a few baby turtles and can record the final data from a nest.

Many of the local sea turtle protection organizations also host free summer “Turtle Talks” to educate locals and visitors about their work and ecological importance of sea turtles.

Bird Watching

North Carolina’s Brunswick Islands is home to over 300 species of birds, and lots of places to spot them. In fact, there are 8 sites on the North Carolina Birding Trail in our area.

two dolphin fins visible breaking the surface of water

Dolphin Tours

Book a scenic sunset cruise with a local fishing charter or join an organized dolphin tour for the best chance to spot dolphins.

The Best Time to Go Adventure

The best time to visit North Carolina’s Brunswick Islands depends on the activities you’re interested in. While busier, summer months mean longer days and hot weather that make outdoor activities more enjoyable.

The spring and fall shoulder seasons are also great thanks to warmer weather and fewer visitors.

FAQs

  1. Where is the best spot to launch my own kayak?

See our directory of kayak and boat launches for spots to put your own kayak in the water. Book a vacation rental along one of our islands’ canals or with access to the Intracoastal Waterway typically means having your own private dock.

  1. Are there equipment rentals available?

Yes! Check out our list of outfitters renting watersport and beach equipment. You’ll also find that our area’s kayaking tour companies also rent out watersport equipment.

  1. Will I need a car to get around?

Traveling by car throughout the Brunswick Islands is the easiest way to get around. Visitors can also fly into nearby airports with convenient car rental options (Wilmington International Airport and Myrtle Beach International Airport).

  1. What kind of wildlife can I see in NC’s Brunswick Islands?

Lots! NC’s Brunswick Islands is home to over 300 species of birds, sea turtles, crabs, dolphins, and even carnivorous plants. For more information about area wildlife check out our blog, “The Wildlife of North Carolina’s Brunswick Islands.”

Start Planning Your Adventure

Every adventure needs a good plan. Please visit www.ncbrunswick.com to get started.