Winter in North Carolina’s Brunswick Islands offers something rare on the East Coast — wide-open and quiet beaches, peaceful ocean views, and mild temperatures perfect for long shoreline walks without the summer traffic. To help you plan your winter beach walk, we’ve gathered some popular walking routes, parking information, and even a suggested coffee stop to warm up.

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Best Winter Beach Walks in the Brunswick Islands

NC’s Brunswick Islands is home to 6 beaches across 5 islands that are consistently recognized as some of the best on the East Coast. Beyond the beach, North Carolina’s Brunswick Islands is also home to charming coastal towns filled with plenty of options for a short, easy, and peaceful winter walk.

Oak Island

Great starting points include one of the island’s two piers – the Oak Island Pier or the Ocean Crest Pier. The Point, on the island’s west end, is a popular destination for many beach walks on Oak Island.

• Beach parking on Oak Island is free in marked visitors spaces from October through March.

Oak Island boasts 65 public beach accesses, meaning you’re never too far from the start of your walk on the beach. There are also multiple handicap accessible beach accesses in the Brunswick Islands to ensure everyone has access to the beach.

Caswell Beach

Caswell Beach is a great winter beach walking spot for those who don’t want to spend more than an hour walking. The town’s two public parking lots, located at 677 Caswell Beach Road and 221 Caswell Beach Road, are great starting points.

• Please note parking in the Oak Island Lighthouse lot (221 Caswell Beach Rd.) is limited to one hour. Parking on Caswell Beach is free year-round.

Holden Beach

Start your walk on Holden Beach from the PW200 beach access at 102 Ocean Blvd. and head towards the island’s east end or start further down the island at the Holden Beach Pier lot and continue west.

• Parking on Holden Beach is free before 9 a.m. and after 5 p.m., paid parking is enforced year-round from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m.  

Ocean Isle Beach

Start your walk from one of the island’s beach access points or the Ocean Isle Beach Pier. For views of the island’s canals, take a leisurely stroll on the sidewalk along E 2^nd Street, beginning at the Museum of Coastal Carolina.

• Parking on Ocean Isle Beach is free from November through March.

Sunset Beach

One of the most popular walks on Sunset Beach takes visitors to Bird Island, home of the Kindred Spirit Mailbox. Begin your walk from the 40^th Street beach access and head west.

• Plan to spend between 50 to 75 minutes roundtrip for a walk to and from the Kindred Spirit Mailbox if leaving from 40^th Street.
• Parking is free on Sunset Beach from November through March.

Bald Head Island

Bald Head Island’s South Beach is the most popular beach walk spot on the island. You can access South Beach from beach access 13 (near the Bald Island Club) through beach access 36 (near the Bald Head Island Conservancy).

• Parking is free on Bald Head Island year-round. Cars are not allowed on the island; the primary mode of transportation is golf cart.

Best Coastal Town Walks (Beyond the Beach)

• The Southport waterfront is a favorite walk for both locals and visitors alike. Stop by the Fort Johnston Museum and Visitors Center for self-guided walking tour pamphlets.
• Belville Riverwalk Park near Leland boasts a 1/3-mile shaded nature walk and wooden boardwalk.
• Brunswick Nature Park near Leland stretches over hundreds of acres. Explore the park's 5 miles of maintained pathways.
• The Calabash waterfront is another favorite destination for a casual winter day stroll.
• Shallotte Riverwalk Park is a true hidden gem in Shallotte. Access its quarter mile wooden boardwalk from Cheers St. or Wall St.

In need of a quick walk? Check out a park nearest you.

Best Sunrise & Sunset Spots in Winter

Due to the south-facing orientation of the Brunswick Islands, you can witness the sunrise and sunset over the ocean from each of our beaches in the winter and early spring. Check out some more winter sunrise and sunset spots in the Brunswick Islands here.

For the shortest sunset or sunrise walks consider parking near one of our ocean piers for easy beach and parking access.

Things to Know:

• Check a tide chart before heading to the beach. You’ll have more shoreline to walk around low tide.

• Winter weather in the Brunswick Islands tends to be mild, but you might need to keep a pair of gloves, a warm jacket, and hat on hand for those cool early mornings.

Winter Wildlife You’ll Spot

NC’s Brunswick Islands is home to over 300 species of birds, many of which still call the area home during the winter months. During your winter Brunswick Islands visit don’t be surprised if you spot:

• Brown pelicans
• Sanderling
• Willets
• American Oystercatcher
• Great Blue Heron
• Great Egret
• Kingfisher
• Tern
• Ibis
• Killdeer

Take a Coffee and Beverage Break

When it’s time to warm up with a cup of coffee, tea, or cocoa you’ll find options across the islands. For even more suggestions, see our list of the Best Places to Get Coffee in the Brunswick Islands.

• Ruby’s Coffeehouse & Eatery on Oak Island is located inside the Oak Island Pier and is open year-round.
• Ocean Boulevard Coffee on Holden Beach is open Thursday through Sunday in the winter offseason.
• Drift Coffee & Kitchen on Ocean Isle Beach is open year-round.
• Coastal Grounds on Sunset Beach is open year-round.
• Sandpiper Coffee & Ice Cream on Bald Head Island is open year-round.

Plan Your Visit

February through March is one of the best times of year to visit NC’s Brunswick Islands to feel like you’ve got the entire beach strand to yourself. Plentiful beach access and relaxed parking rules across our islands also make it a wonderful time of year to enjoy an easy walk on the beach.

Start planning the rest of your Brunswick Islands winter visit - download a complimentary 2026 North Carolina’s Brunswick Islands Visitors Guide.

FAQs: Visiting the Brunswick Islands in Winter:

1. Are the beaches in the Brunswick Islands good to visit in February and March?

Yes. February offers mild temperatures in the mid-50s, fewer visitors, free parking at most beaches, and wide-open shorelines ideal for peaceful walks.

2. Which beaches are easiest to access in cooler weather?

All Brunswick Islands beaches are easy to access in cooler weather thanks to plenty of beach access locations and parking across each island. For more information on handicapped accessible beach access points please visit our Beach Accessibility page.

3. Is sunrise or sunset better for winter beach walks?

In NC’s Brunswick Islands you can witness the sun rise and set over the ocean in the winter months, making both sunrise and sunset great times of day to enjoy a winter beach walk.

4. What should I wear for a winter or early spring beach walk?

NC’s Brunswick Islands typically experiences mild weather in the winter and early spring with highs in the mid-50s. Check the weather forecast before heading out, and if necessary, bundle up with a warm jacket, gloves, and hat.

5. Are restrooms and parking available in the off-season?

Parking is free on Ocean Isle Beach, Sunset Beach, Oak Island, Caswell Beach, and Oak Island in the off-season. Holden Beach parking is free before 9 a.m. and after 5 p.m. in the offseason. Restrooms are opened at select beach accesses year-round but are closed if the overnight temperatures dip below freezing.

Updated February 2026