A family beach vacation is the ultimate way to make memories with the people you love and leave with stories your family will tell for decades. Forty-five miles of pristine coastline, things to do for families of all ages, and spacious accommodation options are just some of the reasons why North Carolina’s Brunswick Islands is an excellent destination for your next multigenerational family gathering. Continue reading to learn more about what your family can look forward to and why generations of families return every year.  

An extended family taking a selfie on the beach

Activities for Everyone

Participating in a group activity is one of the best ways for families to bond. Lucky for your crew, there’s no shortage of fun in NC’s Brunswick Islands. Hop on bikes and cruise along the pristine shoreline of Sunset Beach to the nearby Bird Island. A short twenty-minute ride away, Bird Island is home to the Kindred Spirit Mailbox where your family can leave its mark behind by writing a message in one of the journals nestled inside. Off the island, Sunset Beach is home to the Ingram Planetarium and its SciDome Sky Theater, where your family can embark on a tour of the stars or catch a laser music show any time of year.

Sink your toes in the sand on Holden Beach during low tide and walk along the water in search of sea biscuits and other shells. Named “one of the best family beaches in the country” by National Geographic Traveler, Holden Beach is a sheller’s paradise that everyone in your family is sure to love. For more information on beach accessibility and family accessible travel please visit our page here.

woman paddling kayak

Family travel brings out the adventurer in everyone, and the endless activities in North Carolina’s Brunswick Islands are sure to enthrall. Book a guided kayaking trip with one of our local outfitters for an up-close look at the Brunswick Islands’ diverse marsh and inlet ecosystems. Or take to the water with an experienced local charter captain for a fishing trip or a scenic boat tour your family will never forget. How about climbing a lighthouse, or two? NC’s Brunswick Islands is home to the state’s oldest and youngest lighthouses, Old Baldy and the Oak Island Lighthouse.

After enjoying nature and the beach, explore our charming coastal towns. A trip to Southport is a highlight of a grandparents-friendly vacation that delights with an afternoon spent exploring local boutiques, enjoying a meal along the Yacht Basin, and taking a moment to sit in the comfort of the town’s famous salubrious breezes.

Zipline at The Green Swamp Park in Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina.

When the time comes for the group to split up and enjoy their own activities, the Brunswick Islands deliver. Thrill seeking kids, teens, and adults will love The Swamp Park, located in Ocean Isle Beach. Visitors ages 10 and up can soar above the swap on a high flying 1.25 mile zipline, and kids as young as 4 years old can take to the aerial obstacle course.

For the adults, parents, and grandparents in need of a little respite, day spas offer the opportunity to relax and unwind after a busy afternoon. For others, unwinding means taking a swing from a tee box, of which NC’s Brunswick Islands has many. A day on the fairway might be just what the vacation ordered, and with nearly 30 courses to choose from, the approach shots are endless.  

As the sun sets on another day full of family bonding, the fun only continues. During the summer months, most islands and towns hold free outdoor concerts where everyone can dance the night away. With the kids taken care of, the adults are free to try a taste of local brews with a visit to a local brewery or winery. After all, a day filled with this much family time calls for a toast.

a family eating seafood outside along a waterway

It’s Family Mealtime

Deciding where to go out for lunch or dinner shouldn’t be a chore, and with the wide variety of dining options in NC’s Brunswick Islands it isn’t!

Seafood lovers don’t want to miss a meal in Calabash, the “Seafood Capital of the World.” The quaint town of Calabash is recognized far and wide for its signature lightly battered and quickly fried Calabash-style seafood, the resulting flaky and crispy texture of which elevates even the freshest of catches. Head down to the riverfront and grab a table outside the Waterfront Seafood Shack, included on Yelp’s 2024 List of Top Seafood Spots, or check out family favorite, Captain Nance’s Seafood just next door. Other fantastic seafood options across the Brunswick Islands can be found here.

Sharky’s Restaurant on Ocean Isle Beach is another family favorite! Standing for over 30 years, the indoor dining area is full of casual coastal décor that sets the tone for a low-key family island getaway. In addition to seafood, menu options include everything from Southern favorites to pizza and burgers, pleasing even the pickiest of eaters. For the more adventurous, check out Sugar Shack Jamaican Restaurant in Ocean Isle Beach for a taste of the Caribbean in Brunswick Islands.

a salad with shrimp in a red basket on a table by the beach

Big families and groups also love The Lazy Turtle Oceanfront Grille on Oak Island. Their spacious interior is perfect for larger gatherings, but truly their outdoor oceanfront seating is the highlight. Take a seat and chow down on classic beach fare from sandwich options to hot dogs, tacos, salads, and more, all while enjoying the view of the Oak Island Pier.

To explore more dining options across the Brunswick Islands please visit our Restaurants page.

A row of houses and condos near the beach at sunset

Accommodation Fit for the Entire Family

The moments families cherish most are those that happen when the entire family is together. In NC’s Brunswick Islands, booking a vacation rental home is a great excuse to invite the extended family and comfortably fit the entire family under one roof. Pet-friendly vacation rentals are also available, meaning even pets can enjoy the multigenerational beach vacation. Whether it boasts an oceanfront or canal-side view, a vacation rental home on any one of our islands comes complete with everything your family might need, including a full kitchen, cozy living room, sizeable bedrooms, and space for lots of quality time.

Of course, the Brunswick Islands are also home to several hotels and charming inns capable of providing that special touch of service throughout your beach vacation. After all, with someone else handling the details, you’ll be left with more time for those valuable extended family interactions.

Generations of core vacation memories are made when the entire family gets together, and they’re made in NC’s Brunswick Islands. To start planning your family’s next multigenerational family vacation visit www.ncbrunswick.com.