Who says you can’t have fun while learning a little history? We’ve designed the following itinerary for a day spent exploring the maritime history of Oak Island and Southport. Check out each of the stops below and enjoy your tour of NC’s Brunswick Islands!

After you've planned your stops, explore other fun Things to Do in NC's Brunswick Islands. 

The Oak Island Lighthouse – Oak Island/Caswell Beach

Start at the Oak Island Lighthouse in Caswell Beach. A wooden walkway connects the public parking lot to the pedestrian crossing in front of the lighthouse. Educational signage about the lighthouse’s history, the neighboring active-duty Coast Guard Station, and area wildlife is located along the walkway.

Volunteers lead tours to the top balcony of the Oak Island Lighthouse year-round, but reservations are required. Lighthouse tours led by a volunteer with the Friends of the Oak Island Lighthouse are free. Donations are appreciated.

Things to Know:

• Lighthouse grounds are open from dawn until dusk year-round.  
• Parking in the lighthouse’s public parking lot is limited to one hour.
• Visiting in the summer months? Open house tours to the lighthouse’s second level are offered every Wednesday and Saturday beginning at 10 a.m., from Memorial Day through Labor Day.

Photo Opportunities:

Pose in front of the Oak Island Lighthouse from the wooden walkway or take a few steps out onto the beach to set up the perfect photo.

Timing:

Visitors typically spend up to 30 minutes at this stop.

If you’ve scheduled a climb to the top of the Oak Island Lighthouse, expect to spend up to an hour at this stop.

Coffee and Beverage Break – Southport Coffee Co. & Kitchen

After your first stop it’s time for a coffee break. Head to Southport Coffee Co. & Kitchen for one of their signature lattes, chai, or other coffees made with in-house roasted beans. Southport Coffee Co. & Kitchen also serves breakfast bagels, burritos, and more.

Things to Know:

• Parking in Southport is free. Parking on Howe Street, E Moore Street, and E Bay Street will keep you close to the remainder of the stops on this itinerary.

The North Carolina Maritime Museum at Southport – Southport

You won’t have to travel too far to get to your next stop. The North Carolina Maritime Museum at Southport is a true gem in a coastal town already packed with history. Don’t let the museum’s small footprint fool you, the NC Maritime Museum is full of informational and engaging displays that tell the story of the lower Cape Fear region. It’s a can’t miss stop for history lovers and casual vacationers alike.

Things to Know:

• The North Carolina Maritime Museum at Southport is open year-round, Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• The museum offers a free scavenger hunt for children.
• Admission is free, but donations are appreciated.
• Check out the museum’s website ahead of your visit for more information on seasonal programming.

Photo Opportunities:

Look through the museum’s periscope for 360-degree views of Southport and the Cape Fear River and then try snapping a photo through the viewfinder.

Timing: 

Visitors typically spend between 1 to 2 hours at this stop.

Fort Johnston Museum and Visitors Center – Southport

Located just next door, you’ll find the Fort Johnston Museum and Visitors Center overlooking the Cape Fear River. Originally built in 1749, Fort Johnston was the first fort constructed in North Carolina. Today the museum and visitors’ center occupy the Garrison House, built in 1810, which is most of what remains from the fort’s earliest days.

Inside the museum, visitors will find exhibits that trace the history of present-day Southport to its earliest roots as the post-Revolutionary town of Smithville. The West Wing also holds an exhibit dedicated to the various film and television projects that were filmed in Southport. Fort Johnston is an absolute must-stop for folks interested in learning more about Southport’s early maritime history and other nearby points of interest.

Things to Know:

• The Fort Johnston Museum and Visitors Center is open Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Visitors can collect town maps, pamphlets, and self-guided walking tour brochures from the museum’s friendly Southport Ambassadors.

Photo Opportunities:

Snap a photo in front of movie memorabilia from the 2013 Nicholas Sparks film, Safe Haven located inside the museum’s West Wing. Note: For a complete list of filming projects past and present, check out our Brunswick Islands in the Movies page.

Timing:

Visitors tend to spend between 30 minutes to an hour at this stop.

Southport Waterfront Park – Southport

Exit the Fort Johnston Museum and Visitors Center and continue walking down the Garrison Lawn toward the Cape Fear River to come to our next stop—the Southport Waterfront Park. Spend just a few minutes here and you’re sure to witness a quintessential “welcome to Southport” moment. From the couples swinging on waterfront benches, the sight of passing ships, the sound of seagulls, and the feeling of those famous salubrious breezes, it’s all you need to fall in love with Southport instantly.

While you’re there, take a moment to sit, enjoy the view, and imagine Southport as it once looked. Some other points of interest to look out for include:

• Battery Island: Located just opposite the Cape Fear River from Waterfront Park, this island is home to one of the world’s largest White Ibis nesting sites. The island is off limits to visitors, but you can often spot its residents flying overhead while walking through Southport.  
• Bald Head Island: Located opposite the Cape Fear River from Waterfront Park, and just behind Battery Island, Bald Head Island is home to North Carolina’s oldest standing lighthouse. Look for it off in the distance. You can take a day trip to the island, reachable only by ferry or boat, during your stay in NC’s Brunswick Islands.
• Fort Caswell: Located at the end of Caswell Beach, just left of the Oak Island Lighthouse, Fort Caswell was built in 1836 to guard the Cape Fear River and the growing town of Wilmington upstream. During the Civil War it was occupied by Confederate forces. Today the fort is owned by the North Carolina Baptist Assembly.  

Things to Know:

• Parking for the Waterfront Park is available on Bay Street and at the end of Howe Street.

Photo Opportunities:

Walk out to the City Pier, take a seat at a waterfront bench, or take a photo through the binoculars in the park.

Timing:

Visitors spend anywhere from a few minutes to all day in the park. Enjoy it at your leisure and as time allows.

Southport Historic Riverwalk and Gazebo – Southport

Your maritime history loop of Oak Island and Southport is almost over. Start making your way toward the Southport Yacht Basin using W Bay Street and the Historic Southport Riverwalk.

Educational signage along the route explains the history of Southport’s waterfront, the role of river pilots, and the life of one of Southport’s most notable blockade runners.

Take a right at the end of W Bay Street to continue your journey around the Yacht Basin.

Pick up Brunswick Street and continue until you reach the Southport Marsh Boardwalk and Overlook (located just before Morningstar Marinas).  

You’ve arrived at one of the most picturesque spots in Southport.

Things to Know:

• The Yacht Basin, Morningstar Marina, and Oak Island Lighthouse are all visible from the gazebo.
• Scenes from the 2001 Nicholas Spark’s adaptation, A Walk to Remember were filmed at the gazebo.

Photo Opportunities:

The view of Southport’s Yacht Basin from the Riverwalk and gazebo is one of the most iconic in all the Brunswick Islands, why not snap a few photos.

Timing:

It takes the average visitor about 15 minutes to walk the Riverwalk from one end to the other.

Wrap Up Your Day – Lunch on the Water

It’s time for one final stop on your lighthouse and maritime mini-loop tour of Oak Island and Southport—lunch. Luckily, you’re in the right place. There are plenty of restaurants, serving delicious fresh and local seafood, to choose from. So, fuel up, rest, and recover after a day jampacked with coastal history.

Planning Your Visit

For help planning the rest of your visit to NC’s Brunswick Islands, including requesting a visitor’s guide, visit www.ncbrunswick.com

FAQ’s

1. When is the best time to visit the Oak Island Lighthouse?

The Oak Island Lighthouse grounds are open from dawn to dusk year-round. Tours to the top of the lighthouse are led by volunteers year-round, but space is limited so reservations are required. If you are unable to arrange a tour to the top, the summer is a great time to stop by the Oak Island Lighthouse. Open house tours to the lighthouse’s second level are led by volunteers from Memorial Day through Labor Day on Wednesdays and Saturdays beginning at 10 a.m.

2. Where are the best lighthouse photo spots?

The wooden walkway that connects the lighthouse’s public parking lot to the pedestrian crossing near its front entrance is a great spot to grab a photo of the lighthouse. Of course, the view from the top of the lighthouse is among the best in NC’s Brunswick Islands and makes for an incredible photo.

3. What maritime museums are open year-round?

The North Carolina Maritime Museum at Southport is open year-round. The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

4. How long should I plan for this loop?

Expect to spend anywhere between 3 to 4 hours exploring all the stops along this loop. Total time will vary depending on your interests and the time spent at each stop. The two furthest stops, the Oak Island Lighthouse to downtown Southport, are located just 20 minutes away by car.

5. Where can I park near the Southport waterfront?

You can park for free in any of the designated parking spots in downtown Southport. The closest parking to Waterfront Park is along E Bay Street, Howe Street, and the lot at the end of Howe Street.