North Carolina’s Brunswick Islands offers a vacation unlike any other. Its wide-open beaches and charming coastal towns welcome visitors to engage in a range of new experiences, from climbing atop a historic island lighthouse to ziplining through lush canopy. Across its five islands and six beaches, NC’s Brunswick Islands invite vacationers to create memories that last a lifetime.
Keep reading to discover just what makes the Brunswick Islands one of a kind:
1. Lighthouses
Experience a special piece of North Carolina history by visiting the state’s oldest and newest lighthouse—NC’s Brunswick Islands is home to both!
Begin your journey at Caswell Beach by climbing the Oak Island Lighthouse. Built in 1958, North Carolina’s youngest lighthouse is also the only one to feature ship ladder steps which lead to unforgettable panoramic views of Oak Island’s marshlands and coast. Free guided tours to the top of the lighthouse are led by passionate and knowledgeable local volunteers year-round. Tours fill up quickly, so make sure to reserve your spot at least two weeks in advance!
After taking in the views of Oak Island, head to nearby Southport to catch the ferry to Bald Head Island, home to the state’s oldest lighthouse, Old Baldy. Built in 1817, Old Baldy is a beacon at the mouth of the Cape Fear River, offering visitors a bird’s eye view of the island and estuary. Don’t miss the Smith Island Museum of History to learn more about the lighthouse and its home.
2. The Kindred Spirit Mailbox
On a secluded stretch of beach — a little over a mile from the nearest public access point on Sunset Beach and nestled between sand dunes on Bird Island— visitors will find the Kindred Spirit Mailbox. For over thirty years, visitors from around the world have come to share their memories, reflections, prayers, and dreams in the notebooks found in the enchanting mailbox. Grab your walking shoes or hop on a bike and follow the beach to discover the inspiration behind bestselling author Nicholas Sparks’ novel Every Breath.
3. The Swamp Park
Trade your surfboard for a guided ATV adventure at The Swamp Park in Ocean Isle Beach! Just minutes away from the beautiful beaches of the Brunswick Islands lies a lush canopy of bald cypress trees surrounding a swampland brimming with life. Learn more about this unique ecosystem during a guided EcoBoat tour or get your adrenaline pumping on the park’s 49-element aerial adventure course. Looking for even bigger thrills? Soar through the sky on the 10-line zipline course.
4. Sunrises and Sunsets
No beach vacation feels complete without a view of the sun rising or setting over the picturesque shoreline. This quintessential experience is made even more special in the Brunswick Islands! From the fall through the spring, visitors can revel in the colorful scenes in both the morning and evening, watching the sun’s first and final appearances of the day over the ocean. If you look at the Brunswick Islands on a map, you’ll see that the beaches run east to west as opposed to the north-south line of the rest of the coast. Because of this, you can catch both the sunrise and sunset over the ocean without ever moving your beach chair! It’s no wonder why this has been called one of the “10 Incredible Phenomena You Have to See in Fall” by Weather.com.
5. Larger-than-Life Sand Art
Step onto any beach, and you’ll surely find castles and drawings on the sandy shore. In the Brunswick Islands, creative residents take sand art to new heights! Head over to Sunset Beach, which has its very own celebrity performance artist in the form of Hunter Gibbes, aka the Sunset Beach Maze Man. Beachgoers who are lucky enough to come across his intricately designed sand mazes can take on the challenge of completing them. A few blocks away and throughout the year, the Sunset Sand Artists bring their artistic talents to the sand, creating massive castles, animals and festive sculptures for visitors to enjoy.
North Carolina’s Brunswick Islands is a one of a kind destination! With gorgeous scenery, delicious dinning and a plethora of fun activities for the whole family, you will find yourself coming back time and time again. For more information and tips on planning your next trip, please visit www.ncbrunswick.com.