This summer, escape the hustle and bustle of the Queen City with a beach trip to North Carolina’s Brunswick Islands. Here’s everything you need to know about getting to the Brunswick Islands beaches from the Charlotte area and some itinerary suggestions for while you’re here.

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Sunset Beach Pier Sunrise

Where is NC’s Brunswick Islands?

Our 45 miles of coastline stretch south of neighboring Wilmington all the way to the South Carolina state border. Our beaches include Caswell Beach, Oak Island, Holden Beach, Ocean Isle Beach, Sunset Beach, and Bald Head Island. Our coastal towns, including Leland, Shallotte, Southport, and Calabash are full of charm too. Get to know each by exploring our Islands and Towns page.

Holden Beach

Things to Do in NC’s Brunswick Islands

There’s no shortage of things to do in North Carolina’s Brunswick Islands. From fearless adventurers to laid back relaxers, and the casual foodie, check out our itinerary suggestions below.

Get Outside: Explore our Beaches

Head out at sunrise to beat the summer heat and experience a beach that feels like it belongs to just you. Whether you’re strolling the wide expanse of Sunset Beach or searching for shells along your walk on Holden Beach, the feeling is rejuvenating.

Watermark_Bikes on Bird Island

Take Part: Try Coastal Activities and Attend Local Events

Here are some of our suggestions for activities and attractions to check out in the Brunswick Islands this summer:

A plate from fried seafood with a side of fries

Grab a Bite: Savor Seafood and Local Fare

Around here the pace of life slows when you reach the beach, but the season for seafood never will. By nature of the coastal climate, a daily fresh catch special is available on most restaurant menus in the Brunswick Islands all year long. World-famous Calabash style seafood is also always available. 

If you prefer to prepare your own meal, visit our blog here for a list of local seafood markets across the area. For a taste of the fresh catches, check out these popular spots:

For a breakdown of must-try dishes in the Brunswick Islands read our blog here. You can also find a complete list of restaurants (serving more than just seafood) on our Restaurants page.

Maritime-Museum-sign

Immerse Yourself in History: Explore Museums and Historic Sites

Get to know some of the history on the coastal side of the state with a visit to one of our area’s museums and historic sites.

  • The North Carolina Maritime Museum at Southport is a great spot for kids, although everyone can enjoy learning about the nautical history of the Cape Fear region.
  • Fort Johnston Southport Museum and Visitors Center, once the oldest active-duty fort in the United States, today holds exhibits on Southport’s history and memorabilia from the many movies and television shows filmed in town.
  • Brunswick Town/Fort Anderson State Historic Site in Winnabow was once a major pre-Revolutionary War port town integral to the region’s early success and a naval stores hub. Admission to the grounds, which features the ruins of colonial buildings, is free and open year-round.
  • The Ingram Planetarium In Sunset Beach welcomes visitors rain or shine, daytime or evening. Attend a SciDome show to learn more about our universe or beat the summer heat with an indoor laser light show arranged to music.

view from beach home on Holden Beach, NC.

How Long to Stay

Whether looking to get away for a weekend or a week-long excursion, you can’t go wrong spending between 3 to 7 days in NC’s Brunswick Islands.

Bring the Whole Family

For the larger groups and families looking to get away, you’ve found the perfect place. A vacation rental in NC’s Brunswick Islands is one of the best accommodations when you want a place complete with amenities that feels just like home. 

Another benefit to staying in a vacation home is room for the entire family, including pets. For a complete list of leash laws by island be sure to visit our Pets on the Beach page. You can also explore pet-friendly vacation rentals here.

For smaller families and groups, there are plenty of hotel options around the region.

an illustrative map showing the major roadways from Charlotte, NC to NC's Brunswick Islands

How to Get to NC’s Brunswick Islands from Charlotte

Travel times vary depending on your island of choice, but tend to be around 3 hours and 30 minutes to 4 hours by car from the Charlotte area.

To Oak Island and Caswell Beach (via US HWY 74):

  • Get on US-74 E; continue for 167 miles following signs to stay on US-74 E
  • Take Exit 258 for NC-211 toward Bladenboro/Southport
  • Continue NC-211 for about 39 miles before turning right onto NC-906
  • After 4 miles you will arrive on Oak Island. Continue on E Oak Island Drive to reach Caswell Beach

To Holden Beach (via US HWY 74):

  • Get on US-74 E; continue for 167 miles following signs to stay on US-74 E
  • Take Exit 258 for NC-211 toward Bladenboro/Southport
  • Continue on NC-211 for about 26 miles, turning right onto Stone Chimney Rd SW
  • Continue on Stone Chimney Rd for 5.5 miles, continuing straight as it turns into Old Ferry Connection SW
  • After one mile on Old Ferry Connection SW, turn right at the stop sign onto Sabbath Home Rd SW
  • Continue on Sabbath Home Rd SW. for almost three quarters of a mile, taking a left at the light onto NC-130 E/Holden Beach Rd SW to reach the island

To Ocean Isle Beach (via US HWY 74):

  • Get on US-74 E; continue for 150 miles following signs to stay on US-74 E
  • Take the US-701 Bypass S exit off of US-74 E
  • At the traffic circle, take the first exit to stay on US-701 Bypass S
  • After approximately 3 miles, take a left turn onto NC-130 E
  • Continue on NC-130 E for approximately 31 miles before merging onto US-17 N or S. Your next step depends on your final location
  • To reach Holden Beach, continue US-17 S for about 19 miles before turning left onto Mt. Pisgah Road SW, continue straight as the road turns into NC-130 E/Holden Beach Road SW
  • To reach Ocean Isle Beach continue US-17 S for about 3 miles before turning left onto Ocean Isle Beach Road SW, after 1.8 miles continue straight through the roundabouts to reach the island

To Sunset Beach (via US HWY 74):

  • Get on US-74 E; continue for 150 miles following signs to stay on US-74 E
  • Take the US-701 Bypass S exit off of US-74 E
  • At the traffic circle, take the first exit to stay on US-701 Bypass S
  • After approximately 3 miles, take a left turn onto NC-130 E
  • Continue on NC-130 E for 22 miles before turning right onto Longwood Rd.
  • Continue on Longwood Rd for approximately 9 miles as it turns into NC-904
  • Then continue on NC-904 E/Seaside Road for 3.5 miles, and turning right onto Sunset Blvd N, follow Sunset Blvd N to reach the island.

For more information on how to reach Bald Head Island by ferry from Southport, please visit our Bald Head Island Ferry page.

Getting Around

If you’ve got friends flying in from out of town to join you, two neighboring airports and two local airports service visitors to North Carolina’s Brunswick Islands.

You’ll also find direct flights from CLT to both Wilmington International Airport and Myrtle Beach International Airport leaving daily.

However, most visitors find the easiest way to travel to and through NC’s Brunswick Islands is by car. Rental companies in the area include:

  • Enterprise Rent-A-Car – 53 Naber Dr, Shallotte, NC 28470
  • Enterprise Rent-A-Car - 4565 Long Beach Rd SE #1, Southport, NC 28465

a spread of pages from the 2026 NC's Brunswick Islands Vacation Guide

Trade Charlotte for the Coast: Start Planning a Summer Visit

Getaway to the beach in North Carolina’s Brunswick Islands. Request a free NC’s Brunswick Islands Vacation Guide for trip inspiration and start planning online at www.ncbrunswick.com.