This summer, escape the hustle and bustle of the Triangle by taking a beach trip to North Carolina’s Brunswick Islands. Here’s everything you need to know about getting to the Brunswick Islands beaches and some itinerary suggestions for while you’re here.

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an aerial view of caswell beach and the oak island lighthouse

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.

a walkway ending at the beach with a view of the ocean

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.

a boat traveling behind bird island

Take Part: Try Coastal Activities and Attend Local Events

Here are some of our suggestions to experience the best of the Brunswick Islands this summer:

a plate of grilled fish topped with edible greens served at Oyster Rock in Calabash

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.

view of a canon sitting in a clearing with brick ruins in the foreground

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.

  • Southport is home to one of our state’s North Carolina Maritime Museums.  The museum is a great spot for kids, although everyone can enjoy learning about the nautical history of the Cape Fear region.
  • The Fort Johnston Museum and Visitors Center is located right next door to the North Carolina Maritime Museum. Once the oldest active-duty fort in the United States, today it holds exhibits on Southport’s history and memorabilia from the many movies and television shows filmed in town.
  • In nearby Winnabow, the Brunswick Town/Fort Anderson State Historic Site is open year-round. Brunswick Town 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.
  • In Sunset Beach, the Ingram Planetarium welcomes visitors rain or shine and 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.

beachfront vacation rental homes after sunset on Oak Island, NC

How Long to Stay

Whether looking to get away from the hustle and bustle for a weekend or a week-long excursion, you can’t go wrong spending between 3 to 5 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 places to stay here.

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

an illustrative map of roadways leading to the Brunswick Islands from the RDU area in North Carolina

How to Get to NC’s Brunswick Islands from the Triangle

Travel time varies by destination but tends to be around 2 hours and 30 minutes to 3 hours by car.

To Oak Island and Caswell Beach:

  • Get on I-40 E; continue following signs for Wilmington
  • Take Exit 416A for I-140/US-17 toward Topsail Is/New Bern/Myrtle Bch
  • Keep right to merge onto I-140 W toward Shallotte/Myrtle Beach; continue for about 20 miles
  • Keep right to merge onto US-17 S toward NC-87 S/Shallotte/Myrtle Bch
  • Continue US-17 S for about 8.5 miles before turning left onto US-17 BUS S
  • Continue for 1.5 miles before turning left onto NC-906
  • Continue for about 11 miles to reach Oak Island/Caswell Beach

To Holden Beach, Ocean Isle Beach, and Sunset Beach:

  • Get on I-40 E; continue following signs for Wilmington
  • Take Exit 416A for I-140/US-17 toward Topsail Is/New Bern/Myrtle Bch
  • Keep right to merge onto I-140 W toward Shallotte/Myrtle Beach; continue for about 20 miles
  • Keep right to merge onto US-17 S toward NC-87 S/Shallotte/Myrtle Bch
  • 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 29 miles before turning left onto Ocean Isle Beach Road SW, after 1.8 miles continue straight through the roundabouts to reach the island
  • To reach Sunset Beach continue US-17 S for about 29 miles before turning left onto Ocean Isle Beach Road SW, after 1.8 miles take the first exit of the roundabout onto Old Georgetown Road; at the light turn left onto NC 179/NC-904 E/Seaside Road, at the next light turn 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.

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 the Triangle 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.