Beach Accessibility in the Brunswick Islands
North Carolina's Brunswick Islands is proud to provide numerous beach access points throughout our five islands as well as handicap accessibility.
BEACH WHEELCHAIRS
Many of our beach communities have sand-friendly wheelchairs to lend or rent to visitors. Here is how to obtain one depending on which beach you are visiting:
- Oak Island – Nine Beach Wheelchairs (8 adult, 1 child) are available for 2 days at a time by calling the Parks and Recreation Department (910-278-5518) with no deposit required. There is one floating beach wheelchair for the water. For more information, click the following link: https://www.oakislandnc.gov/residents-visitors/beach-information/beach-water-access-locations.
- Ocean Isle Beach – Nine Beach Wheelchairs are available for up to three days by calling the Planning and Inspections Department (910-579-3469) on weekdays and the Police Department (910-579-4221) on weekends and holidays with no deposit required. These cannot be reserved in advance. For more information, click the following link: https://www.oibgov.com/pview.aspx?id=20773&catid=565.
- Sunset Beach –Beach Wheelchairs are available for 3 days at a time by calling the Public Works Department (910-579-6297 Extension 1000) or online via form, with a $20 wear and tear fee. The chair will be delivered to the rental home or hotel on Sunset Beach. For more information and the online form click here.
- Bald Head Island – Two Beach Wheelchairs are available by visiting the Public Safety Building at 273 Edward Teach Wynd, or emailing the reservation form here to psadmin@villagebhi.org, and with a $1,000 deposit. For more information, click the following link: https://live-village-bhi.pantheonsite.io/departments-services/public-safety/beach-wheelchair-information/.
GOLF CARTS AND LOW SPEED VEHICLES ON THE BEACH
Golf carts and Low Speed Vehicles (LSVs) are not typically allowed on the beaches, as to not disturb the fellow visitors or wildlife such as sea turtles or their nests. Some of our towns allow for those who need them to drive on the beach under the following circumstances:
- Caswell Beach – Golf carts/LSVs are not allowed on the beach unless registered, permitted, and specifically modified as handicap vehicles. For more information call Caswell Beach Town Hall (910-278-5471). More information on golf cart/LSVs registration and regulations on Caswell Beach can be found online here.
- Oak Island – Golf carts/LSVs are not allowed on the beach, unless registered and specifically modified as mobility devices. For more information on operating a mobility device on Oak Island, including how to register it, click here.
- Sunset Beach – Golf carts/LSVs are not allowed on the beach, unless registered and specifically modified as handicap vehicles but please first inform the Sunset Beach Police Department (910-579-2151). They are only allowed directly from the beach access point to the destination spot on the sand. Riding up or down the beach strand is prohibited. For more information click here.
HANDICAP PARKING AND BEACH ACCESS POINT
Each beach has its own rules regarding parking, public beach access points, and special accessibility. Check with the appropriate town hall or town website to find specific information before your trip.
Caswell Beach
- Handicap Accessible Beach Access and Parking:
- 677 Caswell Beach Rd.
- 221 Caswell Beach Rd.
Oak Island
- Handicap Accessible Beach Access and Parking:
- Oak Island Pier
- End of Keziah St.
- SE 74th St.
- SE 55th St.
- SE 46th St.
- SE 40th St.
- 19th Place E
- 10th Place W
- 57th Place W
- Ramps, Gazebo, & Viewing Platforms:
- Mercer St. (ramp)
- Oak Island Pier (ramp, restroom, mobi-mat)
- Cabana at SE 46th St. (ramp, restroom)
- 10th Place W (ramp, gazebo, mobi-mat)
- 57th Place W (ramp, viewing platform)
- There are 65 public beach access points on Oak Island.
- All beach access points may be found online at: https://www.oakislandnc.gov/residents-visitors/beach-information/beach-access-locations.
Holden Beach
- Handicap Accessible Beach Access:
- East end of McCray St. (parking)
- Quinton St. (parking, ramp, gazebo, shower)
- Jordan Blvd. (parking, ramp, shower)
- Holden Beach Pier (parking, mobi-mat)
- There are 23 public beach access points on Holden Beach.
- All public beach access points, handicap accesses points, parking, handicap parking, restrooms, showers, and more may be found online at: https://www.google.com/maps/d/embed?mid=1zSLKcj23__s9R39qdN-McwBsFd4GNnaV&ll=33.91341110021536%2C-78.30021673984447&z=14.
Ocean Isle Beach
- Handicap Accessible Beach Access:
- Columbia Street (sand walkover only)
- Charlotte St. (parking, sand walkover only)
- Durham St. (ramp to gazebo only)
- Raeford St. (parking, ramp)
- Monroe St. (parking, ramp, showers)
- Beaufort St. (parking, ramp, mobi-mat)
- Driftwood Drive (ramp)
- There are 31 public beach access points on Ocean Isle Beach.
- All public beach access points may be found online at: https://www.oibgov.com/20913/beach-accesses-and-paid-parking.
Sunset Beach
- Handicap Accessible Beach Access:
- 1st St. (walkway, 1 parking spot)
- The Gazebo (ramp, parking, mobi-mat, showers)
- 3rd St. (walkway, 1 parking spot)
- 40th St. (walkway)
- There are 33 public beach access points on Sunset Beach.
- All public beach access points may be found online at: https://sunsetbeachnc.gov/index.asp?SEC=73E113EA-1AE2-4B2A-A9A3-C8C98498CCFD.
Bald Head Island
- Handicap Accessible Beach Access:
- Beach Access #15 near Snowy Egret Trail (walkway, ramp, parking)
- Beach Access #24a off S Bald Head Wynd, between Silversides Trail and Peppervine Trail (walkway, ramp, parking across street)
- There are four emergency vehicular access points: #11, #24b, #35, #42 (these accesses do not have steps and/or ramps).
- There are 27 public beach access points on Bald Head Island.
- All public beach access points may be found online at https://villagebhi.org/visitors/public-beach-accesses/.
PIERS
Each of the ocean fishing piers is ADA accessible, offering wonderful views of the beach, ocean, and fishing.