< Previousp. 20 Bald Head Island Lock your cares in your car and leave them behind. On Bald Head Island, the only traffic is provided by golf carts and bikes. Old Baldy, the familiar stout brick lighthouse, presides over a natural setting of expansive beaches. Spectacular dunes hide spacious beach homes and surprising shops nestled along maritime forest pathways. Quiet, secluded – but with great golf and beautiful marina-side settings – that’s the Bald Head experience. p. 28 Calabash The little town with a legendary style of cooking seafood lives up to its distinction as “Seafood Capital of the World.” Plenty of restaurants await you from traditional family style to international cuisine. Wander the shops while seeing how long you can resist the temptation of shrimp, clams, oysters and crabs. Treat the kids to homemade ice cream. Explore the docks where fishing and pleasure boats tie up. Calabash has been synonymous with seafood and family fun for decades. p. 18 Caswell Beach Got time for shelling on long, secluded beach walks? You’ll need it on Caswell Beach, where traditional vacation homes await you behind the line of dunes, and the trusty beacon of the Oak Island Lighthouse watches over all. With its long stretches of sea oat-fringed dunes that beckon you all the way down to the inlet, this is the least inhabited of our beaches. Of course, if it’s action you’re looking for, simply drive or bike to the shops next door on Oak Island! p. 14 Holden Beach You could say Holden Beach hit the big time when it was named by National Geographic Traveler as one of the country’s best. And yet, it was never spoiled by success. Its backyard is the Intracoastal Waterway, where kayakers can mingle with the environment’s extraordinary wildlife. Holden Beach never fails to delight, from the pleasures of moonlit walks in the surf to the surprises waiting in the tidal pools at Lockwood Folly Inlet. NC’s Brunswick Islands is one place, but it’s made up of ten distinctly different communities. No matter where you stay when you visit us, we encourage you to travel around and experience the entire stretch of coastline. You may discover that, over time, you’ll find a destination you can return to over and over again – one that’s always as special as your first visit. Experience all that NC’s Brunswick Islands offers 8 NC's BRUNSWI CK I SLANDS V A CA TI ON GUIDE I was hooked the first time I visited so I had to return! Coleman 11 visits to NC’s Brunswick Islands p. 24 Shallotte Savvy beachgoers know they have to make time for Shallotte. With central access to all six of our beaches, Shallotte is the perfect place to load up on provisions for your beach vacation. Or, to take a break from the sun and salt spray. And while a stop here is a must for any beachgoer, it’s also a central focal point for our championship golf courses. You’ll discover Shallotte is a timely place for a quick bite on your way sightseeing or taking in an afternoon movie. p. 26 Southport Rich in history and maritime charm, Southport has been crowned America’s “Happiest Seaside Town” by Coastal Living. With its oak tree-lined streets and bustling yacht basin, this harbor town has made appearances in feature films, making not only visitors, but directors and moviegoers happy. Local shops and restaurants pepper the waterfront, so you’ll always find something pleasant cooking. Explore the streets, historic homes and landmarks, even the local connections to our swashbuckling pirate and shrimping heritage. One could say Southport is a picture of the past. p. 10 Sunset Beach Sunset Beach is home and way-station to hundreds of species of birds ... and soulseekers. Wander over to adjoining Bird Island on an afternoon, and you’ll discover the special magic of this place. This undeveloped coastal reserve is a favorite of those free souls who leave their thoughts in the communal Kindred Spirit mailbox. Sunset Beach, like its namesake, has a peaceful effect on the soul. And of course, for the early birds, it’s a favorite for sunrise. It’s no wonder National Geographic named this special place one of the “21 Best Beaches in the World.” p. 22 Leland Leland is where you go for a completely different kind of time. Paddling down the Brunswick River in your own kayak is like drifting into an older, simpler world. One where you’re just as apt to come upon osprey, egrets and eagles as you are another paddler. Nearby, the 900-plus acre Brunswick Nature Park also offers many opportunities to view North Carolina’s coastal wildlife in their natural habitat. Of course, if it’s shops and refreshments you’re after, Leland offers that, too! p. 16 Oak Island There is laid-back. And there is Oak Island laid-back. The quiet streets lined with beach homes summon you to mount a bike and stick a reed in the spokes, like when you were a kid. So much of Oak Island has that air of nostalgia. Yet, if it’s water you want, this beach has more than 60 public access points. Boat ramps, fishing piers and a marina put the best of Brunswick Islands fishing right at your feet. And if long romantic beach walks are in your plans, there’s no place better. p. 12 Ocean Isle Beach Ask anyone who’s ever done it. There’s no family experience quite like watching sea turtles hatch. Once you experience these creatures making their way to the sea on a moonlit night, you’ll never forget it. There are miles of Ocean Isle beachfront to share with these fascinating creatures. But don’t worry, they like the other beaches, too! Because of its easygoing spirit, Ocean Isle Beach has been a repeat family favorite for generations. It has even grown its own particular celebrations, including the popular Ocean Isle Beach Flotilla. Tradition and enjoyment from kid to adult. Robert 15 visits to NC’s Brunswick Islands 9 I was hooked the first time I visited so I had to return! Coleman 11 visits to NC’s Brunswick Islands Y ou have to be a natural paradise in order to make the National Geographic list of best beaches on the planet. And guess what? Sunset Beach qualifies. That won’t surprise anyone who has ever strolled a beach access path on the smallest of our barrier islands that’s large in spirit. With virtually no commercial development, this place is a favorite of those whose vacation plans include peace for the soul and communing with the natural world. sunset beach SANDERLING Calidris alba You’ll see a lot of this species on our shores, pecking at the sand to pick up a meal. The small, plump bird with black legs and bill is constantly chasing the waves looking for a bite. The ocean calls you back. Your soul gets rejuvenated and energized. Karen 5 visits to NC’s Brunswick Islands 10 NC's BRUNSWI CK I SLANDS V A CA TI ON GUIDE sunset beach LIFE SENDS ITS BEST For decades, the iconic Kindred Spirit mailbox on Bird Island is where people from all over have left their personal thoughts and meditations. Winged species are so plentiful, that at the far end of the island you’ll find the most aptly named Bird Island. At low tide, the vast expanse of sand comes as a surprise, as well as a pleasant challenge, for beach cyclists. It’s a place where people make lasting connections, with each other and with the beauty of nature. You’ll agree when you witness your first sunrise in this place of towering dunes and unlimited serenity. 11ocean isle beach 12 NC's BRUNSWI CK I SLANDS V A CA TI ON GUIDE Ocean Isle is a great meeting place for our family. Pete 20+ visits to NC’s Brunswick Islandsocean isle beach B ig vacations can come in small packages. Need proof? Southern Living recently named Ocean Isle Beach the South’s Best Tiny Town. This vibrant beach village has a lively side that appeals to families with small children, teens and grandparents alike. Two lively sides, actually. The beach side is the ideal place to get started fulfilling your surfing or skimboarding dreams. The marsh side is deeply indented with canals where you can pull your boat right up to your vacation home, break out the paddleboards and kayaks, or spend your spare hours fishing from your private dock. This island has a wide variety of accommodations, including oceanfront hotel rooms and condos. The town atmosphere offers something for everyone. There are plenty of options to sate your appetite, many with stunning waterfront views. We’ve got mini-golf and arcade pastimes for the kids, plus nearby options like the zipline adventures and the mysterious ecosystem of a popular swamp park. For the adults, stop by a brewery or winery for a favorite refreshment. ZIPPITY YAY Is hanging from a wire your thing? Our swamp park is your place, with plenty of aerial thrills and wetland critters to raise goosebumps all over. GREEN HERON Butorides virescens This small heron can often be seen at the edges of the marsh. He’s dark green in color and sports greenish-yellow or orange legs. 13 FUN ON TAP The Brunswick craft beer scene combines advanced brewing technology with master brewers committed to developing local traditions.14 NC's BRUNSWI CK I SLANDS V A CA TI ON PLANNER holden beach T here’s no mistaking Holden Beach. The signature sweeping curve of the bridge over the Intracoastal Waterway announces you’ve arrived. This perennial favorite combines the pleasures of residential beach homes with the mystique of a working waterfront with shrimp trawlers plying the waves. On Holden Beach, it seems there’s always one more tidal pool to explore, all the way to 14 NC's BRUNSWI CK I SLANDS V A CA TI ON GUIDE Holden Beach is very low key. No Brunswick Islands hotels, not too many people, exactly what I need. Rebecca 2 visits to NC’s Brunswick Islandsholden beach 15 Lockwood Folly Inlet at the easternmost end of the island. It’s a favorite for family beach hiking and biking. Plus, recent beach restoration efforts have provided an unexpected gift: gobs of fully intact sea shells that turn an afternoon into a treasure hunt. There’s no mistaking the maritime spirit here. Maybe it’s the fishing pier that attracts both seasoned veterans and newbies to the sport. Or, the lively comings and goings of boats on the Intracoastal Waterway at the back side of the island. Like its distinctive approach, this beach town surprises but never disappoints. WAIT UNTIL DARK Memo to self: pack flashlights. You and your crew are going to need them when you’re out stargazing or hunting ghost crabs. WE ALL SCREAM FOR ICE CREAM You can satisfy your sweet tooth no matter where you are in NC’s Brunswick Islands. Each town has several choices for a sweet frozen treat as unique and individual as the islands themselves. 16 NC's BRUNSWI CK I SLANDS V A CA TI ON GUIDE oak island F irst permanently settled in the early 1800s, Oak Island has an abundance of old live oaks, windswept pines and other delightful shade trees. It feels as much like a neighborhood as it does a typical barrier island. That’s because it is. Oak Island is notable for the kind of easily accessible conveniences a resident would find attractive. WOOFERS LOVE WAVES Dogs are family, too. If your canine is giving you that look lately, he just might be telling you he needs to stick his nose in the surf in NC’s Brunswick Islands. Since traveling with pets has become hugely popular, note that Oak Island is also a paradise for dogs. Named as one of the state’s most dog-friendly beaches, Oak Island has designated areas on the beach where unleashed dogs are permitted from mid-October to mid-March. The largest of our barrier islands, Oak Island famously offers the amenities of a large fishing community with two fishing piers and several boat ramps. As well as four kayak ramps and more than 60 public beach access points. In addition, recent beach restoration has inundated the shoreline of this island with an abundance of shells for the picking. TURTLE TREKS Mind the yellow tape. Our barrier islands are the loggerhead sea turtle’s chosen nesting site. We have an entire support society dedicated to protecting these amazing creatures and helping them on their journey to the sea. You’ll also find a seasonal series of Turtle Talks for the vacationer interested in learning about these fascinating creatures. OLLIE OR SHOVE-IT Visit Oak Island’s skateboard park where your kids can show off their stuff and learn new moves . | 17 Once we came to Oak Island, we never went to another beach. It feels like home when we visit. Wanda 15 trips to NC’s Brunswick Islands Once we came to Oak Island, we never went to another beach. It feels like home when we visit. Wanda 15 trips to NC’s Brunswick IslandsNext >