When it involves family-friendly seaside locations within the US, a number of individuals take into consideration the Carolinas. Famous seaside spots in North Carolina and South Carolina are well-liked all year long, whether or not you are touring for winter getaways, Spring Break journeys, or summer time celebrations.
But for those who’re in search of a seaside vacation spot that is a little bit quieter but nonetheless crammed with native allure, then you should know in regards to the Brunswick Islands in North Carolina.
Where are the Brunswick Islands?
Located roughly midway between Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and Wilmington, North Carolina, the Brunswick Islands are a collection of 5 barrier islands separated from mainland North Carolina by the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway.
These islands – which largely turned islands when the Intracoastal Waterway was constructed within the 1900s – characteristic 45 miles of seashores, fishing piers, and charming coastal cities.
The islands that comprise the Brunswick Islands are:
- Sunset Beach
- Ocean Isle Beach
- Holden Beach
- Oak Island
- Bald Head Island
Why go to the Brunswick Islands?
The Brunswick Islands have all the same old trappings of a US seaside vacation spot; you will discover the compulsory surf outlets, mini golf programs, and ice cream parlors in every little seaside city. But you will additionally discover uncrowded seashores, a number of fascinating historical past, and never a single high-rise resort or rental constructing in sight.
I visited the Brunswick Islands throughout shoulder season in late April, after the Spring Break journeys had been over however earlier than the summer time season totally kicked in. And it was SO NICE. Beaches had been quiet, I did not want restaurant reservations, and I had loads of alternative to take in the laid-back vibes of every little seaside city.
10 issues to do within the Brunswick Islands
If you are contemplating a seaside journey to the Brunswick Islands (and I positively assume it is best to!), then listed here are all of the distinctive issues you are able to do there.
Note: This submit was written as a part of a paid partnership with the Brunswick County Tourism Development Authority. But, as all the time, my content material relies 100% by myself private experiences and opinions.
(And I’m specializing in the principle islands which you can drive to; Bald Head Island requires a ferry or non-public yacht to get to!)
1. Visit the principle cities within the Brunswick Islands
Each island that makes up the Brunswick Islands has at the very least one or two seaside cities on it. These cities embrace Caswell Beach, Oak Island, Holden Beach, Ocean Isle Beach, and Sunset Beach on the islands themselves, and cities like Southport, Shallotte, Leland, and Calabash throughout the intracoastal waterway on the mainland.
You can simply go to all of those spots on a visit to the Brunswick Islands. And whereas most of those cities are made up of seaside homes, fishing piers, and seafood eating places, a pair have further factors of curiosity.
Southport, for instance, sits on the mouth of the Cape Fear River, and has a whole bunch of years of historical past to discover. In Southport, you’ll be able to study native historical past on the Fort Johnston customer middle, take a film and TV location golf cart tour with Southport Fun Tours (Southport has been used as a backdrop for dozens of movies), and even go on on a dolphin-watching tour.
Definitely put aside one full day within the Brunswick Islands simply to discover Southport!
2. Have a seaside day
Obviously you’ll be able to’t go to the seaside with out having at the very least one seaside day! And you are spoiled for selection within the Brunswick Islands.
Each of the islands has at the very least one or two public seashores, and whereas they’re all fairly relaxed, they do every have barely distinctive vibes.
A cool factor in regards to the seashores on the Brunswick Islands? They’re all accessible, and you will discover seaside wheelchair-friendly mats main out into the sand close to every of the fishing piers.
My high seaside picks are:
a. Holden Beach
Holden Beach is without doubt one of the quieter islands within the Brunswick Islands. National Geographic Traveler has named Holden Beach one of many high family-friendly seashores within the nation, and there are miles of soppy, white sand to take pleasure in right here.
One factor to notice about Holden Beach is that the island is sort of fully made up of seaside homes interspersed with public seaside entry factors. Parking on the island is sort of fully paid, and you’ll’t park alongside the principle street right here (hold an eye fixed out for parking indicators). The jap finish of the island has essentially the most parking accessible – simply be ready to pay by way of an app in your cellphone.
b. Caswell Beach
Caswell Beach is the title of a group and seaside on the jap finish of Oak Island. Along with having fun with the quiet seaside right here, it’s also possible to go to the close by Oak Island Lighthouse.
The Oak Island Lighthouse is a concrete lighthouse relationship again to 1953. Visitors CAN climb to the highest of this lighthouse (and also you climb up ship-style ladders as a substitute of a spiral staircase!), however excursions are solely supplied a pair instances per week and superior registration is required, typically weeks upfront.
There’s a pleasant boardwalk right here between the lighthouse and the seaside (and a free parking zone at one finish of the boardwalk).
c. Sunset Beach
The southernmost seaside within the Brunswick Islands, Sunset Beach is simply as pretty as its title makes it sound. There’s a number of parking close to the Sunset Beach Pier, in addition to avenue parking accessible close to public seaside entry factors. (And parking is at the moment free, as of mid-2023.)
If you park close to the general public seaside entry at fortieth avenue, a protracted picket boardwalk leads you out to a comparatively quiet stretch of seaside. From right here, you’ll be able to stroll to the character reserve of Bird Island (which can also be the place you will discover the subsequent spot on this record, the Kindred Spirit Mailbox).
There are additionally seashores with parking close to the Oak Island Pier and Ocean Isle Pier.
3. Walk to the Kindred Spirit Mailbox
If you are up for a seaside stroll, you’ll be able to go to a really particular spot on Bird Island* known as the Kindred Spirit Mailbox. It’s a literal mailbox caught within the sand that individuals go to and go away messages inside.
The Kindred Spirit Mailbox has been on Bird Island for 40+ years, positioned anonymously by an area couple (the couple was solely just lately recognized as Claudia Sailor and Frank Nesmith). Inside the mailbox are pens and journals, and guests are inspired to depart messages.
The journals are crammed with hopeful love letters, grief-filled farewell notes, phrases of knowledge, confessions, and every thing in between. It’s cathartic to sit down down and hand-write an nameless message like this, as evidenced by how shortly the notebooks refill.
(A Nicholas Sparks novel known as Every Breath was impressed by this mailbox, too, which I’m assuming made it much more well-known!)
The Kindred Spirit Mailbox is watched over by a workforce of volunteers, who take the mailbox down when hurricanes strategy, and empty out the notes/exchange the journals about as soon as per week. All the notebooks are at the moment being preserved in a set on the University of North Carolina Wilmington – and I actually hope they ultimately design a museum exhibit round them!
You can’t drive to this mailbox; it requires both a 2-mile (a technique) stroll from the Sunset Beach Pier, or a 1.4-mile stroll (a technique) from the fortieth Street public seaside entry at Sunset Beach. The stroll is flat alongside the seaside, although there’s zero shade so positively deliver sufficient sunscreen and water with you. (And the mailbox is marked on Google Maps for those who need assistance discovering it.)
This was one in all my favourite issues I did within the Brunswick Islands. I visited by myself, and loved sitting on a bench and absorbing the views as I contemplated over what message to depart.
There are a pair related mailboxes (three of them, the truth is) on Holden Beach, often known as the Holden Golden Memory Mailboxes. You can discover one on the west finish of the island (in a gated group), one on the east finish, and one in Sailfish Park (which you’ll drive as much as). I personally would go to the unique on Bird Island, although!
*Bird Island is related to Sunset Beach, and never a separate island. (They was separate, however a hurricane joined them collectively.) The complete island is a nature reserve, although, so you can not drive to it. You can stroll to it from Sunset Beach, and inside it are a pair strolling trails via the dunes.
4. Visit a coastal museum
There are a number of coastal and maritime museums you’ll be able to go to all through the Brunswick Islands. Perfect for a wet day, or for those who want a brief break from the seaside.
Southport has two museums subsequent to at least one one other. The Southport Visitor Center inside Fort Johnston has museum reveals on the historical past of the city and its position in varied movies. And proper subsequent door the North Carolina Maritime Museum has reveals on native maritime historical past, pirates, storms, and extra. Both of those Southport museums are free to go to!
In Ocean Isle Beach, the Museum of Coastal Carolina can also be price a cease. This museum has reveals that cowl every thing from coastal ecosystems to sea turtle nesting to the Indigenous peoples who as soon as known as this space house. There are additionally reveals on native marine life, together with one room that resembles a “dry” aquarium which you can stroll via, and a contact tank. (Admission is $10 for adults and $8 for teenagers.)
And simply throughout the Intracoastal Waterway from Sunset Beach is the Old Bridge Museum, a small and free museum on the positioning of a former swing bridge.
5. Go fishing
Saltwater fishing can also be well-liked within the Brunswick Islands, and there are three other ways you are able to do it. (Just be sure you get your self an acceptable North Carolina fishing allow first!)
The first is to fish proper off the seaside – all you want is a rod and reel and a few primary sort out, and you’ll forged proper into the surf.
The hottest place to fish that does not require a ship is to fish off one of many piers in every seaside city. Most of the piers supply fishing licenses and bait on the market, and a number of other even hire rods and sort out if you do not have your personal. The piers you’ll be able to select from embrace:
- Sunset Beach Pier
- Ocean Isle Pier
- Holden Beach Pier
- Yaupon Pier/Oak Island Pier
- Ocean Crest Pier on Oak Island
- Southport Pier
Several of those fishing piers cost guests to stroll out and watch the fishermen, however the $1 payment is price it!
The third technique to go fishing is to head out on a fishing constitution boat and do some inshore and even deep-sea fishing. Find an incredible record of native fishing charters right here.
Some of the fish you’ll be able to attempt to catch across the Brunswick Islands embrace flounder, redfish/crimson drum, speckled trout, mackerel, bluefish, and grouper, amongst others.
6. Get out on the water
Want to get out on the water with out doing any fishing? You can – and will! – do this, too, with a quiet paddle, sightseeing boat tour, and even dolphin-watching tour.
You can e book a non-public sundown constitution with Southport By Seaside, a dolphin-watching tour with Calabash Fishing Fleet (they take you out to search for dolphins in shrimping boats!), or a sightseeing cruise of the mouth of the Cape Fear River with Southport Water Tours.
There’s so much to see on the water, from pods of resident bottlenose dolphins to migratory birds (I visited throughout white ibis nesting season!).
You can even hire kayaks and stand-up paddleboards from a number of native locations, that are nice for exploring the salt marshes, rivers, and waterways throughout the Brunswick Islands. Some firms (like Summertide Adventure Tours and The Adventure Kayak Company) supply guided kayaking excursions, as effectively, for those who’re not totally snug going out by yourself.
7. Have an journey within the timber
If you are in search of one thing a little bit extra adrenaline-pumping, head inland a couple of minutes from Ocean Isle Beach to The Swamp Park. This enjoyable outside park affords zipline excursions (and has the tallest, quickest, and longest zip line on the East Coast!), ropes programs up within the timber, and even guided ATV excursions.
They additionally supply extra relaxed eco excursions of the swamp by boat, so you possibly can take the entire household right here and discover one thing for everybody.
8. Eat all of the recent seafood
You cannot go to the coast with out indulging in some seafood – or maybe a number of seafood! And the Brunswick Islands have a singular type of seafood that you must strive: Calabash seafood.
Coming from the city of Calabash simply inland from Sunset Beach, Calabash seafood is domestically sourced fish, shrimp, oysters, or different seafood that is frivolously battered and fried to a golden brown. It does not get any more energizing.
A couple of locations to strive native seafood within the space embrace:
- Waterfront Seafood Shack – This seafood market and laid-back eatery is situated proper on the Calabash River the place the shrimp boats from the Calabash Fishing Fleet are docked. The seafood travels lower than 50 toes from boat to plate.
- Sharky’s Restaurant – The oldest restaurant in Ocean Isle Beach, Sharky’s sits proper on the Intracoastal Waterway and serves up issues like grouper tacos and a tasty shrimp burger.
- Provision Company at Holden Beach – Overlooking the Intracoastal Waterway close to Holden Beach, Provision Co is a relaxed bar and eatery serving up issues like steamed seafood plates and grouper sandwiches.
- Koko Cabana – Located proper on the Oak Island Pier with a wonderful view of all of the fishermen, you’ll be able to take pleasure in all types of recent seafood right here, from coconut shrimp to tuna poke bowls. (Their sister restaurant Kai-Joe’s can also be price a cease for Hawaiian-inspired tacos – strive the North Shore shrimp taco.)
- Fishy Fishy Cafe – With ample open-air seating overlooking the Southport Yacht Basin and marsh, Fishy Fishy is without doubt one of the finest spots to go for recent seafood and drinks in Southport – you’ll be able to even arrive right here by boat!
There are a number of different choices, too, particularly in Southport the place you’ll be able to’t throw a fishing web with out hitting a seafood restaurant.
9. Go wine tasting or to a brewery
While the Brunswick Islands largely market themselves as a household vacation spot, there’s a lot to do even when you do not have youngsters in-tow.
For wine lovers, cease in to Silver Coast Winery in Ocean Isle Beach, which has a stunning art-filled tasting room and outside patio excellent for sipping. Silver Coast makes award-winning European-style wines with grapes grown within the mountainous areas of North Carolina, Georgia, and Virginia, with their head winemaker hailing from the Finger Lakes wine area.
Tastings at Silver Coast value simply $10, and include a memento wine glass.
Or, if beer is extra your velocity, cease in to Makai Brewing Company (additionally in Ocean Isle Beach). This Hawaiian-inspired brewery brews a variety of craft beers to go well with all tastes, and has family-style tables indoors, in addition to an outdoor beer backyard.
10. Watch a dawn or sundown
Since the Brunswick Islands run east-west and face south in direction of the Atlantic Ocean, it implies that at sure instances of yr (late fall via early spring) you’ll be able to really see the solar rise AND set over the ocean, which is fairly cool!
During different instances of yr, it is nonetheless price getting up early for a quiet seaside dawn, or heading to the seaside or a restaurant patio to take pleasure in a sundown.
Bonus: See the Milky Way
Due to the Brunswick Island’s location (dealing with south) and the truth that there aren’t any huge cities throwing off mild air pollution close by, that is additionally a great place to do some stargazing, and to see the Milky Way!
The Milky Way is the galaxy that our personal photo voltaic system is part of, and a large band of it’s seen within the night time sky at sure instances of yr.
The Milky Way is seen within the northern hemisphere from February-October, with the “best” viewing months typically being April-September. In order to see the galaxy, you will want clear skies and as near a moonless night time as attainable.
The time when you’ll be able to see the Milky Way above the ocean from any of the Brunswick Islands seashores modifications all year long (axial tilt and Earth’s rotation and all that), however you will discover a pleasant chart right here that provides you an concept of when it is going to be seen every month. Generally, the Milky Way is most seen (basicaly all night time) from June-August.
Where to remain within the Brunswick Islands
My favourite factor in regards to the Brunswick Islands is how “local” they nonetheless really feel. You will not discover any chain resorts or high-rise rental buildings on the seashores right here; it is largely seaside homes and some family-run resorts.
During my very own journey, I stayed on the Ocean Isle Inn in Ocean Isle Beach, a family-run resort with each an indoor and outside pool and direct seaside entry. The resort was snug and homey, and Ocean Isle Beach is in an ideal base for visiting all the main websites within the Brunswick Islands.
There are additionally a number of B&Bs inside historic houses in Southport (see an inventory right here), in addition to a number of seaside trip leases to select from within the Brunswick Islands.
Brunswick Islands FAQ
The Brunswick Islands are a collection of 5 barrier islands that stretch for about 45 miles within the southwestern-most nook of North Carolina. They are situated roughly midway between Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and Wilmington, North Carolina.
Both Myrtle Beach and Wilmington have airports you’ll be able to fly into – I flew into Myrtle Beach and drove to the islands. And talking of driving, all the Brunswick Islands (apart from Bald Head Island) are related to the mainland by way of massive bridges, so you’ll be able to attain all of them by automotive.
If you are wanting to go to all of the totally different seaside cities and spend time on a number of islands, then you are going to wish to have a automotive with you. You can hire a automotive from whichever airport you fly into. (Check Discover Cars for rental automotive choices.)
If you are largely going to stay to at least one island and seaside city, you additionally may choose to hire a golf cart or bikes to your time there, as these are typically a lot simpler to park close to seaside entry factors.
If you wish to tick off every thing listed on this submit, you will want at the very least 3-5 days within the Brunswick Islands. But you possibly can additionally simply go to the realm for a day or two as a part of a visit to a different close by vacation spot, or you possibly can e book a seaside home for every week for a laid-back coastal getaway.
Who’s able to plan a soothing seaside journey to the Brunswick Islands?