Whereas many are aware of North Carolina’s Outer Banks and Carolina Seashore, the state is residence to a different trip gem: the Brunswick Islands.
Nestled between Wilmington, NC, and Myrtle Seashore, SC, this chain of barrier islands gives a special type of seaside trip. It’s a spot full of colourful trip leases and inns, fewer crowds, native eats, and family-friendly seashores.
What makes NC’s Brunswick islands so distinctive is their proximity to 1 one other. It solely takes 45 minutes to get from one finish of the chain to the opposite, permitting vacationers to basically “island-hop” and expertise completely different seaside cities throughout their go to.
Southport, North Carolina
As soon as named “America’s Happiest Seaside City” by Coastal Residing Journal, Southport, NC, is a historic maritime city overlooking the Cape Concern River and Intracoastal Waterway. Its historical past dates again to the 1800s and contains tales of explorers, wars, and pirates.
Southport can be a premier filming location, described as “one in every of its best filming areas” by Hollywood. Movies and TV exhibits you could be aware of embrace “Crimes of The Coronary heart” (1986), “I Know What You Did Final Summer time” (1997), “A Stroll to Bear in mind” (2002), “Dawson’s Creek” (1998 – 2003), and Nicholas Sparks “Secure Haven” (2013). Many guests get pleasure from taking a self-guided strolling tour of the filming areas.
Start your go to on the Fort Johnston – Southport Museum and Customer Heart, the place you’ll be able to study all in regards to the city’s historical past. It’s a small museum full of nice details about the world and contains an exhibit known as “Southport on Movie.” The entrance of the museum can be full of brochures that will help you discover issues to do and locations to eat.
Subsequent door, you’ll discover the NC Maritime Museum at Southport, the place you’ll be able to study in regards to the city’s maritime historical past, together with tales about pirates. This free museum contains interactive reveals and actions for kids.
Different standard actions embrace having fun with the waterfront park and pier, discovering treasures at boutique retailers, and boat excursions of the Cape Concern River. Head to the Yacht Basin downtown space to get pleasure from a recent seafood meal on the water. Eating places embrace Fishy Fishy, Edgewater 122, Frying Pan, and the Yacht Basin Eatery.
Oak Island, North Carolina
Oak Island was named among the best seashores in North Carolina 2024 by USA TODAY. The city has two fishing piers, twelve miles of dog-friendly beachfront, boat and kayak ramps, and native eating places. The Oak Island Pier is a well-liked spot for fishing and leisurely walks.
On the entrance of the pier, you can find a bait store and the Koko Cabana restaurant. Koko Cabana is a superb spot to flee the solar, get pleasure from a drink, or seize a chew whereas having fun with the views.
The island additionally has a golf course, a nature middle, and loads of alternatives to go kayaking. When you’re executed taking part in within the solar, make sure to cease by Photo voltaic Brewing for a craft brew or cider.
Holden Seashore, North Carolina
Holden Seashore was additionally named one of many high seashores in North Carolina by USA TODAY for its “idyllic ambiance.” Dr. Seashore has additionally known as Holden Seashore the “Finest Household-Pleasant Seashore City in the US.”
Outdoors the principle seaside, you’ll discover scrumptious seafood eating places like Provision Co., the place you’ll be able to get pleasure from a meal with views of the Intracoastal Waterway. If you wish to discover the waterway, contact TourH2O for kayak leases or a tiki boat cruise!
When you get to the principle seaside space, you and your loved ones can get pleasure from bike rides, Bridgeview Park, looking for souvenirs, admiring the colourful seaside homes with enjoyable names, and spending a while on the seaside! You received’t discover crowds at this seaside, however you can find shelling and bird-watching alternatives! Holden Seashore is likely one of the greatest locations to search out intact seashells– the proper memento to take residence!
Ocean Isle Seashore, North Carolina
Ocean Isle Seashore was named the most effective seaside in North Carolina in 2024 by USA TODAY. The city options native eateries, fishing alternatives, golf programs, museums, a zipline course, surf camps, and summer time concert events.
Be sure you cease by the Ocean Isle Fish Firm, an open-air restaurant and bar with beautiful water views and scrumptious bites like soft-shell crab sandwiches. Take pleasure in a day on the Museum of Coastal Carolina, the place your loved ones can get pleasure from interactive reveals and contact tanks whereas studying in regards to the space’s maritime life.
Wine lovers ought to head to the Silver Coast Vineyard, the place they will get pleasure from award-winning wines made with grapes sourced from the mountains of North Carolina, Virginia, and Georgia. Take pleasure in a tasting, seize a bottle, and stroll across the property and gardens.
When you get to the principle seaside, there are seven miles of uncrowded shoreline and a fishing pier to get pleasure from. Attributable to its geographical location, Ocean Isle Seashore is thought for spectacular sunrises and sunsets.
Sundown Seashore, North Carolina
Sundown Seashore is the southernmost Brunswick Island, very close to the border of South Carolina. Nationwide Geographic as soon as acknowledged Sundown Seashore as among the best seashores on the planet. The city sits between stunning marshland and the Atlantic Ocean and has stunning seaside properties, retailers, a pier, and several other eating places. It’s one other vacation spot recognized for its beautiful sunrises and sunsets.
The Sundown Inn was our residence base for our “island hopping” journey in North Carolina’s Brunswick Islands. The rooms had been romantic and comfortable, with massive screened-in balconies and marsh views. It was additionally a simple stroll to the seaside.
Sundown Seashore connects to The Chicken Island Coastal Reserve, the place you’ll discover the Kindred Spirit Mailbox– an area landmark and the inspiration behind the Nicholas Sparks novel Each Breath. To seek out the mailbox, head to the final seaside entry (go at low tide) and stroll or bike the seaside for roughly 1.5 miles.
The Kindred Spirit Mailbox is hidden among the many dunes, so in case you attain the jetty, you’ve gone too far. When you attain the mailbox, open it, and also you’ll discover a journal full of the ideas, desires, and fears of others who’ve visited. These journals are archived on the Univeristy of North Carolina at Wilmington Library, so make sure to depart an entry!
Different Notable Close by Coastal Cities
NC’s Brunswick Islands can be residence to the well-known fishing city of Calabash, in addition to, Caswell Seashore, Bald Head Island, Leland, and Shallotte. These coastal cities, which might be discovered all through Brunswick County, supply much more eating choices, seashores, museums, and excursions for the complete household.
NC’s Brunswick Islands Trip
A trip to NC’s Brunswick Islands is not only one other crowded seaside trip full of lodges, typical chain eating places, and loud events. These family-friendly locations supply distinctive experiences and a chance to chill out, discover, and join together with your family members.
Journey Journalist, Digital Writer, Creator