On the subject of family-friendly seashore locations within the US, plenty of folks take into consideration the Carolinas. Well-known seashore spots in North Carolina and South Carolina are common all year long, whether or not you are touring for winter getaways, Spring Break journeys, or summer season celebrations.
However for those who’re on the lookout for a seashore vacation spot that is somewhat quieter but nonetheless full of native attraction, then it’s essential to know concerning the Brunswick Islands in North Carolina.
The place are the Brunswick Islands?
Situated roughly midway between Myrtle Seashore, South Carolina and Wilmington, North Carolina, the Brunswick Islands are a sequence 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 – function 45 miles of seashores, fishing piers, and charming coastal cities.
The islands that comprise the Brunswick Islands are:
- Sundown Seashore
- Ocean Isle Seashore
- Holden Seashore
- Oak Island
- Bald Head Island
Why go to the Brunswick Islands?
The Brunswick Islands have all the standard trappings of a US seashore vacation spot; you will discover the compulsory surf retailers, mini golf programs, and ice cream parlors in every little seashore city. However you will additionally discover uncrowded seashores, plenty of attention-grabbing historical past, and never a single high-rise resort or apartment 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 season season absolutely kicked in. And it was SO NICE. Seashores had been quiet, I did not want restaurant reservations, and I had loads of alternative to absorb the laid-back vibes of every little seashore city.
10 issues to do within the Brunswick Islands
Should you’re contemplating a seashore journey to the Brunswick Islands (and I positively suppose it’s best to!), then listed here are all of the distinctive issues you are able to do there.
Observe: This submit was written as a part of a paid partnership with the Brunswick County Tourism Growth Authority. However, as all the time, my content material relies 100% by myself private experiences and opinions.
(And I am specializing in the principle islands which you could drive to; Bald Head Island requires a ferry or non-public yacht to get to!)
1. Go to the principle cities within the Brunswick Islands
Every island that makes up the Brunswick Islands has at the least one or two seashore cities on it. These cities embrace Caswell Seashore, Oak Island, Holden Seashore, Ocean Isle Seashore, and Sundown Seashore on the islands themselves, and cities like Southport, Shallotte, Leland, and Calabash throughout the intracoastal waterway on the mainland.
You possibly 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 seashore homes, fishing piers, and seafood eating places, a pair have further factors of curiosity.
Southport, for instance, sits on the mouth of the Cape Concern River, and has a whole bunch of years of historical past to discover. In Southport, you possibly can find out about native historical past on the Fort Johnston customer middle, take a film and TV location golf cart tour with Southport Enjoyable Excursions (Southport has been used as a backdrop for dozens of movies), and even go on on a dolphin-watching tour.
Undoubtedly put aside one full day within the Brunswick Islands simply to discover Southport!
2. Have a seashore day
Clearly you possibly can’t go to the seashore with out having at the least one seashore day! And also you’re spoiled for alternative within the Brunswick Islands.
Every of the islands has at the least one or two public seashores, and whereas they’re all fairly relaxed, they do every have barely distinctive vibes.
A cool factor concerning the seashores on the Brunswick Islands? They’re all accessible, and you’ll find seashore wheelchair-friendly mats main out into the sand close to every of the fishing piers.
My high seashore picks are:
a. Holden Seashore
Holden Seashore is among the quieter islands within the Brunswick Islands. Nationwide Geographic Traveler has named Holden Seashore one of many high family-friendly seashores within the nation, and there are miles of sentimental, white sand to take pleasure in right here.
One factor to notice about Holden Seashore is that the island is nearly fully made up of seashore homes interspersed with public seashore entry factors. Parking on the island is nearly fully paid, and you’ll’t park alongside the principle street right here (preserve an eye fixed out for parking indicators). The japanese finish of the island has probably the most parking accessible – simply be ready to pay by way of an app in your telephone.
b. Caswell Seashore
Caswell Seashore is the title of a neighborhood and seashore on the japanese finish of Oak Island. Together with having fun with the quiet seashore right here, you can too go to the close by Oak Island Lighthouse.
The Oak Island Lighthouse is a concrete lighthouse relationship again to 1953. Guests CAN climb to the highest of this lighthouse (and also you climb up ship-style ladders as an alternative of a spiral staircase!), however excursions are solely supplied a pair occasions per week and superior registration is required, typically weeks upfront.
There is a good boardwalk right here between the lighthouse and the seashore (and a free parking zone at one finish of the boardwalk).
c. Sundown Seashore
The southernmost seashore within the Brunswick Islands, Sundown Seashore is simply as beautiful as its title makes it sound. There’s plenty of parking close to the Sundown Seashore Pier, in addition to road parking accessible close to public seashore entry factors. (And parking is at present free, as of mid-2023.)
Should you park close to the general public seashore entry at fortieth road, an extended wood boardwalk leads you out to a comparatively quiet stretch of seashore. From right here, you possibly can stroll to the character reserve of Chook Island (which can be the place you will discover the following 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. Stroll to the Kindred Spirit Mailbox
Should you’re up for a seashore stroll, you possibly can go to a really particular spot on Chook Island* referred to as the Kindred Spirit Mailbox. It is a literal mailbox caught within the sand that folks go to and go away messages inside.
The Kindred Spirit Mailbox has been on Chook Island for 40+ years, positioned anonymously by a neighborhood couple (the couple was solely just lately recognized as Claudia Sailor and Frank Nesmith). Contained in the mailbox are pens and journals, and guests are inspired to depart messages.
The journals are full of hopeful love letters, grief-filled farewell notes, phrases of knowledge, confessions, and every part in between. It is cathartic to take a seat down and hand-write an nameless message like this, as evidenced by how rapidly the notebooks replenish.
(A Nicholas Sparks novel referred to as Each Breath was impressed by this mailbox, too, which I am 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/change the journals about as soon as per week. All of the notebooks are at present being preserved in a group on the College of North Carolina Wilmington – and I actually hope they ultimately design a museum exhibit round them!
You can not drive to this mailbox; it requires both a 2-mile (a method) stroll from the Sundown Seashore Pier, or a 1.4-mile stroll (a method) from the fortieth Avenue public seashore entry at Sundown Seashore. The stroll is flat alongside the seashore, although there’s zero shade so positively carry 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, in truth) on Holden Seashore, often called the Holden Golden Reminiscence Mailboxes. Yow will discover one on the west finish of the island (in a gated neighborhood), one on the east finish, and one in Sailfish Park (which you’ll be able to drive as much as). I personally would go to the unique on Chook Island, although!
*Chook Island is linked to Sundown Seashore, and never a separate island. (They was once separate, however a hurricane joined them collectively.) All the island is a nature reserve, although, so you can’t drive to it. You possibly can stroll to it from Sundown Seashore, and inside it are a pair strolling trails by means of the dunes.
4. Go to a coastal museum
There are a number of coastal and maritime museums you possibly can go to all through the Brunswick Islands. Good for a wet day, or for those who want a brief break from the seashore.
Southport has two museums subsequent to at least one one other. The Southport Customer Heart inside Fort Johnston has museum displays on the historical past of the city and its position in numerous movies. And proper subsequent door the North Carolina Maritime Museum has displays on native maritime historical past, pirates, storms, and extra. Each of those Southport museums are free to go to!
In Ocean Isle Seashore, the Museum of Coastal Carolina can be price a cease. This museum has displays that cowl every part from coastal ecosystems to sea turtle nesting to the Indigenous peoples who as soon as referred to as this space dwelling. There are additionally displays on native marine life, together with one room that resembles a “dry” aquarium which you could stroll by means of, and a contact tank. (Admission is $10 for adults and $8 for youths.)
And simply throughout the Intracoastal Waterway from Sundown Seashore is the Previous Bridge Museum, a small and free museum on the positioning of a former swing bridge.
5. Go fishing
Saltwater fishing can be common within the Brunswick Islands, and there are three alternative ways you are able to do it. (Simply make sure you get your self an acceptable North Carolina fishing allow first!)
The primary is to fish proper off the seashore – all you want is a rod and reel and a few primary deal with, and you’ll solid proper into the surf.
The most well-liked place to fish that does not require a ship is to fish off one of many piers in every seashore city. Many of the piers provide fishing licenses and bait on the market, and several other even hire rods and deal with if you do not have your personal. The piers you possibly can select from embrace:
- Sundown Seashore Pier
- Ocean Isle Pier
- Holden Seashore Pier
- Yaupon Pier/Oak Island Pier
- Ocean Crest Pier on Oak Island
- Southport Pier
A number of of those fishing piers cost guests to stroll out and watch the fishermen, however the $1 payment is price it!
The third method to go fishing is to head out on a fishing constitution boat and do some inshore and even deep-sea fishing. Discover a fantastic record of native fishing charters right here.
A number of the fish you possibly can 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
Need to get out on the water with out doing any fishing? You possibly can – and may! – try this, too, with a quiet paddle, sightseeing boat tour, and even dolphin-watching tour.
You possibly can ebook 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 Concern River with Southport Water Excursions.
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 may as well 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 Journey Excursions and The Journey Kayak Firm) provide guided kayaking excursions, as properly, for those who’re not absolutely snug going out by yourself.
7. Have an journey within the timber
Should you’re on the lookout for one thing somewhat extra adrenaline-pumping, head inland a couple of minutes from Ocean Isle Seashore to The Swamp Park. This enjoyable outside park presents 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.
Additionally they provide 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 possibly can’t go to the coast with out indulging in some seafood – or maybe plenty of seafood! And the Brunswick Islands have a novel type of seafood that you must attempt: Calabash seafood.
Coming from the city of Calabash simply inland from Sundown Seashore, Calabash seafood is regionally sourced fish, shrimp, oysters, or different seafood that is frivolously battered and fried to a golden brown. It would not get any brisker.
A number of locations to attempt 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 ft from boat to plate.
- Sharky’s Restaurant – The oldest restaurant in Ocean Isle Seashore, Sharky’s sits proper on the Intracoastal Waterway and serves up issues like grouper tacos and a tasty shrimp burger.
- Provision Firm at Holden Seashore – Overlooking the Intracoastal Waterway close to Holden Seashore, Provision Co is a relaxed bar and eatery serving up issues like steamed seafood plates and grouper sandwiches.
- Koko Cabana – Situated proper on the Oak Island Pier with a superb view of all of the fishermen, you possibly can take pleasure in all types of recent seafood right here, from coconut shrimp to tuna poke bowls. (Their sister restaurant Kai-Joe’s can be price a cease for Hawaiian-inspired tacos – attempt the North Shore shrimp taco.)
- Fishy Fishy Cafe – With ample open-air seating overlooking the Southport Yacht Basin and marsh, Fishy Fishy is among the finest spots to go for recent seafood and drinks in Southport – you possibly can even arrive right here by boat!
There are many different choices, too, particularly in Southport the place you possibly can’t throw a fishing web with out hitting a seafood restaurant.
9. Go wine tasting or to a brewery
Whereas 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 Vineyard in Ocean Isle Seashore, which has a beautiful 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 price simply $10, and include a memento wine glass.
Or, if beer is extra your pace, cease in to Makai Brewing Firm (additionally in Ocean Isle Seashore). 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 out of doors beer backyard.
10. Watch a dawn or sundown
For the reason that Brunswick Islands run east-west and face south in direction of the Atlantic Ocean, it signifies that at sure occasions of yr (late fall by means of early spring) you possibly can truly see the solar rise AND set over the ocean, which is fairly cool!
Throughout different occasions of yr, it is nonetheless price getting up early for a quiet seashore dawn, or heading to the seashore or a restaurant patio to take pleasure in a sundown.
Bonus: See the Milky Approach
Because of the Brunswick Island’s location (going through south) and the truth that there aren’t any massive cities throwing off gentle air pollution close by, that is additionally a great place to do some stargazing, and to see the Milky Approach!
The Milky Approach is the galaxy that our personal photo voltaic system is part of, and a large band of it’s seen within the evening sky at sure occasions of yr.
The Milky Approach is seen within the northern hemisphere from February-October, with the “finest” viewing months usually being April-September. With the intention to see the galaxy, you will want clear skies and as near a moonless evening as doable.
The time when you possibly can see the Milky Approach 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’ll find a pleasant chart right here that offers you an thought of when will probably be seen every month. Usually, the Milky Approach is most seen (basicaly all evening) from June-August.
The place to remain within the Brunswick Islands
My favourite factor concerning the Brunswick Islands is how “native” they nonetheless really feel. You will not discover any chain accommodations or high-rise apartment buildings on the seashores right here; it is largely seashore homes and some family-run accommodations.
Throughout my very own journey, I stayed on the Ocean Isle Inn in Ocean Isle Seashore, a family-run resort with each an indoor and outside pool and direct seashore entry. The resort was snug and homey, and Ocean Isle Seashore is in an ideal base for visiting all the most important websites within the Brunswick Islands.
There are additionally plenty of B&Bs inside historic houses in Southport (see an inventory right here), in addition to plenty of seashore trip leases to select from within the Brunswick Islands.
Brunswick Islands FAQ
The Brunswick Islands are a sequence of 5 barrier islands that stretch for about 45 miles within the southwestern-most nook of North Carolina. They’re situated roughly midway between Myrtle Seashore, South Carolina and Wilmington, North Carolina.
Each Myrtle Seashore and Wilmington have airports you possibly can fly into – I flew into Myrtle Seashore and drove to the islands. And talking of driving, all the Brunswick Islands (aside from Bald Head Island) are linked to the mainland by way of giant bridges, so you possibly can attain all of them by automobile.
Should you’re wanting to go to all of the totally different seashore cities and spend time on a number of islands, then you are going to need to have a automobile with you. You possibly can hire a automobile from whichever airport you fly into. (Examine Uncover Automobiles for rental automobile choices.)
Should you’re largely going to stay to at least one island and seashore city, you additionally may decide to hire a golf cart or bikes in your time there, as these are usually a lot simpler to park close to seashore entry factors.
If you wish to tick off every part listed on this submit, you will want at the least 3-5 days within the Brunswick Islands. However you possibly can additionally simply go to the world for a day or two as a part of a visit to a different close by vacation spot, or you possibly can ebook a seashore home for every week for a laid-back coastal getaway.
Who’s able to plan a soothing seashore journey to the Brunswick Islands?
