Brunswick Beaches

Beaches Galore in One of the Oldest, Largest Counties

Brunswick County, chartered in 1746, is one of the oldest counties in North Carolina. It is also the fifth largest county in North Carolina, reaching from the Brunswick River (bordering New Hanover County) to the South Carolina state line. Brunswick County is across the Cape Fear River to the west of New Hanover County.

Brunswick County has beaches that face the Atlantic Ocean to the south. These beaches, on barrier islands between the ocean and the Intra-Coastal Waterway, stretch from the South Carolina border to the historic fishing village of Southport.

The beaches of Brunswick County can be accessed either by taking U.S. 17 South from Wilmington and using the various feeder roads, or by taking the ferry from Fort Fisher on Pleasure Island to Southport and using N.C. Highways 133 and 211 until N.C. 211 merges with U.S. 17 South.

Southport was one of the first areas in the state to celebrate the Fourth of July and is widely regarded as the Fourth of July Capital of North Carolina. History records that in 1795, citizens gathered at Fort Johnston and observed a 13-gun military salute to the original 13 states. In 1813, a Russian warship anchored in the harbor fired a 13-gun salute, and it was on this Fourth of July that fireworks were used for the first time to close the celebration.

In 1972, the Fourth of July Festival was chartered and incorporated as the official Fourth of July event for North Carolina, and it has since become a tremendously popular four-day event for residents and visitors.

Southport, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is ranked by both Rand McNally and Kiplinger as one of the most desirable places in the U.S. to retire.

Southport is a bustling city with numerous antique shops and dealers, historic sites, the North Carolina Maritime Museum at Southport, diverse restaurants, art galleries and relaxing parks. The most popular park in Southport is Waterfront Park, where you can watch large transoceanic ships from every country pass on their way up the Cape Fear River to the state ports. At the North Carolina Maritime Museum, visitors can travel through Southport's maritime history. And in Southport's historic business district you’ll find many antique and fine shops.

Southport is a quaint, seaside town that has much to offer its visitors, including numerous restaurants, antiques shops and historic sites. Along the west side of the mouth of the Cape Fear River, Southport is reachable by both ferry and scenic highway.

To get to Southport from Wilmington, take the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge and make a sharp left onto N.C. Highway 133 just off U.S. Highways 17, 74 and 76. If you miss it, you can also take N.C. Highway 87.

Just across the water from Bald Head Island and Southport is Oak Island, a narrow strip of land that includes the Town of Oak Island and Caswell Beach.

Named after the historic Fort Caswell located at the top of the island, Caswell Beach is home to the brightest lighthouse in the U.S. and boasts a Coast Guard Station reminiscent of the old coastal life-saving stations. The fort dates from 1827, and Fort Caswell is now owned by the North Carolina Baptist Assembly and welcomes visitors of all denominations each year. The community has some summer homes, but the area has mostly permanent residences.

Oak Island offers a 10-mile stretch of southern-facing ocean beach with quiet surf and moderate tides. There’s an 18-hole golf course within walking distance of the beach. Three piers, a marina and public launch facilities make all types of water-related activities possible.

The Oak Island Lighthouse has guided seafarers since 1958. In 2003 it was formally declared surplus by the General Services Administration of the U.S. Government and was deeded to the town.

As the name implies, Oak Island is famous for its beautiful live oak trees. Recreational areas include a championship golf course, 65 beach-access points, a picnic area on the Elizabeth River estuary system, a few restaurants and motels, and three fishing piers. Oak Island offers a quiet respite for a peaceful family vacation, and visitors will enjoy staying on the island for an extended vacation. In fact, vacation rental is the liveliest business here, with more than a dozen rental companies operating on Oak Island alone.

Four miles off the coast of Southport (and the mainland) at the mouth of the Cape Fear River is the island of Bald Head. The island is easily to spot in the distance—just look for the wide-based Bald Head Island Lighthouse. Built in 1817 and retired in 1935, the lighthouse is cataloged as the oldest lighthouse in North Carolina.

Bald Head Island is an affluent residential and resort community of year-round residents. It can only be reached by the island's private ferry or personal boat. Luckily, the island is open to the public, and the summer population can reach more than 3,000.

The island has a restaurant, bed and breakfast inn, general store with deli, marina, golf course, specialty store, and golf cart and bike rental business. More importantly, the island has 14 miles of beaches, unspoiled dunes, creeks and forests.

The 2,000 acres of land are surrounded by 10,000 acres of salt marshes. The owners of the island deeded nearby Middle Island and Bluff Island to the state and The Nature Conservancy. The Bald Head Island Conservancy, a nonprofit organization, was also formed to ensure that the unique natural resources of the island are maintained and preserved.

Turtle nesting on Bald Head Island accounts for 50 percent of all turtle eggs laid in North Carolina. The Sea Turtle Program protects and monitors these wonderful creatures. There is an Adopt-a-Nest Program that pairs concerned humans with turtles in an effort to protect the nests and encourage the hatchlings toward the sea. Due to the many species of birds found on the island, the Audubon Society also conducts an annual count here as part of its national program.

Gasoline-powered engines, with the exception of security and maintenance vehicles, are not allowed on the island. Thus, the residents and visitors all drive electric carts or ride bicycles.

A visitor can visit the island for the day by private ferry service from Indigo Plantation in Southport.

There are four area airports. Major airline service is offered through two - Wilmington International Airport and Myrtle Beach International Airport. Brunswick County is midway between both airports and about 45 minutes away from each. There are also two small airports in Ocean Isle Beach and Oak Island.

The Brunswick Beaches

• Brunswick Beaches
• Bald Head Island
• Calabash
• Caswell Beach
• Holden Beach
• Oak Island
• Ocean Isle Beach
• Southport
• Sunset Beach

Discover the Holden Beach Area!

• Holden Beach Area Activities
• Holden Beach Area Attractions
• Holden Beach Area Restaurants
• Holden Beach Area Services
• Holden Beach Area Shopping
• Holden Beach Area Entertainment
• Holden Beach Area Churches
• Holden Beach Area Golf
• Holden Beach Area Weddings

For More Information

• NCBeaches.com
• Brunswick County
  Chamber of Commerce
• Southport - Oak Island
  Chamber of Commerce
• Brunswick County Government
• Brunswick County Schools