Summer Faves at Holden Beach

Refreshing Treats and Local Delights

What’s better than enjoying a sweet treat or a delicious meal after a sun-soaked day? Holden Beach has plenty of options for all your cravings!

• Bring your Sunset Slush koozie back for a discounted refill and enjoy a yummy treat to keep cool during hot summer days.
• Enjoy delicious local seafood and more at waterfront restaurants, where you can also enjoy live music in the summer months at spots like Provision Company, Castaways Raw Bar & Grill, and SmacNally’s!
• Make a pit stop at Beaches-N-Cream or Saltwater Shanty, both known for their homemade ice cream.
• Pick up a lobster roll or another Archibald’s Deli favorite and enjoy a picnic on the beach or overlooking the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) near the pavilion under the Holden Beach Bridge.
• Order a low-country boil from Old Ferry Seafood and experience a family feast in your Hobbs Realty vacation rental.
• Donate extra food items from your amazing coastal vacation to A Second Helping on your way off the island. Conveniently located just over the Holden Beach Causeway, this community effort supports local food banks and is a fantastic way to give back while reducing food waste.

Explore the Water

The obvious first choice for enjoying our lovely island is to dip your toes in the sand and soak in the beauty of the vast Atlantic Ocean. But, there are countless other ways to explore the beautiful waterways and nature found here!

• Experience the Lockwood Folly River firsthand from a paddleboard, kayak, or jet ski. The calm waters and diverse wildlife make this a memorable adventure that will take you up close and personal with an incredible array of nature. Paddleboard and kayak rentals are available from VayK Life, and jet skis are available to rent from Holden Beach Jet Ski Rentals.
• Book an ICW taxi with Tour H2O for a memorable sunset cruise to and from dinner. It’s the perfect way to cap off a fun-filled day!
• Rent a pontoon boat or Carolina skiff for the day and explore the area at your own pace. FantaSea Watercraft Rentals offers flexible options for families and groups.
• Schedule a guided fishing trip for an exciting day on the water. Whether you prefer inshore, nearshore, or offshore fishing, Holden Beach has fishing charter options for all types of anglers.
• Enjoy a beach walk during low tide for some early morning (or evening) beachcombing and get dibs on the most unique seashells, shark teeth, and sea glass. And you won’t regret catching one of the most beautiful sunrises you’ve ever seen while you’re at it!

Unique Island Adventures

If you prefer looking at the water rather than wading in, don’t worry… there are plenty of ways you can enjoy the beauty sprinkled throughout Holden Beach by land. From quiet reflection spots to scenic bike rides, Holden Beach is full of unexpected, joyful surprises that help create undeniably special vacations!

• Take a walk to one of the three Kindred Spirit Mailboxes found on Holden Beach. Early summer mornings or late afternoons are the ideal times to take a walk to the East End, a much longer walk to the far West End, or a stop at the park on Sailfish Road to enjoy a quiet, reflective moment and leave a note for others to read.
• Rent a beach cruiser and explore Holden Beach’s back roads, Ocean Boulevard, and the beach strand for a unique perspective of the island. Check out the Holden Beach Bike Tour for some routes to get you started, and you can reserve equipment to be conveniently delivered directly to your Hobbs Realty vacation rental from companies like VayK Life.
• Bring a pair of binoculars and enjoy birdwatching for herons, egrets, pelicans, and other shorebirds throughout the beaches, marshes, and inlets of the area.
•  Head out on a walk with your camera in any direction from your vacation rental and capture interesting nuggets of beauty you notice along the way. Here are some ideas to get your creative juices flowing!
• Try your luck at fishing from public access points along the beach or waterway. You can get a license, rent or buy equipment, and get bait and more at The Rod & Reel Shop.
• Keep an eye out for signs of sea turtle nesting. Most nesting happens between March and October, and it can be fun and educational to watch for them. You can read more about them before you arrive so you know what to watch for, and if you see any signs during your visit call the Holden Beach Turtle Watch at (910) 754-0766 (for turtle emergencies only).

Off-Island Day Trips & Hidden Gems

While Holden Beach offers plenty to do, there are also some wonderful nearby attractions worth checking out for a fun day trip!

• Take a short drive to nearby Shallotte and enjoy the beautiful riverwalk along the Shallotte River. This peaceful walking trail offers an opportunity to immerse yourself in nature - with plenty of photography opportunities.
• Drive just a half hour from Holden Beach for a small-town adventure in Southport. It features a charming historic downtown area filled with shops, art galleries, waterfront dining, and beautiful views of the mouth of the Cape Fear River.
• View both Brunswick County lighthouses from the Southport waterfront - the Oak Island Lighthouse and Old Baldy Lighthouse on Bald Head Island. You can always plan a trip to check those out as well!
• Catch a ferry ride from Southport to Fort Fisher, where you can visit the Fort Fisher State Historic Site and the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher.
• Drive an hour north of Holden Beach and explore Wilmington, including its unique historic downtown, Battleship North Carolina tours, and a collection of other opportunities for entertainment a variety of venues  (downtown, outdoor gardens and amphitheaters, the UNC-Wilmington campus, etc.) dining, and shopping.
• Travel south to our neighbors in Myrtle Beach, SC, home to a plethora of entertainment, shopping, golf, amusement parks, and more.

Evening Escapes

Sizzling summer days seem to make the cooler evening breezes an even bigger treasure for relaxing and creating unforgettable memories with loved ones.

• Book a sunset cruise for a front-row seat to the sun sinking into the colors of the horizon.
• Enjoy the sounds of summer with live music performances at various venues throughout the area.
• Find a quiet spot near the water to sit or lay back and watch the night sky. The lack of city lights makes Holden Beach a fantastic spot for stargazing.
• Take a quiet evening stroll on the beach after dinner, a delightful time on the shore when everything calms and beckons.

See You Soon!

This is just a sampling of the magic of Holden Beach summers! Whether you’re craving adventure, relaxation, or indelible memories, there truly is something for every age. From water activities to charming local traditions and more, don’t be surprised if these summer favorites at Holden Beach convince you to book next year’s summer vacation while you’re here!

Ready to plan your summer getaway? Browse our collection of Holden Beach vacation rentals and get ready to start building those unforgettable summer memories!  If you need extra help making a decision, we’re always here to help. Simply call our Hobbspitality Team at (844) 846-4885.

We hope to see you soon – at the beach!

** Darcy Geho is a contributing author to this Hobbs Realty blog post. She spent 11 years working in the vacation rental industry while she lived on and traveled the North Carolina coast. Like most of our visitors, when Darcy isn’t on Holden Beach, she looks forward to her next visit.