5 Reasons Why Bald Head Island is the Perfect Place to Enjoy Spring Break
Are you still working on spring break travel plans for your family?
Leave the packed beaches, traffic jams, and umbrella mazes in your rearview mirror and plan a blissful getaway to one of North Carolina’s hidden gems – Bald Head Island.
While the island is peaceful and quiet, there is never a shortage of things to see and do when you visit. No matter how you choose to spend your time, these fun attractions will have you and your family enjoying your stay.
Immerse yourself in local history.
Gain a deeper understanding of North Carolina and this historic island. Bald Head Island offers a rich history and vibrant culture dating back hundreds of years.
- Climb Old Baldy: One of the most breathtaking sights on Bald Head Island is the infamous Old Baldy. It rises high above the trees, overlooking the ocean, marsh, and harbor. Old Baldy is North Carolina’s oldest standing lighthouse and is only a short walk from the ferry landing.
- Walk with the ghosts: The local ghost tours last about two hours and take you through more than 350 years of island history, introducing you to the tales of lighthouse keepers and lifesavers, pirates, and river pilots that make up Bald Head Island legend.
Explore the outdoors.
Everyone knows the best vacations are beach vacations, and that’s where Bald Head Island shines.
- Explore the beaches: With 14 miles of pristine beaches, there isn’t a lack of outdoor activities. Bald Head Island’s picturesque beaches are perfect for shell collecting, strolling, swimming, or simply relaxing.
- Kayak the creeks: Glide through the quiet creek waters and take in the abundant wildlife. Creeks on Bald Head Island are easily accessed by kayak or canoe, and experienced guides can show you the ropes.
- Try SUP’ping: There’s plenty to explore once you’re up and comfortable with paddling. Try Lighthouse Creek, an easy loop that puts you in the shadow of Old Baldy. Or follow Bald Head Creek to the boathouse that served as a supply point and storage building for the lighthouses and U.S. Lifesaving Service Station on the island.
Plan to get away to a luxurious rental.
Want to fall asleep at night to the sound of the sea? Or wake up and sip your coffee while enjoying the gorgeous views? Browse our many premier oceanfront, waterway, and centrally located vacation rentals.
- The Blue Dragonfly: The Blue Dragonfly is a beautiful rental home affording excellent views of the golf course and the ocean. The Blue Dragonfly is comfortably decorated and very spacious. The large kitchen and dining area invite all those who love to cook. While the two upstairs en suite bathrooms feature spa-like amenities, and a second-floor loft area offers extra room to spread out. There are also two decks, upstairs and down, to enjoy the views and take in the sunshine and ocean breezes.
- Kick up your Heels: We all want to kick up our heels while on vacation, and what better place than this enormous four-bedroom home? Just a hop, skip, and a jump from the beach and the Bald Head Island Club. Kick up Your Heels is an excellent choice for an old-fashioned family vacation. Enjoy sunlight pouring in the high ceiling great room. Sip wine on the screened-in second-story deck and watch big ships moving out to sea. Outside, enjoy a hot and cold enclosed outdoor shower and a fish cleaning sink station. You may choose to purchase memberships to the BHI Club or Shoals Club at this property. This comfortable, family beach home is perfect for your next vacation.
[Check out our other beautiful rentals here.]
Relax with shopping and dining.
Bald Head Island offers many shopping options, from basics like groceries and beach accessories to men’s and women’s fashion to gift items for just about everyone on your list.
And options are aplenty when it comes to dining. Grab a sandwich to take to the beach, enjoy a casual lunch after a day on the boat, or indulge in fine cuisine with views that rival the food.
Get sporty on spring break.
Bald Head Island has plenty of sporting activity options to keep you active and healthy while on vacation during your spring break.
- Go golfing: The golf course at the Bald Head Island Club is one of the most beautiful in the Southeast area of the country. The George Cobb-designed course winds through the forest, under the eye of Old Baldy, and out onto the dune ridge where a 180° view of the ocean greets you for the final holes.
- Try your hand at croquet: The championship croquet greensward at the Bald Head Island Club regularly hosts United States Croquet Association tournaments, but don’t let this scare you away. Croquet at the Bald Head Island Club is open to beginners and seasoned veterans.
- Enjoy a bike ride: The island’s gentle coastal terrain offers bicyclists an easy pedal, but with more than 15 miles of roadway, more experienced cyclists can get their fill.
Bald Head Islands’ activity list is endless; whether you want to relax on the beach all day or revel in a jam-packed schedule, there is plenty to keep you occupied. North Carolina’s Bald Head Island is the perfect place to kick off the spring season and enjoy a beach getaway.
If the island and its waters are calling your name this spring break, contact our expert team today, and we will find the perfect rental for you.
Secrets of the Kindred Spirit Mailbox
Beyond the dunes of a remote North Carolina beach, you’ll find a special home for more than 40 years’ worth of personal stories from thousands of visitors and locals.
Visit the Kindred Spirit Mailbox on Bird Island, where a once-secret caretaker tells his tale of a magical place.
For decades, thousands of visitors have made the hike to the Kindred Spirit Mailbox on uninhabited Bird Island in North Carolina. People from all over the county and all walks of life have come to release their innermost thoughts to the mailbox’s journals.
A place to gather your thoughts.
Located on a secluded and pristine stretch of beach far from the nearest public access point and nestled between dunes is an unlikely sight. A lonely mailbox with a weathered bench next to it. The bench is where visitors will sit to divulge their deepest thoughts, and the mailbox is where you place the journal when you are done.
More than a container for pieces of paper, the mailbox holds the thoughts, prayers, dreams, and wishes of those on a mission to bare their soul and find comfort from the writing.
A long history.
The incredible popularity of the mailbox has surprised everyone, even the mailboxes caretaker, Sunset Beach native Frank Nesmith. Nesmith has tended the mailbox since its beginning, for many years.
It was an old flame who had the idea for The Kindred Spirit mailbox in the first place. According to Nesmith, it was her idea. Referring to a woman named Claudia, who he briefly dated in the late 1970s. “You know, when you go with a girl, you want to do what they want you to do because you might want to get a kiss.”
The tradition.
It is a trek from Sunset Beach to the mailbox, but it is definitely worth the work. The serene walk from the last public access on Sunset Beach to Bird Island and the Kindred Spirit Mailbox will be sure to give you the opportunity to reconnect with self and spirit.
Keep walking until you see an opening in the dunes in the distance. If you get to the jetty, you have gone too far. Next to an old, weather-beaten bench is the community mailbox. Inside you’ll find journals, and pens, along with the hopes and dreams, the grief and pain of the people who have left their most personal thoughts on the pages within.
Not only does the peaceful journey with the beautiful backdrop help to clear the mind, but a large part also the mailbox’s allure is its anonymity. The remote, pristine location on an uninhabited island with the sea air and sounds of the surf encourages visitors to bare their most intimate thoughts and take part in this longstanding tradition.
Are you willing to share your deepest thoughts with the mailbox? Check out our nearby beach rentals and prepare to spend your vacation on the beach while releasing those deep thoughts! Contact our expert team today, and we will find the perfect rental for you.
Get Hooked on Fall Fishing in North Carolina’s Brunswick Islands
Fall is in the air, which for many area residents and visitors means it is time to cast a line and get hooked on a good time in North Carolina’s Brunswick Islands. Our 45 miles of pristine coastline offers ample access to both fresh and saltwater fishing hotspots that are sure to excite both amateur fishing enthusiasts and seasoned pros alike. As the seasons change, so does the natural stock of fish and marine wildlife awaiting your fishing expertise. Planning your fall fishing excursion in North Carolina’s Brunswick Islands? Check out our insider info and tips for making your visit a memorable one.
Fishing Finds
Several species of fish are highly migratory, with circuits ranging from a few miles to massive distances. While the motives for these migratory treks is a mystery even to scientists, we do know that these mighty movements make for even better sport fishing in North Carolina’s Brunswick Islands. According to local expert Captain Jerry Dilsaver, this natural phenomenon really gets the fish biting. In preparation for the migrations south, fish along the Brunswick Islands are feeding hard in the fall to store energy for the long journey ahead.
Depending on the time of year and where you …read more
Enter the Brunswick Islands Landmarks Photo Contest #BrunswickIslandsLandmarks
North Carolina’s Brunswick Islands is excited to announce its fall social media photo contest, #BrunswickIslandsLandmarks! This photo contest will highlight some of the most iconic Brunswick Islands landmarks. We invite you to share your best Brunswick Islands photos of our five ocean piers (the Holden Beach Pier, Sunset Beach Pier, Ocean Crest Pier, Ocean Isle Beach Pier, and Oak Island Pier), Oak Island Lighthouse, Old Baldy, Kindred Spirit Mailbox, Southport Yacht Basin, or the Calabash Waterfront on Instagram and Facebook using #BrunswickIslandsLandmarks and #BrunswickIslands from October 9-22, 2018.
When submitting your entry, please also include the Brunswick Islands’ location shown in the photo. North Carolina’s Brunswick Islands will choose its favorite photos from the submissions with first and second place prizes for both the Instagram and Facebook winners, along with two randomly chosen winners. Prizes include North Carolina’s Brunswick Islands rolling coolers, beach towels and hats, and a $100 Visa® Gift Card! The official contest rules are listed below.
Share your photos and follow us on Instagram: @NCBrunswickIslands
Share your photos, follow and like us on Facebook: @NCBrunswick
In addition to North Carolina’s Brunswick Islands’ 45 miles of pristine beaches, the Brunswick Islands is home to picturesque waterfronts, five ocean piers and …read more
Seven Reasons to Shellabrate the North Carolina Oyster Festival
October marks the start of Oyster Season in North Carolina, and the Brunswick Islands is the place to revel in and enjoy this tasty treat. North Carolina’s Brunswick Islands is the site of the state’s official oyster celebration, and the Annual North Carolina Oyster Festival returns to Ocean Isle Beach for its 38th year October 20-21, 2018. Check out our list of seven reasons to stop by and shellabrate at the North Carolina Oyster Festival!
1.Two Days to Experience
With so many things to do, explore and eat, the North Carolina Oyster Festival offers two days to experience the exciting and action-packed event. Visitors can swing by from 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 20 and from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 21 for a shell of a good time.
2. Friendly and Flavorful Competition
The festival hosts several opportunities for a little friendly competition. Whether guests are looking to shag, shuck or stuff their faces, the North Carolina Oyster Festival has something for everyone. Festival-goers can enter the shag dance competition, oyster eating contest and oyster shucking contest. For even more festive flavor, attendees can buy a ticket to taste one of the delicious dishes prepared …read more
Make Travel Plans for Labor Day Weekend in NC’s Brunswick Islands
Still considering Labor Day travel plans for your family? Make crowded beaches and umbrella mazes a thing of the past with a holiday getaway to North Carolina’s Brunswick Islands. Our 45 miles of pristine, uncrowded beaches will take you back to the beach vacations of your childhood. With a uniquely relaxed atmosphere and plenty of beach for your blanket, there is no better place to celebrate the end to a fun-filled summer. Our six island beaches house a collection of family-friendly activities perfect for saying farewell to summer. Be sure to check out these suggestions for ways to make the most out of your long weekend in North Carolina’s Brunswick Islands.
Shallotte River Swamp Park
Families can experience the swamp like never before with an action-packed, high flying adventure. The park features a two and a half hour zipline tour, seven course adventure park, 50-foot Pelican Dive jump and more. Park owners did not want to sacrifice the beautiful, natural surroundings for adventure, but rather enhance guest experience by seamlessly weaving the two together. The park is uniquely designed around the landscape and rangers educate guests about the ecological benefits of the natural habitat. With an outdoor adventure perfectly suited for …read more
Enjoy Dinner with a View with Waterfront Dining in North Carolina’s Brunswick Islands
Few scenes seem more signature of a beach vacation than a restaurant patio overlooking waves lapping the beach or the tranquil waters of the Intracoastal Waterway; and in North Carolina’s Brunswick Islands, fresh seafood with fantastic waterfront views is in no short supply. Each of our islands and towns are bursting with flavor and brimming with beautiful coastal views. The area boasts waterfront dining set along the Atlantic Ocean, the Cape Fear River, the Intracoastal Waterway and more, making for memorable meals for any getaway to the Brunswick Islands. With so many unique places to see and sample, discovering where to dine next will be an exciting culinary adventure. Top off your foodie bucket list with a visit to “The Seafood Capital of the World” in Calabash, and you’re in for a treat! Take your pick of the below waterfront dining options in North Carolina’s Brunswick Islands.
The Calabash seafood phenomenon began in the town of the same name, now home to several restaurants along the Calabash River. The folks at Waterfront Seafood Shack own their fishing and shrimp boats, and the fresh catches go straight to the seafood shack, ready to be prepared and eaten all in the …read more
Get Active During Your Beach Getaway To North Carolina’s Brunswick Islands
Get Active Along the Coast at North Carolina’s Brunswick Islands
Who says beach getaways are just for lounging? Sun, sand and scenic ocean views are undoubtedly a well-deserved treat, but those looking for a little adventure on their next vacation will find it in no short supply at North Carolina’s Brunswick Islands. While the Brunswick Islands offer 45 miles of scenic, sandy beaches just beckoning for you to plant a plush towel or beach chair, there are plenty of exciting ways to get up and get active on your next vacation.
Decompress and Destress
Treat yourself by treating your body with a beachside yoga session. Feel the tension and stress from home slowly slip away with every move and stretch. Many visitors come to the Brunswick Islands looking for some quality relaxation, and there are few activities better suited to test your fitness in a tranquil setting than a yoga session along one of our pristine beaches. Area instructors offer classes all summer long to ease your stress and keep you toned. Be sure to see if any classes are scheduled for when you are in town!
Check Out What’s SUP
Check out “what’s SUP” during your stay in North Carolina’s Brunswick Islands. The …read more
Summer is Sea Turtle Time in the Brunswick Islands
For many people the word “summer” evokes mental images of sandy beaches, gentle waves, glowing sunshine, pearly white sea shells and freshly caught seafood. While these classic coastal elements are key parts of a summer escape to North Carolina’s Brunswick Islands, locals and visitors alike know that the 45 miles of picturesque, uncrowded beaches bring in more than happy beachgoers each summer. For centuries, the beaches of North Carolina’s Brunswick Islands have been home to loggerhead sea turtles. These spectacular creatures travel great distances to lay their eggs along the shore from May to August, with hatchings happening July through October. Many visitors book their stays to have front row seats to this bit of maritime magic, making summertime sea turtle time in the Brunswick Islands. With so many ways to take part in the action, it is easy to see why!
Museum of Coastal Carolina
Turtle loving travelers can venture to Ocean Isle Beach for the Barrier Island Gallery at the Museum of Coastal Carolina. The museum shares The Legend of the Loggerhead with an exhibit featuring a sand dune model complete with mother loggerhead turtle laying a nest and hatchlings emerging from the nest. Visitors can walk through …read more
Eight Ways to Enjoy Shrimp in the Brunswick Islands
Sun, sand and seafood simply go hand in hand, and there is no better place to snag a signature shrimp dish than North Carolina’s Brunswick Islands. No trip to the Brunswick Islands is complete without some coastal cuisine, and our charming beach towns are brimming with tasty dining spots serving up innovative and scrumptious shrimp creations. Foodies looking to come out of their shell to savor a delicious dining experience can check out the below shrimp seeking guide to the Brunswick Islands.
1. North Shore Shrimp Taco (Oak Island)
The dining scene at North Carolina’s Brunswick Islands is as vibrant as the collection of coastal communities themselves. Here not only will you find classic seafood dishes, but also flavors from around the globe. Kai-Joes on Oak Island is serving up North Shore Shrimp Tacos. This international fusion dish features grilled shrimp, Asian slaw and a special Thai chili sauce.
2. Grilled Shrimp Burger (Holden Beach)
For a fresh spin on an American classic, check out the Grilled Shrimp Burger at Provision Company on Holden Beach. This waterfront dining spot can be reached by land or boat and is a popular spot for families looking to enjoy fresh seafood and …read more