Four Ways to Celebrate the 4th of July in North Carolina’s Brunswick Islands
July 4th is a fabulous time to gather the family, pack the car and head to North Carolina’s Brunswick Islands. The sun is out, the temperatures are warm and there are plenty of exciting events and Independence Day celebrations happening all around our festive coastal community. Whether your trip is already on the calendar or you are looking for a reason to book, be sure to check out these four fun ways to celebrate the 4th of July with us.
1. NC 4th of July Festival and Fireworks
Join a Southport tradition with more than 200 years of history at the NC 4th of July Festival June 24-July 4, 2018. Since 1792 the town has celebrated our nation’s independence in style. The celebration has evolved from colonial times when ships fired their cannons into the harbor to the family-friendly spectacle it is today. The beloved annual festival attracts more than 50,000 people to Southport each year with events including a reading of the Declaration of Independence, concerts, a flag raising ceremony, mobile exhibits, more than 100 arts and craft booths, food vendors, a parade and more. And it wouldn’t be a true 4th of July festival without fireworks! Cheer …read more
Eight Free Things To Do in North Carolina’s Brunswick Islands
Sometimes the best things in life are free, and that is no exception in North Carolina’s Brunswick Islands. This summer discover just how easy it is to go big on a budget in the Brunswick Islands. When you’re visiting, be sure to check out the below eight free activities that are sure to bring on the smiles without breaking the bank or sacrificing the fun factor.
1. Oak Island Lighthouse
Located on Caswell Beach, the Oak Island Lighthouse is a must-visit spot that proves it is possible to elevate your vacation experience at no added cost. The 153-foot structure is the last lighthouse built in North Carolina. While tours to the top of this 15-story beauty are free, friendly donations from visitors are always appreciated and help ensure that future travelers to the area will enjoy the scenic views awaiting atop the 131-step series of ships ladders.
2. Kindred Spirit Mailbox
While walks along the beach are always a priceless perk of a coastal getaway, at the Brunswick Islands you can take a tranquil stroll to a tucked away mailbox full of secrets. Standing in the sands of beautiful Bird Island is the Kindred Spirit Mailbox. This mailbox to nowhere is …read more
Get on Board in the Brunswick Islands
Temperatures are heating up and there is no better place to cool down and make a splash than North Carolina’s Brunswick Islands. Boasting 45 miles of pristine beaches as well as beautiful marshes, creeks and estuaries along the Intracoastal Waterway, the Brunswick Islands beckons visitors to kayak, paddle, surf and boat their way to an unforgettable vacation experience. With so many ways to suit up and explore, aquatic adventure seekers will find getting on board with the Brunswick Islands is a breeze!
Kayak
Experienced and amateur kayakers alike will revel in the incredible opportunities for sightseeing and adventure in North Carolina’s Brunswick Islands. While the crashing waves of our beautiful beaches draw guests year after year, the miles of salt marsh creeks and rivers as well as the Intercoastal Waterway await exploration. Individual kayak rentals and guided tours are available to help visitors gear up and get on the water. Whether chasing the colorful sunset, watching for native wildlife, stargazing or just looking to get active, kayaking through the Brunswick Islands promises to be a unique and unforgettable aquatic experience.
Paddle
Visitors can put balance and coordination to the test by trying stand-up paddle boarding (SUP). The smooth channels …read more
Forecast Reads 100% Chance of Fun with these Rainy Day Beach Activities
Sometimes cloudy skies decide to follow you on your vacation. Even the best-laid beach plans can be interrupted by a bit of inclement weather. While sunny skies are always ideal for a coastal getaway, North Carolina’s Brunswick Islands offer an abundance of enticing indoor activities that are not only unbeatable elements of a foolproof rain plan, but also make for incredible vacation stops to experience under the clearest of skies. No matter the weather, the travel forecast will read 100% chance of fun with these indoor activities and experiences.
Learn Something New
While our 45 miles of tranquil beaches are no stranger to the national spotlight, our scenic and lively community offers visitors more than just sand and surf. History buffs can venture to Southport to experience Fort Johnston-Southport Museum & Visitors Center and the North Carolina Maritime Museum. Fort Johnston-Southport Museum, originally built by the British in the mid-1700s, offers docent lead or self-guided tours showcasing the history, heritage and culture of Southport. For an even broader look into the history of the Brunswick Islands, the North Carolina Maritime Museum at Southport shares the story of the Cape Fear region, complete with pirates, blockade running, riverfront archaeology and more. …read more
The Best Mother’s Day Gifts for Moms that Love the Beach
Spring is here and that means it is time to get ready to celebrate that one very special lady in your life. With Mother’s Day right around the corner, it is never too early to start planning how to show mom just how much you care. For moms that live by the motto “life is better in flip-flops” think beyond flowers this Mother’s Day and get coastal at North Carolina’s Brunswick Islands. Check out our list of the perfect gifts for moms who always seem to have the beach on the brain!
Toast to Mom at Silver Coast Winery
Say “cheers” to mom this Mother’s Day with a trip to Silver Coast Winery in Ocean Isle Beach. The Silver Coast Winery story began on Mother’s Day 2002 when owner Maryann Azzato was gifted a half-acre plot of land from her husband, Dr. Bud. A full family affair, Maryann along with her siblings and children planted the very grapes that would grow to become this local gem and Mother’s Day must. The winery offers a vineyard, tasting room and tours daily. Visitors can also enjoy the local art that adorns the walls of the winery’s art gallery.
Take Mom to Dinner …read more
Any Way You Cast It, Fishing Means Fun In The Brunswick Islands
Spring is upon us in NC’s Brunswick Islands. If you’re any kind of fisherman or woman, you know what that means. If you aren’t, one trip to the isles can make you one.
No 45-mile stretch of the Atlantic coast has more ways to get into the adventure of fishing than our barrier islands do. You can charter a boat, fish off one of our ocean piers, cast right off the beach or fish the marshes and creeks from your own boat or kayak. And the show begins early with some of the best fishing in April, May and June.
To help you get a taste of the action and to provide a few tips in advance, we’ve talked to a couple of the many knowledgeable captains on our coast. Here’s a sampling of what they told us.
Get Your Ducks, er Fish, In A Row Before You Go.
Capt. Brant McMullen of Ocean Isle Fishing Center advises interested fishing folk to give some thought to the kind of experience they want to have. “We’ve got two main styles, deep sea fishing and backwater fishing and they both can be a blast,” says Capt. Brant. “Spring starts early with speckled trout, …read more
Find Some of the Best Beaches in the World in NC’s Brunswick Islands
The heart and soul of North Carolina’s Brunswick Islands is its 45 miles of beautiful, uncrowded beaches. Each beach – Sunset Beach, Ocean Isle Beach, Holden Beach, Oak Island, Caswell Beach, and Bald Head Island is famous for its distinct offerings suited to delight every member of the family. Your favorite beaches, North Carolina’s Brunswick Islands, are gracing the ranks of “Best Beaches” lists all over the world! Five barrier islands, immense natural beauty, a delicious culinary scene, an abundance of outdoor recreation and easy accessibility are just a few reasons why the Brunswick Islands are so loved by beach goers everywhere.
Check out just a few of NC’s Brunswick Islands’ recent accolades:
9 Vacation-Worthy American Islands- Men’s Journal
Men’s Journal agrees that you don’t have to leave the country to take an unforgettable island vacation, and the editors named the Brunswick Islands a must for domestic travel.
“The chain of five islands offers 45 miles of beaches, along with the Intracoastal Waterway and scenic marshland in view of wildlife and pristine natural local ecosystems, best viewed by kayak or paddleboard.” We couldn’t agree more; visitors to the Brunswick Islands will revel at the abundant kayaking, surfing, and paddle boarding offerings in the …read more
Spring Birding in NC’s Brunswick Islands
The beginning of spring is just days away and with it’s promise of warmer weather, spring also means the beginning of migration and nesting seasons for birds. The five barrier islands that make up NC’s Brunswick Islands – Sunset Beach, Ocean Isle Beach, Holden Beach, Oak Island and Bald Head Island- encompass a large network of bird sanctuaries. Situated along the coast of Southeastern North Carolina, the Brunswick Islands’ varied ecosystems make it a natural haven for hundreds of species of birds. In fact, there have been more than 330 species of birds spotted in Brunswick County. Brunswick County is also home to eight of the birding sites along the North Carolina Birding Trail!
North Carolina’s Brunswick Islands has more than 45 miles of unspoiled shoreline, pristine estuaries, and salt marshes that sustain a wide variety of wading birds and shorebirds during the spring nesting season. Battery Island, located in the Cape Fear River across from the Southport waterfront, alone is home to nearly 10 percent of the North American population of White Ibis. White Ibis is one of the most visible and prolific species with their bright white plumage that contrasts the colors in the …read more
How to Hold a Family Reunion at the Beach
It’s never too early to start planning a family reunion your loved ones will remember for years to come. With the area’s central Mid-Atlantic location, plenty of affordable accommodations, more than 45 miles of beautiful beaches, endless outdoor activities, and fairways as far as the eye can see, it is easy to see why hundreds of families host their annual reunion at North Carolina’s Brunswick Islands each year. There is no better place to get the family together than at the beach, and the Brunswick Islands has offerings suited to every member of the family.
We spoke with Cheryl Summer, an Ohioan who has been visiting North Carolina’s Brunswick Islands for more than 35 years. Cheryl originally started visiting the area with a few couples, and it has now morphed into a 20-person, two-house annual reunion with family and friends traveling from all over the country.
Check out Cheryl’s six tips on making the most of a family reunion, from planning to feeding a crowd:
Find Accommodations That Can Hold Your Entire Family:
The Brunswick Islands has plenty of accommodations and meeting space that can accommodate families of all sizes! One of the most popular accommodations is a vacation rental home. …read more
Find Golf for all Skill Levels in NC’s Brunswick Islands Including Beginning and Junior Golfers
Known as “North Carolina’s Golf Coast”, North Carolina’s Brunswick Islands features more than 30 top golf courses built to accommodate players of all skill levels including new golfers and junior golfers. Many of the courses offer private and group lessons from golf professionals who work with every aspect of your swing to improve power, accuracy and consistency. The experience of learning to golf or refining your game in the Brunswick Islands is enhanced by scenic coastal views and more than 45 miles of beach.
Here’s just a few of the courses new golfers may want to include in their Brunswick Islands vacation:
Compass Pointe Golf Club
Located in Leland, Compass Pointe Golf Club is the newest 18 hole course in North Carolina. The Rick Robbins designed course features wide fairways, large Champion Bermuda greens and scenic native Carolina landscaping which creates an exceptional golf experience for players of all skill levels. Multiple sets of tees are offered including a set of “Family Tees” that are great for juniors, older players and new players. Golf instruction for individuals, groups, junior clinics and junior summer golf camps are available. The facility includes a complete short-game area with an 18-hole …read more