2017 Brunswick Islands Sunrise/Sunset Photo Contest Winners
North Carolina’s Brunswick Islands is excited to announce the winners of the #BrunswickIslandsSun Sunrise/Sunset photo contest! We invited you to share your best Brunswick Islands sunrise and sunset photographs on Instagram and Facebook using #BrunswickIslandsSun from November 15 through November 29, and we were amazed at the beautiful entries we received!
With over 150 entries, it wasn’t easy to choose just a few winners, but we have chosen our favorite photos from the submissions for a first and second place winner on both platforms as well as two random drawing winners. These lucky winners will receive a variety of North Carolina’s Brunswick Islands rolling coolers, beach towels, and hats. Our first place winners will also receive a $100 gift card. We would like to thank everyone who participated in the contest. It was incredible to see folks loving the Brunswick Islands and the beautiful sunrises and sunsets over the ocean as much as we do!
And now, here are the winners, along with the inspiration behind their photos and why the Brunswick Islands are their beaches of choice!
1st Place on Facebook:
Mark D. Head takes first place with his breathtaking photo of a sunrise over the marsh at Sunset Beach. As …read more
BHI Club | Rita & Shawn | October 15th
I was lucky to have had the opportunity to meet with Rita and Shawn about 8 months prior to their wedding since we all lived in the Raleigh area. I know many couples do not book a wedding coordinator until much closer to their event. I say the sooner the better, even if it is just for weekend-of coordination, as weddings on Bald Head Island have their own logistical challenges, and I like to be able to offer advice sooner rather than later!Rita and Shawn decided on a Sunday afternoon wedding, as many of their guests would be traveling from the Raleigh area just for the day. In order to maximize their time with their guests, Rita and Shawn opted for a first look and to take pictures with their bridal party prior to the ceremony. They decided to use the Common of Cape Fear station, a beautiful secluded (and commonly overlooked) park that includes an open grassy area, a little gazebo and a mini light house.The ceremony took place on the Ocean Terrace at the Bald Head Island Club, open to the seabreeze and amazing natural light. The aisle was lined with beautiful lanterns …read more
Source: BHI Weddings
La Vita Bruta | Samantha & Hunter | September 23rd
Samantha and Hunter booked my services well in advance of their Bald Head Island wedding, so I had to wait quite a while to see all of the hard work they put into planning such a special event. Once I was able to start getting the details, I grew more and more excited for the day to arrive!The weather was a little warm throughout the morning, but a light breeze rolled in right before the ceremony was set to begin. The intimate ceremony was held on the beach just outside of the reception home, La Vita Bruta, nestled in between the dunes on West Beach. I say it time and time again, little to no decor is needed, just let the natural backdrop of these locations on the island speak for themselves!Ceremony decor was simple, with an arbor and white benches with flowers cascading out of lanterns.There were personal touches dotted throughout the event, from the rows of complimentary flip flops for guests who may not have had the proper foot attire (heels and sand do not mix!), to the beautiful pillow for the ring bearer to carry down the aisle with the rings.The cocktail hour and …read more
Source: BHI Weddings
Enter the NC’s Brunswick Islands Sunrise/Sunset Photo Contest
North Carolina’s Brunswick Islands has more than forty-five miles of uniquely south facing beaches that allow one to view the sun rise and set over the Atlantic during the fall and winter. In recognition of that phenomenon, North Carolina’s Brunswick Islands is excited to announce its fall social media photo contest, #BrunswickIslandsSun! We invite you to share your best Brunswick Islands sunrise and sunset photos on Instagram (#BrunswickIslands and #BrunswickIslandsSun) and Facebook (#BrunswickIslandsSun) from November 15-29, 2017. 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 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. Please read all the rules!
Share your photos and follow us on Instagram: @NCBrunswickIslands
Share your photos and like us on Facebook: @NCBrunswick
CONTEST RULES: The following rules will be required for entry.
1. ENTRY:
a. No purchase necessary to enter or win.
b. Fans may enter by Facebook or Instagram:
i. If entering by Instagram, follow …read more
Celebrate A Very Merry “Island-Style” Holiday Getaway in North Carolina’s Brunswick Islands
It’s time again to throw on a sweater, grab a cup of hot chocolate and feel the holiday spirit. North Carolina’s Brunswick Islands provides the perfect backdrop for a holiday getaway this season. From festive decorations to flotillas, the Brunswick Islands’ take on the phrase “’tis the season” is sure to make even Scrooge jolly.
Try something a little different this year and head over to North Carolina’s Brunswick Islands for fun, new memories and stories your loved ones will tell for years to come. These are just some of the exciting must-do seasonal events and experiences happening this year.
Replace Snowmen with Sandmen
Forget the gloves and heavy coats, and create your winter masterpiece with white sands and decorative seashells. Make your holiday getaway memorable by spending it beachside. Take advantage of the mild weather and uncrowded beaches with your loved ones. Beach rental homes are available at great rates this time of year and ready to accommodate families of all sizes.
Enjoy a Different Type of White Christmas
While everyone else might be trying to de-thaw in front of a fireplace, you and your family can take advantage of the better weather and take a stroll on the beaches. Or visit …read more
Experience North Carolina’s Brunswick Islands’ Winery and Brewery
After a day of salt and sun, kick back and sip on a taste of North Carolina’s Brunswick Islands at the area’s local winery and brewery! The award-winning Silver Coast Winery and Check Six Brewing Company create beverages that are sure to please any palate, including those of wine and beer connoisseurs. Both the winery and brewery are owned by local residents who take pride in their craft, so be sure to stop by on your next visit to the Brunswick Islands.
Silver Coast Winery
Ocean Isle Beach is home to North Carolina’s Brunswick Islands’ first winery, Silver Coast. Charming and eclectic, Silver Coast Winery encompasses the relaxed and ultimately unique ambiance of the Brunswick Islands. Owner Maryann Azzato’s passion for wine started at an early age. She spent her youth watching her father make wine, and dreamed of one day opening a winery of her own. Azzato’s childhood dreams came true in 2000, when her husband and three children gifted her a lovely eight-acre woodland property for Mother’s Day. In 2002, Silver Coast opened to the public. Silver Coast wines are modeled after traditional, European styles, but also feature hybrid grapes to create their signature Seyval Blanc and Traminette. …read more
Find Scenic Views and Abundant Wildlife at the Nature Preserves in NC’s Brunswick Islands
From the area’s 45 miles of pristine beaches to the unique inland ecosystems, North Carolina’s Brunswick Islands is home to a range of diverse nature preserves where wildlife thrives. Visitors can enjoy beautiful scenery and discover native plants and animals, by foot, bike, kayak and more. Choose one of these five nature preserves for your next excursion in the Brunswick Islands, and read on to learn more about local efforts to sustain many of these picturesque spaces from Mansfield Fisher with The Nature Conservancy.
Bald Head Island
Accessible by ferry or private boat, Bald Head Island features 10,000 acres of salt marsh and 180 acres of protected maritime forest, all preserved by the Bald Head Island Conservancy. This distinct coastal area is also part of the NC Birding Trail, where visitors can spot Wilson’s Plover, Painting Bunting and several types of wintering waterfowl. The kayaking and birding expeditions offered throughout the year by the Conservancy offer a non-intrusive and scenic view of these fascinating species.
Bird Island
Located on an undeveloped portion of Sunset Beach, Bird Island is a treasure with more than 1,200 acres of unspoiled salt marsh and tidal creeks, along with natural dunes and sandy beaches. …read more
Immerse Yourself in the Art Galleries and Events of NC’s Brunswick Islands
In addition to the scenery of the coast, North Carolina’s Brunswick Islands is home to even more beauty in the form of art galleries and events that showcase the work of incredibly talented local artists. Travel throughout the island and inland communities to discover art on display, taking inspiration from the nearby beaches and demonstrating the skills of a variety of creative talents. Beyond browsing, find the work of art that speaks to you, and take it home as a forever memory of your visit to the Brunswick Islands.
Looking to meet up with other art enthusiasts? Check out these upcoming local events.
Southport First Friday Gallery Walk
On the first Friday of each month, art lovers gather in historic Southport to enjoy the local culture with a Gallery Walk put on by the town’s art galleries. Enjoy wine and appetizers at Franklin Square Gallery and browse the many collections featured throughout the participating galleries – including Art@211 Ricky Evans Gallery, Lantana’s Gallery & Fine Gifts, and Silver Coast Winery Tasting Room. Shop for the next addition to your art collection. Admission to the galleries is free, and all are welcome! The next First Friday Gallery Walks in Southport are happening …read more
Plan Your Visit to the 37th Annual North Carolina Oyster Festival
October is the start of North Carolina’s oyster season, and the magnificent mollusk has been revered in the state for centuries as an important source of food in the coastal areas. The 37th Annual North Carolina Oyster Festival, returning on Saturday, October 21, 2017 from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Sunday, October 22, 2017 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., is the state’s official celebration of the oyster. During the Festival, North Carolina’s Brunswick Islands will celebrate all things oyster as a section of Ocean Isle Beach is transformed into a walking district, filled with a variety of foods, crafts, music and more.
At this year’s celebration, test your oyster shucking skills in the North Carolina Oyster Shucking Championship where the area’s fastest shucker will earn a cash prize, as well as the opportunity to compete in the National Oyster Shucking Contest in Maryland. Not up to competing against the professional shuckers? You can enter the amateur division. If you are an advocate of the motto “you can never have too much of a good thing?” Put on your stretchy pants and participate in the Oyster Eating Contest! Continue to delight your taste …read more
Cast a Line with Ocean Fishing in North Carolina’s Brunswick Islands
With 45 miles of coastline, North Carolina’s Brunswick Islands is a prime destination for fishing, whether trying your luck inshore, near shore or out in the Gulf Stream. The area attracts fishermen from across the east coast and around the country who come to the Brunswick Islands in search of their prized catch. Outfitters and tackle shops throughout the islands offer equipment rentals for those traveling to the area or for more novice fishermen looking to get into the sport for the first time. Charter boats are available for half-day and full-day charter trips with options for both group and private excursions to near shore locations and out to the Gulf Stream for a trophy fishing experience. The Brunswick Islands’ expert fishing guides are ready to lead skilled fishermen to the top spots, or show beginners the ins and outs of hooking an impressive catch.
We asked a couple of our local fishing experts, Captain Brant McMullan, manager at Ocean Isle Fishing Center, and Captain Cane Faircloth with Ollie Raja Charters out of Holden Beach, to tell us more about their favorite fishing spots and advice for making the most out of a day of fishing …read more