Sponsored by NC Brunswick Islands
We had a really hectic few weeks within the lead as much as our 4 day journey to the Brunswick Islands, and have been in dire want of some seaside time and leisure.
The Brunswick Islands are a bunch of 5 barrier islands famed for his or her stunning seashores and laid again vibes, and are normally packed in the summertime with North Carolinians dashing to its shores for some seaside time.
We favor to go to within the Fall as a result of it’s cheaper, has far much less folks visiting, the temperatures are nonetheless heat however not too sizzling, the ocean water remains to be heat sufficient for swimming, and sunrises are later and sunsets earlier. It’s my good seaside trip!
If in case you have 4 days to spend exploring the Brunswick Islands and usually are not positive what to do, then this information is for you.
We’ve set out a small itinerary of issues to do and sights, so you’ll be able to spend 4 days within the Brunswick Islands any time of yr, and expertise the magic of this area.
We’ve since been again to the Brunswick Islands area of North Carolina many instances, and up to date this information with extra off-the-beaten path experiences
Day 1: Chill day at Ocean Isle Seashore
Ocean Isle Seashore is on the decrease finish of Brunswick Islands and is halfway between Wilmington and Myrtle Seashore (approx. one hour to every).
Ocean Isle is taken into account to be probably the most family-friendly seaside trip space within the Brunswick Isles with its entry to miles of shoreline, acres of marshlands, mini-golf and arcade video games, museums, zip line adventures and choices for consuming and consuming with waterside views.
You don’t even want to go away the island to have a beautiful time!
Cease 1: Begin with a seaside dawn
You can not take a North Carolina Seashore trip and never watch the dawn every morning, and one of many greatest issues to do in Ocean Isle Seashore is watching the solar come up over the pier.
The NC seashores have a few of the greatest sunrises I’ve seen world wide, and probably the most wonderful factor is you’ll have it largely all to your self.
It’s that sluggish, light begin to the day that units the tone for the remainder of the day of one among spectacular magnificence and limitless surprises.
Cease 2: Espresso & Bagels at 59 Causeway Grill
Every time we’re on the coast we at all times attempt to incorporate our meals round water views, and 59 Causeway Grill provides high quality lattes and engaging bagels with a surprising view of the waterway.
Apart from a full espresso bar together with specialty lattes, additionally they serve up smoothies, teas, pastries, bagel sandwiches and breakfast platters.
Cease 3: Paddle the Waterways
You may paddle board or kayak everywhere in the waterways, salt marshes, rivers, and ocean shoreline of the NC Brunswick Islands area.
It’s a incredible solution to see a distinct aspect to the island.
We took our stand-up paddle boards out on the marshland space of Jinks Creek simply behind our lodge, the Ocean Isle Inn.
I beloved the tranquil expertise paddling with simply the birds and a silence you usually wouldn’t discover in a seaside vacation spot.
Solely as soon as was my serenity disturbed by a fish leaping out of the water onto the board. With unruffled Zen I watched with delight because it rapidly flipped its method again into its house.
I did have one beady eye on the muddy low-tide banks for beady alligator eyes staring again however I solely noticed the jagged edges of oyster clumps.
There are outfitters throughout the islands that lease kayaks, paddle boards, or supply guided excursions.
Cease 4: Epic sundown at Jinks Creek Waterfront Grill
Welcome to one among my favourite sundown views on the Carolina coast.
There was one thing so magical and magnetic about these expansive views over the intra-coastal waterway marshland in Ocean Isle.
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I felt like I used to be in Africa and hippos have been about to poke up their heads!
Jinks Creek Waterfront Grill is the place to take in this view. Head on as much as the Tiki Bar with sufficient time to seize entrance row seats.
Seize your margarita and shrimp and grits and revel in! Get there early for a seat! Observe it down as one of many high sights in North Carolina’s Brunswick Islands.
Jinks Creek is on the upper priced aspect for meals (you’ll be able to eat within the tiki bar or downstairs).
If you would like one thing cheaper, head throughout the street to Ocean Isle Fish Firm, one other tiki bar with river views and seafood, or Sharky’s, providing the identical views with nice (gluten free) pizzas and cheap meals.
Day 2: Journey day at Ocean Isle Seashore
Cease 1: Breakfast at Drift Espresso & Kitchen
One other place we frequented on a couple of event was Drift Espresso & Kitchen.
A stones throw away from our lodge and the ocean, we loved a morning espresso and avocado on toast on their elevated deck. We’ve since been to their location in Wilmington, Wrightsville Seashore, and a number of other instances to their Raleigh location! All have been persistently nice for espresso, yummy meals and ambiance. This OCean Isle Seashore location is smaller and extra low key.
Cease 2: Be taught on the Museum of Coastal Carolina
If you wish to incorporate firsthand studying into your trip, the Museum of Coastal Carolina positioned in downtown Ocean Isle has interactive and interesting experiences similar to creating volcanoes, sea life artwork that involves life, and contact tanks the place you’ll be able to contact or maintain a sea star, an urchin, or a hermit crab.
A scavenger hunt will information children to varied shows within the museum and assist them join extra deeply to the flora, fauna and native American historical past of coastal Carolina.
Admission additionally contains the Ingram Planetarium in Sundown Seashore.
Cease 3: Zip-line over the Swamps
Not solely do you’ve oceans and river-ways in your outside journey within the Brunswick Islands, you even have swampy enjoyable to.
The Shallotte River Swamp Park provides a spread of out of doors enjoyable from the bottom up over the bushes.
Craig and Kalyra took on the cypress cover tour, zipping via the bushes and over sections of the 300-year-old cypress swamp (look out for wildlife!).
The zip line tour lasts roughly 2 – 2 ½ hours and contains 10 zipline stations, three bridges and greater than 1.25 miles of cable.
It claims to have the longest, quickest, and tallest zip line on the East Coast.
As Savannah was too gentle for the zip line, her and I headed for the Aerial Journey Park; a sequence of rope course obstacles excessive within the tree line.
We had two hours right here to maneuver between the three totally different ranges of peak and difficulties. It was among the best treetop journey programs we now have achieved.
I beloved navigating across the big gorilla, climbing over kayaks and jet skis, and mountaineering over a fish wall suspended within the sky.
The purple stage was for 14 years and over as the security belays have been just a little harder to connect with. I left Savannah on the greens whereas I took on the best of the rope programs.
Additionally they have guided cypress swamp cruises.
Cease 4: Style the Tropical Spirit at Makai Brewing
What sort of seaside journey wouldn’t it be with out experiencing native craft flavors?
Makai Brewing has round a dozen rotating faucets that includes their very own brews and people of different breweries within the Cape Concern area.
Additionally they had a gluten-free beer in a bottle, which excited me! Seashore lovers will admire the Hawaii vibe of this brewery, whose title Makai means “towards the ocean” in Hawaiian.
Day 3: Oak Island Seashore and Southport
Oak Island has the repute for being the Laid-Again Island of Yesteryear, with extra of a neighborhood really feel than a trip vacation spot.
On the japanese aspect of the island, you’ll discover lessor visited Caswell Seashore, house to the lighthouse and a maze of waterways and inlets on the marsh aspect.
Because the names suggests, you can see outdated dwell oaks and different shady bushes. It’s the largest of the Brunswick Islands.
From our vantage level up on the lighthouse, we might see the protecting limitations round loggerhead turtle nesting websites.
They really feel protected within the NC Brunswick Islands and journey nice distances to put their eggs on the shores from Could to August.
Sea turtle hatching’s start in July and will proceed into October.
As a method of giving again to the fantastic Brunswick Islands area, we donated $50 to the Oak Island Sea Turtle Safety Program.
Cease 1: Climb the Oak Island Lighthouse, Caswell Seashore
Prepared for an journey of a distinct type?
One which gained’t really feel too scary till you’re standing on the ship ladders that lead you up the center of the lighthouse to the viewing platform 131 steps later.
Oak Island Lighthouse is the one identified lighthouse that makes use of this ladder configuration all the method, fairly than the everyday spiral staircases.
Whereas not as stunning on the surface as a few of the different North Carolina lighthouse’s, it’s probably the most adventurous and thrilling lighthouse to go to on the NC coast.
You gained’t be pushing it apart with, “Simply one other lighthouse” grumble.
I don’t have a worry of heights however I do of ladders, so I discovered this high attraction of Oak Island to be very unnerving, surprisingly much more so when Savannah froze up on the viewing balcony and someway advised me to be scared!
Recover from it as a result of the views up listed below are magnificent. So collectively, with backs to the wall we shuffled round to absorb the views out of Oak Island’s seashores and marshlands.
We have been in a position to climb another rung of ladders to the see the beacon gentle. In 2020 the Coast Guard put in the primary rotating LED gentle fixture in a US lighthouse.
It’s cheaper, brighter, and extra vitality environment friendly than the outdated gentle bulbs and has a ten-year guarantee, whereas the earlier old-style ones wanted changing after a month!
They even have capabilities to function it by way of solar energy.
There’s a boardwalk throughout type the lighthouse with an statement deck, interpretive panels, and entry to Caswell Seashore.
The 153 ft Oak Island Lighthouse excursions are FREE (donations fortunately accepted and inspired) and the excursions run year-round within the morning. Excursions do require advance reservations and climbers should be at the least 9 years outdated.
READ MORE: The 13 greatest issues to do on the North Carolina seashores (contains the Oak Island Lighthouse Climb, Jinks Creek Sundown, and the Kindred Spirit Mailbox.
Cease 2: Lunch at Koko Cabana
After your climb, head to the Oak Island Pier for an Ahi Nacho and Mezcal Paloma and delightful views of the ocean.
I beloved the Caribbean Island theme of the Koko Cabana restaurant, designed with a vibrantly pleasing atheistic that contrasts with its aged wood pier exterior.
Its Surf & Turf menu and signature cocktails pair completely with its beachside location.
From there, stroll straight to the seaside for a refreshing swim and beachside enjoyable.
Cease 3: Southport
One in every of our favourite finds on our NC Brunswick Islands trip was not the seaside, however the charming, small city of Southport positioned on the mouth of the Cape Concern River.
Because it converges with the Atlantic Ocean and the Intra-coastal waterway, you’ll be able to think about the various choices of water actions.
Southport jogged my memory of my favourite Southeast cities/cities of Beaufort, Savannah, Charleston, and Wilmington. It’s only a a lot smaller model – prefer it’s-only-a-couple-of-blocks-wide smaller.
However you’ll discover dwell oak tree-lined streets, ornate Victorian houses, historic buildings, and vibrant riverfront eating places.
Southport is likely one of the quickest rising cities within the USA and incessantly tops the “greatest small city” variation lists. It has additionally been named America’s “Happiest Seaside City” by Coastal Dwelling.
Searching from Southport, you’ll see the regionally endeared and slow-paced Bald Head Island. You may solely attain it by ferry or non-public boat, and as soon as on the island you will get round by golf carts and bicycles – we now have it on our checklist for a return journey.
You may as well catch the ferry from Southport to Fort Fisher Recreation Space on the finish of Kure Seashore and Carolina Seashore supplying you with a a lot quicker entry to Pleasure Island.
There’s a self-guided strolling tour although Southport the place you’ll be able to see historic landmarks like Metropolis Corridor and the Previous Brunswick Jail in addition to early 1700 church buildings and houses.
We walked across the waterfront to the boardwalk over the marshland. The views right here wanting over the salt marshes and again to the colourful riverfront eating places was stunning.
Admire the various gorgeous Southern houses alongside the way in which with their beautiful oak bushes merging with the houses. Most of the houses have cutaways across the bushes to accommodate them.
Alongside the riverfront and essential road are loads of locations to eat or have a sundown drink.
We stopped in for a very low cost, and large serving of scrumptious ice cream at Flava’s Ice Cream Store.
Cease 4: Golf Cart Tour with Southport Enjoyable Excursions
The picturesque harbor city has been a favourite location for Hollywood, that includes in scenes from many movies and TV exhibits, together with Secure Haven, A Stroll to Bear in mind, Weekend at Bernie’s, and I Know What You Did Final Summer time.
A enjoyable solution to see the great thing about the city and listen to colourful tales of the city’s historical past and tradition, pure magnificence, and filming places is on a outsized golf cart with Dan from Southport Enjoyable Excursions.
This stress-free 45-minute guided tour is all skilled with refreshing salty breezes and gorgeous coastal views.
Cease 5: Sundown eating at Fishy Fishy Cafe
We selected probably the most advisable restaurant for our sundown dinner on the water.
This vibrant aqua blue and yellow outside restaurant spreading out over the wood pier and overlooking the coastal marsh is the Southport restaurant advisable to us probably the most.
There’s a lot to have a look at inside the Fishy Fishy Cafe itself with its quirky sayings, wall hangings, and hand pointed indicators exhibiting the way in which to places close to and much.
The principle occasion is the contemporary native and calabash type seafood (don’t miss the Bacon Wrapped Stuffed Shrimp), and, extra importantly, the sundown.
Arrive loads of time earlier than sundown so you will get a desk within the prime location of the restaurant edge. I’m so glad we did that as our desk was good for the sundown present!
You gained’t be rushed away for a fast desk flip right here. Servers will encourage you to linger lengthy after the final of the pink sky disappears into darkness.
Day 4: Sundown Seashore, Fowl Island and Calabash
Cease 1: Sundown Seashore
The southern-most seaside, Sundown Seashore, was most likely my favourite of the Brunswick Islands seashores.
That is the magic you’re searching for in a seaside vacation spot: miles of pristine white sand bordered by sand dunes as an alternative of excessive rises.
It’s the place your soul involves exhale and join extra deeply to Mom Nature.
We noticed loads of relaxed smiles on the folks sitting on their chairs guarding their fishing poles hoping for a catch, teams of buddies whizzing by on their fats tire bikes, and {couples} holding fingers as they walked the flat packed sand.
Time strikes slowly right here, and we soaked it up using a couple of tiny waves on our physique boards with Savannah, and mendacity within the solar with Kalyra studying.
It’s no shock Sundown Seashore made Nationwide Geographic’s 2017 checklist of 21 Finest Seashores in The World.
Cease 2: Fowl Island
The protected Fowl Island Reserve is the southern finish of Sundown Seashore with pristine sandy white seashores, excessive pure dunes, and greater than 1,200 acres of salt marsh and tidal creeks.
This pure space is one among ten websites that make up the North Carolina Coastal Reserve & Nationwide Estuarine Analysis Reserve.
As you might think about from the title, Fowl Island is a haven for a lot of fowl species just like the Reddish Egret and Wooden stork. The endangered loggerhead sea turtles can safely nest right here.
A nature path leads from the seaside and loops across the Fowl Island Reserve.
Essentially the most notable factor to do in Fowl Island is the Kindred Spirit Mailbox.
Stroll to the Kindred Spirit Mailbox, Fowl Island
If you’re a Nicholas Sparks fan, I’m positive in regards to the Kindred Spirit Mailbox. It’s what led me to go looking the place it was once I first learn his novel “Each Breath” which options the key mailbox.
It’s an amazing NC Brunswick Islands attraction to include into your trip.
The Kindred Spirit Mailbox lies within the sand dunes on Fowl Island about 1.4 miles from Sundown Seashore Pier. It’s a straightforward and delightful stroll alongside the seaside to seek out it.
Folks have been coming right here for over 40 years to share their needs, ideas, prayers, and goals via letters within the mailbox. First “planted” on the island by a person named Frank Nesmith within the late 1970’s.
Savannah and I wrote our personal earlier than leaving our lodge. She wrote her goals for the longer term and I shard our manifesto for journey – which actually applies to residing a full life.
The mailbox is full of notebooks and pens so you’ll be able to write your tales while you arrive. Or you’ll be able to simply spend time studying them. There’s a seat ready for you.
Moved by what I learn, I used to be reminded once more how people are so related within the vary of feelings that we really feel. All of the tales confirmed how a lot all of us harm, worry, and lengthy for one thing deeper and extra purposeful from our lives with the hope that it will likely be wrapped with love.
They usually’ll be some messages to make you snigger like. P.S. Please do away with the flies!
One other bonus to an NC seaside trip within the Fall – we had no flies bothering us. And with the dearth of crowds, we had the bench largely to ourselves to soak up the spirit of those messages and its tranquil house.
We added this expertise to our North Carolina Bucket Checklist.
Cease 3: Eat from Trawlers to Desk at Calabash
After we requested our group their high suggestions for our Brunswick Islands seaside trip, “Go eat seafood in Calabash” was a frequent suggestion with exclamation factors!
Calabash is a tiny fishing village simply close to the South Carolina border. It’s house to world well-known contemporary seafood, flippantly battered and fried within the Calabash type of cooking.
It’s possible you’ll just like the laid-back appeal of the Waterfront Seafood Shack dishing up contemporary native, wild seafood ready to order the place you’ll be able to sit outdoors and watch the busy river life.
Or, for a fancier seafood expertise, The Oyster Rock has a wonderful outside seating part with views over the Calabash River.
Their seafood was one of the best we had throughout our time on the NC Brunswick Islands. They’re most identified for his or her oysters, but in addition their contemporary catch of the day.
We loved Ragin Cajun Oysters topped with andouille sausage, bacon, crawfish and shrimp and contemporary, regionally caught tuna and mahi mahi.
Craig and I additionally had a romantic dinner date right here on our {couples} getaway to the Brunswick Islands.
Cease 4: Calabash Creamery Ice Cream
Observe up the signature Calabash seafood with a scrumptious home made ice cream at Calabash Creamery. What makes their ice cream so scrumptious and creamy is the standard of their contemporary elements used, together with 16% butterfat.
I loved sitting on the rocking chairs with our tasty deal with chatting to some locals.
Cease 5: Holden Seashore
We didn’t get a lot time to expertise the quieter, Holden Seashore. I’d wish to return to discover the tidepools, relaxed tempo, paddling alternatives and biking across the island.
Head all the way down to the far japanese aspect of the island close to the Lockwood Folly Inlet for what I felt was a significantly better seaside – whiter sand and fewer folks.
Cease 6: Dinner at Provision Co
One other native’s favourite advice for us was grabbing a shrimp burger from Provision Co positioned on the Intra-coastal Waterway – the views listed below are exhausting to beat!
The place to remain within the Brunswick Islands: Ocean Isle Inn
We had our central location base on Ocean Isle Seashore and used that as a base to discover the totally different islands, most being only a 15 to 50-minute drive away.
The lodging choices in NC Brunswick Islands area are largely trip rental properties. We have been fortunate to get beachfront lodging on the Ocean Isle Inn on Ocean Isle.
It’s ideally positioned to discover the Brunswick Islands and you can not beat taking a couple of strides to your personal piece of sand close to the seaside. (The right place for each day sunrises!)
If you would like a break from the salt and sand, there’s an oceanfront pool ready for you – nonetheless with views. Do your greatest to ebook an oceanfront room because the expansive views up and down the island are fairly particular.
We additionally beloved the way it was inside strolling distance to the small Ocean Isle downtown the place you’ll discover eating places, bars, and cafes.
Enjoyable truth: We solely realized throughout our keep on the Ocean Isle Inn when its familiarity jogged our reminiscence that we stayed right here for our good pal’s wedding ceremony again in 2008. So, brides to be, take into account this Brunswick Islands lodge in your wedding ceremony venue!
Learn our full evaluation of the Ocean Isle Inn lodging.
Remaining Ideas
The NC Brunswick Islands area is the final of the state’s coastal treasures you expertise earlier than heading south of the border to North Myrtle Seashore, SC.
Made up of about 5 barrier islands providing forty-five miles of broad, sweeping, uncrowded seashores.
You’ll discover lush maritime forests, contemporary native seafood, expansive saltwater marshes and inlets and our favourite Inter-coastal Waterway connecting all of them.
Meaning you’ve limitless possibilities to get out on the water, from the wilder ocean to the gentler sound space – so make sure to plan some down time on the seashores or to get pleasure from a paddle board on the waterway.
If you’re a golfer, you’ll be thrilled to know that that is NC’s Golf Coast. There are greater than thirty championship golf programs on this area with 540 holes of {golfing} to strive. You may browse golf programs within the Brunswick Islands right here.
Because the seashores right here run east to west, in some locations you’ll be capable to see dawn and sundown over the ocean throughout late Fall when the earth is completely shifting in a method that traces it up.
We visited for 4 nights and did our greatest to expertise the highlights of the Brunswick Islands, and we hope that this information gave you inspiration and data to start out planning your personal Brunswick Islands trip.
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