Yvette Brown No matter your preferred travel style, you can find a beach vacation that suits your requirements thanks to the abundance of incredible beaches on the North Carolina Coast. Ocean Isle Beach is a good place for you to visit. You can do plenty of things there. Read this article and you can learn more about Ocean Isle Beach.
Where Is Ocean Isle Beach
The NC Brunswick Islands region is in Brunswick County in the southernmost corner of North Carolina, just south of Pleasure Island.
It’s the last of the state’s coastal treasures you experience before heading south of the border to North Myrtle Beach and is made up of five barrier islands offering forty-five miles of broad, sweeping, uncrowded beaches.
You’ll find stunning beaches, maritime forests, fresh local seafood, expansive saltwater marshes and inlets, and our favorite Inter-coastal Waterway connecting them all.
Ocean Isle Beach is at the lower end of Brunswick Islands and is midway between Wilmington and Myrtle Beach (approx. one hour to each) and it’s one of the top beaches closest to Raleigh.
With its access to miles of coastline, acres of marshlands, mini-golf and arcade games, museums, zip-line adventures, and options for dining and drinking with waterside views, Ocean Isle, North Carolina, is regarded as the most family-friendly beach vacation destination in the Brunswick Islands.
In 2018, Southern Living named Ocean Isle Beach in North Carolina the “Best Tiny Town.”
Things To Do In Ocean Isle Beach
Free Summer Concerts
Utilizing any opportunity to be outside is one of the best things about summer. Ocean Isle Beach hosts a free outdoor concert every Friday featuring some of the best Motown, oldies, and beach music around!
The concerts begin at 6:30 p.m. in the Museum of the Coastal Carolinas’ parking lot. Bring a chair, and prepare to dance all night long—admission is free!
Shopping Local
Spend some time exploring some of our neighborhood specialty stores while you’re in Ocean Isle Beach!
Everything is available here, including specialty shops, surf shops, and fantastic gift stores.
Visit Islands Art & Bookstore for a wonderful selection of regionally produced art, jewelry, and books. Visit the best local art selection in the area and buy a few souvenirs.
You can also visit their online store IslandsArtStore.com.
Shallotte River Swamp Park & Outdoor Center
Take a majestic tour and explore the ecological benefits of this natural environment or indulge in one of the many action activities they have on hand at Shallotte River Swamp Park & Outdoor Center. You can select from one of their three enjoyable activities, or you could try them all!
Experience the region by taking one of our narrated Zipline tours, climbing at the Aerial Adventure Park, or taking our Swamp Tour to unwind and take in the Shallotte River.
The Main Tower’s summit offers access to the Quick Jump event for those who are more daring. The variety of natural sights and sounds that this stunning region has to offer is sensational.
Adventure-seeking and environmental education are the ideal complements in this situation. These amazing experiences and breathtaking views are all there waiting for you, and there is something for everyone!
On the mainland portion of Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina, between the island and Highway 17, at 5550 Watts Road, is the Shallotte River, Swamp Park.
Silver Coast Winery
Silver Coast Winery is a fantastic day trip for adults because it has its own vineyard right outside in addition to producing all of its wines in-house. Come spend a leisurely afternoon enjoying a wine tasting, a tour of the vineyards, and the barrel room.
You can also browse the gift shop filled with locally produced artwork and enjoy a refreshing glass of something from the coast while taking in the view from the front porch. Even bring a few bottles home with you! A fantastic afternoon can be had at Silver Coast!
Shallotte River Swamp Park
Shallotte River Swamp Park is the best place for outdoor adventure and is only ten minutes from Ocean Isle Beach Pier. To appreciate and learn about the swamp, they offer a variety of tours and activities.
It is a fantastic option to get ecological education and enjoyment at the same time, with activities ranging from zip lines and boat tours to paths and climbs. In the sanctuary for reptiles, you can also see alligators and other animals.
Ocean Isle Beach Pier
The Ocean Isle Beach Pier is among the most well-known locations in the community. It’s a great location for fishing, as well as for taking pictures and enjoying the ocean views. The pier, which has delicious ice-cream shops as well, is another option for those looking for nice dining establishments.
Since it is privately owned, keep in mind that there is an admission fee of $1 for adults and 50 cents for kids under the age of six if you decide to visit the arcade games for some family entertainment.
Carolina School Of Surf
Without some aquatic entertainment, your trip to Ocean Isle Beach wouldn’t be complete, and the Carolina School of Surf has everything you and your family need to make the most of the ocean. They provide equipment rentals, tours, surf camps, and lessons for stand-up paddling and surfing.
To explore the waterway and engage in some beneficial exercise, they will help you choose an activity that best suits your needs. Consider taking their standup paddle yoga class if you want a unique option.
The North Carolina Oyster Festival
The North Carolina Oyster Festival, held in October at Ocean Isle Beach, is a great way to sample a variety of regional foods and take in live musical performances. You can take part in or watch various competitions, such as the oyster eating contest or the shaka dance competition.
Make sure to reserve your lodging in advance if you intend to attend this festival, which has been held in town for more than 35 years and attracts visitors from all over the state.
River Country Mini Golf
Golfers of all skill levels are welcome at the 18-hole facility at River Country Mini Golf, which is a fantastic family activity. Giraffes, elephants, zebras, and other animals are used as decorations along the facility’s curves and ramps to create a jungle-themed area where both locals and visitors can have fun.
In the region, playing golf is a well-liked summer activity, so River Country Mini Golf is a great place to practice before playing other conventional courses.
Brick Landing Plantation Golf Club
For seasoned golf enthusiasts in the area, the Brick Landing Plantation Golf Club is a landmark. This exclusive club offers stunning coastal views, a venue rich in history, and an incredible 18-hole course that is open to the public. It starts and ends on the Intracoastal Waterway.
In addition to those who come to play, it has grown to be one of the most reputable and popular spots in the area for those seeking a delicious meal.
If you’re in the mood for something special, make reservations for their renowned Sunday Brunch, which is offered from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm, at their well-known restaurant, “The View,” which is well-known locally.
Take A Ghost Tour
Did you know there are ghosts in Ocean Isle Beach? Come learn about forgotten Civil War battles, haunted trains, lost ships, ghost planes, lights that confound scientists, whiskey smugglers, haunted plantations, amazing apparitions, lost treasure stories, and haunted homes right here in Ocean Isle Beach!
Your spine will chill as you take this one-mile guided walking tour of Ocean Isle Beach’s historic neighborhoods! From Memorial Day through Labor Day on Wednesdays and Thursdays, tours are offered. They resume in October for Halloween.
Tickets for the tours, which start at the Ocean Isle Beach Pier, cost $10 each; kids under 5 are admitted free.
Putt Putt Golf
Playing a round of putt-putt golf is one of our favorite things to do in the summer. At the Ocean Isle Beach River County Putt-Putt Course, prove to your friends and family who the best golfer is.
You can’t miss this enjoyable activity when you’re heading to the beach because it’s located directly across the Ocean Isle Beach pier.
