The Best Outdoor Adventures in North Carolina’s Brunswick Islands

by  Amy Brecount White | https://www.shermanstravel.com/slideshow/guide-to-the-best-outdoor-adventures-in-north-carolinas-brunswick-islands

Located between the popular beach destinations of Wilmington, North Carolina, and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, the laid-back Brunswick Islands set a slower, more affordable vacation pace without sacrificing any beachy pleasures. This collection of five barrier islands — Oak Island, Ocean Isle Beach, Sunset Beach, Holden Beach, and Bald Head Island — gives you 45 miles of less crowded beaches to explore. You’ll find everything from family-friendly spots with piers and inviting dining options to undeveloped dune and wetland stretches where local flora and fauna abound. Post any outdoors exploration, enjoy the small-town vibes of Southport, Shallotte, Leland, and Calabash, the last of which lays claim to the title “Seafood Capital of the World.”

Look Skyward for Astrotourism Treats

As a less developed beach destination with little light pollution, the Brunswick Islands offer excellent night-sky viewing opportunities. From April through July, our gorgeous Milky Way galaxy is visible from the Northern Hemisphere and seems to rise over the Atlantic Ocean to the islands’ south. Another bonus: from fall to early spring, beach strollers can enjoy both the sunrise and sunset over the ocean since the islands are south-facing.

For a deeper dive into observatory science, check out the Ingram Planetarium at Sunset Beach that features space and science-focused programs, along with music-themed laser light shows.

Explore Southport’s Land and Marine Ecosystems

Established in 1792 at the mouth of the Cape Fear River, this once bustling seaport town now hosts an array of cafés, shops, and restaurants. While you admire the eye-catching, architecturally detailed Victorian abodes, also check out the gorgeous live oak trees, which are powerhouses for land-based ecosystems. Birds, butterflies, mammals, and other insects all depend on this keystone species, and these sloping-armed giants — which also host ferns, moss, and lichens — are lovely to stroll under. Head to Franklin Square Park to observe some arboreal beauties and pop into the nearby Franklin Square Gallery. This artist-owned cooperative features coastally inspired paintings, pottery, and sculptures. Along the water, check out Fishy Fishy Cafe for fresh-catch dining.

For a sweeping and tidal maritime overlook just outside town, take binoculars and walk the salt marsh boardwalk to observe this biodiverse estuary where freshwater meets saltwater. That makes it ideal for birding, so look for great white egrets, great blue herons, and other waders. This coastal flyway area provides a refueling stop for migrating birds and butterflies, such as cedar waxwings, bluebirds, monarchs, and the hairstreak butterfly.

Hop on a Wildlife-Spotting Boat Tour

From Southport, cruise the Cape Fear River and along the Intracoastal Waterway with Southport Water Tours during daylight or sunset hours. Look and listen for the fins, tails, and chuffs (the exhalations through blowholes) of frolicking and feeding dolphins, a common sight on these narrated tours. You’ll also have stellar views of the Oak Island Lighthouse and Fort Caswell, a former World War II lookout station. The tour skirts the Battery Island bird sanctuary, the largest North Carolina nesting site for wading birds, which is off-limits during nesting season. Scan the skies to spy ibis, oystercatchers, and egrets gathering food for their young.

In the distance, look for Bald Head Island, a car-free island reachable via a 20-minute ferry from Southport. On the island, rent a golf cart to explore its beach and maritime ecosystems; paddle the tidal, bird-rich creeks in a kayak; or enjoy waterside dining at Will o’ the Wisp bar overlooking the harbor.

Paddle Atop Creeks, Canals, and Rivers

Waterways — the Atlantic Ocean, the Intracoastal Waterway, several rivers, creeks, and canals — flow between these five islands and offer enticing options for more paddling adventures and wildlife viewing. Use these detailed maps of paddling trails for several locations, or hire a local guide to plan a half or full-day excursion atop the water. Summertide Tours has kayak rentals and offers adventure tours during the day and at twilight. From March to November, their excursions include paddling, shelling, and swimming breaks, along with an insider’s view of biodiverse, less visited marine areas.

If catching a wave is more your style, head to the Carolina School of Surf at Ocean Isle for surfing lessons at all levels.

Help Preserve Sea Turtle Nesting and Await a Nighttime Hatch

The Brunswick Islands’ less developed, darker beaches provide welcoming nesting sites for mainly loggerhead sea turtles. All sea turtles are currently endangered, but many actions you take during their nesting (from May through July) and hatching (from late July into October) seasons can help to protect their offspring. Oak Island Sea Turtle Protection Program is an entirely volunteer program that patrols this beach looking for signs of nesting, and curious and caring visitors are welcome to observe hatching sea turtles monitored by the local volunteers.

Confirmed nests have volunteer “nest parents” who, at 50 days from laying, clear a runway to the ocean for the hatchlings. After that, they sit nightly (from 7:30 to about 10 pm) until the hatchlings emerge. Bring a blanket and join them, with the recommended red lens flashlight for turtle safety. While the program doesn’t share when nests will hatch — there were 79 hatches in 2024 — watch for runways along the 10 miles of beachfront. To scout for them, rent a fat-tire bike at low tide. Each Brunswick Islands beach has its own turtle nest monitoring group, which you can connect with for more information.

Trek the Green Swamp Preserve Trail

Intrepid nature lovers should don long sleeves and pants (as mosquito protection) and drive 35 minutes inland to the Nature Conservancy’s 1.3 mile (one way) Green Swamp Preserve trail. This biodiverse area includes three longleaf pine savannas home to some unusual indigenous plants, such as 14 species of insectivores, including the super cool Venus flytrap and both yellow and purple pitcher plants. Wildflowers — pine lilies, blazing stars, and yellow-fringed orchids — also abound as bright pops of color amidst the grassy greenery and tall pines on either side of the raised walkway. Look carefully to see the small but fiercely fanged flytraps along the trail.

Visitors can download a native plant scavenger hunt from the website.

Stroll a Preserved Beach with Its Stewards

On Wednesday mornings from June through August, stroll Sunset Beach with the Bird Island Stewards, passionate local volunteers who enjoy sharing the many riches of the Bird Island Reserve, a patch of protected wetland and beach, where sea turtles and shorebirds nest regularly. After walking or biking the 0.9 miles of undeveloped beach, you can hike through thriving maritime communities on the Bird Island Trail, a nearly half-mile loop through the reserve. Look for egrets, ibis, herons, and other species that abound in this marshy, tidal area. 

About a mile down from the 40th Street entrance, you’ll also arrive at the Kindred Spirits mailbox, which inspired Nicholas Sparks’ novel, “Every Breath.” Inside you’ll find notebooks to write in or read what others have shared of their hopes and dreams. Notebooks, pens, and a bench are provided.