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Visiting Our Area: Beach Communities | Printer Friendly
Miles of wide, sandy beaches make Brunswick County a true paradise for residents and visitors. Known for their cleanliness, family atmosphere and concern for the preservation of wildlife habitats, the beaches welcome thousands of visitors each year. Be sure to check the business directory for businesses that provide equipment rentals, kayak tours, eco tours and more water fun. You may contact the Brunswick County Chamber office directly for a canoe and kayak access guide. The beaches’ unique east-to-west orientation adds to their charm. Beach towns are listed northeast to southwest. Bald Head Island at the mouth of the Cape Fear River on the Atlantic Ocean is accessible only by pedestrian ferry or private boat. Visitors and residents use golf carts to traverse the island. Accommodations include cottages as well as two bed & breakfasts. The 12,000 acre island, which includes an 800-acre maritime forest with freshwater lagoons, is being developed with a 15% maximum capacity. |
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One of the islands best known structures is Old Baldy, the eight-sided brick lighthouse completed in 1818. It is the second of three lighthouses built on the island, formerly called Smith’s Island, between 1794 and 1903. Visitors may climb its 108 wooden steps for a panoramic view of the island which includes pristine beaches and a championship golf course. The island is also home to the North Carolina Croquet Championship and a dedicated group of volunteers who work with the Nature Conservancy to protect sea turtle nests on the island. The pedestrian ferry departs from Indigo Plantation in Southport. (See ferry schedule under Transportation). Village Hall 910-457-9700.Across the Cape Fear River from Bald Head Island on the eastern most end of Oak Island is Caswell Beach, a quiet town of about 300 year-round residents which welcomes another 3000 or so visitors each summer. A wide selection of condos and single family homes are available to vacationers. Its intentionally limited commercial district includes only the Oak Island Golf and Country Club. Incorporated in 1975, the town takes its name from Fort Caswell which was built in 1826 and seized in 1861 by Confederate troops who held it until 1865. The fort was used in the Spanish American War, WWI and WWII. It now belongs to the NC Baptist Assembly which has extensively renovated the site as a conference center and retreat. Another attraction of the town is the Oak Island Lighthouse. Activated on May 15, 1958, it is the most brilliant in the nation and second in the world with standard candle-power of 1,400,000 and the capacity of 14,000,000 to 20,000,000 candle-power when needed. The signal was designed to be seen up to 19 nautical miles at sea 95% of the nights of the year. It sits on a rock foundation 125 feet under ground and rises 142 feet above ground and 162 feet above water. The lighthouse weighs 1,500,000 pounds. Its aluminum and glass lantern is 11 feet high, 14 feet in diameter and weighs 1740 pounds. It was lifted into place by two U.S. Marine Corps helicopters. Town Hall 910-278-5471.
The town of Oak Island was created with the recent merger of Yaupon Beach (named for the native yaupon tree) and Long Beach (named for its expansive beach strand). Like others in the county, the town’s unique south-facing orientating allows spectacular sunsets over the ocean. In addition to the ocean and the Intracoastal Waterway, Oak Island has water access along Davis Creek. Oak Island boasts three fishing piers, including the state’s longest and highest. The town limits include a commercial district on the mainland approach to the Oak Island Bridge. Some 7200 year-round residents welcome about 35,000 summer-time visitors who enjoy its 70 plus water access points. Also a vital nesting area for sea turtles, the town has an active turtle-watch program. Town Hall 910-278-5011.
A stone’s throw by water, but an interestingly circuitous route by land from Oak Island, the next beach community is 8-mile-long Holden Beach. Owned by the Holdens since 1756 when Benjamin Holden acquired 100 acres extending from Lockwood Folly Inlet to Bacon Inlet for 50 shillings, the property was a commercial fishing center in the 1920s. The first subdivision map identifying it as Holden Beach Resort was drawn in 1924 by John Holden Jr., the fourth generation to hold the entire property. It was the first beach property in Brunswick County to be divided into lots. Serious development was delayed when Intracoastal Waterway construction blocked access to the island. A simple ferry was installed in 1934 and development efforts were renewed. Today, the Holden family remains prominent in development of this family-oriented beach where zoning and appearance rules protect its family beach resort image. A high-rise, two-lane bridge was completed in 1988. Visitors can rent beach cottages, condominiums and motel rooms. The beach’s 900 or so permanent residents share their celebration of living on the sea through A Day at the Docks in March and Festival by the Sea in October. The traditional art of boat building continues on the mainland where shrimping and fishing boats bring their catch to shore. A fishing pier, two fish houses and several charter boats operate in the town. Numerous beach access points are available including a new one designated for older and disabled people. Town Hall 910-842-6488
Ocean Isle Beach came to life in the early 1950s when a local youth freshly returned from World War II purchased the island. Odell Williamson’s dreams could have easily been dashed in 1954 when Hurricane Hazel destroyed almost every structure on the island. Ever diligent, Williamson bought out partner Manlon Gore (who later developed Sunset Beach) and bounded forward. From the beginning, Williamson's plans were for Ocean Isle to be a quiet family beach. He identified a centralized commercial district which would serve the residents and visitors, and planned the remaining portion of the eight mile island to be strictly residential. Williamson added waterfront by digging T-shaped canals across the island. From its early fish-camp days with access by ferry, the island has grown to incorporate public tennis courts, boat docks, specialty shops, The Museum of Coastal Carolina, an inter-denominational chapel and full-service fishing pier. The island's annual Fourth of July parade and party is a favorite for residents and visitors. On the mainland side is a golf course, small airport, the town’s new fire station and several restaurants and shops. Visitors can rent beach cottages, condominiums or motel rooms. Access is by modern elevated bridge named in honor of Williamson who served several terms in the North Carolina House of Representatives and the North Carolina Department of Transportation. Town Hall 910-579-2166
The southernmost inhabited island in North Carolina, Sunset Beach, was developed by Williamson's former partner, the late Manlon Gore and his son Ed Gore. The last of the three southernmost beaches to be developed, it is the smallest - only three miles long. Accessible by bridge and a leisurely drive across a salt marsh spotted with long-legged marsh birds, Sunset Beach also has a small, central commercial district which provides immediate supply needs for its visitors and permanent island residents. Visitors can rent beach cottages, condominiums and motel rooms. Sunset Beach's wide strand and thick sea oats welcome hundreds of shore birds each morning along with beach walkers from the surrounding communities. Perhaps one of Sunset's greatest charms is that it provides the only land access to North Carolina's southernmost underdeveloped barrier island, Bird Island. Government offices and more residents are incorporated on the mainland side which includes several golf courses, restaurants and additional accommodations. Sea Trail Golf Resort and Conference Center offers 70,000 square-feet of meeting space, banquet facilities and more. The new facility will host the 2003 North Carolina Governor's Conference on Tourism. Town Hall 910-579-3808
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