Brunswick County is one of the oldest counties in North Carolina . It was charted in 1746 and named for the Prince of Brunswick. It is the fifth largest county in area in North Carolina , reaching from the Brunswick River (bordering with New Hanover County ) to the South Carolina state line. Brunswick County has 19 towns, and about 72,000 residents.

Brunswick County is uniquely situated along one of the "scalloped arcs" on the southeast coast of North Carolina, so the beaches, including Oak Island, face south instead of east. When you stand on the beach at Oak Island and look out over the Atlantic Ocean , you are actually facing the Bahamas , Florida and Cuba , and not Europe or Africa . Oak Island is 12.6 miles long and averages about 1 mile across, making it Brunswick County 's largest Island . It consists of the Town of Oak Island and the Town of Caswell Beach. Oak Island is about 7 miles to Southport , 30 miles to Wilmington and about 60 miles to Myrtle Beach.Oak Island has a flat topography, with some variation in elevation from sand dunes. The Island has a complex coastal ecosystem with areas of salt marsh, freshwater wetlands, maritime forests, and miles of beach strand. The Island is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna, including the seasonal visits from Atlantic sea turtles, who return every year to lay eggs. Sea turtle populations include the Green, Loggerhead, and rare Kemp Ridley turtles. The Town, in conjunction with the US Army Corps of Engineers, recently completed a Sea Turtle Habitat Restoration Project to restore sea turtle habitat lost to erosion. We consider the sea turtles to be some of our most important residents! With so much natural beauty, historical significance and unique character, it is easy to see why Oak Island is such a great place to visit, and a greater place to live, work and play!