Holden
Beach
Of
the three islands in the group known as the South Brunswick Islands,
Holden Beach is the longest and the largest. Stretching 11 miles
along the Atlantic Ocean, the island is a jogger's paradise. Approximately
900 year-round residents call Holden Beach home. Visitors will find
a host of opportunities for assimilating themselves into this exceedingly
quiet family community. The beach and the sea are the central attractions
in this town, which prides itself on a serene quality of life.
Whether
you are looking for a great place to retire, raise a family, start
a business, invest in real estate or just enjoy a great vacation
destination, Brunswick County North Carolina is quietly developing
a reputation as one of the best U.S. coastal destinations. Situated
between Myrtle Beach and Wilmington, Brunswick County is comprised
of six coastal communities, each unique. From the quaint fishing
village of Southport, incredible St. James Plantation and the beach
communities of Oak Island, Ocean Isle, Holden Beach and the island
of Bald Head, Brunswick County represents the best of the North
Carolina coast.
Peace
and harmony await you on the Islands and Beaches of Brunswick County,
North Carolina. While other beach towns have seen an explosion of
clutter and traffic in recent years, the Brunswick Islands has managed
to retain its charm and solitude. We move at a slower pace than
the big cities, and that is part of the Brunswick Islands' appeal.
Visitors enjoy the un-paralleled beauty of our beaches, southern
hospitality and the freshest seafood around! The weather is ideal
for year-round visits. With an average high temperature of 73 degrees
and an average low of 51 degrees Fahrenheit, the sub-tropical climate
keeps outdoor activities enjoyable year-round.
In fact, many of those who come to Brunswick County on vacation—end
up coming back for good. With a wide variety of gated communities,
quality health care and continuing education opportunities nearby,
Brunswick County just could be the perfect place to live. Residents
also enjoy close proximity to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and Wilmington
North Carolina, without having to live in the tourist-packed regions.
Brunswick
County is a true Coastal Paradise. But, don’t take our word
for it—experience it for yourself! Come explore Brunswick County
and the Brunswick Islands South
Brunswick County Islands
Ocean
Isle Beach
Ocean
Isle Beach is the center island, offering 8 miles of beach with
a total resort experience: restaurants, specialty shops, public
tennis courts, access to all watersports, and a water slide. This
beach has the only high-rise hotel on the South Brunswick Islands.
There is an airport that makes getting to Ocean Isle accessible
by air, but don't expect to see commercial jets at this relatively
small facility. Home to slightly 425 full-time residents, Ocean
Isle welcomes visitors to a peaceful place.
Sunset
Beach
Sunset
Beach, described as a diminutive island gem, is only 3 miles long.
Despite its size, this island experienced a 150 percent population
increase between 1990 and 1997, with a current year-round population
of more than 2,000 residents. Because it is reached by a one-lane
pontoon bridge, making it the only island without a high-rise bridge
in Brunswick County, there is sometimes a bit of a wait to get to
Sunset in the high tourist season. However, the island is well-worth
the wait. This bridge will probably be replaced by a high-rise someday,
if the Department of Transportation has its way, but that discussion
has been going on for years. Islanders like their bridge the way
it is because it tends to keep traffic levels down.
Although this island is residential in character, it is a great
choice for a family vacation. Some of the best bargains in vacation
rentals are here, and the visitor who wants a quiet coastal place
will do very well to book a house on this beach. As with all of
the beaches on the southern coast, quality golfing is available
on the mainland. For fishing enthusiasts, there is a full-service
pier. Sunset Beach also offers a special delight -- a walk to Bird
Island at low tide.
Bird
Island is completely untouched by development. A walk through the
shallow inlet at low tide is easy for adults as well as children.
There are frequent informal guided tours, announced by posters attached
to street markers on the beach, so it's easy to hook up with locals
who are pleased to share their knowledge of the island. The environment
is purely natural and deeply comforting, where people of the 21st
century can experience life as it was before the development of
the land. In order to keep it this way, in 2002 the state of North
Carolina purchased the island and dedicated it as the state's 10th
Coastal Reserve Program site. Through this purchase, nearly 1,200
acres of wetlands, marsh and beaches are preserved for use by endangered
species, including sea turtles and some species of sea birds. The
island will be managed for use as an outdoor laboratory for research
and education as well as traditional uses through a cooperative
effort by the Division of Coastal Management, the Bird Island Preservation
Society and an appointed Bird Island Local Advisory Committee.
Calabash
Calabash,
home of numerous delicious Calabash-style seafood restaurants, sits
on the banks of the Intracoastal Waterway. Restaurants abound and
deep-sea fishing boats are docked in town, waiting to take you on
the adventure of your life. Though small, with little more than
1,300 year-round residents, Calabash is abutted on the north by
the town of Carolina Shores, a residential-only community.rp/12-05-05
Shallotte
The
town of Shallotte serves as the hub for services for Brunswick County's
beach communities. In fact, it is perhaps best-known as the commercial
center of the county. Because of its mainland location and island
proximity, Shallotte offers residents and visitors the convenience
of larger-town living and services. This is the place in Brunswick
County where you will find shopping malls with nationally known
stores. The Brunswick County Chamber of Commerce is headquartered
in Shallotte and can provide any information you may need about
the South Brunswick Islands and the inland area. The town has a
year-round population of approximately 2,000
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