Brunswick's Beach Count

Brunswick County in North Carolina is home to six beautiful beaches spread across five barrier islands. These include Sunset Beach, Ocean Isle Beach, Holden Beach, Oak Island, Caswell Beach, and Bald Head Island. Each beach has its own unique charm, offering a range of activities and attractions for visitors. From the sub-tropical barrier island of Holden Beach to the serene and secluded Caswell Beach, there is something for everyone in Brunswick County. The beaches are known for their wide and flat shores, providing spacious and uncrowded areas for running, biking, and relaxation. With sweeping coastal views and charming coastal towns, Brunswick County is the perfect destination for a beach vacation.

Brunswick County's six beaches

Brunswick County, North Carolina, is home to six beautiful beaches stretched across five barrier islands. Each of these beaches offers a unique experience, from resort-style stays to quiet seclusion, catering to different tastes, activities, and interests. Here is an overview of Brunswick County's six stunning beaches:

• Sunset Beach: Sunset Beach is known for its breathtaking sunsets and sunrises due to its unique east-to-west orientation. It is one of the smallest and most eastern beach towns in the area, taking pride in its old-fashioned charm and resistance to major development. Sunset Beach is also home to the Kindred Spirit Mailbox, a hidden gem that collects anonymous poetry, prose, letters, and confessions.
• Ocean Isle Beach: This beach has been a favourite for families for generations, known for its palm tree-lined streets and easy-going spirit. It offers a range of activities, from strolling along its wide shoreline to exploring the Museum of Coastal Carolina's historical and living exhibits. Ocean Isle Beach was also the site of Brunswick County's first high-rise buildings.
• Holden Beach: Named one of the country's best family beaches by National Geographic Traveler, Holden Beach exudes small-town charm and offers endless family fun. With the Intracoastal Waterway as its backyard, visitors can enjoy exploring the area by boat, board, or bike. The Holden Golden Mailboxes and the Holden Fishing Pier are notable features of this beach.
• Oak Island: Oak Island is Brunswick County's largest island, stretching over 12 miles long and averaging about one mile across. It boasts more than 10 miles of uncrowded shoreline, providing the perfect setting for families to create cherished memories and enjoy a traditional summer beach vacation. Oak Island is also known for its Oak Island Lighthouse, the last beacon built in North Carolina.
• Caswell Beach: Caswell Beach is the place to go for those seeking quiet seclusion and expansive stretches of sand. It is the least inhabited of the Brunswick Islands beaches, offering peaceful and inviting environments for relaxation. Caswell Beach is also home to the Oak Island Lighthouse, which guides visitors along its quiet stretches of sand.
• Bald Head Island: Accessible only by ferry from Southport, Bald Head Island is a carless island that embodies a resort-style atmosphere. It features the state's oldest lighthouse, nicknamed Old Baldy, and has 10,000 of its 12,000 acres designated as protected nature preserves, ensuring a natural and pristine beach experience.

Each of these six beaches in Brunswick County, North Carolina, offers a distinct and captivating experience. Whether you're seeking family fun, secluded relaxation, or a mix of both, these beaches have something for everyone.

Bald Head Island

Brunswick County, North Carolina, is home to six beautiful beaches across five barrier islands. One of these islands is Bald Head Island, which is accessible by ferry.

East Beach, also known as The Shoals, offers three miles of untouched shoreline ideal for water sports enthusiasts. It's a great spot for surfing, boogie boarding, kitesurfing, and fishing. East Beach tends to be colder than the other beaches, making it a refreshing choice during the summer months. However, the surf can be too intense for young children at times.

South Beach, the widest beach on the island at low tide, provides ample space for visitors to spread out. It's known for its warm temperatures and versatile activities, including beginner paddle surfing, kiteboarding, and beach sports. Due to its popularity, South Beach can get more crowded than the other beaches, but it offers multiple access points and ample parking space for golf carts. While the winds can be strong at times, blowing sand, it's not the ideal location for surfing due to smaller waves.

Caswell Beach

Brunswick County, North Carolina, is home to six beautiful beaches across five barrier islands. Each beach has its own unique character and offers a range of activities and interests. One of these beaches is the breathtaking Caswell Beach.

Traditional vacation homes are nestled behind oat-fringed dunes, where the soothing sound of the surf is always within earshot. Caswell Beach is a favourite among those who appreciate its secluded location, yet it is only a short distance from the shops and restaurants of Oak Island, offering the best of both worlds.

For those who enjoy outdoor activities, Caswell Beach provides plenty of opportunities. Visitors can try their hand at surf-casting, reeling in a fresh catch for dinner, or simply relaxing on the beach and taking a leisurely stroll at low tide to search for shells. Kayaking is also a popular activity, as the marsh creeks and Intracoastal Waterway offer a unique perspective of the area.

One of the notable landmarks of Caswell Beach is the Oak Island Lighthouse, standing at 153 feet tall. Visitors can climb to the top and enjoy breathtaking views of the island from the observation deck. The lighthouse has been a sentinel guarding the coast since 1958, adding to the charm and appeal of Caswell Beach.

In conclusion, Caswell Beach is a hidden gem among the Brunswick County beaches. Its combination of natural beauty, peaceful atmosphere, and convenient location make it a favourite destination for those seeking a quiet and relaxing beach vacation, while still being within easy reach of modern conveniences.

Oak Island

The Town of Oak Island takes up most of its namesake island and extends from the eastern borders of Caswell Beach to "The Point," or Lockwoods Folly Inlet. Visitors can reach Oak Island by heading south on Middletown Blvd (Route 906) or Country Club Drive (Route 133), which both cross the Intracoastal Waterway and lead to the beach.

Like all communities along the Brunswick County coastline, Oak Island has its own set of rules and guidelines for enjoying its beaches. Some of the guidelines include no glass containers of any kind on the beaches or at beach accesses; staying off the dunes and only using designated walkways to access the beach; no overnight beach gear left unattended; no lifeguards, so swimmers should use caution and be aware of rip tides and currents; and seasonal closures for sea turtle nesting, which visitors are asked to respect and not disturb.

Ocean Isle Beach

Brunswick County in North Carolina is home to six beautiful beaches stretched across five barrier islands. Ocean Isle Beach is one of them.

The beach is known for its easy-going spirit, making it a repeat favourite for families. It is a place where family traditions take root and memories are made. Whether you are visiting for the first time or returning for another vacation, Ocean Isle Beach welcomes you with its charming coastal town atmosphere and all the attractions you need for a memorable beach getaway.

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