Beach Treasures and Treasure Beaches

North Carolina’s Brunswick Islands have so much to offer in the way of beach treasures and treasure beaches!  The article’s headline reads: “A Beach Vacation for Every Mood,“ and Brunswick County’s tourism website states its case with pizzazz! Here’s their list of six island beaches of Brunswick County, North Carolina and a treasure trove of activities for every beach goer’s pleasure!

“Sunset Beach: Communion with Nature and Spirit” – The southernmost town in North Carolina (at the tip of the Brunswick Island chain), Sunset Beach is a quiet, restful, laid back kind of seashore.  “With its long stretch of sand and amenity-filled pier, Sunset Beach offers a retro beach vacation reminiscent of childhood. Look for deer roaming among the lush vegetation covering the dunes.” From here you can ride your bike or walk on over to Bird Island, a North Carolina Coastal Reserve, and watch for piping plover, wood stork and black skimmer.

Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina (Photo by Justin Champion/Wikimedia Commons)

“Ocean Isle Beach: Surfers and Sea Turtles” – Ocean Isles Beach was named ” ‘Best Beach’ in the region by viewers of Wilmington’s WWAY-TV.“ Catch a wave at this popular surfing beach (just beyond the pier), or simply enjoy the day meandering along the seven miles of sandy shore looking for signs of sea turtles. No evidence of sea turtles? Well, head back and settle in to watch the surfers!

“Holden Beach: National Acclaim, Small-Town Appeal” – Holden Beach is the proud recipient of accolades from both National Geographic Traveler magazine and the readers of USA Today. Tide pooling, kayaking and bike riding are featured here, along with plenty of man-made seaside amusements. Holden Beach sounds like just the type of “family beach” I remember from my youth!

“Oak Island: Charm and Character” – Fishing and boating are the name of the game on the largest of the Brunswick Islands.  With ten miles of uncrowded beaches, Oak Island allows plenty of room to set out the beach blanket and just relax. Sixty public-beach access points should supply enough opportunity to choose the ultimate sandy spot!

Caswell Beach, North Carolina - Oak Island Lighthouse in Distance (Photo by Gerry Dincher/Wikimedia Commons)

“Caswell Beach: Un-commercial and Private” – Caswell Beach is only about a mile from the conveniences of Oak Island. A more secluded residential strand, the Oak Island Lighthouse stands watch over this least populated of all the Brunswick Island beaches.  Reading  and quiet reflection seem like the perfect pastimes at Caswell Beach, though beachcombing is always a good choice! Am I right?

“Bald Head Island: Car-Free and Carefree” – “A short ferry ride separates Bald Head Island from everyday reality. Fourteen miles of beaches, numerous hiking, biking and golf cart trails through unspoiled natural surroundings co-exist perfectly with a master-planned resort. An eco-lovers paradise, 10,000 of its 12,000 acres are nature preserves of maritime forest, salt marsh and beaches that are home to extraordinary wildlife, including one of the state’s largest sea turtle nesting sites.” But wait! there’s more! 😉 Bald Head Island is packed with history. Both Blackbeard and Stede Bonnet (aka: The Gentleman Pirate) used this island as a hideout.  And, Old Baldy, the oldest standing lighthouse (nearing 200 years) in North Carolina, is a well-known historic landmark here.

Choices, choices, choices! Beachcombing, lighthouse climbing, bird watching, kayaking, surfing… What will you choose at the The Beaches of North Carolina’s Brunswick Islands?

Brunswick County, North Carolina (Map: US Census Bureau,Ruhrfisch/Wikimedia Commons)

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