Visitors will find an easy-to-get-to beach paradise at Oak Island, an expansive but peaceful retreat that's located an easy drive away from Wilmington, Southport, and other inland North Carolina communities. Both the main town and the island itself share the name of "Oak Island," and while the town extends slightly inland, encompassing the Cape Fear Regional Jetport, the rest of the community is cut off from the world by the long Elizabeth River, and a network of salty creeks and canals. This watery gap may not be particularly wide, but visitors will feel the change as soon as they cross over the bridge. Once ashore, Oak Island is a picturesque landscape of charming vacation rental homes, cool seafood restaurants and shops, and miles of ocean shoreline.

Oak Island Beach

Where to stay near Oak Island

Oak Island Vacation Rentals

Hotels

A favorite destination for anglers, water sports fans, naturalists, and beach aficionados of all genres, Oak Island is a close-to-home oasis for anyone who needs a relaxing long day, (or an entire vacation), soaking up the sun and the saltwater.

The town has a fairly recent history by Eastern North Carolina standards, and wasn't officially developed until the late 1820s and early 1830s, when hundreds if not thousands of soldiers poured into the little beachside community to man the newly constructed Fort Caswell. The fort would prove to be a strong defense of the Cape Fear region in the next few decades, particularly during the Civil War when the fort helped keep the port of Wilmington open throughout the majority of the war for much needed goods and supplies.

In fact, the island wasn't "discovered" by non-military personnel until the 1930s when ambitious developers constructed a beach pavilion to attract visitors from the neighboring town of Southport. The area blossomed as a local vacation destination until Hurricane Hazel in 1954, when the entire coastal region was literally wiped out, leaving just five buildings remaining in the Oak Island town of Long Beach.

Yaupon Beach Pier

Luckily the island recovered, and began building anew, with the towns of Long Beach and Yaupon Beach being incorporated into the main town of "Oak Island," (although many long term vacationers and communities still reference the Long Beach or Yaupon Beach regions.) Today, the island has two main towns: the town of Oak Island and Caswell Beach, and a year-round population of nearly 7,000 people, which swells significantly in the warm summer months. With a total area of 9.1 miles, many of it close to the ocean, the island is the largest of the Brunswick County beaches, and even with the big summertime boom, the island, and especially the beaches, never feel too overpopulated.

Geographically, the island is a sliver of land that's long and not very wide, ensuring that despite where an Oak Islandvacationer stays, they'll always be fairly close to the oceanfront. For even easier access from the northern portion of the island, visitors can always stroll to the shore via the Marsh Boardwalk, a long but absolutely breathtaking boardwalk that meanders over several saltwater canals and a patch of maritime forest before reaching its oceanside 29th street destination.

Oak Island Lighthouse

For recreation, visitors will find plenty of opportunities to surf, swim, enjoy a round of golf at the esteemed Oak Island Golf Club, or take a long paddle along the creeks and estuaries that separate this island from the rest of North Carolina. The Oak Island Recreation Center even offers a number of ocean and nature education programs including kayak tours throughout the year so visitors can learn more about the natural terrain. The May Moore Park is also a good place for newcomers to get their feet wet in the local nature scene, as it is a perfect spot for admiring the water views, and looking for prized bird watching finds, including herons, ibises and snowy egrets.

Fishermen also flock to Oak Island, as the surf fishing conditions are exceptional, and the island has two piers that are well-known as prime locations to reel in a big catch. The Oak Island Pier and Ocean Crest Pier both offer fantastic angling from hundreds of feet into the Atlantic Ocean, (especially for King Mackerel - a local favorite), and reasonable day pass rates so every vacationer can try their luck and enjoy the open ocean view.

The island also features plenty of off-the-beach entertainment for shoppers, including a Burlington Outlet, several beach supply stores, and plenty of gift shops and souvenirs shops, and visitors who crave a full day of antiquing or gallery browsing can head to Southport's downtown, located just a quick drive over the bridge.

Oak Island NC

As for grub, islanders will find plenty of options ranging from hot dog stands and low-key seafood and burger joints to fine dining establishments overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. With a heavy focus on southern beach staples like BBQ and fresh seafood, visitors can rest assured that they won't go hungry on Oak Island, and will find an ample selection of eateries to enjoy every day and night of the week.

Oak Island features a healthy handful of locally run inns, resorts and motels, well-spaced throughout the skinny barrier island, and open to weekend or weekly guests. The BlueWater Point Motel and Marina, located along the western edge of the island, is an especially popular retreat for maritime travelers as it features extensive docking in addition to gorgeous water views.

A surfboard shower at an oceanfront home on Oak Island

The main form of accommodations on Oak Island, however, are vacation rental homes and condos, and the island boasts a variety of vacation rentals to choose from. With anywhere from 1-10 bedrooms, and resort-quality amenities including pools, game rooms, and beach boardwalks, many families find that renting a vacation home is the best way to enjoy a full week or two vacation, while staying in absolute comfort. There are several major vacation rental companies that service the island, and potential guests can easily search for and book their favorite beach cottage online months before their vacation even begins.

Fishing from the pier on Oak Island

Oak Island ef4ortlessly combines all the great features of a southern beach town into one large, but surprisingly unpopulated, vacation destination. With miles of ocean bordering shoreline, unique nature trails and boardwalks, two fishing piers, and enjoyable restaurants to appease everyone in the family, it's no wonder that this barrier island is easily one of the most popular destinations along the southern North Carolina coastline. Families who just want to relax, soak up the sun, and spend a week or too basking in the salty breezes need only grab the sunscreen and the fishing gear, and head south to this inviting and accommodating paradise by the sea.

 

Victory Beach Vacations

Victory Beach Vacations

Visitors who are on the hunt for the postcard-perfect vacation rental in the heart of the Carolina Beach or Kure Beach area will find an enticing selection and plenty of friendly customer service when they rent through Victory Beach Vacations. Based in Carolina Beach in the coastal Cape Fear region, Victory Beach Vacations has more than 100 vacation rentals in all shapes and sizes to ensure that every vacationing family can find their dream home away from home on the beach.   When you book your Cape Fear getaway with Victory Beach Vacations, the fun doesn’t end when you leave the beach, it continues with an array of privately-owned properties outfitted with all of the amenities needed for a fabulous beach vacation.   Jenna Lanier, General Manager, explains that her family first opened the rental and property management business in 2002. At the forefront of Victory Beach operations is Lanier’s mother, Caroline Meeks. Meeks is both the Broker in Charge and co-owner with husband, Buck Meeks, who manages the Field Services team with Lanier’s husband, Scott.   For nearly 20 years, the Victory Beach team has worked tirelessly to establish a network of top-of-the-line rental properties for Cape Fear visitors to enjoy. “As far as our properties go,” explains Lanier, “they are all updated, well-furnished and appointed. “We have always performed post-cleaning inspections and since the pandemic, have put freshly laundered duvets over all of the comforters between rentals.”   Lanier emphasizes how important the guests experience is “we strive to give our guests a relaxing, stress free, memorable vacation.” This emphasis on customer service has led to Victory Beach Vacations having a 4.8 Google rating with over 300 reviews by happy owners and guests.In addition to Victory Beach’s superior sanitation practices, the company offers properties for every type of visitor. Choose from luxury oceanfront houses and condos to more reasonbly priced 2nd row properties with oceanviews. Many properties include pools and hot tubs as well, perfect for outdoor entertaining, and many are dog friendly.   Lanier also notes that all properties are within walking or driving distance to Pleasure Island’s main attractions – Carolina Beach and Kure Beach. The former, as described by Lanier, is the more commercialized of the two destinations and features a boardwalk, outdoor dining options and a plethora of weekly activities including fireworks, live music, amusement park pop-ups, and movies under the stars. Kure Beach offers a more residential feel with its fishing pier, intimate restaurants and family favorite, North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher.More water fun awaits, too. “There is a harbor and a canal that feed into the intercoastal. We have several properties on the harbor so guests can bring their boat, kayak, [or jet ski] and travel between islands,” says Lanier.   A stay with Victory Beach Vacations is an annual pilgrimage for most. “A large percentage of guests are previous guests. Some even reserve the same property for the next year as they’re checking out,” Lanier says. “It’s almost like it’s their personal vacation home.”   Even before guests arrive at their vacation destination, the Victory Beach Vacations’ website greets them with a live beach cam and exquisite aerial footage of both Carolina and Kure Beaches. See for yourself by scanning the QR code and call Victory Beach Vacations at 910.458.0868 to book your Cape Fear getaway. Start making your memories today! —Grace Silipigni

Figure Eight Island

Figure Eight Island

Located just east of the quiet Ogden area of Wilmington, Figure Eight Island is a destination that has inspired curiosity for decades. Privately owned by its homeowners, and only accessible by a single bridge that crosses the Intracoastal Waterway, the island is a rumored haven for celebrities, wealthy CEOs and company owners, and any visitor who just wants a private escape. Though difficult to access, visitors who make the cut by renting or buying a vacation home on the island will be treated to one of the quietest beach landscapes in the area. As a result, Figure Eight Island retains its reputation as one of the most pristine – and privileged – vacation destinations in the coastal Cape Fear area.

Southport - Fort Fisher Ferry

Southport - Fort Fisher Ferry

Visitors to historic Southport who want to make a beach escape, or Carolina Beach travelers who need an easy yet scenic route to head south will find the Southport / Fort Fisher ferry a convenient yet completely unique way to explore the southern North Carolina coastline. Though just a short 35 minute ride from the mainland to Pleasure Island, (the home of Fort Fisher State Park, Carolina Beach and Kure Beach), this ferry trip nonetheless gives its passengers exceptional views of the Cape Fear River, and an incredible story to take back home.