Our Beaches

Brunswick Beaches are hard to resist -- so go ahead and set up your beach chair and settle back into and dig your feet into the warm sand!  Brunswick County's five islands encompass six distinct beaches, about 45 miles or so of sandy heaven!

Holden Beach - A commercial fishing center in the 1920s, Holden Beach is named for the Holden family which acquired the acreage in 1756.  Construction of the Intracoastal waterway in the 1930s halted development of Holden Beach since access to the island was virtually blocked until the ferry came along to resolve that problem.  But today, a beautiful curving high-rise (65') bridge provides a spectacular entrance to Holden Beach.  Even those of us who live (about 900 full-time island residents) here do not take that for granted. Holden Beach has been named on of the best family beaches in the country by National Geographic magazines Smart Traveler section, named a "best beach" by Stephen Leatherman and received National Healthy Beach status through the National Healthy Beaches campaign.   We have a small commercial district and a fishing pier.  Our government offices are located right on the island. Town Hall # is 910-842-6488.  We have public restrooms, showers and parking located under the bridge and another shower is located 114 Ocean Blvd. W with a 15-minute parking drop off area.  There are two festivals each year drawing thousands of visitors, Days at the Docks in April and Festival by the Sea in October.

OCEAN ISLE BEACH - Owned and developed by Odell Williamson in the 1950s, the 7-mile island prides itself on its family atmosphere. A high-rise bridge links the island and the mainland, home to 400 or so year-round residents.  There are a number of amenities available including public tennis courts, fishing pier, inter-faith chapel and the Museum of Coastal Carolina. OIB is host to the very popular Oyster Festival in October.

A small airport and a commercial district are located on the mainland as well as a variety of shops on the island.  Town Hall # is 910-579-2166.

SUNSET BEACH- Situated near the South Carolina Beach, Sunset Beach is the county's/State's southernmost beach. Only 3-miles long but some of the most beautiful beach strands around. Linking the island to the beach is a one-lane, water-level swing bridge said to be one of the few remaining in the country but it is soon to be replaced by a high-rise bridge that will ease some of the traffic congestion at the height of the tourist season. The island has a fishing pier, small commercial district, town hall and the Ingram planetarium (located on the mainland). There is parking at Sunset Blvd. extension with a gazebo and walkway to the ocean.

OAK ISLAND - Our most populated with roughly 7,000 year-round residents. We have 3 fishing piers, 50 public beach accesses, large commercial district and one of the most active turtle watch programs of all of the beaches! The town also has a nature center feauring live animals, trails and picnic areas. The island is accessible via a bridge with a second bridge on the way! Town Hall # is 910-278-5011.

BALD HEAD ISLAND - Surrounded by water including the Atlantic Ocean and the Cape Fear River, not to mention creeks and bays, Bald Head Island is only accessible by boat! No cars allowed. - There are about 200 or so year-round residents and visitors either walk or rent golf carts. There are 2 commercial areas but Bald Head's biggest draw is the wonderful nature preserves incuding salt marshes, tidal creeks and maritime forests. A pedestrian ferry runs every day from Indigo Plantation in Southport on the hour - round trip is $15 adults; children 12 and under $8. Village hall # is 910-457-9700.