6 Best Beaches on North Carolina's Brunswick Islands

Situated on our southernmost shoreline, you’ll find North Carolina’s Brunswick Islands. Many families return to these barrier-island beaches year after year to enjoy the region’s laid-back vibe and signature seafood. Up for exploring? Try a lighthouse climb, sea turtle walk or round of golf.

Look & Feel

Highlights

6 Beaches on 5 Barrier Islands
“North Carolina’s Golf Coast”
Safe Haven Movie Locations
“Old Baldy” and Oak Island Lighthouses
Home of Calabash-Style Seafood
Bald Head Island Conservancy

Weather

Winter 61°

Spring 75°

Summer 90°

Fall 78°

Old Baldy on Bald Head Island
Sunset on Sunset Beach
Bald Head Island Club
Waterfront Seafood Shack in Calabash
Fishing in the surf on Bald Head Island
Oak Island Lighthouse in Caswell Beach
Jinks Creek Waterfront Grille on Ocean Isle Beach

Getting Around

Municipalities

Bald Head Island
Calabash
Caswell Beach
Holden Beach
Leland
Oak Island
Ocean Isle Beach
Shallotte
Southport
Sunset Beach

Getting There

U.S. Route 17

U.S. Route 421

Wilmington International Airport (ILM)

Myrtle Beach International Airport (MYR)

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Dog-Friendly Hotels Where Man’s Best Friend Is King

Article

Brunswick Islands: A Seafood, Wildlife and History Vacation

Article

Attractions & Activities in this region

6 Reasons to Plan a Fall Trip to the Coast

Article

Places to Stay in this region

Oak Island Golf Club

Caswell Beach

7 Hiking Trails to Explore in Eastern North Carolina

List

9 Perfect Places to Watch the Sunrise

List

Places to Eat & Drink in this region

Sea Turtle Attractions on the Coast

Article

Events in this region

@oibmickey

tubbs inlet - #oceanislebeach #tubbsinlet #sunsetbeach #ncbrunswickislands #visitnc #wect #oib #welovenc #ncoutdoors #ncoutdoor_inc #discover_carolinas #outaboutnc #onlyinnorthcarolina #welovenc #scenicnc #nccn2019 #dji #phantom4advanced #djiglobal #dronepointofview #drones #dji_official #aerialphotography #dronephotography #drones #droningnation #droneofficial #dronesforgood

#VisitNC @VisitNC

Plan Your Getaway to Bald Head Island in the Fall

Article

Plan the Perfect Summer Day from the Mountains to the Coast with Insider Reid Lorenz

Article

3-Day Coastal Winery & Vineyard Getaway

Trip Idea

@shelljunky_aarenevans

Sunset over the ICW at Holden Beach🌅 . . . . . . . #shelljunkyaaren #holdenbeach #holdenbeachnc #ncbrunswickislands #brunswickcountync #brunswickcountybeaches #icw #wway #wect #wectsunset #intercoastalwaterway #coastalliving #carolinaliving #visitnc #sunset #sunsetphotography #lumixg85 #lumixusa #boating #boatlife #coastalcarolina #lovewhereyoulive #shallotte #shallottenc #bestofthetarheelstate #northcarolina #nc #sun #landscapephotography #nautical_images

#VisitNC @VisitNC

The Swamp Park

Ocean Isle Beach

@bhiconservancy

Have you seen us at the creek? Our conservation team collected samples from Bald Head Creek this week to examine how environmental factors affect changes in water quality over a 24-hour period. Sunlight and tidal stages are two factors that can have an impact on water temperature, pH, and the amount of oxygen in the water. ☀️ #environmentalscience #baldheadisland #creek #discovernc #nccoast #sharingnature #ncbrunswickislands #oldbaldy

#VisitNC @VisitNC

Bald Head Island: Dog-Friendly and Car-Free

Article

Mr. P’s Bistro

Southport

Firsts That Last

Video

4/26/2025

A Taste of Calabash

Calabash

Caswell Beach, North Carolina

@joelwads

Caswell Beach, North Carolina

@joelwads

Been too busy with work lately to get anything new so I thought I'd try again at a couple from this summer I liked. #caswellbeach #brunswickislands #brunswickislandssun

#VisitNC @VisitNC

North Carolina’s Brunswick Islands in Fall: A Perfect Time to Visit

Article

@parrothead2514

Cotton candy skies during sunrise at the Sunset Beach Pier #sunsetbeach #sunsetbeachnc #visitsunsetbeachnc #northcarolina #visitnc #onlyinnorthcarolina #naturalnorthcarolina #ipulledoverforthis #ipoft #canon #teamcanon #mycanonstory #canonfanphoto #canonphotography #nature #naturephotography #sunrise #ocean #atlanticocean #beach #cottoncandysky

Explore North Carolina’s Brunswick Islands

#VisitNC @VisitNC

Take a Totally ‘90s Film Tour

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Brunswick Islands

Look & Feel

Highlights

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Getting Around

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Getting There

Things To Do

Things To Do

Location

Interest

Season

Content Type

Filter Arts & Entertainment

Filter Eat & Drink

Filter History & Heritage

Filter Kids & Family

Filter Natural Attractions

Filter Outdoor Adventures

Filter Romantic Getaways

Filter Sports

Dog-Friendly Hotels Where Man’s Best Friend Is King

Article

Brunswick Islands: A Seafood, Wildlife and History Vacation

Article

Directory

Attractions & Activities in this region

6 Reasons to Plan a Fall Trip to the Coast

Article

Directory

Places to Stay in this region

Oak Island Golf Club

Caswell Beach

7 Hiking Trails to Explore in Eastern North Carolina

List

9 Perfect Places to Watch the Sunrise

List

Directory

Places to Eat & Drink in this region

Sea Turtle Attractions on the Coast

Article

Directory

Events in this region

Plan Your Getaway to Bald Head Island in the Fall

Article

Plan the Perfect Summer Day from the Mountains to the Coast with Insider Reid Lorenz

Article

3-Day Coastal Winery & Vineyard Getaway

Trip Idea

The Swamp Park

Ocean Isle Beach

Bald Head Island: Dog-Friendly and Car-Free

Article

Mr. P’s Bistro

Southport

Firsts That Last

Video

A Taste of Calabash

Calabash

North Carolina’s Brunswick Islands in Fall: A Perfect Time to Visit

Article

Take a Totally ‘90s Film Tour

List

Western North Carolina Travel Update