The best beach...
With seven miles of pristine beach, Ocean Isle Beach offers unique beach communities perfectly suited for families. The sloping strand offers gentle surf generally without strong currents. There are no bright lights, heavy traffic or other daily concern. Miniature golf, museum visits, swimming and beach activities afford fun filled family days. Our water temperature is on the average 10 degrees warmer than the Outer Banks area. Mild seasonal changes offer beach enjoyment year round!

The best golf...
On the northern tip of Myrtle Beach Grand Strand, the NC Golf Coast offers 30+ of the best golf courses among the 100 + within 45 minutes. Experience the fine courses nestled along the marshes and Intracoastal Waterway or among the pine forests, meadows and bays. Varied elevations, well-manicured greens and respect for the land are evident.

Dining...
Ocean Isle Beach is home of several waterfront restaurants,  The Isles, Giggling Mackerel, Cinelli's and Sharky's. Enjoy your meal overlooking the waterway or the ocean with breath taking sunsets. These restaurants offer a variety of dining experiences from very casual to casual fine dining.

Shopping...
Visit the quaint boutiques of Ocean Isle Beach for your beach wear and souvenir needs. And if you need more...the Malls and outlet shops of Wilmington and Myrtle Beach are all within a 45-minute drive. Here you will find name brand outlets of great variety and pottery stores for baskets, pots and nick-knacks galore!

Fishing...
Capt. Brant's Deep Sea Fishing Carters provides fishing trips from the Gulf Stream to Inland Creeks. Based out of the Ocean Isle Beach Fishing Center. Check out the Ocean Isle Fishing Center website for available charter dates and up-to date reliable fishing reports. Contact Capt. Brant at 910-575-FISH or captbrant@oifishingcenter.com.

On the FOLLOW ME charterboat Capt. Steve Jefferson takes Ocean Isle Beach visitors deep sea fishing daily throughout the year. His 40 foot Lugrs charterboat is docked behind Sharky's Restaurant on the Causeway at Ocean Isle. You may visit the FOLLOW ME deep sea fishing web site at www.followmecharters.com or call Capt. Steve at 910-575-5738.

OIB Community Center...
Come join the activities of the Ocean Isle Beach Community Center..  The Community Center, located at 44 East First Street, will be open daily from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. during March through November.  During the summer, planned activities for children will be held Monday thru Friday.   Visit our web page for a listing of these activities. 

Turtle Watching...
May through October offers nesting and hatching of sea turtles along our Islands. Experience the wonder of a nesting loggerhead turtle or the "boil" of a hatching nest! What an experience! During nesting lays, you may have an opportunity to name the nest for a small donation to the turtle watch program. "Nest parents" (volunteers) watch nests nightly during their expected hatching times to assist the babies into the surf and to protect them from predators. The "Turtle Lady" of Ocean Isle Beach, Gloria Hillenburg, holds weekly learning lectures at the Museum of Coastal Carolina on Monday nights during the summer. This is a must do activity for kids and families of all ages. For more information visit their website at www.OIBTurtlePatrol.com or 910-754-9513.

Museum of Coastal Carolina...
Conveniently located on Ocean Isle Beach the Museum of Coastal Carolina offers coastal history of the Carolina's. A walk through The Reef Room is the next best thing to being underwater. Experience the excellent displays of aquatic life, the tide machine, waterfowl diorama, antique fishing equipment, Carolina shells, shark teeth, and artifacts of Native American culture. Educational and entertaining programs are offered through out the year. During the summer, children's programs are held Monday - Friday at 3:30 p.m.  Children's programs are held on most Saturdays during fall, winter and spring.  For program schedules and information visit their website at www.museumofcc.org or call 910-579-1016.

Day Trips...
Many sightseeing adventures are available within a 45-minute drive of the beach.

Old Baldy
The state's oldest remaining lighthouse is open for tours daily on Bald Head Island. Built in 1817, the 90-foot brick structure helped guide ships safely to the mouth of the Cape Fear River until 1935 when it was replaced by a new lighthouse at Caswell Beach. Some 100 steps and a wooden ladder lead to the top and a spectacular view of the island, Atlantic Ocean and the Cape Fear River. You can explore this island by bike or golf cart (available for rental on the island) but no cars are allowed so you must reach the island by ferry from Southport. Admission to the lighthouse is $3.00 per person.  The ferry charge is $15 per adult and $8 per child under 12 for round trip.  For additional ferry information please call 910-457-5003. Additional information regarding Old Baldy may be obtained by visiting their website at  www.oldbaldy.org.

Brunswick Town
Brunswick Town and Fort Anderson were founded in 1726 and burned by the British in 1776. The state historic site has been excavated, revealing much of the life in this colonial town. A museum displays artifacts gathered from the ruins. Ruins include St. Philips's Church, the home of two royal governors and the earthen mounds of the confederate Fort Anderson. Free admission. 910-371-6613.

Orton Plantation:
Just a mile north of Brunswick Town this lush southern plantation includes magnolias, cypress, live oaks and thousands of azaleas. Once a working rice plantation, the rice fields are now home to alligators and many unusual species of birds. The residence is private and not open to the public. Admission is charged. 910-371-6851
An open-air car ferry between Southport and Fort Fisher is an adventure to visit Fort Fisher. Crossing time is about 30 minutes, Reservations recommended. 919-457-6942, 1-800-BY-FERRY, or www.ncferry.org.

Fort Fisher Civil War Museum
The last major stronghold of the Confederacy, Fort Fisher was the largest earthwork fortification in the south during the Civil War. It kept the port of Wilmington and the Cape Fear River open to Blockade-runners. The alert visitor may catch a glimpse of the ghost of Confederate General William Whiting who was imprisoned by the Union following his unsuccessful defense of the fort. Free Admission. 919-458-5538.

North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher
Habitats emphasize the regions aquatic life including alligators, sharks, rays, touch tank, educational programs and much more. Open daily 9 am - 5 pm, year-round. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's. Admission is charged. 910-458-7468.

USS North Carolina Battleship Memorial
Just up highway 17 to Wilmington is the immortal showboat, the USS North Carolina. She survived every major pacific naval offensive of World War II and earned 15 battle stars. The USS North Carolina Battleship was brought to the Cape Fear River in 1961 by the citizens of NC as a memorial to all the men and women who served in WWII. The self-guided tour includes an orientation film, crew's quarters, galley, sick bay, engine room, pilot house, guns, Kingfisher float plan and more. Open every day 8 am - 5 pm, summer hours are 8 am - 8 pm. Admission is charged. 910-350-1817, www.battleshipnc.com.

Myrtle Beach, SC...
This is it for all the bright lights, water parks, music theaters, shopping, amusement park rides you can stand! North Myrtle Beach is a short 30- minute drive and downtown Myrtle Beach can be reached within 45 minutes.

Wilmington, NC...
A short drive up Highway 17 offers you the historic city of Wilmington. Here resides the USS North Carolina Battleship. The historic downtown is worth a stroll to view the residences, the quaint shops and coffee houses.