Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina, located in the Brunswick Islands, is a beautiful and serene coastal town that boasts of a pristine shoreline, beautiful sunsets, and a relaxed atmosphere.
It is an excellent vacation spot for those who seek an escape from the hustle and bustle of city life and prefer the down-home comfort of coastal southern living.
For those looking for a relaxing getaway for two, the best tiny town in the Brunswicks offers wine experiences, craft beer, links-style golf on four outstanding courses, sunset cruises, romantic ambiance, all framed by a scenic view of the Atlantic Ocean and beyond.
But what if you’ve got the whole family in tow during your Ocean Isle Beach?
Often when at a destination, families can have a difficult time finding entertainment in locations that cater more to an upscale, retired clientele.
Well you’re in luck, as Ocean Isle Beach is the home of wholesome family fun for the whole family.
From theme restaurants and arcade games to beach-combing and wildlife education tours, this little slice of heaven can be so much fun for the young and young at heart.
Here are the top 10 fun things to do in Ocean Isle Beach, NC.
1: Spend a day at the beach
The main attraction of Ocean Isle Beach is, of course, the beach itself.
The sandy shore stretches for miles and is perfect for everything you love about a beach vacation: sunbathing, swimming, surfing, and beach combing.
With beach equipment rentals available, you can spend the day relaxing in the sun or trying out various water sports.
Just remember to leave Fido at home during the off season–Ocean Isle Beach has a number of handy and helpful guidelines designed to keep the beach a safe and peaceful experience for everyone, including not allowing dogs on the strand during the busy season.
But never fear, as Ocean Isle Beach Park (located at 6483 Old Georgetown Rd SW), has a lovely off-leash dog park where your furry friend is free to roam and make some doggie friends.
Head over to our Ocean Isle Beach rules page to learn more.
2: Visit the Museum of Coastal Carolina
The Museum of Coastal Carolina is an excellent place to learn about the history and ecology of the North Carolina coast.
This natural history museum located at Ocean Isle Beach, NC features a variety of exhibits and displays where visitors can explore the region’s marine life, culture, and heritage.
Live animal and marine life ecological education exhibits at the museum include an aquarium with a touch tank for the little ones that features live sea life, fossils, insects, bird dioramas, a reptile sanctuary, and life-sized models of whales, rays, sharks, and more.
To learn more, or to purchase tickets, visit the Museum of Coastal Carolina website.
3: Go Fishing
Ocean Isle Beach is a paradise for fishing enthusiasts. Ocean Isle Beach pier that extends 965 feet into the Atlantic Ocean, allowing anglers to cast their lines and catch a wide variety of fish, including flounder, drum, and trout.
Bring home a delicious meal to throw on the grill back at the beach house plucked straight from the Brunswick Islands shoreline.
Don’t worry about bringing your own gear or boat–Ocean Isle Beach is home to a number of reputable rental outfits and offshore charters.
4: Play a round of golf
For those who enjoy hitting the links, Ocean Isle Beach has several golf courses to choose from.
The most popular is the Ocean Ridge Plantation, which features four award-winning courses designed by top golf architects.
Each of the “Big Cats” golf clubs located at Ocean Ridge offers challenging play and a unique course keeping even the most serious of golfers entertained and challenged.
At Tiger’s Eye Golf Links, the strategic player is put to the test, requiring rock-solid shot-making and a solid short game.
Leopard’s Chase Golf Club is known for its impeccable Tim Cate design that incorporates visionary use of naturally occurring and man-made water features.
Lion’s Paw Golf Links is an adventure golfer’s paradise; part wild and untamed, part impeccably and beautifully curated fairways and greens, this open, hilly track provides a beautiful setting with challenging sugar-sand bunkers abound.
Panther’s Run Golf Club is the last, but not the least, of the Big Cats courses, featuring immaculately manicured greens, modern course design, and a breathtaking natural setting in which to enjoy a day on the links.
Aside from the Ocean Ridge Big Cats complex, the Ocean Isle Beach area offers a bounty of additional courses to keep those who come to Ocean Isle to golf busy with a different course each day including: Crow Creek Golf Club, Meadowlands Golf Club, Thistle Golf Club, The Pearl Golf Links, Sea Trail Golf Links, and many others.
To learn more, or to check out tee times, head over to our Ocean Isle Golf page here on the Coastaway Vacations website.
5: Explore the Intracoastal Waterway
The Intracoastal Waterway is a network of bays, rivers, and canals that stretches along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts.
Ocean Isle Beach just happens to be a popular stop for boaters travelling the waterway, and there are several tour companies that offer guided excursions in the area.
In addition, kayaking is a great way to explore the calmer waters of the waterway and wildlife up close. Several rental companies offer kayaks and canoes for rent, and there are plenty of guided boat tours too that take visitors through the area’s marshes and waterways.
To learn more about booking your kayak tour, visit Summertide Tours today.
6: Take a sunset cruise
One of the best ways to experience the beauty of Ocean Isle Beach is by taking a sunset cruise.
Several tour operators offer scenic boat cruises that take visitors through the inlets and runs of the Brunswick Islands waterways and along the coastline of Ocean Isle beach, providing stunning views of the sunset over the ocean.
To learn more, or to book your sunset beach cruise, visit the website of the Ocean Isle Fishing Center today.
7: Visit During Sea Turtle Season
One of the most magical aspects of the already magical Brunswick Islands area is that the region is the breeding home of many species of turtle.
During nesting season, loggerhead sea turtles return to the same Ocean Isle sand dunes in which they themselves were hatched to lay their eggs and nurse them until the adorable little turtle babies hatch.
Ocean Isle Beach has strict rules for conduct during this ecologically delicate time, but you and yours can get up close by volunteering with one of the area’s turtle conservation groups.
Visit the Ocean Isle Beach Sea Turtle Rescue Protection Organization’s website to learn more.
8: Wine Tasting
Wine lovers visiting Ocean Isle Beach will be delighted to know that the region boasts a number of wineries, wine shops, and wine tasting experiences.
Down near the strand of Ocean Isle, the Coastal Wine Room features an extensive selection of fine wines and beers from around the world.
Weekly tastings at the gift shop will provide oenophiles a chance to sample and learn from the in-house experts and sommeliers and take home cases at a significant discount.
Up the hill from the shore, Silver Coast Winery features wines grown right here in North Carolina, modelling its vintages after European style wines.
Silver Coast specializes in dry to semi-dry wine, aged in vintage traditional oak barrels or stainless steel tanks, depending on the variety.
With full tours of the production facility, daily tastings, and majestic events, this hidden gem is a wine lover’s dream.
To learn more, visit Coastal Wine Room and Silver Coast Winery today.
9: Play mini-golf
For an action-packed and family-friendly activity, head to one of the area’s many mini-golf courses.
With themes ranging from pirates to jungle safaris, these courses offer a fun and challenging experience for all ages.
To learn more, visit the websites of River Country Mini Golf and Ocean Isle Mini Golf.
10: Attend a festival or event
Ocean Isle Beach hosts several festivals and events throughout the summer months and throughout winter and spring including the NC Oyster Festival and the Christmas Parade.
These events offer a chance to experience the area’s culture, food, and traditions and are a great way to meet locals and other visitors.
In conclusion, Ocean Isle Beach, NC, is a beautiful coastal town that offers a wide variety of wonderful activities and attractions for visitors of all ages. From spending a day at the beach to exploring the waterways of small towns and nearby towns, there is something for everyone to enjoy. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing vacation or an action-packed outdoor adventure, Ocean Isle Beach has it all.
To learn more about Ocean Isle Beach vacations, or to book accommodations during your stay, visit Coastaway Vacations online.
