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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@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

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Thistle Golf Club

Sunset Beach

Discover Your Favorite Brunswick Islands Getaway

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Attractions & Activities in this region

2/22/2025

Mardi Gras by the Sea Festival and Parade

Oak Island

Places to Stay in this region

Firsts That Last

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@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

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Provision Company of Holden Beach

Holden Beach

Places to Eat & Drink in this region

Offshore Fishing From the North Carolina Coast

Article

Events in this region

6 Reasons to Plan a Fall Trip to the Coast

Article

See Sites from Critically Acclaimed Movies Filmed in North Carolina

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Old Baldy Lighthouse and Smith Island Museum of History

@noahj_or

Old Baldy Lighthouse and Smith Island Museum of History

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Another gorgeous day at Bald Head Island 🌞 #islandlife #baldheadisland #bikes #oldbadlylighthouse #visitnc #brunswickislands #nchome #greatpeople #family #discover_carolinas #WECT #nikond7200 #nikon #tamron #withmytamron

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Brunswick Islands: A Seafood, Wildlife and History Vacation

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Fishing & Dining on Ocean Piers

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Holden Beach, North Carolina

@bskeggs

Holden Beach, North Carolina

@bskeggs

new bike who dis 🚴🏼‍♀️ #thatswhatseashed

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Stop and Smell the Flowers this Spring with Insider Danielle Merritts

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Take a Nicholas Sparks Tour of the North Carolina Coast

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Take a Totally ‘90s Film Tour

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Plan Your Getaway to Bald Head Island in the Fall

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Bald Head Island Historical Tour

Bald Head Island

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7 Must-See Coastal Lighthouses

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Where the Road Ends, Adventure Begins: Feel Renewed by These Places to Travel by Ferry

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Brunswick Islands

Look & Feel

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Getting Around

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Getting There

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Things To Do

Location

Interest

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Content Type

Filter Arts & Entertainment

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Filter History & Heritage

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Thistle Golf Club

Sunset Beach

Discover Your Favorite Brunswick Islands Getaway

List

Directory

Attractions & Activities in this region

Mardi Gras by the Sea Festival and Parade

Oak Island

Directory

Places to Stay in this region

Firsts That Last

Video

Provision Company of Holden Beach

Holden Beach

Directory

Places to Eat & Drink in this region

Offshore Fishing From the North Carolina Coast

Article

Directory

Events in this region

6 Reasons to Plan a Fall Trip to the Coast

Article

See Sites from Critically Acclaimed Movies Filmed in North Carolina

List

Brunswick Islands: A Seafood, Wildlife and History Vacation

Article

Fishing & Dining on Ocean Piers

List

Stop and Smell the Flowers this Spring with Insider Danielle Merritts

Article

Take a Nicholas Sparks Tour of the North Carolina Coast

Trip Idea

Take a Totally ‘90s Film Tour

List

Plan Your Getaway to Bald Head Island in the Fall

Article

Bald Head Island Historical Tour

Bald Head Island

7 Must-See Coastal Lighthouses

List

Where the Road Ends, Adventure Begins: Feel Renewed by These Places to Travel by Ferry

Trips That Transform