If you’re looking for things to do on vacation while in Ocean Isle Beach, there are tons of places, activities and attractions to keep you busy. But we’ve compiled some of the things you absolutely must see and do before you leave!
1. Our Beaches. The southern North Carolina Beaches are simply the best, they’ve been voted the third best beaches in the nation! Our powder white sand and calm surf are perfect for your family. Our beaches, unlike so many others on the east coast, and un-congested with high-rises and flashy beach shops everywhere the eye can see. This is the way the beach is supposed to be, so grab some beach chairs, build a sandcastle and relive the good ol’ days of relaxing sun filled days!
2. The Museum of the Coastal Carolinas. You might think who wants to visit a museum on vacation? But this is a museum different than others you may have been to. Come learn about a world of sharks, sea turtles, surfing and more! The museum also offers summer camps and programs for kids. For more information about what’s going on at the museum visit https://museumplanetarium.org
3. Free Summer Concerts. One of the best things about summer is taking any excuse to be outside! Every Friday, Ocean Isle Beach holds a free outdoor concert with some of the best beach music, rock and roll, oldies, and Mowtown around! The concerts start at 6:30pm in the parking lot of the Museum of the Coastal Carolinas. Admission is free, just bring a chair and get ready to dance all night long!
4. Shopping & Galleries. Ocean Isle Beach offers a wide range of shopping opportunities – from surf shops to men’s and women’s beachwear and swimwear, gift shops and galleries. These are found both on the island and nearby on the mainland.
5. Boat Rentals. Ocean Isle Beach Boat Rentals works hard to provide you with excellent equipment and service. All rental boats are equipped with Yamaha 4-stroke outboard engines. Boats are kept clean and in good working order and all are equipped with NC state required safety equipment. Youth life vests are available for kids, but if you have an infant you will need to bring your own.
6. Jet Ski Rentals. Ocean Isle Watersports, located at The Ocean Isle Fishing Center, offers Jet Ski rentals as well as a variety of rentals power boats. All watercraft are NEW YAMAHA VX110 wave runners. They are 3-seater units, meaning they can accommodate up to 3 people. A user must be 16 years or older to operate a wave runner without adult supervision and a user may be 14 years of age to operate a wave runner so long as an adult of 18 years or more accompanies the 14-year-old.
7. Inshore and Deep Sea Fishing Charters. Capt. Brant and The Ocean Isle Fishing Center are proud to offer you two identical World Cat 33 TE boats for your fishing comfort and pleasure. These boats feature huge fishing and lounging areas with an overall length of 33 feet and 11-foot beam. They are smooth, dry, fast and offer the conveniences of a larger boat (cabin/bathroom) and the fishability of a small boat (360 degree walk around fishing). Join them aboard the OIFC World Cat or Carolina Cat for great fishing adventures.
8. Kayaking. Explore the coastal waters around Ocean Isle Beach by kayak or canoe. Kayaking has become a popular water sport that more and more families are trying their hand at and finding it to be lots of fun for everyone. Paddling a kayak is a great way to explore the local rivers, inlets and other waterways. If you enjoy fishing you can even do that from a kayak! There is no better place to be outside than in Ocean Isle; and if being outside wasn’t enough, why not be outside and out on the water? It doesn’t get much better than that! Kayaking is a great outdoors, on-the-water activity that will surely get you excited to be on the our Coast this spring. So, here are our Top Ten Tips for Kayaking along the Coast!
9. Stand Up Paddleboarding. Stand up paddleboarding or SUPing, originating in the islands of Hawaii, is a fast growing sport is a popular activity for visitors to the Carolina Coast, offering a chance to explore hidden gems along the local waters. SUP tours lead paddlers through smaller waterways exploring rivers, creeks and marshlands, experiences unique to those that get their paddle on! The climate and warm waters of Ocean Isle Beach make SUP rentals a great getaway into the backwaters of the coast. And for those that want to test their skills, SUP rentals offer paddlers a chance to paddle into the waves of the Atlantic.
10. Hunting Sand Dollars. Even the most seasoned beachcomber is excited and pleased to find a whole, intact sand dollar on the beach. A common sand dollar is another name for a particular type of “flattened” sea urchin. The common sand dollar is found in the Northern Hemisphere in temperate and tropical waters. On a good day at Ocean Isle, Sunset or Holden Beach, you might find many sand dollars ranging in size from one to approximately four inches in diameter.
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4. Silver Coast Winery. A great day trip for the adults, not only does Silver Coast Winery produce all its own wines in house, but it also has its very own vineyard right outside. Come enjoy a relaxing afternoon with a wine tasting, take a tour of the vineyards and the barrel room, enjoy the gift shop with local art, and take in the scenery on the front porch with a nice glass of something from the coast. Even take home a bottle or two with you! Silver Coast is a great way to spend an afternoon!
15. Turtle Watching. One of the amazing things that happens every year in our area is the sea turtles coming ashore to lay their eggs. Here at Ocean Isle and other nearby beaches we have several volunteer organizations that help in the process. They do everything from walking the beaches to look for nests, giving informational “Turtle Talks” at the museum, and helping the baby turtles make it back to sea once they’ve hatched. It’s truly a wonderful thing to see and a great experience to be a part of! These organizations are always looking for volunteers, if you’re interested visit their website https://www.oibseaturtles.org/ and make your vacation extra memorable!
