Ocean Isle Beach, Sunset Beach and Holden Beach, NC

Sunset Beach, NC, the southernmost of the North Carolina barrier islands may be only 3 miles long, but that 3 miles of beach is some of the most beautiful and the best for vacationers who enjoy pier fishing, surf fishing, swimming, surfing, playing in the sand and all the things associated with a beach vacation. An experience unique to a Sunset Beach vacation is a walk through Mad Inlet (at low tide) to Bird Island. Bird Island is a 1,300-acre North Carolina Coastal Reserve completely untouched by development. You will find any number of endangered species thriving here. Before you leave you may want to deposit an inspired message in the "Kindred Spirits' mailbox on the island. The mainland portion of the town offers shopping centers, grocery stores, small boutiques, dining, golf and the Ingram Planetarium.

Ocean Isle Beach, located just north of Sunset Beach, has the only high-rise hotel on the South Brunswick Islands. It provides a family beach environment with a total resort experience: restaurants, specialty shops, public tennis courts, a fishing pier, access to all watersports, a water slide, miniature golf and an ocean museum. The community center schedules planned activities for adults as well as children, and the N.C. Oyster Festival is held here every October.

The northernmost of the three islands known as the South Brunswick Islands, Holden Beach, is mainly residential, but you will find a couple of quite good restaurants here. Grocery stores, gift shops, ice cream shops and other specialty stores can be found lining the causeway leading to the highrise bridge that provides spectacular views as you descend to the island. The island itself has a fishing pier and the beaches provide access to all the beach activities you can imagine; after all, it as been listed as one of the top 30 beaches in the country.

Inland you will find Shallotte with its shopping malls, grocery stores and national chain department stores, and a 10-screen movie theater. The Brunswick County Chamber of Commerce is headquartered in Shallotte, as is the office of the Department of Transportation and the North Carolina Welcome Center. Best of all it is only a 10-minute drive from here to any of the South Brunswick Islands.

South of Shallotte, and again within 10 minutes drive, is Calabash, known for its seafood restaurants since the late 1940s and, as the "Seafood Capital of the World." Rumor has it that Jimmy Durante's signature sign-off, "Good-night, Mrs. Calabash, wherever you are," was aimed at the owner of a particular restaurant here where he was served the best seafood he had ever eaten. Located on the banks of the Intracoastal Waterway, Calabash retains much of its original fishing-village atmosphere. Restaurants abound, and deep-sea fishing boats are docked in town waiting to take you on the adventure of your life.

This InsiderInfo™ Guide to Ocean Isle Beach, Sunset Beach and Holden Beach is the area's most complete source of information for travelers and newcomers alike.  Fresh content, locally grown!