With the quaint coastal charm and beautiful ocean scenery, there are so many fun things to do in Oak Island NC. My family has a house on Oak Island and I have been consistently visiting this beach town for around 10 years. Here are my must-see attractions on Oak Island:
Common Questions About Oak Island, NC
What is so special about Oak Island?
Oak Island, NC is special because it is a laid back beach within close vicinity to other large coastal towns such as Myrtle Beach or Wilmington. It is also less than 15 minutes away from the quaint downtown of Southport, NC.
Is Oak Island worth visiting?
Oak Island makes for a great beach vacation if you are wanting a small and tranquil beach town with great dining options and a laid back feel. Oak Island, NC is great to visit for true relaxation!
Do you have to take a ferry to Oak Island?
No, you do not have to take the ferry to Oak Island. There are two bridges from the mainland that lead onto the island.
9 Fun Things To Do in Oak Island NC:
1. Oak Island Lighthouse
Check out one of seven historic lighthouses in NC! Constructed in 1958, the Oak Island Lighthouse is unique as it uses ship ladders rather than a spiral staircase to reach the top. There are 131 steps to reach the top giving you great views of the Cape Fear, Southport, and the Atlantic Ocean. Your trip to Oak Island is incomplete without a trip to the lighthouse because it is such an iconic monument.
Tours are Tuesday-Sunday, May 1st to October 1st, and are only available by reservation.
NOTE: The Oak Lighthouse website states that top tour requests may be needed up to 6 weeks in advance, depending on demand.
2. Oak Island Pier
The Oak Island Pier is a great activity for fishing enthusiasts or those wanting to get a nice view of the ocean. On a clear day, you can see Bald Head Island in the distance!
There are also some great restaurants around the pier including:
- Koko Cabana
- This is my favorite restaurant on the island. Nothing truly beats a nice cocktail and some delicious food. Koko Cabana offers seafood with a tropical flair and is delicious!
- Lazy Turtle
- A great place to hang out by the pier and enjoy your typical bar food and a drink.
- Rubys Coffee House
- What better way to start your day than by getting a coffee and watching the sunrise on the pier? Ruby’s is a coffee shop that also offers light breakfast and lunch, such as sandwiches, toast, and bagels.
3. Ocean Crest Pier
The unique thing about Oak Island is that there are two piers for you to choose from! The Ocean Crest Pier is located between 14th and 16th Street and is open for fishing or simply to get scenic views of the ocean.
The Seahorse Bar and Grill has also recently opened and is a great spot to hang out, grab a bite to eat, or drink!
4. The Point
The point is at the tip of Oak Island where you can practically swim over to Holden Beach. Known for being the more preserved area, the point is a cool spot to relax on the beach or to beach your boat to enjoy the summer sun.
5. Immerse yourself in Nature
I love the attractions in Oak Island that involve its coastal beauty because it is so important to appreciate the nature around us. Listed below are a couple of options for nature trails and areas that emphasize the natural aspects of Oak Island.
- A great place to bring kids or nature enthusiasts wanting to fish, explore coastal scenery, or learn about wildlife in the area.
- There is also a small nature trail that leads you to the butterfly garden.
Environmental Overlook Trail
- Tucked behind the recreation center on 31st Street, the environmental overlook trail provides glimpses of wildlife and the beautiful coastal scenery while walking along the Davis Canal. The path is heavily wooded with wooden bridges and dirt paths.
6. Southport
Southport is roughly 20 minutes from Oak Island and has the cutest little downtown situated on the Cape Fear River. In Southport, there are several shops and restaurants from which you can choose from. I also suggest walking the riverwalk to get great views of the Cape Fear with boats cruising by.
Check out my Southport guide for how to spend a full day in this beautiful NC coastal town.
Southport Restaurants
- Dry Street– one of my favorite places for pizza and salads.
- Provision Company– A delicacy in the Southport area, Provisions offers fresh seafood with a picturesque view along the Cape Fear.
- Ports of Call– A more high-end option with amazing seafood options and a great brunch stop.
- Cafe Koa– Same owners of Koko Cabana and Ruby’s. Great brunch options with an eclectic twist. They also offer lunch and dinner as well!
Southport Shops
- Ocean Outfitters
- Lantanas
- Boo and Roos
- Old Elegance Antiques
7. Take The Ferry To Fort Fisher
Even though Fort Fisher is not considered in Oak Island, it makes for such a fun day trip! Fort Fisher is a beautifully preserved State Recreation Area with nature trails, an aquarium, the Fort Fisher Museum, and a 4-wheel drive beach. Cruise on the Cape Fear for about 35 minutes to get to the Fort Fisher Preservation area.
The ferry runs every 30 minutes from Southport to Fort Fisher. Keep in mind that the ferry gets extremely busy during the summer months, so make sure to check the ferry schedule in advance when planning your trip.
For more details about a vacation to Fort Fisher and the nearby Kure Beach, check out my full guide!
8. The Beach
Undoubtedly, the main draw to Oak Island is the beach, and rightfully so! There are two beach areas located on Oak Island, listed below is a description of each and how they cater to the different vacationers.
Caswell
- More laid back compared to Oak Island, there are only a couple of restaurants and the true attraction is the beach! This is the perfect beach getaway for someone wanting to relax and enjoy the serenity the beach offers.
- A big plus of Caswell Beach is that parking is FREE, but it is a very small beach so parking is limited.
Oak Island
- This is where all the action is! With mini golf, restaurants, ice cream shops, parks, and other local shops, you will have everything you could need.
- With more attractions, there come more crowds. Deciding between Oak Island and Caswell truly depends on the beach vibe you are looking for.
- Parking: Paid parking is from April to September starting at $5 per hour, $20 per day, and weekly permits for $80.
- Note: The Oak Island pier allows free parking for the first 2 hours.
9. Water Activities
Whether you are in the ocean or on the Davis Canal, water activities are a great way to spend your time in Oak Island. Listed below are some rental companies that can provide you with equipment such as kayaks, paddleboards, surfboards, etc.
10. Middleton Park
Middleton Park is a large park with several facilities and activities that make for great fun things to do in Oak Island NC.
Oak Island Summer Concert Series
During the summer months, the Middleton park in Oak Island hosts a summer concert series every Friday from 6:30 to 8:30. Visit the Oak Island’s site for the full concert schedule.
Market
Every Monday from 8 am-1 pm from June to August there is a Farmers Market featuring local produce, crafts, and my favorite Hippie Chic Granola. There are other food trucks and vendors around for a quick bite as well!
Other Facilities
- Splashpad
- Playground
- Tennis Courts
- Pickleball Courts
- Basketball court
- Baseball Field
Wanting To Explore Other Coastal Carolina Towns?
Check out my guides to other North Carolina beaches and coastal towns that are close to Ocean Isle.
Brunswick County Beaches And Towns
- Southport is a cute coastal town located on the Cape Fear River, 12 miles (20 minutes) away from Oak Island, making it a perfect day trip to stroll the quaint downtown with local shops and restaurants.
- Holden Beach is a super laid-back, sleepy beach town. I visited Holden Beach with some friends because we heard that you could find some really good shells! I was shocked by the abundance of sea biscuits, shark teeth, and other unique shells. Holden is the next closest beach, only 20 miles (30 minutes) away.
- Sunset Beach is only 32 miles (44 minutes) away, making it the closest beach to Ocean Isle. I would visit Sunset Beach if you are looking for a similar laid-back vibe with more of an emphasis on nature.
- Ocean Isle is a relaxed beach town that is close to Calabash and Myrtle Beach. There are a few more attractions compared to Sunset, but still very quiet. Located 29 miles (40 minutes) away from Oak Island.
Wilmington and Surrounding Beaches
- Historic Wilmington makes for a perfect day trip, only 33 miles (50 minutes) from Ocean Isle. I highly recommend visiting Wilmington because of its beautiful riverwalk, historic downtown, and delicious restaurants.
- Carolina Beach is another great beach town, only 43 miles (1 hour and 5 minutes) away, that reminds me of an old-school, smaller-scale version of Myrtle Beach. With the nostalgic boardwalk, amusement rides, and infamous Britts Donuts, Carolina Beach is a great place to visit. Another great option to get to Carolina Beach is by taking the Ferry from Southport to Fort Fisher.
- Wrightsville Beach is the closest beach to Wilmington, NC, with beautiful blue water and amazing restaurants. Similar to Carolina Beach, Wrightsville is 40 miles (1 hour) away.
Thank You
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Thank you for reading my post. I would appreciate your thoughts about Oak Island, NC, and how this blog post helped you plan your trip.
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