I recently had the pleasure of taking a day trip to Bald Head Island, NC, from Wilmington, North Carolina. If you are looking for a beach vacation where you truly feel unplugged and immersed in nature, then Bald Head is a great choice! This Bald Head Island travel guide highlights everything we did while visiting the island!
While riding bikes around the island, I was in awe of the preservation and the lushness of the coastal landscape. It is rare to find a beach town that makes conservation a priority, which is why Bald Head Island, NC, is truly unique, with over 10,000 acres of preserved land. Listed below is my Bald Head Island travel guide, providing you with everything you need to know before planning your next beach vacation.
Know Before You Go
When to visit Bald Head Island
Bald Head Island is busy during the summer months because it is such a popular summer vacation destination. If you want to visit the beach, but want moderate temperatures and fewer crowds, then I would opt for the tail end of Spring and Fall. May and September are great times to visit Bald Head while kids are still in school and temperatures range from 70-80 degrees.
With similar climates in Wilmington, we like to call these timeframes “locals’ summer” because you get similar temperatures without the headache of large crowds.
Getting to and Around Bald Head Island, NC
Bald Head Island Ferry
Since cars are not allowed on Bald Head Island, you will need to start your vacation in Southport, North Carolina, to reach the Bald Head Island Ferry. From there, drop off your luggage (if you have larger suitcases and bags), then park your car, as only golf carts and bikes are allowed on the island. Once you have all of the logistics figured out, you will be on your merry way for the 20-minute ride to BHI!
Listed below are the fees associated with the ferry:
- Parking at the Bald Head Island ferry:
- $13 per day
- Ferry Tickets:
- $23 Adults
Ferry Tram Service
- There is no need to worry about the logistics of getting to your accommodation once you arrive in BHI because there is a tram service that will take you and pick you up from your rental. The price of the tram is included in the price; you will just need to make a tram reservation in addition to purchasing your ferry tickets.
Renting Golf Carts and/or Bikes
The only way to get around Bald Head Island is by renting a bicycle or a golf cart. Listed below are a few rental companies on the island to reserve your mode of transportation.
Bicycle Rentals
Conveniently located within walking distance of the Bald Head Island ferry. We opted for this rental company and had no issues!
Rates
- 2 hours: $12
- 3-12 hours: $20
- 24 hours: $30
- Weekly: $100
Two convenient locations: one within walking distance of the Bald Head Island Ferry and the other along Maritime Way.
Rates
- $25 per day
Golf Cart Rentals
This is the only golf cart rental company on the island, and they have two locations that can ease the rental process. The first location is by the ferry, and the second is by the Maritime Way.
Rates
- 4 passenger
- $99 per day
- 6 passenger
- $130 per day
Bald Head Island Accommodations
Because the island is known for its preservation, there aren’t any hotels or overdevelopment of houses. Listed below are options to find accommodations that suit your needs.
- This is a cute bed and breakfast located on the harbour. The Marsh Harbour Inn offers amazing features, including: daily breakfast, golf cart rentals, and guest privileges to the Shoals Club (for an extra fee).
- The majority of accommodations on Bald Head are house rentals; therefore, I would check out the wide range of offerings that Bald Head Island Vacations provides.
Things to do in Bald Head Island
The main thing to do on Bald Head Island is to simply relax. The whole island is centered around disconnecting while truly taking in the coastal scenery and enjoying the beach. With that being said, there are a few attractions and activities that I had to add to this Bald Head Island travel guide.
Old Baldy
The Bald Head Island Lighthouse, also known as Old Baldy, is the oldest lighthouse in North Carolina, dating back to the 18th century. Old Baldy is a symbolic mascot of Bald Head Island, NC, as it sticks out from the natural landscape of the 14-mile-long island.
Admission to the lighthouse provides access to the Smith Island Museum of History, lighthouse grounds, and the 108-stair climb to the top of Old Baldy.
Admission
- $8 for adults
- $5 for children (3-12)
Village Chapel
Conveniently located beside the Old Baldy Lighthouse is the beautiful Village Chapel. The church is open for visitors to admire the architecture and the stunning views of the marsh. There are also two church services every Sunday at 8:30 am and 10:00 am from Memorial Day to Labor Day, and then one service during the off-season at 10:00 am.
Nature Trails
Walking along the nature trails was a highlight of my husband’s and my time in BHI! Because 80% of the island is preserved, there was so much wildlife to see, and the woods were so dense around the trails. Listed below are trails I recommend around the island.
- Kent Mitchell Nature Trail (0.4-mile loop trail)
- Maritime Forest Trails
- There are four short trails that all connect if you wish to combine for a longer distance. Along this hike, some huge live oak trees are breathtaking! It was so cool to see these trees and think about how far back they’ve dated.
Enjoy the Beach
Several accommodations provide beach access, but if your accommodation does not, the Village of Bald Head Island has a map for all of the public access around the island. We decided to sit out on the beach by public access 39. I highly recommend at least taking a walk around this area, as there is a peninsula that sticks out.
There are also huge tide pools in this area, which are fun if you have little ones.
If you need any beach rentals, Riverside Adventures, Beach and Baby, and BHI Adventures have umbrellas, chairs, boogie boards, and surf boards to make your beach experience fun and seamless!
Ride Bikes
Because we came to Bald Head Island for the day from Wilmington, we opted to ride bikes to get to all of the major attractions. Riding bikes is a great way to explore the island, and since BHI is only 3 miles across, you can easily bike around. We rented bikes from Riverside Adventures and had a great experience!
Shopping
The main shopping area on Bald Head Island is located along Maritime Way. You can easily walk around the strip of shops and visit every single one, but if you are looking for some highlights, then I would check out:
- Island Passage
- Monkees of Bald Head Island
- All About Art Gallery
- East Beach Surf Shop
- Antique Maps and More
Where to Eat on Bald Head Island
- Jailhouse Provisions
- A seafood restaurant mainly serving baskets and handheld dishes.
- Boat House
- Casual breakfast, brunch, and lunch restaurant.
- The Wisp
- Casual pizza place that also offers cocktails, beer, and wine.
- Mikes Bites
- Cute restaurant for a quick bite or a sweet treat. Located in the old structure that housed the generator for the lighthouse.
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Thank you for reading my post. I would appreciate your thoughts about a day trip to Bald Head Island, NC, and how this blog post helped you plan your trip
