Day Trip to Bald Head Island From Wilmington NC

A day trip to Bald Head Island from Wilmington, NC, is a perfect mini-adventure to discover one of North Carolina’s last beach towns with a huge emphasis on preservation. Since no cars are allowed, this golf cart-friendly beach community will make you feel like you have been transported to a coastal oasis with lush maritime forests, wildlife, and a pristine beach.

As a Wilmington local, it was so much fun getting out and exploring a part of the North Carolina coast I have never been to before! Listed below is everything we did for a day trip to Bald Head Island from Wilmington, NC to help you plan a perfect day in Bald Head Island, NC.

Getting To and Around Bald Head Island

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.

Bald Head Island Ferry

Since cars are not allowed on Bald Head Island, you will need to start your day trip by first driving to Southport, North Carolina, to reach the Bald Head Island Ferry. From Wilmington, Southport is 33 miles (50 minutes away).

Side Note: Southport has a charming coastal downtown that also makes for a fun Wilmington day trip!

Once you arrive at the ferry terminal, you will need to park your car and walk over to the entrance. You will then scan your ticket and be on your merry way for the 20-minute boat 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

We opted to purchase our tickets online prior to visiting Bald Head, but you can also purchase a ferry ticket at the terminal.

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

We opted to rent bicycles because the island is only 3 miles across and felt confident we could get anywhere we needed to without a golf cart. Riding bikes on Bald Head Island is such a fun way to explore, and I highly recommend it to everyone capable!

My husband and I have our own bikes we considered bringing along for the journey, but the fee to bring them on the ferry is more expensive than renting on the island. Even though this is an annoying way for the island to make more money, I will admit the process was hassle-free, and it was nice not having to worry about the process of bringing our own bikes.

Listed below are a couple of rental companies to choose from:

Day Trip to Bald Head Island

First Stop: Bald Head Island Lighthouse and Village Chapel

Old Baldy

The Bald Head Island Lighthouse, also known as Old Baldy, is the oldest 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.

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.

Explore the Nature Trails

Walking along the nature trails was a highlight of our time in BHI! 80% of the island is preserved, which means there is 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, there are some huge live oak trees, which are breathtaking! It was so cool to see these trees and think about how far back they’re dated.

Have a picnic

Because Bald Head Island is so nature-focused, there are some great spots to enjoy a picnic. We opted for a picnic lunch while sitting on the beach and admiring the beautiful summer day in Bald Head. Some other picnic spots include: Old Baldy Lighthouse grounds, Marina Park, or the Bald Head Island Conservancy.

If packing a picnic is not your thing, I would grab a lunch at one of the following restaurants:

• Jailhouse Provisions
  • A seafood restaurant mainly serves 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.

Enjoy the Beach

Several accommodations offer beach access, but since you are only spending a day, this is probably not an option for you. We decided to sit out on the beach by public access 39, close to the peninsula. I highly recommend at least taking a walk around this area, as it is pretty neat to walk out on the little strip of sand 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 surfboards to make your beach experience fun and seamless!

Shopping

Whether you are looking to commemorate your day trip to Bald Head Island with a souvenir or simply want to do some retail therapy, 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

Thank You

Thank you for reading my post. I would appreciate your thoughts about this Bald Head Island itinerary and how this blog post helped you plan your trip.

Interested in Other Travel Locations?

Click below to see my articles on places in the following destinations:

• Canada
• Costa Rica
• France
• United Stats

This ‘Day Trip to Bald Head Island From Wilmington NC Guide’ might contain affiliate links, meaning I might make a small profit if you choose to book at no extra cost to you. This helps me provide you with quality content for free.

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