Things to Do
The community of Oak Island has so much to offer for a relaxing and enjoyable vacation. You can play and relax on the beach, or partake in numerous fishing and boating activities. Play mini-golf and enjoy some homemade ice cream, or maybe even take a helicopter tour or sunset tour. Head to Middleton Park where you can play a game of basketball, kickball or tennis, and let the kids enjoy the Splash Pad. During summer evenings, gather with the community on the soccer field to watch an open air movie or concert. The soccer field also transforms into a Farmers' and Artisans' Market on select Mondays during the summer. Explore the local history and museums. Stroll along a nature trail, cast a line from the Ocean Crest Pier or Oak Island Pier (or any number of great fishing spots!), or grab a bite to eat at a local restaurant. Explore the west end and the Point, and enjoy birding and stand up paddle boarding. Kayak along the Intracoastal Waterway, Montgomery Slough or Davis Canal. You can also check out The Event Guide with Jen & Dave for suggestions. Fun is around every corner!
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Town of Oak Island Events
The Town of Oak Island sponsors various events throughout the year, including a Farmers' and Artisans' Market, a Summer Concerts Series, the Fourth of July Festival, and many more. Check the town's web site here for updated events during your stay!
You can also find the complete business listing in Oak Island here.
Activities & Attractions
Of course there is always plenty of beach space to set up and enjoy your day in the sand and water. Along with plenty of beaches, the area has so much to explore and enjoy. For a comprehensive list of things to do, check out the NC Brunswick Island's list of Oak Island activities. You can also check out The Event Guide with Jen & Dave for suggestions.
Here are some of our favorites...
Adventure Kayak Company
807 North Howe Street, Suite A, Southport
http://www.theadventurecompany.net
The Adventure Kayak Company in Southport offers Kayak tours (some departing from access points in Oak Island!), bike tours, and kayak sales and services.
Southport Water Tours
110 Yacht Basin Drive, Southport
http://southportwatertours.com
Southport Water Tours offers sightseeing and sunset tours out of the Southport Marina - a wonderful way to see the beautiful waters of Brunswick County!
Oak Island Jungle Golf (Miniature Golf)
6321 E. Oak Island Drive, Oak Island
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Oak-Island-Jungle-Golf/246065386127781
Enjoy a fun miniature golf course with family and friends.
Black Sails Adventure Company
5016 E. Oak Island Drive, Oak Island
https://www.blacksailsadventure.com
Bring on the adventure and fun with scavenger hunts, a murder mystery, or the Escape Room!
Swamp Park - Zip Line & ATV Center
5550 Watts Road, Ocean Isle Beach
https://www.shallotteriverswamppark.com/
Take a majestic tour and explore the ecological benefits of this natural environment or indulge in one of the many action activities from zip lining to the aerial adventure park, or relax and enjoy the Shallotte River on the swamp boat eco tour.
Oak Island Lighthouse
300 Caswell Beach Road, Oak Island, NC 28465
http://www.oakislandlighthouse.org
The automated Oak Island Lighthouse was completed in 1958 at a total cost of $110,000 to replace a manned lighthouse on Bald Head Island. The lights are 169 feet above the water and can be seen for 16 miles.
Oak Island Golf Club
928 Caswell Beach Road, Caswell Beach (east end of Oak Island)
Built in 1962 by world-renowned architect George Cobb, Oak Island Golf Club meanders through Oak Island and Caswell Beach. This oceanside course offers golfers many of Mother Nature's most beautiful amenities, including waterfowl, ocean dwelling birds and all kinds of maritime plants and trees, as well as a course that features Bermuda grass greens, tees, fairways and roughs, 37 bunkers and water in play on nine different holes.
Planet Fun
349 Whiteville Road, Shallotte
Bowling, laser tag, and an arcade all under one roof. Fun for the entire family!
Historic Southport
113 W Moore Street, Southport
http://www.southport-oakisland.com
Take a self-guided walking tour of downtown Southport, including the charming historic district of downtown Southport where you can immerse yourself in the historic significance of area homes and attractions. Find a 800-year old oak tree in Keziah Park and Waterfront Park where you can watch large transoceanic vessels pass on their way up river to the Port City of Wilmington.
North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher
900 Loggerhead Road, Kure Beach (just a short ferry ride from Oak Island/Southport)
Take a journey down the Cape Fear River - from freshwater streams and swamps, to coastline habitats, to reefs and the open ocean. Enjoy the exhibits, the "Touch Pool", Memorial Gardens, hiking trail, fossil pit, and much more!
Battleship North Carolina
#1 Battleship Road, Wilmington
While discovering the USS North Carolina, enter gun turrets, inspect the bridge, view the crew's quarters, sick bay, an engine room and so much more. Come explore this amazing "floating city"!
Jungle Rapids Family Fun Park
5320 Oleander Drive, Wilmington
A huge park with fun for the whole family, including a water park, arcade, bowling, miniature golf, rock climbing wall, and more.
Fishing
The Southport-Oak Island area is a world-class destination for fishing. Both pier fishers and offshore anglers and everyone in between, including beginners, love all the options for hooking the season's catch. Unless you're taking a charter or fishing from Ocean Crest Pier, you must have a fishing license. Licenses are anywhere from $15 to $30 annually depending on what license you get. You can pick one up at any bait and tackle store, Walmart, or online.
For more information about fishing piers, fishing charters, boat ramps and more, click here.
Here are some recommendations for fishing spots and trips...
Oak Island Pier
Located on the East end of Oak Island, the Oak Island pier is a popular attraction for many visitors throughout the year. The pier is noted for it's excellent saltwater fishing. Fishing starts around the first of April with large Bluefish, followed by Spanish, Trout and Flounder. King Mackerel start to show up when the water gets to around 64 degrees. Other species caught are Cobia, Whiting, Pompano, Spots, Sharks, Tarpon, Amberjack, Sheepshead, Black Drum, Red Drum, Croaker, Grey Trout, Ladyfish, Spadefish, Pinfish, and others. The North Carolina State Record for Tiger Shark came off this pier in 1966 by Walter Maxwell, and it weighed 1150 lbs.
Ocean Crest Pier
The Ocean Crest Pier is a family friendly fishing pier. It is great for fishing or just coming out to walk and enjoy the 893-foot pier. The pier is widely known for catching King Mackerel off the end of the pier. You do not need a fishing license - the pier takes care of that for you. You can bring your own gear or rent it at the pier house.
Southport Waterfront Park
The Southport Waterfront Park is a lovely 9-acre stretch popular among sightseers, shoppers, and those looking to see what's biting beneath the water's surface. The park is home to the town's fishing pier, a long "L" shaped wooden pier that extends into the Cape Fear River. Handicapped accessible with public restrooms located nearby at the Garrison House, the pier is free to the public.
Offshore Fishing
The most renowned offshore fishing spots in the area include Horseshoe (30 miles offshore), Frying Pan (25 miles offshore), and Shark Hole (20 miles offshore). You can hire a fishing charter to experience the thrill of an offshore fishing trip.
Bait & Tackle Shops
Dutchman Bait & Tackle
4019 Long Beach Road SE, Southport
http://www.dutchmancreekbaitandtackle.com
Wildlife Bait & Tackle
4381 Fish Factory Road, Southport
http://wildlifetackle.weebly.com/
Shopping
Looking for unique treasures and special souvenirs? There are quite a few local shops to find everything from gifts for your home or friends, to hand-crafted jewelry, novel gifts, and local works of art.
A full listing of clothing, gift and specialty shops in Oak Island and Southport can be found here.
Here are some of our favorites...
BeachLife OKI
5801 E. Oak Island Dr., Oak Island
https://www.facebook.com/beachlifeoki
BeachLife embodies the beach lifestyle, and carries everything from surfboards to souvenirs, and a huge inventory of t-shirts, sweatshirts, swimwear, and beach gear.
Coastal Cottage Shoppe
5130 Southport-Supply Road, Suite 105, Southport
https://www.facebook.com/coastalcottageshoppe
This beautiful shop is located just a couple miles over the Oak Island bridge in Southport. The owner partners with over 50 local vendors and artisans to bring wonderful and unique pieces of art, furniture, and decor to customers.
Color Me Carolina
4143 Colfax Lane SE, Oak Island
Just over the Oak Island bridge towards Southport, this large shop has delicious fudge, as well as a nice collection of clothing & jewelry, coastal home decor, a children's section and snack shop.
Pescado Y Amor
6018 E. Oak Island Dr., Oak Island
A fine art studio and gallery, owned and operated by a local artist.
By the Beach Treasures
6016 E. Oak Island Dr., Oak Island
https://www.facebook.com/bythebeachtreasures
This shop offers beautiful coastal decor, furniture, and gifts, and much more.
Coastal Charm
5201 E. Oak Island Dr., Oak Island
https://www.facebook.com/coastalcharmoki/
This charming shop offering a little bit of everything from beautiful coastal decor to stylish apparel, handbags, jewelry, accessories, gifts and so much more.
Mermaid Cove
6102 E. Oak Island Dr., Oak Island
http://www.mermaidcoveshoponline.com
The Mermaid Cove is a unique boutique with 5 locations in coastal North Carolina, with clothing in sizes Small through 3XL, coastal-inspired jewelry, shoes, accessories, nautical home decor and so much more.
Eagles Beachwear
5802 E. Oak Island Dr., Oak Island
This quintessential beach shop offers clothing, swimwear, and souvenirs galore.
Local Call Surf Shop
8417 E. Oak Island Dr., Oak Island
https://www.facebook.com/LocalCallSurfShop/
Oak Islands only true "surf shop", Local Call takes care of all your surfing needs from surfboards, skimboards, boogieboards, baggies, bathing suits, flip flops, sandals, glasses and much more.
Strands Outfitters
5319 E. Oak Island Dr., Oak Island
http://www.strandsoutfitters.com
Known as Oak Island’s premier resort wear and coastal accessories store, they carry top of the line apparel, accessories, sunglasses and more. Brands include Yeti, Maui Jim, Brumate, Simply Southern, AFTCO, HUK, Southern Marsh, and many more.
Ocean Outfitters
121 E. Moore Street, Southport
Another great outfitter in Southport, carrying fantastic brands and top of the line apparel and accessories.
Houses of Worship
You can find a listing of various houses of worship in Oak Island and the surrounding area here.