Take a Private Charter Boat TripMany visitors to the area enjoy going fishing in private charter boats. A variety of private charter options are available in Brunswick County, including full-day and half-day trips that can either go inshore or offshore. Depending on what kind of trip you are interested in, you will more than likely be able to find a captain in Brunswick County who can meet your needs. Half-day charters range from $300 to $600 and full-day charters range from $650 to $1,200. A variety of charters are available in the area. Bald Head Island offers Impulsive Charters at (910) 457-5331, while Oak Island is home to the Boss Lady Charter Boat Services at (910) 278-3433, the Fugitive Charter Boat at (910) 278-3796 and the Liquid Asset Sport Fishing Charter Boat at (910) 278-4199. Southport offers the Southport Fishing Center at (910) 454-4000 and the Salty Dog Charter Boat at (910) 278-9834. In Holden Beach, Holden Beach Charters can be reached at (910) 842-9055, while Ocean Isle Beach is home to the Voyager Fishing Charters at (910) 575-5978 and Captain Brant's Fishing Charters at (910) 575-3474. Try Your Luck at Fly-FishingFly-fishing is a type of fishing that is enjoyed by avid fishermen, and it requires great fishing skills. If you are a beginner in the sport of fly-fishing, you may want to visit some local shops that can teach you about the sport. Nearby in Wrightsville Beach, the Gottafly Guide Service offers fly-fishing charters of the area and can be reached at (910) 350-0890. Also nearby, in Surf City, East Coast Sports offers advice on bait and tackle for your fly-fishing experience. For more information, contact East Coast Sports at (910) 328-1887. Enjoy an Afternoon of Water-SkiIngBrunswick County offers a variety of great waters that are suited for water-skiing, which is a popular recreational activity that can't always be enjoyed in coastal areas. In Brunswick County, the 22-mile stretch of beach between Ocean Isle Beach and Sunset Beach is great for skiing because of its quiet surf. Also, northwest of Southport in Boiling Spring Lakes you will find Big Lake, which offers great water-skiing conditions and a free public boat ramp on Alton Lennon Drive. Go Searching For Beach TreasuresWhile you are hanging out on the beaches of Brunswick County, you may want to go beachcombing for beach "treasures" that are found in the area. Shells and shark's teeth are easily found on the beaches, especially after storms and hurricanes. On a normal day, the best time to search for treasures is after high tide. Shark's teeth normally sparkle at the water's edge in coarse, wet sand. Whole sand dollars are also very common on the beaches of Brunswick County, but make sure you leave the live ones on the beach. If they are still brown and furry, they are alive and should be returned to the water. If they are white and skeletal, you can take them home with you! Whatever you find at the beach, it is a good idea to clean your treasures with mild bleach water. Have Lunch at the River Pilot CaféThe River Pilot Café of Bald Head Island serves breakfast, lunch and dinner and offers great views of the Cape Fear River. Their menu offers a variety of Southern food that includes seafood, meats, vegetables, and more. Adjacent to the Café is the River Pilot Lounge, which offers cocktails and a late-night menu. While you are on Bald Head Island viewing the lighthouse or other local attractions, you may want to stop and enjoy a meal at the River Pilot Café. For more information, call (910) 457-7390. Attend the Annual Christmas by the Sea FestivalThe Christmas by the Sea Festival, sponsored each year by the Southport-Oak Island Chamber of Commerce, is an annual festival to celebrate the Christmas holiday. The moderate climate of the North Carolina Coast makes the weather beautiful in December, and this festival is a great way to celebrate! Fresh mistletoe and seashell ornaments are available for purchase at local shops, and oyster stuffing is a popular local holiday food. The festival occurs during three weekends of December and involves a variety of community organizations. A parade and tour of homes in Oak Island kicks off the festivities for the first weekend, and the second weekend takes visitors to Southport for a historic home tour, lighted boat parade, choral concert and a variety of great local shopping. Finally, the third weekend finishes the festival with a band concert and a variety of children's activities. For more information, contact the Southport-Oak Island Chamber of Commerce at (800) 457-6964. Learn about the Agri-Tourism Industry of Brunswick CountyThere are a number of local farms in Brunswick County that are available for tours. Your family may enjoy an afternoon tour of a produce farm, aquatic farm, cattle or swine farm, or a tobacco or cotton operational farm. Several of the produce farms allow you to pick your own tomatoes, strawberries, and other in-season fruits and vegetables, while the other types of farms will enable you to get a glimpse into the farm operation lifestyle. For an informational guide about the various farms in the area, contact the Brunswick County Center of the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service at (910) 253-2610. Ride Personal Watercraft in the Intracoastal WaterwayThough there aren't many opportunities for riding personal watercraft in Brunswick County, a variety of options are available in the nearby Cape Fear area. Riders launch into the Intracoastal Waterway from Sneads Ferry and Wrightsville Beach, which are both just a short drive from Brunswick County. For more information about personal watercraft safety courses, contact the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary at (910) 270-9830. For information about rentals, contact Paradise Landing in Sneads Ferry at (910) 327-2114 or Performance Watercraft of Wrightsville Beach at (910) 799-9283. Go WindsurfingWindsurfing is a popular water sport that is enjoyed in many coastal areas, and Brunswick County is no exception. In the Oak Island area, many windsurfers enjoy their sport in the ocean waters. Some other area waters like the Shallotte Inlet and River and the Intracoastal Waterway are decent options, but not always great options because of their limited space. For more information about windsurfing in the area, or for information about equipment, contact Blowing in the Wind at (888) 691-8034, which is the area's kite and wind shop and is located in Wilmington. Rent Beach Gear from Beach Fun RentalsBeach Fun Rentals of Holden Beach is a full-service rental shop that offers a variety of items to assist you with your vacation needs. You can either pick up your items or choose to have it delivered to your rental home for FREE! Practical items like baby furniture and bed linens are available, but there are also kayaks, bikes, surfboards, Bocce Ball, boogie boards, beach chairs and umbrellas, and more are also available. If you want to have fun participating in beach activities during your stay in Brunswick County but don't want to bring everything from home, Beach Fun Rentals can help! For more information, contact Beach Fun Rentals at (888) 355-4446. | Brunswick Beaches RestaurantsDuffer's Pub & Grille at the Oak Island Golf Club928 Caswell Beach Road Oak Island, NC 28465 Yacht Basin Provision Company 130 Yacht Basin Drive Southport, NC 28461 Fishy Fishy Cafe 106 Yacht Basin Drive Southport, NC 28461 Flava's Coffee Shop 310 W Bay Street Southport, NC 28461 Dry Dock Restaurant 115 Yacht Basin Drive Southport, NC 28461 PJ's Restaurant & Market 614 W West Street Southport, NC 28461 Fish Tales Restaurant & Tiki Bar 606 W West Street Southport, NC 28461 Cape Fear Restaurant & Lounge 101 W Bay Street Southport, NC 28461 The Trolley Stop 111 S Howe Street, Suite A Southport, NC 28461 Port City Java Coffee House 113 N Howe Street PO Box 10145 Southport, NC 28461 The Pharmacy Restaurant 110 E Moore Street Southport, NC 28461 Thai Peppers Restaurant 111 E Moore Street Southport, NC 28461 Brunswick Beaches ShoppingPotter's Seafood94 Yacht Basin Drive Southport, NC 28461 Cape Fear Coppershop 600 W Brunswick Street, Suite #5 Southport, NC 28461 Southport Bait & Tackle 701 W West Street Southport, NC 28461 Karen's Just Dessert 3 St. Andrews Drive Oak Island, NC 28465 Waterfront Gifts & Antiques 117 S Howe Street Southport, NC 28461 The Christmas House 104 W Moore Street Southport, NC 28461 Cape Fear Jewelers 102 E Moore Street Southport, NC 28461 Old Elegance Antiques 105 S Howe Street Southport, NC 28461 Splish Splash 104 E Moore Street Oak Island, NC 28465 Good Ship Lollipop 108 E Moore Street Southport, NC 28461 Etcetera 112 E Moore Street Southport, NC 28461 Southport Antiques 105 E Moore Street Southport, NC 28461 Brunswick Beaches AttractionsThe Oak Island Lighthouse1100 Caswell Beach Road Oak Island, NC 28465 NC Baptist Assembly / Fort Caswell 100 Caswell Beach Road Oak Island, NC 28465 Southport Marina 701 W West Street Southport, NC 28461 Indigo Plantation & Marina 6099 Indigo Plantation Road Southport, NC 28461 North Carolina Maritime Museum at Southport 116 N Howe Street Southport, NC 28461 Southport Parks and Recreation Department 107 E Nash Street Stevens Park Southport, NC 28461 The Chapel of the Cross at St. Philip 205 E Moore Street Southport, NC 28461 Fort Johnston Intersection of Davis and Bay Streets Southport, NC 28461 Southport Historical Society 501 N Atlantic Avenue Southport, NC 28461 The Old Brunswick County Jail 501 N Atlantic Avenue Southport Historical Society Southport, NC 28461 South Harbour Village 4909 Fish Factory Road Southport, NC 28461 Yaupon Beach Fishing Pier 705 Ocean Drive Oak Island, NC 28465 Brunswick Beaches ActivitiesOak Island Golf Club928 Caswell Beach Road Oak Island, NC 28465 Winds of Carolina Sailing Charters 701 W West Street Southport Marina Southport, NC 28461 Starship Deep Sea Fishing & Scenic Cruises 701 W West Street Southport Fishing Center Southport, NC 28461 Cape Fear Maritime Passenger Co., LLC 230 Caswell Avenue Solomon T - The Heritage Boat at the Southport Marina Southport, NC 28461 Cape Fear Sailing Academy 5003 O'Quinn Boulevard Suite G Southport, NC 28461 Priority Sailing Academy 5900 Dutchman Creek Road Southport, NC 28461 Southport Parks and Recreation Department 107 E Nash Street Stevens Park Southport, NC 28461 Sailtime Southport 4956 Long Beach Road, Suites #14-119 Southport, NC 28461 The Cutting Edge II 505 N Howe Street Southport, NC 28461 Endless Summer Sailing Cruises 4909 Fish Factory Road South Harbour Village Marina Southport, NC 28461 South Harbour Village 4909 Fish Factory Road Southport, NC 28461 The Adventure Company 807 Howe Street, Suite A Southport, NC 28461 |