WELCOME
TO BRUNSWICK COUNTY
Brunswick County encompasses a stretch of approximately 50 miles of pristine beaches, including popular destinations like Oak Island, Holden Beach, Ocean Isle Beach and Sunset Beach. Bordered by the Cape Fear River to the east, there are ample opportunities for boating, fishing, and scenic cruises. Additionally, the Intracoastal Waterway winds its way through the county, offering seemingly endless picturesque views and outdoor adventures.
Get to know BrunsCo.
Brunswick County, located in southeastern North Carolina, is a captivating destination known for its stunning coastal beauty, rich history, and abundant recreational opportunities. With a diverse range of attractions and activities, the county offers something for everyone.
Within Brunswick County, there are several charming cities and towns worth visiting. Southport, with its historic downtown area and waterfront promenade, exudes a delightful small-town charm. Shallotte, the county's largest town, serves as a hub for shopping, dining, and entertainment. Other notable communities include Calabash (known as the "Seafood Capital of the World") and Leland, which is experiencing rapid growth and development.
With this enticing setting and array of destinations, Brunswick County beckons visitors to explore its natural wonders, uncover its historical treasures, engage in outdoor activities, and immerse themselves in its vibrant coastal culture.
.png)
Southport
Southport, located at the mouth of the Cape Fear River, is a charming coastal town known for its rich history, picturesque waterfront, and Southern charm. The waterfront promenade is a hub of activity, lined with charming shops, restaurants, and art galleries. Strolling along the riverwalk offers stunning views of boats gliding by and both the Oak Island and Bald Head Island lighthouses in the distance. The downtown area showcases a wealth of historic architecture, including well-preserved 19th-century homes, colonial-style buildings, and quaint churches. The area exudes a timeless charm, making it a favorite spot for visitors and residents alike.
Southport hosts a variety of festivals and events throughout the year, including the Fourth of July Festival, Wooden Boat Show, Summer Markets, and the Christmas Flotilla. These events showcase the town's vibrant community spirit and provide entertainment for all ages.
Oak Island
Oak Island boasts over 10 miles of soft sandy shores, gentle waves, and breathtaking sunrises. It's a perfect spot for sunbathing, swimming, beachcombing, and building sandcastles. The beach is also known for its fishing pier, which provides anglers with a prime spot for casting their lines. The calm waters of the Intracoastal Waterway and the Davis Canal, which winds its way through the middle of the island, provide ideal conditions for kayaking, paddleboarding, and surfing.
The Oak Island Lighthouse stands as a symbol of the island. Built-in 1958, it is one of the newest lighthouses in North Carolina and serves as an active aid to navigation. Visitors can take guided tours of the lighthouse, climb its 131 steps, and enjoy panoramic views from the top. The island also offers golfers several options to tee off in beautiful coastal surroundings. There are multiple courses on the island and in nearby areas, catering to players of all skill levels. Golfers can enjoy challenging fairways, scenic views, and a relaxed golfing experience.
.png)
Holden Beach
One of North Carolina's barrier islands, Holden Beach boasts a quiet and unspoiled coastline, offering visitors a peaceful retreat. Its pristine shoreline is ideal for long walks, shelling, and birdwatching. With limited commercial development, visitors can revel in the natural beauty of the area.
The island is committed to environmental preservation. The beachfront is lined with dunes, which protect the island and its wildlife. Visitors can learn about the local ecosystem, including the nesting habits of loggerhead sea turtles, and witness the efforts to protect these endangered creatures. The waters around the island are teeming with fish, including flounder, red drum, and king mackerel, making it a fisherman's paradise.
Calabash
Known for its delectable seafood, relaxed atmosphere, and Southern hospitality, Calabash offers a unique culinary experience and a taste of coastal living. Calabash is renowned for its seafood restaurants that serve up the famous Calabash-style seafood. This style of cooking involves lightly battering and frying fresh seafood, such as shrimp, oysters, flounder, and crab, to create a mouthwatering and crispy dish.
Nestled along the banks of the picturesque Intracoastal Waterway, Calabash provides the perfect backdrop for a romantic dinner or a leisurely stroll along the waterfront. Its reputation as the "Seafood Capital of the World" and delightful coastal charm make it a must-visit destination for seafood lovers and those seeking a relaxed coastal experience. With its mouthwatering cuisine, scenic waterfront, and local art scene, Calabash offers a delightful blend of flavors, sights, and cultural experiences.
Bald Head Island
Bald Head Island is a secluded and picturesque barrier island that offers a unique and tranquil coastal experience. Accessible only by ferry or private boat, this car-free island provides a peaceful retreat from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Here you can enjoy 14 miles of stunning beaches with soft sand and rolling dunes. The island is also home to 12,000 acres of salt marshes and lush maritime forests made up of towering live oak trees draped with Spanish moss. This unspoiled beauty can be explored by foot, bicycle or golf cart.
The Old Baldy Lighthouse, built-in 1817, is the oldest lighthouse in North Carolina still standing. Visitors can climb the lighthouse's spiral staircase to the top for panoramic views of the island, Cape Fear River, and the Atlantic Ocean. Amid the beauty of this island you will find the prestigious Bald Head Island Club, which features a championship golf course designed by George Cobb. Golfers can enjoy a round of golf surrounded by scenic marshes, maritime forests, and breathtaking ocean views.
St James
St. James Plantation, located in Southport, offers a plethora of activities and amenities for residents and visitors alike. Nestled along the stunning coastline, this vibrant community boasts four championship golf courses that cater to golf enthusiasts of all skill levels. Golfers can spend their days navigating beautifully designed fairways, enjoying breathtaking views, and perfecting their swing. For those seeking outdoor adventures , St. James offers a network of scenic walking and biking trails that wind through lush landscapes, providing ample opportunity for exercise and exploration.
St. James also provides residents with access to a marina, where boating enthusiasts can set sail and immerse themselves in the serene waters of the Intracoastal Waterway. In addition, the community offers tennis courts, fitness centers, and swimming pools, ensuring that individuals of all interests and fitness levels can find an activity that suits them. With its wide range of recreational options, St. James Plantation is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts and a place where residents can embrace an active and fulfilling lifestyle.
Ocean Isle Beach
Bald Head Island is a secluded and picturesque barrier island that offers a unique and tranquil coastal experience. Accessible only by ferry or private boat, this car-free island provides a peaceful retreat from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Here you can enjoy 14 miles of stunning beaches with soft sand and rolling dunes. The island is also home to lush maritime forests made up of towering live oak trees draped with Spanish moss. This unspoiled beauty can be explored by foot, bicycle or golf cart.
The Old Baldy Lighthouse, built-in 1817, is the oldest lighthouse in North Carolina still standing. Visitors can climb the lighthouse's spiral staircase to the top for panoramic views of the island, Cape Fear River, and the Atlantic Ocean. Amid the beauty of this island you will find the prestigious Bald Head Island Club, which features a championship golf course designed by George Cobb. Golfers can enjoy a round of golf surrounded by scenic marshes, maritime forests, and breathtaking ocean views.
Shallotte
Known for its delectable seafood, relaxed atmosphere, and Southern hospitality, Calabash offers a unique culinary experience and a taste of coastal living. Calabash is renowned for its seafood restaurants that serve up the famous Calabash-style seafood. This style of cooking involves lightly battering and frying fresh seafood, such as shrimp, oysters, flounder, and crab, to create a mouthwatering and crispy dish.
Nestled along the banks of the picturesque Intracoastal Waterway, Calabash provides the perfect backdrop for a romantic dinner or a leisurely stroll along the waterfront. Its reputation as the "Seafood Capital of the World" and delightful coastal charm make it a must-visit destination for seafood lovers and those seeking a relaxed coastal experience. With its mouthwatering cuisine, scenic waterfront, and local art scene, Calabash offers a delightful blend of flavors, sights, and cultural experiences.
Sunset Beach
Bald Head Island is a secluded and picturesque barrier island that offers a unique and tranquil coastal experience. Accessible only by ferry or private boat, this car-free island provides a peaceful retreat from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Here you can enjoy 14 miles of stunning beaches with soft sand and rolling dunes. The island is also home to lush maritime forests made up of towering live oak trees draped with Spanish moss. This unspoiled beauty can be explored by foot, bicycle or golf cart.
The Old Baldy Lighthouse, built-in 1817, is the oldest lighthouse in North Carolina still standing. Visitors can climb the lighthouse's spiral staircase to the top for panoramic views of the island, Cape Fear River, and the Atlantic Ocean. Amid the beauty of this island you will find the prestigious Bald Head Island Club, which features a championship golf course designed by George Cobb. Golfers can enjoy a round of golf surrounded by scenic marshes, maritime forests, and breathtaking ocean views.
Bolivia
Known for its delectable seafood, relaxed atmosphere, and Southern hospitality, Calabash offers a unique culinary experience and a taste of coastal living. Calabash is renowned for its seafood restaurants that serve up the famous Calabash-style seafood. This style of cooking involves lightly battering and frying fresh seafood, such as shrimp, oysters, flounder, and crab, to create a mouthwatering and crispy dish.
Nestled along the banks of the picturesque Intracoastal Waterway, Calabash provides the perfect backdrop for a romantic dinner or a leisurely stroll along the waterfront. Its reputation as the "Seafood Capital of the World" and delightful coastal charm make it a must-visit destination for seafood lovers and those seeking a relaxed coastal experience. With its mouthwatering cuisine, scenic waterfront, and local art scene, Calabash offers a delightful blend of flavors, sights, and cultural experiences.
Leland
.png)
Bald Head Island is a secluded and picturesque barrier island that offers a unique and tranquil coastal experience. Accessible only by ferry or private boat, this car-free island provides a peaceful retreat from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Here you can enjoy 14 miles of stunning beaches with soft sand and rolling dunes. The island is also home to lush maritime forests made up of towering live oak trees draped with Spanish moss. This unspoiled beauty can be explored by foot, bicycle or golf cart.
The Old Baldy Lighthouse, built-in 1817, is the oldest lighthouse in North Carolina still standing. Visitors can climb the lighthouse's spiral staircase to the top for panoramic views of the island, Cape Fear River, and the Atlantic Ocean. Amid the beauty of this island you will find the prestigious Bald Head Island Club, which features a championship golf course designed by George Cobb. Golfers can enjoy a round of golf surrounded by scenic marshes, maritime forests, and breathtaking ocean views.
Caswell Beach
Known for its delectable seafood, relaxed atmosphere, and Southern hospitality, Calabash offers a unique culinary experience and a taste of coastal living. Calabash is renowned for its seafood restaurants that serve up the famous Calabash-style seafood. This style of cooking involves lightly battering and frying fresh seafood, such as shrimp, oysters, flounder, and crab, to create a mouthwatering and crispy dish.
Nestled along the banks of the picturesque Intracoastal Waterway, Calabash provides the perfect backdrop for a romantic dinner or a leisurely stroll along the waterfront. Its reputation as the "Seafood Capital of the World" and delightful coastal charm make it a must-visit destination for seafood lovers and those seeking a relaxed coastal experience. With its mouthwatering cuisine, scenic waterfront, and local art scene, Calabash offers a delightful blend of flavors, sights, and cultural experiences.
