This is a very sweet park! We ate a picnic lunch and enjoyed people and dog watching from the…read moreshaded picnic table and bench swing. I have lots of fond memories at this park, just enjoying the sea view, taking pictures, and hanging out with loved ones.

Yesterday we watched several fishermen pull in fish from the dock. A kid even pulled in a 3-4 ft…read moreshark. My grandson was very excited to actually see a real shark in open air.

DO NOT GO -- Save Your Money!…read more Absolutely terrible experience. There is nothing fun or relaxing about this beach! The fire department and lifeguards are constantly yelling at people and making everyone feel like they're doing something wrong. We even watched them randomly kick people off the beach, and there seemed to be no clear reason for it. A beach is supposed to be somewhere you can relax, have fun, and enjoy the day--not somewhere you feel like you're constantly being watched, yelled at, or waiting to be told what you can and can't do. With the city and beach reportedly being nearly $2 million in debt, it's honestly not surprising if this is the kind of experience visitors and locals (like us) are getting. People aren't going to keep coming back to a beach where they can't actually enjoy themselves. Save yourself the frustration and go somewhere else. There are plenty of beaches where you can actually relax, have fun, and enjoy your day without being constantly hassled. I would absolutely avoid this beach at all cost. Sadly a year ago this beach was NOT like this, used to be so different a year ago!

Skip Carolina Beach $50 parking and drive 3 miles south to Kure parking is $20 per day. Closest…read moreparking directions type in GPS 'Hi-Tech Arcade'. Pro tip: drive another south 3 miles to the NC aquarium there's free parking and access to the beach @ Fort Fisher State Recreation Area

The gift shop at Kure Beach Fishing Pier is hands down the best souvenir shop on the beach! They…read morehave a huge selection of high-quality T-shirts, hats, keychains, and all kinds of souvenirs that are much nicer than what we found at other shops. The prices were fair, and everything felt well-made instead of cheap tourist merchandise. It was also a nice bonus that the pier is free to walk, so we were able to enjoy the views before shopping. If you're looking for beach souvenirs that you'll actually want to keep, this is the place to go!

Great fishing access. Free to walk and watch. Just be careful, fisherman here are packed in pretty…read moreright. Saw lots of small fish caught. Great little shop with food and bait and souvenirs and tackle...pretty much anything you could need at a pier....except the motivation to go fish in the chilly wind:)

I really like Oak Island. It's not crowded and best of all, it's not Myrtle Beach. It's sooo much…read morequieter here. I know that at times it does get busy, but it's much less populated than other beaches. The only downside is that there are few restaurants nearby. Many times you may have to travel to nearby Southport to eat if restaurants are booked up. Plenty of beach houses for rental use or even purchase. Locals are pretty friendly. The area seems to have a small, close-knit community of full timers with lots of part timers who come for beach trips and warm weather each year. There's a Food Lion, a new Family Dollar, Seafood Retailers like Haag and Sons and Clem's, ice cream shops, commercial name surf shops, a cool wine shop that has craft beer and at least 4 decent restaurants including a Thai place. Southport is a 15-20 minute drive away and has tons of good places to eat (plus a movie theater, Walmart, Lowe's, etc.). The Ferries to Fort Fisher and Bald Head leave from Southport as well.

Nice little town with so much things to do. I was able to enjoy every moment out there and I had a…read morelot of fun here. Just go out and enjoy yourself while you visiting this great town.

The Town of Oak Island Parks and Recreation Department operates this recreation center with an…read moreindoor fitness center and outdoor playground, including swings and courts. It is open to residents and visitors Monday-Saturday, closed on Sunday. The wooden boardwalk through the marsh and to the beach is easily accessible from the recreation center. A kayak launch is also available. Picnic tables are available outside. See their website for a full slate of programs available.

This is a nice, free pier that has a public restroom, restaurant, and coffee shop attached to it…read more There is ample parking and the view is beautiful!

Nice fishing pier. Great views. City maintained. Friendly staff. Beautiful old glory blowing in the…read morewind at the end of the pier.

This is a gem of a find off a busy street in Shallotte. This lovely park offers beautiful views,…read morebenches, tables and serene strolls. Bring your dogs and enjoy the walk. We enjoyed a nice leisurely walk and watched the birds. This is a perfect spot for lunch or to lay out a blanket and get some sun or take a nap.

Lovely little green space near downtown Shallotte. There is a small walking path that weaves along…read morethe riverside (partial path; partial wooden deck), with some grassy space and assorted benches along the way. It's not huge, and there aren't any amenities (eg a bathroom or playground), but if you're looking for a space to take in a bit of nature and wildlife, this is a gorgeous option. When we visited there were a few people fishing off of the deck, so if that's your thing, it may be worth looking into.

Fun environment combined with a disc golf course. The Oak & Chain is an absolute gem--a perfect…read moreblend of great vibes, cold drinks, and outdoor fun. The pub offers a wide selection of craft beers that hits the spot after a round of disc golf. Their local brews are standout favorites. The disc golf course is beautifully maintained with a variety of holes that challenge both beginners and seasoned players. Staff are friendly, the crowd is welcoming, and the overall atmosphere is top-notch. Highly recommend spending an afternoon here!

This is a fun course, adjacent to a church. There are inspirational quotes at each tee. The course…read moreitself is mostly wooded with some challenging trees to navigate. After a rain, there could be areas of flowing water.