Just south of Wilmington, NC and New Hanover County sits Brunswick County, an area defined by the variety of its towns and cities.  The major inland town of Brunswick County is Shallotte, with Southport and Calabash being on the water, and the south Brunswick islands comprised of Bald Head Island, Oak Island, Holden Beach, Ocean Isle Beach, and Sunset Beach.

Southport is extremely rich in history dating back centuries.  It is home to Fort Johnston, North Carolina’s first fort, established in 1754.  A drive or walk along the oak-lined streets gives views of spectacular historic architecture, many historic homes and buildings, and a great collection of antique shops.  Southport is well-known for its wonderful antique shops, and visitors travel from all areas to take a stroll through some of the many stores and boutiques in the area.

For many people, the very mention of Calabash brings to mind delicious seafood.  This small community with around 1,300 permanent residents is home to the world-famous Calabash seafood style, and many Calabash-style restaurants dot the landscape.  Sitting on the banks of the Intracoastal Waterway, the seafood comes in daily, freshly-caught just off the coast, and many deep-sea fishing boats fills the docks, waiting to take visitors on fishing adventures.

The town of Shallotte serves as the commercial center of the county, and especially to the area’s beach communities.  It’s inland location and proximity to the area beaches make it a popular stopover location, as well as the main shopping destination for everyday goods and services.

Bald Head Island, with fourteen miles of beautiful beaches, is home to “Old Baldy,” the Bald Head Island Lighthouse, which is also the oldest lighthouse in North Carolina.  Built in 1817 and retired in 1935, this structure is both very visible and recognizable to visitors even from a distance.  Along with the lighthouse, Bald Head Island is home to many luxury houses, and is only accessible by private boat or the ferry.  With the exception of security and maintenance vehicles, gas-powered vehicles are not allowed on the island, preventing excess noise or air pollution.  This clean area is also home to the Sea Turtle Program, and Bald Head Island accounts for over 50% of all sea turtle eggs laid in North Carolina.

Just south of Bald Head Island is Oak Island, memorable for its abundance of large live oaks.  Along with the town of Oak Island, the island is also home to Fort Caswell, dating back to 1827, and now owned by the North Carolina Baptist Assembly.  Though having under 450 year-round residents, during the summers that number can easily triple from visitors and seasonal residents as well.

The South Brunswick Islands of Ocean Isle Beach, Sunset Beach, and Holden Beach are each as quaint as they are beautiful.  With a combined coastline of only 22 miles, these three island communities offer life at a very relaxing pace, and welcome visitors looking to escape the crowded beaches further north.  These beaches are also very popular for vacationing families looking to have a peaceful week on the ocean.