The Best Outdoor Adventures in North Carolina's Brunswick Islands

Located between the popular beach destinations of Wilmington, North Carolina, and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, the laid-back Brunswick Islands set a slower, more affordable vacation pace without sacrificing any beachy pleasures. This collection of five barrier islands — Oak Island, Ocean Isle Beach, Sunset Beach, Holden Beach, and Bald Head Island — gives you 45 miles of less crowded beaches to explore. You'll find everything from family-friendly spots with piers and inviting dining options to undeveloped dune and wetland stretches where local flora and fauna abound. Post any outdoors exploration, enjoy the small-town vibes of Southport, Shallotte, Leland, and Calabash, the last of which lays claim to the title "Seafood Capital of the World."