While it could be tempting to pull out your lounge chair, slip on some sunglasses and spend the whole day horizontal under the bright, warm sun, Carolina Beach is so much more than just your average beach town and another beach.
Located in North Carolina, Carolina Beach is about two miles long with the Atlantic Ocean to your east and Cape Fear River to your west, and there are adventures to be had on each foot.
Learn to Surf: If this is your first surf lesson there is no better place to give it a try. Pro surfer, educator, and Carolina Beach native Tony Silvagni is the one-stop-shop for all things surfing in Carolina Beach. Tony is great with kids and adults alike and really balances teachable moments with having fun. Tony and his team will get you all set up with the perfect board for you and teach you how to read the waves and feel confident on the water.
SUP in the Intracoastal Waterway: If you’re hesitant with the ocean current or want to try something new, give stand-up paddleboarding a try. Tony launches these tours from the Intracoastal Waterway, where the currents and winds are usually a lot calmer. You’ll get to work on your balance, and it’s a great full body work-up, where you can also get a tan.
Bike the Island: Since everything in Carolina Beach is relatively close to one another, a bike makes it so you really wouldn’t have to get in your car the entire time of your vacation. We rented bikes and rode from our hotel on the boardwalk to the state park and over to the brewery. Such a fun way to see the island and get some easy-going work-out.
Fishing: Extending over 700 feet into the Atlantic Ocean, the Carolina Beach Fishing Pier is one of the most photogenic attractions in all of Carolina Beach. Whether you plan a full day of fishing or just spend an hour or two to see what you can catch, you’re bound to have a good time. If you’re traveling with kids, the undeveloped beach to the north end is perfect for surfers or swimmers looking to have a blast at the beach.
Hike around Carolina Beach State Park: With 13 different plant communities and home to the Venus flytrap – one of the only places in the world where Venus flytrap’s naturally exist – Carolina Beach State Park is a natural wonder that must be explored. Hiking the trails, either on guided tours or on self-guided excursions, allows you to see the ecosystems up close and at your own speed.
Staying in the Park, head towards Cape Fear River and rent a kayak from Paddle NC. You can easily pick a few kayaks and head off on your own, or join a group tour lead by local instructor and guide. The eco-tour is one of our favorites, but we’d love to return and try the sunset tour so we could capture some photos at dusk.
Disc Golf at the Brewery: Good Hops Brewing might not be your first thought for getting active, but with their full disc golf course outside amongst the woods, you’re in for a treat. Afterward, don’t forget to enjoy a nice round of cold beers when you’re done.
