Two miles across the Cape Fear River from Southport, North Carolina lies a subtropical paradise. Almost all of the 12,000 acre island is home to natural beach, marsh and maritime forest preserves and charming neighborhoods.
Enjoy traditional seaside pastimes like crabbing in Bald Head Creek or combing 14 miles of pristine beaches for shells. The Conservancy conducts a variety of outstanding children’s programs in the summer.
Golf
Golf is an integral part of the Bald Head Island recreation experience. This secluded North Carolina island found two miles across the Cape Fear River from Southport is home to a private golf course that is considered among the best in the Carolinas. The George Cobb-designed course meanders through maritime forest, freshwater lagoons and along a dune ridge with spectacular ocean views at every turn.
The Island Club Recreation Team organizes a full slate of summer camps, workshops and engaging activities for the kids including golf, tennis, art, swimming and more. Little ones will love the seaside playground located near the leisure pool.
The Island is a great place to explore nature with guided birding, alligator and turtle walks at night and guided marsh and tidal creek explorations in the morning. Visitors can also climb to the top of Old Baldy Lighthouse, the oldest lighthouse in North Carolina and take in a spectacular view from the top. The Conservancy conducts historic narrated tours of the island as well. The ambiance of this charming Southern village, the beautiful natural surroundings and the absence of gasoline powered vehicles make the Bald Head Island experience special.
Sailing
Situated two miles across the Cape Fear River from Southport, Bald Head Island provides spectacular coastal scenery and plenty of outdoor activities. Take a boat ride through the deep-water shipping channel to the Atlantic Ocean or explore the area’s pristine beaches and historic landmarks.
The island’s protected wetlands and maritime forests also offer a variety of natural adventure opportunities. The Bald Head Island Conservancy conducts several outstanding children’s camps throughout the summer. Budding Naturalists, a camp for children age 4-6, gives kids the opportunity to catch bugs and critters, hold snakes and make island-oriented arts and crafts. Junior Scientists and Conservancy Corps are programs geared to tweens and teens. Kayaking, nature hikes and crabbing are included in the experience.
For those looking to enjoy the thrill of sailing, Bald Head Island offers charters and sailboat rentals as well as sailing classes. Surfing is a popular pastime on the island, and Coastal Urge offers 90-minute land-based kiteboarding lessons to teach first-time surfers the fundamentals of catching and riding a wave.
Kayaking
The marshes of Bald Head Island are a kayaker’s paradise. Glide through the creeks with an experienced naturalist and you’ll discover a peaceful world that redefines what it means to visit this North Carolina beach town. Herons, osprey and other sea birds may fly overhead as you paddle along. And, with a little luck, you might come within feet of a sea turtle nesting or hatchling on the beach!
You can rent kayaks at the Sail Shop for a self-guided trip, but it’s also recommended to book one of the guided tours. This eco-friendly way to explore the island is popular with families, too. The Conservancy offers a range of children’s camps throughout the summer, including Budding Naturalists, for kids age 4-6; and Junior Scientists, for rising 2nd-6th graders.
If you’re a bird watcher, the Conservancy offers a number of free guided bird walks through its Bald Head Island Woods Maritime Forest Preserve. You’ll learn about the natural history of the Island, while spotting some of its beautiful bird species. And don’t miss the opportunity to join a guided sea turtle walk.
Paddle Boarding
The natural surroundings of the island are a draw for many families. In fact, some locals home school their kids on the island, and children of all ages enjoy summer camps and beach-side events like Howl at the Moon and Sunset Celebrations. The Bald Head Island Conservancy offers a wide range of hikes and programs that introduce the island’s pristine, wild environment to visitors.
Take a leisurely kayak trip on one of the many creeks or tributaries around the island, or join a tour through the salt marshes and tidal creeks led by a naturalist. The Conservancy also hosts turtle walks, where you can accompany a naturalist to the beach to see the magnificent 300-pound loggerhead sea turtles nesting and hatching on BHI beaches.
Standup paddleboarding is another popular activity on BHI, and the team at Coastal Urge can teach you how to paddleboard like a pro. They offer rentals, lessons, and more. Kiteboarding is big on the island, too, with the winds allowing for reliable surfs at East Beach. You can even take surfing lessons through the Sail Shop to learn how to hang ten like a seasoned surfer.
Fishing
The warm coastal waters surrounding Bald Head Island come alive in fall, drawing a wide variety of fish to the area. Large schools of flounder and trout move through the shallow Frying Pan Shoals – famed for the hundreds of sunken ships that snagged them over the years – and roil the water as they feed. A boat isn’t necessary to cash in on this world-class fishing. A local dockmaster can fill you in on fishing tips, reserve a slip for your boat or recommend a captain.
Wildlife-watching is a pleasure on the island, which is dotted with lagoons, nature trails and creeks. Look for osprey, eagle kingfisher and sandpiper along the half-mile Kent Mitchel Nature Trail, or join a guided walk led by a naturalist.
The tidal creeks around the island are another great way to explore, particularly by kayak. Rental companies like Coastal Urge and East Beach Surf Shop can provide you with the gear you need to see more of the island by water. The Island Club offers rentals for golf carts, bicycles and stand up paddle boards as well as access to dining choices, swimming pools, tennis, croquet and more.
