Fun in the Sun on Your Family Vacation at Ocean Isle Beach

Ocean Isle Beach gives visitors a true barrier island getaway, with the Atlantic Ocean and Intracoastal Waterway on either side. And it’s not your typical beach town that you’ll find along the Carolina coasts. It’s less busy than Wrightsville Beach and Myrtle Beach (it has a population of just 900 people), yet it gives a bit more visitor-friendly atmosphere than quieter beaches like Kure Beach or Holden Beach. Coastal vacation homes dominate the skyline instead of major resorts. And the small island area means you’re always minutes away from water.

Here, you’ll encounter lots of families enjoying the beach setting, so there are plenty of things to do for adults and kids to keep everyone engaged in having an amazing vacation.

Let’s go to the beach!

Families craving a beach destination will find paradise in Ocean Isle Beach. This barrier island offers 7 miles of Atlantic Ocean coastline, perfect for swimming. The calmer waters are the ideal conditions even for kids to play in, and don’t attract nearly as many surfers as other nearby beaches. The soft, white, sandy beach is a favorite for kids who enjoy building sandcastles and getting buried in the sand.

Use this map to see all 30+ public beach access points on Ocean Isle Beach. It makes it convenient to reach for anyone visiting the island. The access points offer restroom/changing/shower facilities, free and paid parking options, and even wheelchair accessibility.

Things to do outside the beach

It’s no secret that Ocean Isle Beach is for sun, sand, and shores. But when the sunscreen finally runs out, explore some of the other exciting family-friendly activities nearby.

1. Put a hole-in-one with mini-golf

From scenic golf courses at River’s Edge and The Links to golf carts cruising across the Ocean Isle Breach Bridge onto the island, it’s clear to see the golf influence the moment you arrive in OIB. But while the adults play the fairways on the local 18-hole golf courses, family visitors can still get in on the golfing action at Ocean Isle Mini Golf. Open year-round, all ages are welcome to play a round on the shaded 18-hole mini course. Winner gets an extra scoop of their popular soft-serve!

1. Gone fishing

Bond with your family this vacation over fishing! Continue along the Causeway Drive after crossing the bridge, and you’ll end up at the Ocean Isle Beach Pier. At nearly 1,000 feet long, it puts you far enough away from the shore to catch flounder, King Mackerel, and trout. Charters with the Ocean Isle Fishing Center (https://www.oifc.com/charter) feature a kid’s introductory trip to show young ones the ropes, and hopefully catch a Sea Bass while out on the water.

1. Walk the Ocean Isle Beach Nature Trail

Tire out the kids on a scenic trek on the Ocean Isle Beach Nature Trail. This easy hike is perfect for families who want to mix in some outdoor recreation to their vacation. It takes about an hour to walk the 0.7-mile route. Flip-flops are acceptable footwear for walking across the boardwalk trail through the coastal marsh and wetlands.

1. Kayak the Intracoastal Waterway

Having access to the Intracoastal Waterway is one of the perks of visiting Ocean Isle Beach. It feels a world away from the oceanside coast, although the island is less than a half-mile wide to reach either side. Rent tandem kayaks from Sandpapers Beach Supplies for a self-guided water adventure where you’ll encounter everything from eagles to seabirds to dolphins!

1. Aerial obstacle courses and ziplining

Aerial adventures abound at The Swamp Park Outdoor Adventure Center. Ages 10+ can soar above the treetops and swamplands on the Cypress Canopy Zip Line Tour. Kids as young as 8 can hop on the back of a four-wheeler with an adult for a guided ATV tour through the forested terrain. The Aerial Adventure Park has obstacles that test agility for all skill levels, and even a Kiddie Park for kids as young as age 4.

1. Interactive fun learning

Depart your vacation smarter than you arrived by exploring the local cultural institutions. Dive into the underwater world inside the Museum of Coastal Carolina, where you’ll find a touch tank filled with sea stars and sea urchins, an augmented reality sandbox, and their annual Family Day. Turn towards the skies at the Ingram Planetarium, featuring laser light shows and screenings inside the Sky Theater.

1. Attend family-friendly events at Town Center Park

Town Center Park is an excellent alternative to the beach. It has a splash pad for kids, a play area, and a spacious lawn to run around. Its extended summer season park hours leave plenty of time to check out the calendar full of events it hosts. Relax on the lawn for the outdoor movie screenings and check out live performances at the park’s amphitheater. Pets are welcome, too!

1. How long to stay in Ocean Isle Beach

Ocean Isle Beach has plenty of things to do for the entire family. Weekend getaways are typically spent primarily on the beach and dining at popular restaurants like Sharky’s and the Ocean Isle Fish Company. Staying 3-4 days gives flexibility to include alternative beach activities, such as boat tours and recreation. For families staying for 5-7 days or longer, it’s time to visit nearby places, such as Carolina Beach and the historic Wilmington, both approximately an hour away.

Our Goin’ Coastal vacation home is family-friendly, accommodating up to 15 guests! See why guests love it for vacationing in Ocean Isle Beach.