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2025 Wilmington Nature Spots Guide

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Wilmington Sunset Beach Ocean Isle Beach Holden Beach Oak Island Bald Head Island Southport Kure Beach Carolina Beach WrightsvilleBeach
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Jungle Rapids Family Fun Park

There’s an ocean of adventures waiting for visitors at the Jungle Rapids Family Fun Park. Featuring a full range of entertainment options including a water park, mini golf course, go karts, arcade, and so much more, veritably every visitor...

Become an AQUAHOLIC in this oceanfront, ...
5.0
(47)

Aquaholic's oceanfront LOCATION on Oak Island, NC, is the ideal spot to appreciate a coastal vacation. With its white, sandy beaches and handsome sunsets, it is no surprise that Oak Island was voted one of America’s top 10 family/dog-friendly...

  • Oak Island
  • 5 Bedrooms
  • 3 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 13
Victory Beach Vacations

Visitors who are on the hunt for the postcard-perfect vacation rental in the heart of the Carolina Beach or Kure Beach area will find an enticing selection and plenty of friendly customer service when they rent through Victory Beach Vacations. Based...

3 bedroom 2 bath, Sleeps 7
4.8
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Shrimp On The Barbee: Your Coastal Getaway on Oak IslandLocated in the calming, historic Yaupon area of Oak Island, Shrimp On The Barbee is a freshly constructed, 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom home designed for relaxation and memory-making. This striking...

  • Oak Island
  • 3 Bedrooms
  • 2 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 7
Bald Head Ferry

The Bald Head Island Ferry Terminal is the gateway to exploring the small, but popular paradise of Bald Head Island. Located on the northern edge of the roughly 5 square mile island, and bordering the Cape Fear River, the terminal deposits visitors...

Oceanfront+Pet-friendly+1st floor+Near N...
4.7
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Beach renourishment is expected Fall 2025. Beach erosion is in progress (it comes and goes) and if the immediate Periwinkle beach access is inaccessible to walk, you can access the beach at the neighboring Clam Shell public beach access or at...

  • Carolina Beach
  • 2 Bedrooms
  • 2 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 6
Kure Beach

Sandwiched in between the hopping beach town of Carolina Beach and the quiet shorelines of Fort Fisher and the Zeke’s Island Reserve, Kure Beach is a picturesque beach vacation destination that offers a little bit of everything to visitors...

Cape Fear Vacation Rentals

The Cape Fear area – from Wilmington to Southport – is brimming with accommodation options. With a far-reaching range of campgrounds, motels and hotels, and resorts, visitors will find no shortage of places to stay, regardless of whether...

Oceanfront Resort Condo with Pool, Beach...

Welcome to The Wright Retreat, your charming boutique escape located in the opulent Duneridge Resort at Wrightsville Beach. This enchanting oceanfront condo, located on the first level of Building 2, is the closest unit to the broad pool and offers...

  • Wrightsville Beach
  • 3 Bedrooms
  • 2 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 7
Rainy Day Activities in the Cape Fear Area

Rain or shine, the Cape Fear area is always brimming with ways to learn something new, have some fun, and create incredible memories that will last long after a vacation is over. From unique museums and historic sites to incredible shopping and...

Driving on the Beach - Cape Fear and Brunswick Islands

The coastline of North Carolina is unique in that beach-goers have ample opportunities to explore the shoreline from the comfort and convenience of a 4WD vehicle. From the northern Outer Banks along the Virginia state border to the sunny beach towns...

Hidden Gem in Porters Neck with Hot Tub+...

Escape to the Porters Neck area & discover the ideal blend of nature's serenity and modern convenience. Our inviting home, located in a lush woodland setting, offers a peaceful getaway that's just mins. away from a wealth of amenities & attractions...

  • Wilmington
  • 4 Bedrooms
  • 2 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 9
Fort Fisher State Recreation Area

Enjoy miles of pristine beaches, salt marshes, and scenic views in every direction with a visit to Fort Fisher State Recreation Area. Located just south of Kure Beach, and renowned for its 6 miles of undeveloped shoreline, this sunny beach...

Cape Fear area Surfing Guide

Surfing is big in the Cape Fear area, and it’s a sport that has been enjoyed by decades of locals and vacationers alike. With gentle summertime waves that are perfect for beginners, and larger and more challenging swells that can make an...

1 Mi to Beach: Sustainable Oak Island Ho...

Feel the best of Oak Island, NC, from this 2-bedroom, 1-bath vacation rental! Located in Oak Island Wooded, ‘Quietude’ features a comfortable living area, a entirely supplied kitchen, and access to the area’s top beaches and attractions. Sip...

  • Oak Island
  • 2 Bedrooms
  • 1 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 4
The Cotton Exchange

Visitors can celebrate Wilmington's deep-rooted history in trade with a visit to the historic Cotton Exchange. The complex of eight buildings features over 30 shops and restaurants that are worthy of exploration, and will provide an enjoyable...

Cape Fear & Brunswick Islands Fishing Guide

Whether a visitor lands in the inland regions of Wilmington and mainland New Hanover County, or the coastal vacation hotspots of Carolina Beach and Wrightsville Beach, fishing is always readily available – and celebrated – in the Cape...

Oceanview -  Coastal Charm Oasis

Discover the epitome of coastal living at Coastal Charm Oasis! Located just mins. away from the shining shores of the ocean, this impressive vacation home offers ocean vistas, ample space and comfort for you and your appreciated ones.Unwind on the...

  • Carolina Beach
  • 4 Bedrooms
  • 3 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 10
Salt Life Condo | 2BR 2BA steps from the...
5.0
(5)

Capture the Salt Life from this delightfully redecorated 1st floor condo, featuring spectacular sunsets and intracoastal waterway vistas! This canal jewel is located across the street from the ICW, and only a few steps away from the nearest beach...

  • Carolina Beach
  • 2 Bedrooms
  • 2 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 6
Caswell Beach

Visitors who love a quiet beach town, a dash of history, and a sunny location that’s close to a variety of Cape Fear attractions will fall in love with Caswell Beach. This small community that’s tucked away on the eastern edge of Oak...

Cape Fear Beaches Guide

If there’s one thing that Cape Fear locals and visitors alike adore, it’s the local beaches. The area is teaming with stunning shorelines that span from the private Figure Eight Island all the way to the pristine Zeke’s Island...

4 Mi to Ocean: Modern Townhome in Wilmin...

End Unit w/ Ample Natural Light | New Furnishings | Near Wrightsville SUP: Units & LessonsBlissful coastal living awaits at this Wilmington vacation rental! Located near aquatic activities and impressive city attractions, this 3-bed, 3-bath townhome...

  • Wilmington
  • 3 Bedrooms
  • 3 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 6
Carolina Beach Lake Park

Enjoy a freshwater environment just a block or so away from the beach with a visit to Carolina Beach Lake Park. This public park is centered on the 11-acre freshwater lake, which was noted in the Guinness Book of World Records as being the closest...

Bald Head Island

Bald Head Island, a roughly 5 square mile southern North Carolina barrier island that extends into the Atlantic Ocean, may be a small and secluded island destination, but it makes up for its size with a world of exclusive and elite vacation style.

????Shore Beats Work: 2BR Beachfront Con...

Reasons You Will Appreciate Shore Beats Work:* Beachfront condo with ocean view deck* Steps from the beach with a private balcony off the primary bedroom* Open living space with Intelligent TV and comfortable seating* Totally equipped kitchen with...

  • Carolina Beach
  • 2 Bedrooms
  • 2 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 5
New Hanover County Arboretum

The New Hanover County Arboretum, located on the outskirts of Downtown Wilmington on Oleander Drive, is a peaceful retreat for nature lovers everywhere. With seven acres of greenery, and gorgeous foliage that changes with the season, every visit...

Airlie Gardens

Arlie Gardens is home to a stunning collection of natural gardens and eye-catching artworks which continually impresses visitors to the Wilmington area. Established in 1901, and originally used as a private garden for the wealthy Pembroke family...

Long Leaf Park

Long Leaf Park is a centrally located public park that features a wealth of natural beauty and scenery, as well as plenty of activities to keep park-goers of all ages engaged. Located just south of the UNCW campus, and easy to reach for visitors...

Cape Fear Riverboats

Narrated sightseeing tours, & private charters on the Cape Fear River. Featuring the Henrietta.  Cape Fear Riverboats is Wilmington NC’s longest continuously running cruise line. We’ve been in business since 1987 and are...

Halyburton Memorial Park is a perfect respite for visitors who want to take a break from the busy Downtown Wilmington shopping, dining and attractions, and just relax amidst the natural ponds and unique rolling sand hills, and watch the wildlife...

The northernmost coastal region of Carolina Beach is home to the Freeman Park Recreation Area, a stretch of shoreline that is well known to adventurous, beach-loving 4WD truck owners. Unlike other stretches of the barrier islands off the coast of...

Greenfield Lake Park is known as one of Wilmington’s coolest and most scenic destinations, and is a vast public park that’s located just south of the historic downtown area. Located on the western edge of Greenfield Lake, and just a...

Arrowhead Park is a fun destination for Wilmington locals and visitors alike to take a break from the waves, and dive into a little outdoor entertainment outside the waterfront realm. Located just south of the heart of the Wilmington, and easy to...

The Burgwin-Wright House and Gardens is the oldest and largest historic site in downtown Wilmington.  They’re eight colonial structures left in Wilmington, four on are the property. Three ballast stone buildings, circa 1744, once the city...

Captain Charles Robbins' Cape Fear River Adventures is a top-rated touring company that takes explorers to the backwaters of the local Cape Fear rivers and streams where the local wildlife thrives. From basic on-the-water skills like boating...

Take a walk on the Cape Fear’s wild side with a visit to the Ev-Henwood Nature Preserve – a scenic 174-acre natural area that’s a prized component of the University of North Carolina Wilmington. Located just outside the busy...

Halyburton Park, (also known by its formal name of Halyburton Memorial Park), is a 58-acre nature preserve that features a lengthy biking and hiking trail, a number of public facilities, and a scenic glimpse into the local foliage and wildlife that...

It's easy to miss the Bluethenthal Wildflower Preserve. Located on the outskirts of the University of North Carolina at Wilmington's campus, this preserve was all but wiped away by the 1970s due to encroaching development. Thanks to the perseverance...

Situated in a quiet and primarily residential corner of the city of Wilmington, the James E.L. Wade Park is a surprising and engaging destination for locals and visitors alike who want to experience the Great Outdoors of the Cape Fear region.

Outdoor lovers and active visitors of all tastes will have a fine time at the engaging Ogden Park. Located just northeast of the Downtown area, and convenient to Wilmington and Wrightsville Beach visitors alike, this vast public park has veritably...

Wilmington visitors can enjoy a visit to one of the oldest peanut plantations in the country with an easy drive to the Poplar Grove Plantation. Located just north of the center of Wilmington along US Highway 17, this semi-remote site is a...

Tucked away on the edge of the Cape Fear River just a few miles south of Downtown Wilmington, the River Road Park is a popular launching point for a myriad of adventures that can range from kayaking and boating expeditions, to just enjoying the...

Situated on the edge of the Cape Fear River and the Intracoastal Waterway, and located just a quick cruise away from the Atlantic Ocean, Snow’s Cut Park is a popular destination for anglers, birdwatchers, and anyone who appreciates a stunning...

Garden fans and everyday explorers alike will love discovering the Stanley Rehder Carnivorous Garden – a hidden gem that’s found in the busy heart of central Wilmington. Located along Independence Blvd., and close to both Downtown...

Water lovers who want to explore the picturesque waters of the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW), or who want an easy trek to the nearby Masonboro Island, will want to head to the small but scenic Trails End Park.