Bald Head Island, North Carolina

Bald Head Island, North Carolina has everything one could ask for in a coastal vacation destination. Located about two nautical miles off the coast of historic Southport, and accessible only by ferry, Bald Head Island is the place to go if your interest is the three "Rs" of vacationing: rest, relaxation, and recreation. Bald Head Island is a great place for escaping the stress of daily life. No automobiles are allowed on the island, and transportation is usually by golf cart, bicycle, or your own two feet. A day on Bald Head Island can include fishing, swimming, boating, golfing, tennis, horseback riding, cycling, or plopping down on a beach towel and enhancing your tan.

Visitors to the island inevitably find their way to "Old Baldy", the island's traditional welcoming point, and the oldest lighthouse in North Carolina. The lighthouse has a storied past. Built in 1817, the lighthouse once guarded ships from running aground on the "Frying Pan Shoals" which reach out into the Atlantic for 20 miles, and can be found at depths of 8-15 feet. Pirates used to lay in wait for ships that had trouble with the shoals, plundering their cargo when the opportunity arose. One of the best ways to enjoy the island is by climbing the steps of "Old Baldy" and taking in the panoramic view of the island, the ocean, and the Cape Fear River to the west.

If a vacation on a sugary white beach is your idea of heaven, Bald Head Island fills the bill nicely. Dr. Stephen Leatherman (Dr. Beach, the country's leading "beachologist") says that the beaches on Bald Head Island are the best in the area, even winning a spot as among the top 20 in the country in 2000. East, West, and South Beach share many features. They all have a gentle slope into the ocean, making them ideal for families with small children. They are expansive and are brushed by relatively calm waves, making swimming ideal. While lounging in the sand, look offshore and keep your eyes peeled for bottlenose dolphins that are spotted regularly playing nearby.

Visitors to the island have the option of visiting the Bald Head Island Club. The club is basically a one-stop-shopping excursion for active fun. Golfers will want to tee it up on the Bald Head Island Golf Course, designed by George Cobb, former consultant at Augusta National in Augusta, Georgia. Cobb built the course to fit into the local surroundings. The course offers a challenging links design and beautiful views of the Atlantic. The club also has four hard-surface tennis courts and a swimming pool that sits across from the ocean. Regarded for its gentility, the club also has a croquet pitch for those who wish to dabble in that refined endeavor.

Nature enthusiasts will feel right at home on Bald Head Island. A Nature Conservancy sponsors year-round programs designed to teach visitors about the natural elements of the island, and guides visitors to the best vantage points for viewing the local flora and fauna. A favorite trail on the island is the Kent Mitchell Nature Trail, which meanders through a forested area tidal salt marsh. Bald Head Island is located in the middle of the largest migration pattern on the east coast. The island has an ever changing avian population, including white ibis, pelicans, and bald eagles. During the summer months, the Conservancy sponsors a series of "Turtle Walks" designed to teach visitors about the island's most famous residents, the loggerhead turtles that come to nest.

Bald Head Island has something for anyone who enjoys island fun. For your next vacation, get back to nature and enjoy everything this remote, secluded island has to offer.