7-Day Itinerary for Ocean Isle, North Carolina

  • Day 1: Ocean Isle Beach
    5 minutes (1.5 miles) from Ocean Isle Inn

    Begin your trip with a relaxing day at Ocean Isle Beach, a family-friendly destination with a wide shoreline, fishing pier, and plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities. Take a walk on the beach or rent a bike and explore the island. You can also rent kayaks, jet skis or paddleboards for water activities.

  • Day 2: Museum of Coastal Carolina and Ingram Planetarium
    1 minute (0.3 miles) from Ocean Isle Inn

    Dive into the cultural heritage of North Carolina with a visit to the Museum of Coastal Carolina and Ingram Planetarium. Learn about the history of the region and ecosystems of the area. Experience a space exploration show in the domed planetarium. After your visit, take a walk along the Salt Marsh Boardwalk Trail.

  • Day 3: Sunset Beach and Bird Island
    13 minutes (8 miles) from Ocean Isle Inn

    Head south to Sunset Beach and stop by Bird Island Reserve. Bird Island is a paradise of birds, turtles, and other wildlife; a perfect place for bird watching or hiking. The scenic Sunset Beach is a tranquil destination with spacious sands offering spectacular views.

  • Day 4: Sea Turtle Sanctuary and Shallotte River Swamp Park
    17 minutes (9 miles) from Ocean Isle Inn

    Get up close with nature by visiting the Sea Turtle Sanctuary and Shallotte River Swamp Park, providing a unique experience for nature lovers. Shallotte River Swamp Park features zipline, nature walk, rope park and a thrilling swamp boat eco-tour to witness natural surroundings of flora and fauna, which gives a unique perspective of Swamp Park.

  • Day 5: Ocean Isle Beach Park and Museum of Coastal Carolina
    3 minutes (0.9 miles) from Ocean Isle Inn

    Spend the afternoon strolling and enjoying the Ocean Isle Beach Park. The park has a children's playground, picnic tables, and places to grill. The park also hosts concerts and other events during the summer months. End your day by revisiting the Museum of Coastal Carolina and exploring the varied exhibits showcasing coastal biodiversity, ecological features and cultural elements of Carolina coast, and life beneath the ocean.

  • Day 6: Ocean Isle Fishing Center and Silver Coast Winery
    20 minutes (12 miles) from Ocean Isle Inn

    Start your day early and join the Ocean Isle Fishing Center for a guided fishing trip or rent your own equipment. You might get lucky and catch some fish such as Mahi-Mahi, Tuna or Wahoo. Later visit the beautiful Silver Coast Winery for a taste of Italian-inspired wines produced in Carolina coast. Stop by the art gallery, take a tour of the winery or relax on the terrace with a glass of wine and beautiful views of the vineyard.

  • Day 7: Brunswick Islands Beaches
    25 minutes (16 miles) from Ocean Isle Inn

    End your trip by exploring Brunswick Islands' beaches. Brunswick Island has a chain of beaches with unique characteristic features, peaceful surroundings, and coastal communities. Among the beaches to explore are Holden Beach, Oak Island, and Caswell Beach. Don't forget to take home unique beach-themed souvenirs from "The Red and White Store" for a souvenir to cherish from your trip to Ocean Isle, NC

Time and Cost Estimates

  • Ocean Isle Beach (Free)
  • Museum of Coastal Carolina ($9 for adults, $8 for seniors, $7 for children)
  • Ingram Planetarium ($9 for adults, $8 for seniors, $7 for children)
  • Sunset Beach and Bird Island (Free)
  • Sea Turtle Sanctuary ($5)
  • Shallotte River Swamp Park ($32.95 for adults, $28.95 for children)
  • Ocean Isle Beach Park (Free)
  • Silver Coast Winery ($6 for an individual tasting, $16 for private tasting, $10 for a tour)
  • Brunswick Islands Beaches (Free)
  • Total Estimated Costs: $100

Transportation

Travelers can travel to Ocean Isle by car, by flights to the nearest airport which is "Myrtle Beach International Airport" (ICAO code: KMYR) from where you can take a taxi. Renting a car would be a better option for those who plan to travel around the location.

Travel Time approximately 5 hours covering a distance of 348 miles by car from New York City to Ocean Isle, North Carolina. The estimated total cost of travel is $200 for round-trip flight tickets per persons and having a car rental for a week for sight-seeing would cost an additional estimate of $300-therefore approximately $500.

Useful Tips

If you have more time, you could visit nearby destinations like Calabash, Myrtle Beach, and Wilmington. For those who have less time, you can decide to skip the Ocean Isle Fishing Center or the Silver Coast Winery, and spend more time on the beaches or at the Museum of Coastal Carolina which offers extensive knowledge and history about the surrounding.

Airports

The nearest airport to Ocean Isle is "Myrtle Beach International Airport" (ICAO code: KMYR), located approximately 45 miles south of the town. Delta, American Airlines, and United Airlines operate flights to and from KMYR. Another option is "Wilmington International Airport"(FAA code: ILM), which is about 60 miles north, featuring flights from Delta, American Airlines, and United Airlines.

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