Located on Pleasure Island, Kure Beach, North Carolina is a great destination for golfers, with courses in Wilmington and Wrightsville Beach within a few minutes' drive, a ferry ride away from courses in Southport and Oak Island, and just a half hour from the hundreds of courses in Myrtle Beach. Make sure to save some time for activities off the links, too, as there are many attractions in Kure Beach and nearby Carolina Beach.
Fort Fisher State Historic Site
If you feel like a little history exploration, head a few miles south to Fort Fisher, one of the last ports held by the Confederacy during the Civil War. The visitor center has exhibits and an audiovisual room to help you learn about the site, and a quarter-mile-long tour trail encircles the remaining area. Stop and check out the photo panels along the way that explain its significance and the battle of January 15, 1865 that was crucial in bringing an end to the war.
Fort Fisher State Historic Site
1610 Fort Fisher Blvd. S.
Kure Beach, NC 28449
(910) 458-5538
nchistoricsites.org/fisher/fisher.htm
Fort Fisher/Southport Ferry
A fun day trip from Kure Beach begins with a ride on the Fort Fisher/Southport ferry. Ride your bike or drive onto the ferry for a quick 35-minite ride that will leave you in downtown Southport, where you can browse the quaint shops, explore the historical homes and maybe have a meal at one of the charming local establishments. Ferries depart about every 45 minutes from both ports.
Fort Fisher/Southport Ferry
2422 South Fort Fisher Blvd.
Kure Beach, NC 28449
(910) 457-6942
ncferry.org
NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher
The North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher is one of the most popular attractions on Pleasure Island, and it's the perfect place to spend the day. Adults and children will enjoy the various exhibits and habitats created at the aquarium, from the touch pools and the "Exotic Aquatics" gallery, to the daily feeding presentations and massive fish tanks that hold an incredible variety of aquatic life. Don't miss out on seeing Luna, a rare albino alligator that lives in the Aquarium. Call ahead to ask about canoe trips led by the Aquarium.
NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher
900 Loggerhead Road
Kure Beach, NC 28449 (get map)
(910) 458-8257
ncaquariums.com
Kayak and Canoe Tours
Kure and Carolina Beaches are set in a unique location, with the Atlantic beachfront on one side, the Intercoastal Waterway on the other, and marshland surrounding Pleasure Island at various points. The diversity of channels, streams, rivers and ocean water make it a great place to get out and explore on a kayak or canoe, and there are several places in town that both rent watercraft and also offer guided tours of some of the diverse ecosystems in the area. Kayak Carolina, Pleasure Island Rentals and Carolina Coastal Adventures all offer boat rentals and some guided tours.
Kayak Carolina
103 Winner Ave
Carolina Beach, NC 28428
(910) 458-9111
kayakcarolina.com/
Carolina Coastal Adventures
103 Winner Avenue
Carolina Beach, NC 28428
Tel: 910-458-9111
http://www.carolinacoastaladventures.com/
Pleasure Island Rentals
2 North Lake Park Blvd.
Carolina Beach, NC 28428
Tel: 910-458-4747
http://www.pleasureislandrentals.com/
About The Author
Ashley Talley has been a professional writer for more than 10 years, specializing in travel and health. Her work has been published in "Coastal Living" magazine, "Wrightsville Beach Magazine" and "Choice," an anthology praised by "Vanity Fair" and the "LA Times." She graduated from Brown University with honors and holds a Master of Fine Arts degree in creative writing from the University of North Carolina.
