Ocean Isle Beach is the “middle beach” in the South Brunswick Islands and sits between Holden Beach and Sunset Beach. The most commercially developed of the three islands, you’ll find a variety of restaurants and activities on the 7 mile long island. It’s the perfect place for people who never want to move the car once it’s parked. You can ride a bike or take a golf cart all over the island to shop, eat, play and be entertained.
The Town of Ocean Isle Beach has a recreation center which provides programs for kids and adults . The Turtle Watch Program is one of the most popular. Ms. Gloria Hillenberg has run the program at Ocean Isle for more than 30 years and is a valiant spokesman for the endangered Loggerheads. Tourists help and support the program as well and take material back to the schools in their hometowns to educate “inlanders” about the conservation efforts of dedicated people on the island. The Museum of the Coastal Carolinas is also a fascinating place with exhibits of marine creatures found off the coast, including the sea turtles, sea shells and fish.
The summer outdoor concert series attracts huge crowds of fans who especially love it the nights the “shag” music is featured. For the uninitiated, “shag” is a kind of jitterbug dance famous in these parts with its origins in nearby Ocean Drive Beach in North Myrtle Beach, SC.
Ocean Isle Beach also has a great fishing pier, water slide, miniature golf course, several waterfront restaurants where everything from pizzas to pastas to seafood is served. One of the highlights of the year is the Oyster Festival every Fall where local restaurants serve their famous fare and the oyster is king. Art, crafts, music and an oyster shucking contest highlight the festival.
Like the other islands of Brunswick County, miles of white sand and gentle lapping waves draw sun drenched and contented visitors to this barrier island year after year.
