Located off the southern coast of North Carolina, Bald Head Island is home to Old Baldy, the state’s oldest lighthouse and a favorite nesting ground for loggerhead turtles. The island’s natural setting is a blend of beach, marsh and maritime forest nature preserves.

The island’s tidal creeks are great for kayaking. Or take a guided hike with the Conservancy to learn more about this remarkable ecosystem.

Kayaking

The quiet beaches, salt marshes and maritime forests of Bald Head Island recreation offer a peaceful respite from the hustle and bustle of modern life. The sounds of birds and waves lapping the shore are the soundtrack to your stay on this quaint island, which is only two miles across the Cape Fear River from Southport.

A boat ride to one of the many secluded beaches on the island is an incredible way to spend your day, or you can explore the islands tidal creeks by kayak or paddleboard. The Bald Head Island Conservancy conducts tours, and expert naturalists can help you identify the flora and fauna of these natural gems.

You haven’t truly experienced the island until you see it from the water. Gliding through the calm waters of a creek or marsh, you can be close to egrets and herons and listen to the call of an osprey overhead. The Conservancy also offers children’s camps. Budding Naturalists for kids ages 4-6 gives them the chance to catch bugs and critters and hold snakes while learning about sea turtles and the island’s unique ecosystem. Junior Scientists for kids ages 2nd-6th grade takes them on nature hikes, kayaking and shell collecting adventures.

A trip to Bald Head Island isn’t complete without a visit to Old Baldy Lighthouse and Smith Island Museum. The island also offers a variety of historical narrated tours that will teach you more about the history of this charming coastal community.

Hiking

Vacations are a great time to expand your horizons, especially when it comes to the places you visit. Bald Head Island is home to numerous hiking trails that offer the chance to discover the natural beauty of this coastal destination.

Whether you’re walking through a pristine forest or navigating the salt marsh, you’ll be able to see first-hand the island’s abundant biodiversity. The area is a bird watcher’s paradise, with species such as osprey and eagle kingfisher spotted frequently. You’ll also find loggerhead turtle nesting grounds, and the lagoons, nature trails and creeks are an excellent spot to look for them.

When you walk a trail on the island, be sure to respect the environment by following some simple rules. Stay on the marked path, and avoid stepping off the trail into wet or sandy areas. It may seem like a small thing, but stomping around in these areas disrupts the ecosystem and can have serious consequences for wildlife and plant life. Additionally, it’s important to keep all litter on your person until you can properly dispose of it.

The island’s natural ecosystem is protected by the Bald Head Island Conservancy, which champions the sustainability of barrier islands through environmental research and conservation stewardship. The nonprofit organization also offers a variety of recreational and educational activities for the public. The organization’s Budding Naturalists camp for children ages 4-6 lets kids catch bugs and critters, hold snakes and learn about the island’s unique habitats, while the Conservancy Corps program gives tweens and teens an opportunity to kayak, take nature hikes and go crabbing and shell collecting with the Conservancy.

Sailing

When you board the passenger ferry or private boat to reach Bald Head Island, you leave your car behind and enjoy an unplugged vacation in a charming coastal setting of beaches, marshes and maritime forest. Old Baldy, the state’s oldest lighthouse presides over this special place where history and nature take center stage along with traditional seaside pastimes like fishing, golfing and beach combing.

You can see the full beauty of this remarkable area by exploring its salt marshes and tidal creeks on a kayak tour. You can go solo or with a guide from Angry Pelican who can point out wildlife and explain the rich history of the area. You can also take a walking tour at the Smith Island Museum inside the keeper’s cottage or visit the lighthouse for incredible views.

For a unique perspective, book a guided eco-tour with the Conservancy. You’ll learn about the 300-pound loggerhead turtles that nest on our beaches and the natural history of this extraordinary barrier island. This non-profit organization also conducts environmental research and provides stewardship for the island’s habitats and species.

When you rent one of the incredible vacation rentals from Bald Head Island Services, request temporary membership to the Shoals Club and BHI Club so you can experience a world of extra fun. The clubs feature a championship golf course, swimming pools, dining and croquet facilities as well as supervised recreational programs for children and teens.

Bike Rentals

Bald Head Island’s gentle coastal terrain and lack of cars make it ideal for bicyclists. Get out and explore with bike rentals from Coastal Urge or Riverside Adventure Company, which offer bikes in a variety of sizes and accessories, including kid’s bicycles with training wheels and trailers, as well as tandems and adult trikes.

Both shops offer bikes by the hour, day or week. With more than 15 miles of roadway to ride, the entire family can set off from their vacation rental on a bike tour of the island.

If you’d rather cruise along the calm waters of the Cape Fear River, a kayak tour or a boat charter with the Sail Shop can provide a scenic and relaxing way to enjoy your time on BHI. The Island Club’s Rec Team also organizes camps, workshops, pool parties and holiday events, as well as guided bike tours to help guests discover the hidden gems of the island.

Golf carts are a common sight on the streets of Harbour Village, but remember that ALL vehicles must park off the paved roads at ALL times, as this allows for safe and easy access for emergency vehicles and prevents them from being blocked by other vehicles. Click HERE for more information about golf cart safety.