Carolina beach is located on Pleasure Island which is 12 miles south of Wilmington on US 421. You can get there using the Southport Fort Fisher ferry. The town of Carolina beach shares the island with Kure Beach and Fort Fisher.
Carolina Beach is in the northern part of the Island. Kure Beach is located in the southern part of the island near Fort Fisher.
Carolina Beach became a resort town in the late 19th century when Joseph Winner purchased 108 acres for development.
The town has fishing piers, a Ferris wheel, an arcade, a boardwalk, waterslides and miniature golf courses. Fishing is a very popular sport here where you can fish off the piers, charter deep sea boats or surf fish. Other activities include picnicking, playing in the ocean, sunbathing, hiking and camping.
Carolina Beach State Park is located ten miles south of Wilmington on US 421. The park features a public campground. Go hiking and observe the Venus flytrap, pitcher plant or red sundew. There is a full service marina and 2 boat ramps here.
The area is known for excellent fishing. There are 2 fishing tournaments a year, one in July the other in October.
Kure Beach and Fort Fisher
South of Carolina Beach is Kure Beach. There is a fishing pier here too.
Near Kure Beach is Fort Fisher. Many families take picnics to the Fort. It is located on US 421 south of Kure Beach. Fort Fisher was built to protect the port of Wilmington during the American Civil War. The fort was attacked in January of 1865 and recieved heavy naval bombardment which brought down the fort. See artifacts from the Civil War and a slideshow on the history of the fort.
The North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher is located off US 421 near the Fort Fisher State Historic Site. See Freshwater and saltwater fish tanks. There is an alligator and turtle tank too. Watch stingrays, sharks, jellyfish and other aquatic creatures.
Come play in the sand, surf and relax to the sound of the ocean waves. Fish. Eat fresh seafood. Have fun. Build sandcastles and memories to last a lifetime.