Things to Do on Oak Island, NC: Beaches, the Pier, the Lighthouse and the Waterway Side
Beaches, the Pier, the Lighthouse and the Waterway Side
Oak Island, NC is ten miles of south-facing beach with 65 public accesses, a town-owned fishing pier you can walk for free, and the Oak Island Lighthouse at the east end, where free climbs run by reservation. Flip the island over and the Intracoastal Waterway side has docks, kayak launches and marsh boardwalks that most visitors never find.
Quick facts
- Beach: about 10 miles, facing directly south. The Atlantic is to the south, the Intracoastal Waterway to the north.
- Beach accesses: 65 public ones, named by street. Parking is paid, with free handicap spaces for vehicles with a valid placard or plate.
- Oak Island Pier: 705 Ocean Drive, 880 feet long. Walking it is free. No pets on the pier.
- Lighthouse: 300 Caswell Beach Rd., Caswell Beach. Finished in 1958, 153 feet tall, 131 steps to the gallery.
- Dogs on the beach: leash required from March 16 to October 15.
- No glass on the beach or at accesses.
The beach and its 65 accesses
The town lists 65 public beach accesses, named by street (SE 46th Street, 10th Place West) rather than numbered. Ten have Mobi-mats or similar assists for wheelchairs, and beach wheelchairs can be reserved by phone through Parks and Recreation.
A few beach rules that catch visitors out:
- Holes can be no deeper than 12 inches, dug only with toy-sized shovels, and filled in by 6 p.m.
- Chairs, umbrellas and canopy frames have to leave the beach at the end of each day.
- Stay off the dunes. Use the marked accesses.
- No swimming or other in-water activity within 250 feet of a pier.
- No e-bikes, scooters, skateboards or other motorized gear on the beach.
At the far west end, The Point faces Lockwood Folly Inlet. It's a good spot for fishing and wildlife viewing.
Oak Island Pier
The town-owned Oak Island Pier at 705 Ocean Drive runs 880 feet out over the Atlantic and stands 27 feet high. It's open year-round and closes in rough weather. Walking out is free. Anglers buy a pass at the Pier House, and you don't need a North Carolina coastal recreational fishing license to fish from it. Pets aren't allowed on the pier.
Oak Island Lighthouse
The lighthouse sits in Caswell Beach, at the island's east end. Completed in 1958, it was the last lighthouse built in North Carolina, and its light can be seen for about 16 miles. The grounds are open dawn to dusk with free parking.
The Friends of Oak Island Lighthouse run free tours to the top, 131 steps up, by advance reservation only. From May through September they run on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday mornings, and from October through April on Wednesday and Saturday mornings. Climbers must be at least 9. Book weeks ahead in busy months. In summer there are also walk-in open house tours to the first level for ages 7 and up.
Fort Caswell and Yaupon Beach
Just past the lighthouse, Fort Caswell guarded the mouth of the Cape Fear River and was abandoned after Union forces captured Fort Fisher. Today it's a private Baptist retreat and conference center, so access is limited to authorized visitors and occasional public events. Don't plan a casual drive-in.
Yaupon Beach is the eastern end of the island, nearest the lighthouse road. It was its own town until July 1, 1999, when it merged with Long Beach to form today's Town of Oak Island.
Southport and the Fort Fisher ferry
The best nearby day trip starts across the bridge in Southport. From there the state-run Southport to Fort Fisher ferry crosses the Cape Fear River in about 35 minutes and carries cars, RVs and trailers. On the far side are the Fort Fisher historic site, the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher and the beaches of Kure Beach and Carolina Beach. Pets ride if leashed or kept in the car. Check NCDOT's ferry schedule before you go.
Sea turtle season
Sea turtles nest on Oak Island every summer, and the volunteer Oak Island Sea Turtle Protection Program monitors about 10.5 miles of beach every day from May through October. Nests are marked and roped. Keep your gear at least 10 feet from a marked nest (that one is a town rule), and follow the program's guidance:
- Don't shine white or red lights on turtles or use flash photography.
- Stay at least 20 feet behind a nesting turtle and keep it quiet.
- Fill your holes and take your gear and trash home every night.
- Report nesting turtles, hatchlings or anything unusual to the program at 910-945-8888, day or night.
Harassing a sea turtle or disturbing a nest is a federal crime.
The Intracoastal side
The north side of the island is all marsh, docks and slower water. The town maintains a long list of public access points along it:
- Tidalwaves Kayak and Canoe Launch behind the Recreation Center at SE 31st Street, with a floating dock.
- Davis Canal pedestrian crossovers at SE 9th, SE 20th and SE 31st Streets, with boardwalks, gazebos and a marsh viewing trail.
- Veterans Park at 14th NE and Yacht Drive, with a waterfront boardwalk, fishing pier and butterfly garden.
- Register Park Fishing Pier and the Nature Center floating dock at the north end of NE 52nd Street.
End the day at the Hideout
After the beach, cross to the waterway side and end up at the Oak Island Hideout on 57th Place West. It sits right on the Intracoastal Waterway with a waterfront deck and sunset views, and it has been open since May 2022. There's Lonerider beer and bourbon whiskey, a full kitchen, live music and trivia nights. Dogs are welcome outside, it's wheelchair accessible, and reservations are accepted. Check today's hours on the Hideout page.
Timing it for the sky? Read our Oak Island sunset guide.
FAQ
How many beach accesses are on Oak Island, NC?
The town lists 65 public beach accesses, named by street. Parking at them is paid, and ten have Mobi-mats or similar assists for wheelchairs.
Can you climb the Oak Island Lighthouse?
Yes, by reservation. Free top tours run on set mornings year-round (Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday in summer, Wednesday and Saturday the rest of the year), and climbers must be at least 9 years old.
Are dogs allowed on the beach in Oak Island?
Yes. From March 16 to October 15 they must be on a physical leash, and owners must clean up and provide water and shade. Dogs are not allowed on the Oak Island Pier.
Do you need a fishing license on the Oak Island Pier?
No. A pier pass from the Pier House covers it, and a North Carolina coastal recreational fishing license is not required to fish from the pier.
When is sea turtle nesting season on Oak Island?
The local sea turtle program monitors the beach daily from May through October. Fill holes, remove gear at night, keep lights off turtles and call 910-945-8888 to report activity.