But despite being an instrumental component to the island's very existence, and a protector against erosion and storms, Bald Head Woods serves a more visible role as a fun, outdoor destination for visitors to enjoy off the beach. A popular spot with bird watchers, hikers and nature fans alike, this rustic destination allows vacationers to easily step off the beaten path, and dive into Bald Head Island's natural landscape.
Bald Head Historic Island Tours works in conjunction with the Old Baldy Foundation to introduce Cape Fear vacationers to the historic Bald Head Island, or “Old Baldy” lighthouse. Located on a 10-acre site on the secluded Bald Head Island, and famous as the oldest lighthouse still standing in North Carolina, these tours take visitors to the heart of the structure, with plenty of stories and history along the way.
The Bald Head Island Club is an elite introduction to all the finer things that this small island community has to offer. Comprising of a championship 18-hole golf course, fine dining options, tennis and fitness facilities, and a relaxed atmosphere that blends well with the sandals and lotion crowd, the club can effectively provide a full day of leisure and fun along the sunny shores of exclusive Bald Head Island.
There's a reason why the wild terrain of Bald Head Island and its surrounding islands remains distinctively wild, and the primary responsibility of retaining this native nature is in the hands of the local Bald Head Island Conservancy. Overseeing a number of regional operations from successful sea turtle nestings to outreach programs that get the community enthusiastically involved, the Bald Head Island Conservancy is at the forefront of ensuring that the barrier island terrain remains a safe destination for locals of all species.
Take a trip back in time and embark on an exploration of one of the East Coast’s oldest lighthouses with a visit to “Old Baldy,” or more formally, the Bald Head Island Lighthouse. Located on the western heart of Bald Head Island, and within easy biking or golf-cart distance of the ferry docks, this historic site is one of the Cape Fear region’s most visited attractions, and is a much-photographed landmark, thanks to both its legacy, and its unique and distinctive exterior.
Bald Head Island visitors who want to explore the terrain in a new but relaxing way can make a stop at the convenient and effortlessly fun Coastal Urge. This watersports shop specialize in paddleboard excursions and rentals, but also has a whole host of sporting equipment for both on-land and in-the-water adventures that will make any Bald Head Island vacation infinitely more fun.
Southport and Bald Head Island vacationers can turn a fishing whim into a true on-the-water adventure with a fishing trip that’s lead by Impulsive Charters. Catering to both the Southport and Bald Head Island marinas, this friendly charter fishing company travels up to 30 miles offshore to capture some of the biggest catches that flock to the waters surrounding the Cape Fear area.
The Kent Mitchell Nature Trail gives Bald Head Island visitors a chance to experience a natural slice of barrier island life that cuts through the perfectly preserved 800 acre maritime forest. Located on the southern edge of the island, and jetting just inland, this picturesque nature trail is a prime vantage point for birdwatching, wildlife watching, and just admiring the local native scenery.
Bald Head Island vacationers can load up on everything they need just minutes after they step off the ferry and onto the island with a visit to Riverside Adventure Company. This 30-year institution carries all the supplies and equipment that new visitors need to cruise around the island in style, and even offers special tours, fishing adventures, and more events to introduce newcomers to all the amazing aspects of this desolate but pristine barrier island.
Boasting an incredible location surrounded by water, and an arsenal of amenities just waiting to be enjoyed by vacationers, the Shoals Club is easily one of the most unique and accommodating community clubs on Bald Head Island. With fun and active amenities for visitors of all ages, and fantastic seaside dining and event options to boot, the Shoals Club is sure to give visitors an introduction as to what oceanfront entertainment and luxury is all about.
Take a step back in time and discover the stories behind North Carolina’s oldest standing lighthouse with a visit to the Smith Island Museum of History. Located in a replica of an 1850’s lighthouse keeper’s cottage, and featuring a modest-sized but varied wealth of local facts and legends, this small museum paints a vibrant portrait of Bald Head Island, past and present, which enriches any trip to the “Old Baldy” Lighthouse.
The "Cape Fear Station" community is a collection of homes and estates with a variety of settings from oceanfront locations tucked behind the sand dunes to wooded sites that are virtually hidden beneath the towering oaks of the maritime forest. All of these properties are interconnected via a series of sidewalks, which also run adjacent to and through the Cape Fear Station Common. The community, as well as the common itself, is named after the original lifesaving station which once stood along Bald Head Island's East Beach. The station is long gone, however the properties here have their own style and architectural attributes that make them fit in easily with the southern scene.