Little Lollipop Bay is a small oval-shaped bay that lies just north of the US 74 / Wrightsville Beach Bridge. The small enclosure of water, surrounded by vacation rental homes with private docks and fishing piers, is a popular launching point for novice kayakers, windsurfers and kiteboarders who want to enjoy a quick paddle in a safe location, or experienced boaters who want a fast way to head out to the deserted, and barely-above-water islands in between Wilmington and Wrightsville Beach.

There are actually two "Lollipop Bays" in Wrightsville Beach, which can lead to some confusion for newcomers. The "Big" Lollipop Bay, (known simply by locals as just Lollipop Bay), is located about an 1/8 mile north from the Little version, close to the Wrightsville Beach Public Works complex. Also surrounded by vacation rental homes, this larger bay is a popular boat launch point, as an extensive channel runs from the bay's entrance all the way to the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW.)

The route to the ICW is a bit more winding and shallow via the Little Lollipop Bay, but is certainly no less scenic. Passing through a maze of marshy grasses and small muddy islands, kayakers through this stretch of Wrightsville Beach will find ample wildlife, including egrets, ibises, great blue herons, pelicans and a variety of other shorebirds. The bay and the outlaying canals are also good fishing grounds for small boats and skiffs, as the bay is unpopulated and well stocked with small but tasty soundside saltwater species.

Due to its small size, novice kiteboarders and windsurfers also occasionally use the bay as a "training ground" of sorts, as the small expanse of water is good for rigging practice and small, slow runs across the water.

The best way to take full advantage of Little Lollipop Bay is to rent one of the dozen or so vacation rental homes that surround its borders. Street-side parking is also available to the public, (on a first come, first serve basis), for visitors who want to enjoy the bay's view, which stretches from the Wrightsville Beach Bridge nearly all the way to Wilmington's Landfall development.

A small but nonetheless enticing waterfront attraction, Little Lollipop Bay is a perfect locale for kayakers, fishermen, boaters, and anyone who appreciates a small but scenic pool of Wrightsville Beach soundside waters.Take a cruise through, or enjoy a weeklong stay for extended enjoyment, and discover why Little Lollipop Bay holds plenty of charm for Wrightsville Beach locals and vacationers alike.

 

Victory Beach Vacations

Visitors who are on the hunt for the postcard-perfect vacation rental in the heart of the Carolina Beach or Kure Beach area will find an enticing selection and plenty of friendly customer service when they rent through Victory Beach Vacations. Based in Carolina Beach in the coastal Cape Fear region, Victory Beach Vacations has more than 100 vacation rentals in all shapes and sizes to ensure that every vacationing family can find their dream home away from home on the beach.   When you book your Cape Fear getaway with Victory Beach Vacations, the fun doesn’t end when you leave the beach, it continues with an array of privately-owned properties outfitted with all of the amenities needed for a fabulous beach vacation.   Jenna Lanier, General Manager, explains that her family first opened the rental and property management business in 2002. At the forefront of Victory Beach operations is Lanier’s mother, Caroline Meeks. Meeks is both the Broker in Charge and co-owner with husband, Buck Meeks, who manages the Field Services team with Lanier’s husband, Scott.   For nearly 20 years, the Victory Beach team has worked tirelessly to establish a network of top-of-the-line rental properties for Cape Fear visitors to enjoy. “As far as our properties go,” explains Lanier, “they are all updated, well-furnished and appointed. “We have always performed post-cleaning inspections and since the pandemic, have put freshly laundered duvets over all of the comforters between rentals.”   Lanier emphasizes how important the guests experience is “we strive to give our guests a relaxing, stress free, memorable vacation.” This emphasis on customer service has led to Victory Beach Vacations having a 4.8 Google rating with over 300 reviews by happy owners and guests.In addition to Victory Beach’s superior sanitation practices, the company offers properties for every type of visitor. Choose from luxury oceanfront houses and condos to more reasonbly priced 2nd row properties with oceanviews. Many properties include pools and hot tubs as well, perfect for outdoor entertaining, and many are dog friendly.   Lanier also notes that all properties are within walking or driving distance to Pleasure Island’s main attractions – Carolina Beach and Kure Beach. The former, as described by Lanier, is the more commercialized of the two destinations and features a boardwalk, outdoor dining options and a plethora of weekly activities including fireworks, live music, amusement park pop-ups, and movies under the stars. Kure Beach offers a more residential feel with its fishing pier, intimate restaurants and family favorite, North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher.More water fun awaits, too. “There is a harbor and a canal that feed into the intercoastal. We have several properties on the harbor so guests can bring their boat, kayak, [or jet ski] and travel between islands,” says Lanier.   A stay with Victory Beach Vacations is an annual pilgrimage for most. “A large percentage of guests are previous guests. Some even reserve the same property for the next year as they’re checking out,” Lanier says. “It’s almost like it’s their personal vacation home.”   Even before guests arrive at their vacation destination, the Victory Beach Vacations’ website greets them with a live beach cam and exquisite aerial footage of both Carolina and Kure Beaches. See for yourself by scanning the QR code and call Victory Beach Vacations at 910.458.0868 to book your Cape Fear getaway. Start making your memories today! —Grace Silipigni

Museums near Wrightsville Beach