Southport is a quaint coastal town in North Carolina right down the road from Oak Island that offers picturesque maritime landscapes, numerous historical sites to explore, incredible restaurants, and countless local events and shopping options! Needless to say, it’s definitely worth taking a day (or a few) to explore what’s been dubbed as “America’s Happiest Seaside Town” by Coastal Living Magazine” during your visit to OKI.
You may even be surprised that you already recognize some of the sights! This town has been the backdrop to an assortment of popular movies and television shows like “Safe Haven,” “A Walk to Remember,” “Under the Dome,” and “Revenge.”
Keep reading to learn some of the best things to do in Southport, NC:
- Discover Downtown
- See the Views & Witness the Wildlife
- Get Out on the Water
- Explore History
- Wine and Dine
- Places to Stay
Discover Downtown
Southport’s charming and historic downtown is centered around Howe Street, where you will find it all — inviting restaurants, distinctive boutique stores, and historic buildings. This area is a great place to take a morning or afternoon stroll while discovering all the fun and unique things to do in Southport, NC. There are even numerous professionally guided walking, biking, and water tours that take place here. For those who love diving into the local culture, you’ll be excited to find a myriad of antique stores, art galleries featuring local artists, and gift shops awaiting.
See the Views & Witness the Wildlife
Speaking of downtown, you’ll find the Cape Fear River at the very end of Howe Street — where Southport’s Waterfront Park, historic Riverwalk, and the Southport Pier are located. You’ll instantly understand why this area is extremely popular with locals and visitors alike! The 9-acre waterfront park is the perfect place to cozy up on a bench and take in the riverscape. Simply sit back and relax as boats float by and the various species of birds soar above. You may even see dolphins playing in the water right in front of you.
When you’re ready to get back up and go on an adventure, the Riverwalk and Southport Pier are only a few steps away. The Riverwalk is nestled on the river’s edge and is the perfect destination for a leisurely walk, jog, or bike ride. And, with multiple fishing platforms, the pier will be a welcomed addition to your Southport visit for the anglers in your family or group.
Next on the list and not to be missed, the Southport Marsh Walk is one of the area’s scenic highlights! It’s located right down the road on Brunswick Street, near the Southport Marina. Stroll down the boardwalk to see views of local landmarks (like Fishy Fishy Cafe) and the marsh before you end at the overlook platform! If you haven’t already guessed, you’ll have many chances to witness nature firsthand — including coastal birds like white ibis, pelicans, egrets, and great blue herons.
Get Out on the Water
A bit farther down the road is where you will find the newly improved Southport Marina! No matter if you choose to rent a boat or charter a deep-sea fishing vessel for the day, you’ll be able to launch from here. They have a diverse selection of options to choose from — like Boston Whaler boat rentals, tug boat charters, and a variety of opportunities for sailing. Granted, you might find a guided boat tour the best option if you aren’t familiar with the area.
Another way to get out on the water is to go on a ferry ride! Cruise along the Cape Fear River to embark on an adventure to either Bald Head Island or Fort Fisher. Learn about the Southport-Fort Fisher Ferry and the Bald Head Island Ferry here.
Explore the History of the North Carolina Coast
For the history buffs in your family, you’ll find North Carolina has a storied past that’s intriguing to discover about for all ages! While there are multiple historic sites in Southport, we would say the most popular places to visit are:
- North Carolina Maritime Museum: located in the heart of downtown
- Brunswick County Jail: built-in 1904 and located across from the Old Smithville Burying Ground
- Fort Johnston Museum & Visitors Center: explore the fort that was originally built in 1748
Wine & Dine at Southports Restaurants
If you’re looking for dining opportunities near Oak Island without venturing all the way to Wilmington, this is the perfect destination! There are over 20 restaurants in Southport, and multiple eateries have stunning water views. The seafood also doesn’t get any fresher — from the well-known Fishy Fishy Cafe and the Provision Company to Oliver’s on the Cape Fear; you’ll find everything you’re looking for here. Check out this page for a complete list of restaurants in Southport.
Places to Stay near Southport, NC
When you stay on Oak Island, you’ll be about 10 to 15 minutes from downtown Southport while being able to enjoy everything the island has to offer! Sound like the perfect getaway? You can start by browsing our exclusive collection of vacation homes on Oak Island, and please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions you may have.
Are you looking for a day out with your family and friends to discover the North Carolina coast? The Fort Fisher Aquarium is a place where all ages can enjoy themselves! It is educational and fun for the littles, with lots to see and do for the adults as well. For those of you staying on Oak Island, it’s about an hour’s drive away. But, we recommend taking the 35-minute ferry ride from Southport to add even more fun to your excursion!
Keep reading to find out everything you need to know to make the most of your day or jump below to learn about how to get there and getting tickets.
Exhibits and Animals
Did you know that the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher is ranked among the top aquariums in the world? When you enter, you’ll notice that there are several different sections of exhibits and animals! All exhibits are also fully accessible for everyone, and the two floors have elevators and stairs.
You start with the freshwater exhibits, followed by saltwater exhibits in the Marine Building, concluding with the Adventure Reef’s outdoor exhibit. Let’s take a closer look at some of our favorite areas you can experience while visiting!
Cape Fear Conservatory
The first stop in the self-guided tour takes you to the Cape Fear Conservatory, which houses hundreds of the species of the Cape Fear River! The conservatory replicates the river banks with its many mini-ecosystems such as ponds, trees, streams, and swamps, making the animals feel at home. You will find frogs, snakes, fish, and more in this tree-filled atrium.
Additionally, the conservatory made room in 2019 for Luna, a rare albino alligator. Albino alligators usually do better in protected areas as they often don’t survive well in the wild.
A new exhibit also houses a family of otters rescued recently and are now safe in the conservation. Additionally, you’ll see an old favorite, Maverick, the rescued bald eagle.
Marine Building
Next is the saltwater section called the Marine Building. It accommodates the Open Oceans Gallery, home to many marine animals, such as jellyfish, octopus, corals, and two ledges called the Sharktooth Ledge and Cape Fear Ledge.
You’ll also notice the Cape Fear Shoals, an exhibit that reaches from the top to the bottom level of the Marine Building filled with beautiful fish that can swim in safety and leisure. Additionally, there is a Megalodon Exhibit, an Exotic Aquatics area with a Shark Touch Tank, and much more.
Adventure Reef
After the family has seen everything to their heart’s desire, the kids can play at the Adventure Reef. This playground has many fun activities that challenge kids from 2 to 12 with innovative equipment to keep the kids entertained for hours.
Once you exit the Marine Building, you can also take a look at the garden. It features a Birding Deck, Memorial Garden, and a Pond Overlook. These outdoor exhibits are created to reduce the CO2 footprint designed to run the aquarium, the conservation, and the daily operations required to keep it going.
Other Things To Do at the Aquarium
If you’ve worked up an appetite during your visit, you’ll find a variety of food and drink options available daily from March to November at “SharkBites Snack Bar”! There’s also a fabulous gift shop filled with coastal fun for those who love souvenirs — toys, books, puzzles, stuffed animals, clothes, and much more.
To get a better lay of the land (or ocean), you can find a map of the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher on their website.
Special Events
In the past, the Fort Fisher Aquarium hosted several annual events such as Behind the Scenes tours, Annual Christmas Tree Decorating, and much more! However, due to COVID, most of the events are canceled at the moment. Instead, they are hosting plenty of virtual programs fit for the entire family.
If you’ve dreamed of having your wedding at an aquarium, you can even do it here! You can rent out this North Carolina aquarium for your next private event, like a wedding or corporate event.
Location, Directions, and Tickets
So, you’re ready to plan your visit? The aquarium is open daily from 9:00 am until 5:00 pm year-round, except for Thanksgiving and Christmas. They say that visitors should expect to spend about 2 hours touring the entire facility, not including digging in the outdoor “fossil pit.”
How to get there? Like we mentioned above, we recommend taking the 35-minute ferry from Southport to Fort Fisher. This Oak Island ferry departs right down the road from Deep Point Marina and takes you towards Carolina and Kure beaches. Definitely worth a trip across the Cape Fear River if you ask us.
If you prefer driving or the ferry is not running, you’ll find it’s about an hour drive from Oak Island — or 15 miles south of Wilmington on US 421. You can enter the aquarium’s address in your GPS to get there. It’s 900 Loggerhead Road, Kure Beach, NC, 28449.
Tickets: The aquarium does have a membership that is part of the NC Zoo Membership Program. However, if you are on vacation on Oak Island, your best bet is to buy a one-time ticket. The current price for a one-time ticket is as follows:
- $12.95 per adult (13 and up)
- $10.95 per child (3-12)
- $11.95 per senior
We’ve heard that special discounts are available for groups of 10 or more, as well as military personnel and veterans. Additionally, please remember that Fort Fisher Aquarium follows the local COVID regulations, and reservations are limited per day. Therefore, make sure you reserve your tickets well in advance to ensure that you can go whenever works for you.
Other Fun Activities In the Area
While you are “across the pond,” you can enjoy many of the other activities that Fort Fisher and Wilmington have to offer! For instance, the Fort Fisher State Recreation area is right down the road and was the site of two major Civil War battles. The North Carolina Military History Museum is only about a 7-minute drive from the aquarium as well.
The Carolina Beach State Park and Wilmington are both right around the corner for those who want to make a day trip out of it! We think this topic deserves its own post since there are so many things to do in these areas. Signing up to our monthly newsletter is the best way to find out when we post new guides and stay in the know with everything to do near OKI!
Where to Stay Near Fort Fisher Aquarium?
After an exciting day at the Fort Fisher Aquarium, you can enjoy even more wildlife viewing on Oak Island! You’ll find untouched, natural habitats that are home to sea turtles, horseshoe crabs, pelicans, a variety of wading birds, and more.
When you’re ready to start planning your trip, we’d love to help you find the perfect home-away-from-home on OKI for you and your family! You can browse through our exclusive collection of vacation homes on Oak Island, and please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions you may have. We can’t wait to welcome you to OKI!
If you love lighthouses or are looking for the top things on OKI, we highly recommend visiting the Oak Island Lighthouse! Located in the Town of Caswell Beach, the lighthouse grounds are open year-round for viewing and picture taking, with limited 30-minute parking provided at the tower’s base from sunrise until sunset.
There are also two tours that will take you inside to explore the interior — with one that will allow you to climb all the way to the top of this 153-foot tall coastal marvel. Keep reading to learn about what makes this North Carolina lighthouse unique and how to plan an interior tour below:
About the Oak Island Lighthouse
Completed in 1958, the Oak Island lighthouse was built upon 24 concrete-filled steel pilings that hold a 30-foot wide octagonal base and the lantern gallery. The coloring of the lighthouse is one of the things that makes it highly distinctive. The first 50 feet is comprised of a natural gray Portland cement, and the next 50 feet was poured with white Portland cement and white quartz aggregate for the white color. The top 52 feet is a gray Portland cement with black coloring.
Curious to know how the 11-foot tall aluminum lantern housing was installed? They did it by Marine Corps helicopters! How cool is that? What’s also unusual about this lighthouse is a series of ships ladders to get to the lantern gallery level instead of a spiral staircase typically found in older lighthouses.
It’s also the first US lighthouse to use rotating LED technology as of December 2020. After it experienced a few power outages in the fall of 2020, the group responsible for maintaining the light (USCG Aids to Navigation Team Oak Island) decided it was the perfect time to upgrade the lighthouse and had new LED lights installed.
How to Tour the OKI Lighthouse
There are multiple ways to tour the lighthouse! Like we mentioned above, the lighthouse grounds are open year-round for viewing and picture taking from sunrise until sunset. There is limited 30-minute parking provided at the base of the tower at no charge.
All of the tours are provided by Friends of Oak Island Lighthouse — a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the protection, preservation, maintenance, and development of the Oak Island Lighthouse, lighthouse site, and related oceanfront property.
The Top Tour
The most popular tour option is the “Top Tour,” where you will be able to climb up the 131 metal ship stairs to an outside balcony! We will say there is nothing like the view from the top — you can see the old lifesaving station and Bald Head Island’s “Old Baldy” lighthouse off in the distance! These tours are available year-round and free of charge, but there are a few things to keep in mind to make sure you’re able to experience the views from the top.
First, you will need a reservation. If you’re visiting during the summer months (June, July, and August), they request at least 4 weeks advanced notice for a reservation. For all other times of the year, you’ll be able to snag a reservation with at least 2 weeks’ notice.
They are only available in the mornings on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays for most of the year. From October to December, you will find that tours are only available on Wednesdays and Saturdays starting at 9:30 am.
Open House Tours
From Memorial Day through Labor Day every year, you can tour the inside of the lighthouse without a reservation! They are offered on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 10 am to 2 pm. But, keep in mind that these tours to the second level will take you up 12 steps to a solid concrete floor (not the top). Also, visitors must be at least 7 years of age or older to climb to the second level.
Please keep in mind that there may be restrictions due to COVID. We recommend visiting the official tour page for the most up-to-date information. You can also contact them directly at oakislandlighthouse@gmail.com to find out more.
Other North Carolina Lighthouses Nearby
If you’re on a North Carolina lighthouse road trip, the next place you’ll want to visit is “Old Baldy“! It’s located on a 10-acre site on Bald Head Island, a short ferry ride away. While this 110-foot tall lighthouse is no longer operational, it is still open for visitors to enjoy and climb to the top.
Ready to begin planning your trip to see the Oak Island lighthouse? You can start by browsing through our OKI vacation rentals, and please don’t hesitate to call us if you have any questions. Our team would love to help you plan your next coastal North Carolina vacation.