The Top 10 Best Activities on Bald Head Island

1. Beach day at East Beach

We've compiled a list of our Top 10 best activities on Bald Head Island.  It's incredibly difficult to rank them but we gave it our best shot! 

  1. East Beach - The best beach on Bald Head Island.  The waves are great for surfing, boogie boarding and body surfing.  The water is a nice clear blue during most of the summer weeks.  We highly recommend accessing South beach at access #41 to avoid the larger crowds and difficult parking at access #42.  
  2. Bald Head Island Club Pool - This pool so incredible that it truly elevated the popularity of BHI and put it on a level playing field with other swanky southern resorts like Kiawah Island.  They have an amazing kids area with a splash pad and waterslides.  The main pool is great for families and lounging.  There is a poolside bar next to the main pool and a play ground.  They also have an adult pool that's more quiet and serene.
  3. Howl at the Moon Party - If you are lucky enough to be on Bald Head during a full moon, head out to access #39 for an amazing Bald Head experience complete with a bag piper, hors d'oeuvres and great vibes.
  4. Stargazing - The night sky at Bald is truly a step above the surrounding Carolina beaches.  The island takes their light pollution seriously and the results are amazing.  It's impossible not to see multiple shooting stars on a clear night.
  5. Shopping around the Island - The Island has a fantastic mix of local shops and boutiques.  Their are shops around the marina, market and BHI Conservancy
  6. Beachcombing at the Shoals - Come to the shoals at low tide and you never know what you might find or see.  We've found sharks teeth, sand dollars, and huge corals.  We've also seen some pretty amazing wide life like sharks and loggerhead turtles.
  7. Golden hour on South Beach - Access #19 is right across the street from our house and our personal favorite but they are all great. Head out around 5pm with a cooler and some chairs and enjoy some of the best sunsets you will ever see!
  8. Climbing Old Baldy - Visit the oldest lighthouse still standing in NC.  A climb to the top affords you the best view on Bald Head Island!
  9. Biking with the family to Mike's Bites - Their Italian ice may be one of the best foods available on Bald Head Island.  Don't believe me, order the mango next trip and buckle up for an adventure to flavor town!
  10. Sea turtle hatchlings to the sea - Watching the baby turtle waddle into the sea in nothing short of amazing!  Again, like the howl at the moon party, timing is everything.  Check here for details on when you can catch the young turtles first journey to the sea.

Here's a list of activities that just missed our Top 10 list.

  • Golf at Bald Head Island Club - If you are into golf, schedule a tee time at BHI club.  The conditions are always immaculate and the layout is really interesting.  The course definitely lends itself to shot makers but still manages to be fun even if you're struggling.
  • Fishing at the point on West Beach - Enter the beach at Access #1 and throw a line in the water around the point on the beach as the tide is coming in.  You never know what you might catch!
  • Shoals Club Pool - While the Shoals Club pool doesn't have the same level of amenities as BHI Club, its hard to beat the ocean view and vibes!
  • Woods hike to see the Timmons Oak - Take the Loop Trail to see a massive live oak tree that's estimated to be between 300 and 400 years old!  If you're looking to stretch your legs a bit there's a 2 mile trail through the beautiful Maritime Forest Preserve that leads back out to Federal Road.  The Middle Trail access dumps you out of Federal Road about 0.5 miles from your starting point for a total distance of about 1 miles.  The East Trail access puts you a mile away from your starting point on Federal Road for a total of about 2 miles.  Here's a map for reference.
  • Finding Tippy with the Family - It sounds silly but we've been doing this activity with the kids nearly every visit to BHI.  Its a scavenger hunt that you can get information about at Midway Coffee, Sandpiper or Riverside Adventure.  Its a great activity to help you get acclimated with the island, and if you find all the sites, you get a free souvenir. 
  • BHI Conservancy - Great rainy day activity for wildlife viewing.  They also host a weekly 5k on Wednesday mornings called the Turtle Trot if you are a runner.  The route is super fun with great scenery.
  • Wildlife Overlook -  For a stunning display of bird watching, come to the wildlife overlook at sunset. Hundreds of White Ibis flock into the trees starting around 6pm until sunset.  I'd recommend arriving between 7:30pm-8pm when multiple large groups of birds fly in.  You may even see an alligator swimming in the pond while you're there!
  • Fishing the Jetties - Fishing here can be frustrating at times because you will lose some hooks, but when you don't, its like fishing with dynamite!
  • Pickleball on new Bald Head Island Club Courts - The new courts are amazing and a great activity for the whole family!  The club has paddles and balls you can use if you don't have your own.  Just make sure you reserve a court in advance because as I'm sure you've heard, Pickleball is popular right now!