Boardwalk over the salt marsh at 20th Street on Oak Island
The other side of the island

The quiet side: marsh and parks.

Behind the dunes, Oak Island is all salt marsh, tidal creeks and quiet waterfront parks. Here's where to walk, paddle, fish and play.

Marsh boardwalks ↓Parks ↓Docks & launches ↓
Davis Canal scenic walkways

Walk across the marsh to the beach.

The Davis Canal runs behind the beachside streets. The Town has built wooden pedestrian crossovers over the canal and its salt marsh, so you can walk from the Oak Island Drive side to the beachside streets without a car.

Boardwalk across the marsh at 9th Street
SE 9th Street ↔ 9th Place EastCrossover trail with floating docks on the Davis Canal and Little Davis CanalRed glasswort in the marsh by the 9th Street boardwalkWhite ibis wading near Davis CanalFloating dock on Davis Canal at 9th Street
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Boardwalk out to the gazebo at 20th Street
SE 20th Street ↔ 19th Place EastScenic walkway with a floating dock. The beach access at 19th Pl E has a Mobi-Mat.Covered gazebo at the end of the 20th Street boardwalkEgret hunting in the marsh at 20th StreetMobi-Mat over the dune at the 19th Place East beach access
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Boardwalk over the marsh at 31st Street, with the water tower
SE 31st Street ↔ 29th Place EastTidalwaves Kayak & Canoe Launch, an environmental overlook and marsh trailStill marsh water at 31st Street
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🦋
Register Park · NE 52nd StA small nature park with a trail, floating dock, fishing spot, picnic shelter and the Dot Kelly Butterfly Garden.
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🦉
Oak Island Nature Center · 5202 E Yacht DrNature center grounds beside the marsh, facing the Intracoastal. Open Memorial Day to Labor Day, Wed–Fri 10 AM–2 PM, free (volunteer-run, so hours can change).
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Walkway rules: no fishing, crabbing or bait casting on the walkways or within 30 ft of their access areas, and no bikes, scooters, skateboards or golf carts (Town code Sec. 22⁠-⁠4).

Tip: go at low tide for fiddler crabs and wading birds, and at golden hour for the light on the spartina grass.

🛶 What is the Davis Canal?

It's a narrow tidal waterway that runs east–west through the island between the beachside streets and the Oak Island Drive side, lined with salt marsh.

  • No-wake zone: narrow, shallow and calm, so it's a good first paddle for new kayakers
  • Look for great blue herons, egrets, kingfishers and fiddler crabs
  • Launch at the SE 31st Street kayak launch (the Town is replacing it, so call first). Ask the Recreation Center at 910-278-5518 about kayak rentals
Red glasswort and still water in the marsh by the 9th Street boardwalk, water tower behind
Parks, marsh & water from above
Marsh boardwalkParkDock / launch / fishing
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Parks

Where to play

Every park, pier and dock the Town lists. Tap one to look around, see it from above and get directions.

Town parks are open from one hour before sunrise to one hour after sunset (the Town’s Parks & Facilities page), unless a park lists its own hours below. Alcohol is not allowed in any Town park (Sec. 22⁠-⁠1).

Park names, addresses and amenities from the Town of Oak Island Parks & Facilities page. Photos are credited in each panel and on the credits page.

On the water

Docks, launches & fishing spots

Every public water access point in the Town's GIS, west to east.