A wide, empty Oak Island beach under a bright blue sky, with beach houses along the dunes
Piers · Parks · Play

Things to do on the island.

Two fishing piers, a free splash pad, mini golf, skate and dog parks, disc golf, the lighthouse, and Southport just over the bridge.

The piers ↓Everything on the mapLighthouse & Caswell
Fishing piers

Two piers, two personalities

The Town's big modern pier on the east end, and the classic family-run Ocean Crest Pier mid-island.

🎣 Town pier · East end

Oak Island Pier

705 Ocean Dr · open daily 6am–10pm · rebuilt in 2019, one of the tallest piers in NC

  • Walk-on: free
  • Fishing: buy a pier fishing pass (day, 3-, 5-, 7-day and annual; senior and military discounts)
  • Food: Koko Cabana restaurant and Ruby's Coffeehouse (coffee, bagels, sandwiches, ice cream) at the pier complex
  • Pier House shop: bait, tackle, snacks, drinks, beer and wine
  • Parking: free 2-hour lot at the Pier House, plus paid lot at 604 Ocean Dr. Restrooms and a Mobi-Mat beach access next door
On the mapFees & info910-933-6161
🎣 Private pier · Mid-island

Ocean Crest Pier

1409 E Beach Dr · family-owned · in season about 6am–9pm, shorter winter hours (call to confirm)

  • Walk-on: $1, credited toward a rod rental if you decide to fish
  • Fishing: the pier's blanket license covers you, so no separate NC saltwater license is needed on the pier
  • On site: tackle shop, rod rentals, fish-cleaning stations, restrooms
  • Food: restaurants and ice cream cluster around the pier on E Beach Dr. See Eat & Shop for current spots
On the mapWebsite910-278-6674
Everything on the map

Parks, play & places to go

Filter by what you're in the mood for. Parks, playgrounds and picnic shelters include Southport and the mainland near the bridges.

Same island, east end: Caswell Beach

The lighthouse, golf & the quiet east tip

Oak Island is about 12 miles long. Most of it is the Town of Oak Island; the east end is the small Town of Caswell Beach, home to the Oak Island Lighthouse, Oak Island Golf Club and historic Fort Caswell. Riding the island end to end and back is a popular long, flat bike day. We haven't confirmed bike lanes the whole way, so ride with traffic in mind.

🗼
Oak Island Lighthouse300 Caswell Beach Rd. Built 1958. The grounds are open year-round. Climb tours are by reservation only: 131 ship-ladder steps, age 9+, sneakers required. Tue/Thu/Sun mornings May–Sep, Wed/Sat mornings Oct–Apr. Summer dates book up weeks ahead. Lighthouse parking: 1 hour, dawn to dusk.
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Free public beach parkingThe Town of Caswell Beach's public lot near 701 Caswell Beach Rd is free, first come, first served, with wheelchair-accessible spaces. It fills on summer weekends. Don't park along Caswell Beach Road.
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Oak Island Golf Club928 Caswell Beach Rd. 18 holes, par 72, a 1962 George Cobb design, open to the public for daily-fee play. Tee times by phone.
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🍔
Duffer's Pub & GrillePub and grill in the golf club clubhouse, open to everyone. Lunch, dinner and a kids' menu.
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Fort CaswellCivil War-era fort, now privately owned by the NC Baptist Assembly. It isn't a public park. Visitors can ask at the gate about a short drive-through visit. Call ahead.

Parking rules from the Town of Caswell Beach visitor pages, checked September 2026. Caswell Beach Town Hall: 910-278-5471.

Oak Island Lighthouse beside a wooden walkway through the dune grass
Easy day trips

Over the bridge

⚓ Downtown Southport

About 15 minutes away. The riverfront Waterfront Park, Franklin Square, Fort Johnston and the NC Maritime Museum, plus lots of restaurants. Southport guide →

⛴️ The Southport ferries

The passenger ferry to car-free Bald Head Island ($23 adult round trip) and the state car ferry across the river to Fort Fisher ($7 a car, 35 minutes). Schedules & fares →

🏛️ Brunswick Town / Fort Anderson

A free state historic site about 20 minutes away, with a colonial town and a Civil War fort on the Cape Fear River. Open Tue–Sat 9am–5pm.

🥏 Cougar Country Disc Golf

A free 9-basket course in Boiling Spring Lakes, about 20 minutes away, for when you've played Bill Smith Park.

Hours, prices and seasons change. Check with each place before you go.

On the water

Boat rides & fishing charters

Most charter boats and boat tours leave from Southport, about 15 minutes over the bridge. A few leave from Oak Island.

Boat rides & tours 8

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Angry Pelican ChartersDolphin adventure tours, sunset cruises, and seasonal whale watching. Leaves from Morningstar/Southport Marina, 606 W. West St., Southport, NC.
WebsiteCall 910-742-0296
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BS ChartersSunset, wine, ICW, nature, and photography cruises; also offers boating lessons. Leaves from spots between Southport and Holden Beach.
WebsiteCall 919-492-3251
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Cape Fearless ChartersPrivate boat charters for celebrations, events, and custom day trips out of Southport (birthdays, engagements, memorials), up to 6 passengers. Leaves from Southport, NC.
WebsiteCall 910-363-6045
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Catherine Anne Sportfishing and ExcursionsSandbar island day trips with beachside cookout, sunset cruises, dolphin tours, and water taxi/shuttle service to Bald Head Island. Leaves from Morningstar Marina, 606 W. West Street, Southport, NC.
WebsiteCall 910-620-9919
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Impulsive ChartersSightseeing cruises on the Cape Fear River, in addition to their fishing charters. Leaves from 2571 St. James Drive, Southport, NC.
WebsiteCall 910-457-5331
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Southport by SeasideCape Fear River/ICW sightseeing tour and sunset cruise (up to 6 passengers); also runs boat-owner training courses. Leaves from Morningstar Marina, 606 W West St, Dock B Slip 2, Southport, NC.
WebsiteCall 910-269-8674
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Southport Water Tours50-minute sightseeing cruise, 1-hour sunset cruise, and private Tiki-boat cruises on the Cape Fear River and ICW. Leaves from 110 Yacht Basin Dr, Southport, NC.
WebsiteCall 910-523-6021
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Sunset Boat Cruises2-hour sunset cruises, 3-4 hour cruises, half/full-day charters (incl. steam-pot seafood boil option), custom private charters, and jet ski tours. Leaves from Morningstar Marina, 606 W. West St, Southport, NC.
WebsiteCall 910-931-1611

Fishing charters 13

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Angry Pelican ChartersNearshore (2-5 hr) and offshore (6-9 hr) fishing charters targeting Spanish/king mackerel, red drum, shark, cobia, mahi, tuna, amberjack, snapper, and grouper; dedicated shark charters. Leaves from Morningstar/Southport Marina, 606 W. West St., Southport, NC.
WebsiteCall 910-742-0296
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BlackBird Guide ServicesInshore, nearshore, fly-fishing, and family fishing charters in Oak Island/Southport waters targeting redfish, speckled trout, sheepshead, Spanish and king mackerel, cobia, and shark.
WebsiteCall 910-547-9353
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BS ChartersInshore/nearshore fishing charters on a 2018 Carolina Skiff Ultra Elite 23 targeting flounder, red drum, sea trout, bluefish, Spanish mackerel, and croaker. Leaves from spots between Southport and Holden Beach.
WebsiteCall 919-492-3251
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Carolina Fly Guy4-hour inshore/nearshore fishing charters targeting redfish, flounder, and Spanish mackerel on a 22' Sea Pro bay boat; also offers flyboarding. Leaves from Fish Factory Rd SE, Oak Island, NC.
WebsiteCall 910-599-1001
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Catherine Anne Sportfishing and ExcursionsOffshore, nearshore, and backwater fishing charters. Leaves from Morningstar Marina, 606 W. West Street, Southport, NC.
WebsiteCall 910-620-9919
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Cool Runnings Charter FishingInshore/nearshore light-tackle charters (live bait and artificial) targeting flounder, red and black drum, trout, king and Spanish mackerel, spadefish, bluefish, cobia, and tarpon.
WebsiteCall 910-523-0312
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Fugitive Fishing ChartersHalf, 3/4, and full-day trolling, bottom fishing, and near/offshore charters aboard the 33-foot Sport Fisher 'The Fugitive', up to 6 passengers; rods, bait, license, and ice included. Leaves from South Harbour Marina, Oak Island side, 5078 Ballast Rd, Southport, NC.
WebsiteCall 910-933-4242
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Hound Dog Fishing ChartersHalf-day (4hr) and 3/4-day (6hr) inshore charters targeting flounder, red and black drum, sheepshead, and speckled trout, on a 21' Nauticstar, up to 4 anglers. Leaves from Southport and Lockwood Folly River (between Oak Island and Holden Beach).
WebsiteCall 704-756-4992
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Impulsive ChartersHalf-day nearshore, 3/4-day and full-day offshore, Gulf Stream, and overnight deep-drop fishing charters targeting mackerel, mahi, wahoo, tuna, marlin, swordfish, and grouper. Leaves from 2571 St. James Drive, Southport, NC.
WebsiteCall 910-457-5331
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Oak Island Fishing ChartersOffshore, nearshore, backwater, and kids-catch fishing charters serving Oak Island, Bald Head Island, Southport, and St. James.
WebsiteCall 910-470-1995
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Quality Time ChartersInshore/nearshore charters from 3 to 10 hours targeting mackerel, flounder, sheepshead, cobia, and snapper. Leaves from Oak Island, NC.
WebsiteCall 910-308-4654
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Southport Fishing ChartersFishing charters serving Southport, Oak Island, and Bald Head Island area waters (inshore/nearshore, family trips).
WebsiteCall 910-264-7722
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Spot Lock Charters4- and 6-hour inshore/nearshore fishing charters on a Bay Rider targeting red drum, speckled trout, flounder, and sheepshead; tackle, bait, and license included.
WebsiteCall 910-945-8445

From each business's own website, checked Sept 28, 2026. Listed A to Z; not a review or endorsement. Trips, seasons and prices change, so check with them.