As the temperatures heat up, stay cool in Carolina Beach with a variety of refreshing options to beat the heat from indoor and water adventures to frozen treats. Read on to discover how to stay cool in our laid-back beach town.
Heat Waves
Dive into the waves in Carolina Beach. Whether you’re a seasoned surfer or a beginner, hang ten with surf lessons from certified instructors at Odysea Surf School or navigate the waters with a stand-up paddleboard (SUP) lesson. If you prefer to go solo, rent a board from Tony Silvagni Surf School and test the waters on your own.
Turn to the kayak experts at Paddle NC for guided tours catering to all skill levels and interests, including eco-tours and even SUP lessons. Set out on a sunset kayak tour for scenic island views, and a chance to spot coastal birds and wildlife, as they’re most active around sunset. If you prefer to navigate the waterways on your own, visit the locally-owned CB Surf Shop for all your equipment rental needs.
Head underwater with Carolina Beach Scuba. Located at the Carolina Beach Municipal Dock, this full-service dive center offers equipment rentals, training and daily dive charters for all experience levels, including beginners. Explore everything from shipwrecks and artificial reefs to fossil ledges and coral reefs. For a unique experience, join their specialized tooth-diving charters and hunt for Megalodon teeth, the ideal souvenirs from your beach getaway.
Feel the Coastal Breeze
Set sail on a double-decker catamaran with Island Cruises for a cool sunset adventure. Learn about the area's history and enjoy live music as you cruise along the Intracoastal Waterway, feeling the salty air. Island Time Water Tours will keep you entertained with tales about the area's history set against a backdrop of dolphin and sea turtle sightings, along with other marine life. For a more personalized boating experience, explore the diverse itineraries offered by Salty Ventures. Whether you choose one of their themed tours or opt to customize your own adventure, you're guaranteed a refreshing escape along the coast.
Discover a unique way to tour Carolina Beach with Big Kahuna Tiki Charters. Bring your favorite beverages and even your furry friend for a pet-friendly party on the water, all under the guidance of a licensed USCG Captain. Engage in an active outing with Sea Legs Pedal Pub, where you can sip, pedal and cruise along the coast, powering your own fun-filled water adventure. Or, you can take a break from pedaling and let the boat's motor take over while you enjoy your drink and scenic marina views.
Savor Summer Sweets
Cool down with a frozen treat from Island Ice Factory, where they serve Italian ice, homemade ice cream and gelato alongside freshly squeezed lemon and limeades that are sure to quench your summertime thirst. Or, head over to Latella Gelato on the Carolina Beach Boardwalk for daily handmade gelato, sorbetto slushies, smoothies and more. Treat yourself to a sweet summer escape at Fudgeboat and Krazy Kones for ice cream, alongside hand-made fudge and an array of other delectable goodies.
Step into the world of extra-velvety Irish ice cream delights at Celtic Creamery, where you can create your own special confections using toppings, fresh doughnuts or cookies. Less is definitely not more at Squigley’s Ice Cream & Treats, where they have every ice cream flavor you can imagine and more with over 4,050 combinations to choose from using the patented Squigley machine and unique sundaes like the Sandcastle, which comes in a keepsake pail with seven scoops and a shovel.
Indoor Experiences
Escape the summer heat with an exciting indoor adventure that challenges your brainpower and puts your teamwork to the test at iEscape Rooms. Solve puzzles, find clues and open locks to crack the code – or test your skills in a live game show. Keep the friendly competition going with classic games at the Carolina Beach Arcade, located along the Boardwalk.
Connect with the natural and aquatic (not sure – that might be the same thing as natural) world indoors by exploring mesmerizing marine life and environments at the nearby North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher. Meet Luna, the albino alligator, loggerhead sea turtles, a rescued bald eagle, a family of frisky Asian small-clawed otters and the many other creatures that call the Aquarium home.
No matter how you choose to beat the heat, there are plenty of ways to keep your cool in Carolina Beach this summer.
