Not only do you deserve a vacation, but you deserve one in which you truly disconnect from work. On a getaway to Carolina Beach, allow yourself to relax and enjoy a respite from your responsibilities at home. Leave the laptop behind, turn off the phone and experience everything our laid-back beach town offers to keep you entertained. Work, who?
No Signal, No Worries
Escape to the soothing ebb and flow of the waves on Carolina Beach’s shores with a surf lesson from Tony Silvagni Surf School or Odysea Surf School that will keep your mind and body focused on learning how to catch a wave. Group and private lessons are offered from certified instructors, perfect for beginners as well as those with prior experience.
Allow a knowledgeable guide from Paddle NC to lead you via kayak through the calm waters of Carolina Beach State Park, providing interesting tidbits and factoids about the area’s history and ecosystems along the way. Daytime eco tours and evening sunset tours are available – as well as a standup paddleboard (SUP) option if that’s more your speed.
Civilization is overrated. Escape it for a day by kayaking, canoeing or paddleboarding out to Zeke’s Island, a secluded, uninhabited island that is also a protected coastal habitat. Relax on the sandy shores, explore the dynamic landscape of tidal flats, salt marshes, dunes and beaches or try to spot local wildlife. Equipment can easily be rented from Pleasure Island Rentals.
Leave cell signals behind and head out on the open water for a boat tour from Island Time Water Tours. From dolphin sightings to island hopping and hearing local fables from the captain, your day will be jam-packed with fun. Choose from a two-hour cruise to a full-day trip to see, hear and experience it all.
Inhale the salty beach air and exhale your stresses during a yoga class by the sea. Salty Dog Yoga offers laid back yoga sessions right on the beach, emphasizing slowing down and staying present.
Ringer Off, Walking Shoes On
Retreat into the peacefulness of nature and tune into the sounds of the wind, trees and birds. Discover Carolina Beach State Park on foot with a guided hike led by park staff. The Monthly Bird Walk is about 2 miles on flat terrain, takes place the fourth Wednesday of each month and no birding experience is necessary. There is also a ranger-led, easy hike each Saturday morning at 10 a.m. along the Flytrap Trail, where staff discuss the different types of carnivorous plants within the park, including the rare Venus flytrap. Be sure to bring your own sunscreen, binoculars for birding, drinking water and insect repellent.
Head to the north end of Carolina Beach to find a secluded beachfront, Freeman Park. Perfect for swimming, surfing, fishing and hunting for seashells, this hideaway is sure to clear your mind. With the right permit, four-wheel drive access is even allowed.
Engage all your senses – especially your taste buds – in a Tasting History Tour. Take in an afternoon full of island history, historical landmarks and delicious eats on a walking tour through the streets of Carolina Beach and into several of the best restaurants in the area.
With so many fun and engaging activities, you won’t even have time to think about work on a getaway to Carolina Beach. Spend a little time moving your body, breathing in the fresh air and immersing yourself in the stillness of nature to feel the everyday stressors of life melt away.
