Satisfy your curious side and gear up for unforgettable experiences in nature's playground. From paddle excursions and underwater adventures to active exploration, adventure awaits in Kure Beach.
Paddle Excursions
Journey along the coastline, exploring the natural beauty of Kure Beach with a guided adventure from Kayak Carolina. Knowledgeable and certified instructors lead the way through waterways, creeks and marshes to secluded islands, unveiling hidden treasures along the way. Paddlers of all skill levels are invited to suit up for the guided tours to undisturbed habitats like Zeke’s Island Reserve, Shark Tooth Island or Masonboro Island.
Find the perfect paddle spot for a self-guided adventure with equipment from Pleasure Island Rentals, located nearby on the island. Select from stand-up paddleboards or single and tandem kayak rentals. Accessible only by boat, Zeke’s Island Reserve is surrounded by serene wildlife, perfect for a solo expedition. Or, begin your journey from the Fort Fisher Basin, within Fort Fisher State Historic Site and Fort Fisher State Recreation Area, to explore a lagoon complex with coastal wildlife and habitats. Mahanaim Adventures offers a three-hour guided kayak tour of the Fort Fisher Basin for those who want to explore the area with seasoned experts.
Active Adventures
Head to Fort Fisher State Recreation Area – one of the island’s two state parks – for adventures on dry land and explore the 6 miles of protected shoreline. Hike the beach strand, combing for shells and other unique treasures, where you might even catch a glimpse of one of the Loggerhead turtle nesting sites protected by the Pleasure Island Sea Turtle Project. Traverse the park's Basin Trail, a 2-mile out-and-back pathway winding through salt marshes and maritime forest. Along the trail, discover the WWII bunker where the legendary Fort Fisher Hermit settled. An observation deck awaits at the trail, culminating with breathtaking views of the Cape Fear River and Zeke's Island Reserve. Plan your visit around low tide to see the coquina rocks, a unique hard rock outcrop cemented together over thousands of years by seashells and coral. Additionally, the tour trail at Fort Fisher State Historic Site encircles the remains of the Civil War-era fort, with exhibit panels providing mini-history lessons on the fort's historical significance.
Exploring Aquatic Habitats
Get ready for a mesmerizing adventure through marine life and tap into childlike wonder at the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher. Explore the different exhibits of aquatic environments and wildlife, from marine life, salt marshes and tidal pools to a two-story open ocean exhibit complete with sharks, rays and eels. Meet a frisky family of Asian otters or Luna, the rare albino alligator. Natural wonders are on display in the touch pool, where you can feel yellow stingrays, anemones, sea stars and pencil urchins. Visitors can adventure beyond the exhibits with a Behind the Scenes Tour to explore different areas typically closed to the public, such as the life support systems, animal holding and exhibit spaces.
Catching Waves
Recognized as a favorite surf spot in the South by Garden & Gun, Kure Beach invites surfers of all skill levels to shred some waves and embrace the area's surf culture. Odysea Surf School in nearby Carolina Beach offers private and group lessons with all the necessary equipment provided. Rent a board from island outfitter Tony Silvagni Surf School for your own adventure, or sign up for a lesson from Olympic Gold medalist Tony Silvagni, who recently placed fifth in the world for professional longboarding on the World Longboard Tour.
Searching for Shipwrecks
Far below the surface, the waters in Kure Beach are home to fascinating dive sites, including historical shipwrecks and a diverse array of marine life, all awaiting underwater exploration. Charter an experience with one of the nearby professional SCUBA companies, like Carolina Beach Scuba, to explore the underwater ledges and discover prehistoric fossils. Located off the coast near the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher lies Condor, a blockade runner from the Civil War, one of the best-preserved shipwrecks and North Carolina first Heritage Dive Site. Divers of all experience levels can embark on a charter from the Carolina Beach Inlet to reach the shipwreck or paddle to the site and follow the buoys marking the location for boats and kayaks.
Embrace adventure in Kure Beach, where curiosity meets discovery with active excursions and unforgettable experiences.
