Get active while getting away in Kure Beach this spring on a family vacation or solo retreat filled with outdoor explorations, water excursions, wellness activities and more. No matter how you choose to adventure, look to local guides and area outfitters to explore the island’s native wildlife and natural environments while relaxing and recharging.
Read on for our guide to an active spring getaway in Kure Beach:
Island Waterways
Home to both the Cape Fear River and the Atlantic Ocean, you’re never far from the water in Kure Beach. Kayak or standup paddleboard (SUP) to undisturbed islands home to rare wildlife or dive deep to discover historic shipwrecks with the help of area outfitters.
Whether you’re looking to venture out on your own or experience a guided tour, Kayak Carolina will help you get on the water. Offering kid camps, rentals and daily kayak tours, you’ll be nature bound in no time. All instructors are certified, trained interpretive naturalists that will take you through the beautiful waters, marsh and secluded beaches of Zeke’s Island Reserve or Shark Tooth Island. If SUP is more your speed, find plenty of rental options at Paddle NC in nearby Carolina Beach.
From historic shipwrecks to prehistoric shark teeth, the waters off Kure Beach are perfect for both first-time and seasoned scuba divers. Take a guided tour of North Carolina’s first heritage dive site, The Condor, with Carolina Beach Scuba. The Civil War blockade runner ran aground more than 150 years ago and is one of the best-preserved shipwrecks on the North Carolina coast. The guides also specialize in fossil hunting for Megalodon shark teeth. Ideal for adults and families with older children, kids and teens ages 10 and up can certify as junior divers to join in on the adventure.
The Road Less Traveled
If you’re looking for a fun way to get around the island while getting in a low-impact workout, try exploring on two wheels. Rent bicycles from Pleasure Island Rentals and embark on your own self-guided island tour.
Cruise oceanside along Fort Fisher Boulevard past colorful homes and sights like Ocean Front Park and Pavilion and the Kure Beach Fishing Pier. Take the road down to Fort Fisher State Historic Site to see the 1921 Fort Fisher Monument, and end your journey at Fort Fisher State Recreation Area to enjoy sweeping shoreline and marsh views.
Total Body Wellness
Discover serenity by the sea with Kure Beach Yoga during a class held on the beach strand near the Kure Beach Fishing Pier, at Ocean Front Park and Pavilion or inside the Kure Beach Community Center. Most classes are “Slow Flow,” perfect for all levels and allowing for both beginner and more advanced modifications. Or, try a Vinyasa-style class or “Reggae Flow” if you’re looking for something more fast-paced.
Though Kure Beach may be known for its small-town feel, it still offers plenty of ways to get active and explore nature. Get outdoors and discover North Carolina’s small wonder this spring!
