Wanting to get away and get outdoors during a quick, weekend retreat after being stuck indoors? Look no further than Kure Beach. Whether you are traveling as a family or embarking on a road trip without kids, this small-town beach is the perfect destination for a 48-hour jaunt. 

Not only does Kure Beach offer a number of outdoor activities, the island town is also easily accessible from throughout North Carolina and nearby, surrounding states. 

Read on for our guide to 48 hours in Kure Beach. 

Friday 

Rest Your Head

When you get here, check in to your home away from home for the weekend. Perfect for a family or group of any size, many of Kure Beach’s vacation home rentals offer private amenities like porches, decks, pools and grills – and some sit oceanfront with beach access. For smaller groups or couples, condos provide the same level of privacy and added amenities as rental homes. Kure Beach’s motels offer vintage lodging experiences that are just a short walk, drive or bike trip from any part of town. 

Saturday

Morning On the Water

Start your morning off right with breakfast from the Ocean View Restaurant. Choose from sweet breakfast staples like carmelized banana hazelnut French toast or go savory with their signature fried chicken. Then, spend time relaxing and rejuvenating on – or in! – the water:

  • Embark on a kayak adventure to Shark Tooth Island, known for its uninhabited landscape and the much-coveted shark teeth and seashells that explorers can find buried in the sand, or venture to Zeke’s Island Reserve to see firsthand one of the most important shorebird feeding habitats on the East Coast. Pleasure Island Rentals and Paddle NC offer kayak and gear rentals for self-guided, as well as guided tours.
  • Make your way to Kure Beach’s coquina rock formation, which is home to a very rare and distinctive mossy hard rock outcropping. Located near the coast of Fort Fisher, the rock formation is only visible during low tide and is cemented together by seashells and coral with an estimated origin ranging from 12,000 to 80,000 years ago.
  • Dive in and explore hundreds of dive sites that can be found off the coast of Kure Beach. Among the most interesting is North Carolina’s First Heritage Dive Site – The Condor, a civil war blockade runner that is one of the best-preserved shipwrecks on the North Carolina coast. Dive slates provide a self-guided tour from May 1 to Nov. 1. Visitors can also charter a dive to The Condor or any of the other nearby dive sites from one of the island’s professional SCUBA companies, Carolina Diving Adventures or Carolina Beach Scuba

 

Fuel up for your afternoon with a savory meal from Jack Mackerel’s Island Grill, a Caribbean-inspired restaurant that incorporates local, flavorful ingredients into its dishes and is open for dining in as well as offering takeout and delivery. Or, pack a picnic lunch and explore the outdoor exhibits at Fort Fisher State Historic Site. Then, set out for an afternoon adventure:

  • Relax at Fort Fisher State Recreation Area, where you can enjoy six miles of undeveloped shoreline and observe undisturbed wildlife like Loggerhead sea turtles. Cast a list from the shore and catch a few fish or check out the Basin Trail, a hike that leads you through salt marshes and a maritime forest. 
  • Or, purchase a day permit and take your four-wheel-drive vehicle out to explore the south end of the island, which is the perfect spot to catch an unforgettable sunset to close out the day.

Family on Beach at Fort Fish State Recreation Area

Fort Fisher State Recreation Area
 

Eat, Drink & Indulge

After a full day of adventure, stop by Freddie’s for authentic Italian cuisine served in an Irish pub atmosphere (including legendary pork chops), offering carryout service and in-house dining for dinner. Pair your meal with a selection from the extensive wine list, offering a variety of wines to complement any dish.

Sunday

Fishing, Parks and Other Outdoor Activities

The early birds get the worm – or catches the fish from the Kure Beach Fishing Pier! Wake up early and grab a Pier Side Nitro Cold Brew from Happy Hippies Java Hut, then stroll along the beach before spending your morning casting a line from one of the oldest fishing piers on the East Coast. Bait, rigs and tackle are available at the pier, too.

 

Before heading for home, soak up some more outdoor time at one of Kure Beach’s parks:

  • Joe Eakes Park is ideal for any sports lover, complete with baseball, volleyball, basketball, tennis and bocce ball courts, as well as a playground, picnic area and off-leash dog area. The park also recently opened an 18-hole disc golf course. 
  • Kure Beach’s largest public green space, Ocean Front Park & Pavilion features a walking path and play area for kids – including a pretend pirate ship – all with oceanfront views!

Kure Beach is the ideal destination for a post-quarantine weekend getaway or active staycation.