Whether you’re planning a peaceful getaway with extended family or a nature-focused adventure with fellow outdoor enthusiasts, Kure Beach provides an escape from the crowds and distractions of everyday life. Experience small-town charm and beautiful natural surroundings on your next travel adventure.
Generational Family Vacations
Soak up the sun and quality time together with a family reunion on our sandy shores. Gear up for your perfect beach day with rented equipment, from chairs and umbrellas to beach games and boogie boards, provided by nearby Pleasure Island Rentals. Situated by the sea, Ocean Front Park and Pavilion is Kure Beach’s largest public green space, offering activities for all ages. The little ones will love the children’s play area, while adults will appreciate the swing benches’ ocean views.
Head to the family-friendly, century-old Kure Beach Fishing Pier, one of the oldest on the Atlantic Coast, for a stroll to capture miles of stunning coastline views. Anglers of all ages can rent rods and reels from the pier’s Bait Shop and Store. Even older than the pier is the nearby Fort Fisher State Historic Site, home to the Civil War’s largest land-sea battle. Discover the area’s rich history on a public guided tour or private tour for groups of 20 or more, through the fort’s remaining earthworks.
Tap into your sense of wonder while coming face-to-face with mesmerizing marine life at the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher, named a top aquarium in the U.S. by TripAdvisor several times. All ages will enjoy an up-close look at otter pups and sea turtle hatchlings, unique exhibits, and the opportunity to say hello to Luna, the albino alligator. Register for a behind the scenes tour, which gives a unique perspective on the exhibits’ spaces and life support systems perfect for ages 8 and up. The aquarium offers rate specials for parties of 15 or more.
Bring the whole family together over dinner at Big Daddy’s Restaurant. The family-owned Kure Beach staple serves a wide selection of land and sea favorites and happily accommodates large families and parties. With plenty of indoor and outdoor seating options including an inside tiki hut, the whole family can gather and dine on flavorful Caribbean-inspired cuisine at Jack Mackerel’s Island Grill.
Outdoor Enthusiasts’ Escape
Embark on an eco-adventure in nature’s playground with your fellow adventurists. On a guided Kayak Carolina tour, paddle along the area’s naturally beautiful waterways and marshes before reaching Zeke’s Island Reserve, a lagoon-like protected shorebird habitat only accessible by water. The outfitter offers tour options for up to 16 participants.
Rent stand-up paddleboards (SUP) from Pleasure Island Rentals and navigate the surrounding salt marshes and wildlife estuaries on a self-guided adventure with your outdoorsy crew. Charter a dive with a local scuba outfitter like Carolina Beach Scuba to explore fossil-filled ocean ledges and historic shipwrecks, including The Condor, North Carolina’s first Heritage Dive Site.
On dry land, pedal your way around the island with beach cruiser bikes rented from iRide Carolina Beach. Find your “flow” with a private lesson from Kure Beach Yoga which offers sessions on the beach or the Kure Beach Fishing Pier. Explore nearly six miles of undeveloped shoreline at one of the island’s two state parks, Fort Fisher State Recreation Area. Secure a permit for a four-wheel drive on the beach or stroll along the tide searching for unique shells. Journey along the Basin Trail through the marshes to a WWII bunker that was once the home of the Fort Fisher Hermit.
Enjoy casual seafood dishes alongside the Cape Fear River at the seasonally-open Riverview Restaurant. The restaurant’s ample outdoor seating is an ideal space for all to enjoy dinner after a long day of adventures on land and sea.
Group Stays
From cozy cottage-style stays for smaller groups to spacious homes for large families, find accommodations suited to any size and preferences. Reserve rooms at Kure Lighthouse Inn, a boutique oceanfront inn that offers suites accommodating up to six guests. Enjoy spectacular views from each room after a successful day of adventures, or lounge in comfortable outdoor seating around the fire pit.
Spread out at one of the island's many vacation rentals, which offer amenities ranging from private pools and beach access to fully stocked kitchens and multiple bedrooms. Find the perfect place for your crew with Sea Coast Rentals, which features homes like "La Grande Dame" for up to 26 guests. This spacious rental includes a theater and game room for the entire crew to unwind.
Recharge and reconnect with your travel crew while enjoying the destination’s relaxed atmosphere and boundless natural beauty during a getaway with your friends and family to Kure Beach.
