In Kure Beach, you’ll find plenty of ways to get out on the water, thanks to its mix of calm marshes, tidal flats, open ocean and offshore dive sites. You can paddle out to Zeke’s Island Reserve, balance on a stand‑up paddleboard, learn to surf, explore a nearby shipwreck or cast a line from the pier or the surf.
Whether you’re trying something new or you’re the “first one in the water” type, here are five watersports worth adding to your visit.
1. Kayak to Zeke’s Island Reserve
Zeke’s Island Reserve is one of our most unique paddling destinations – an estuarine reserve with a lagoon‑like intertidal complex and shorebird habitats you can only reach by boat. As you make your way in, look for white ibis, great blue herons and other wading birds moving through the marsh.
For a guided experience, book Kayak Carolina's three‑hour Zeke’s Island Family Adventure Tour. You’ll depart in the morning for calmer water and cooler temps, with plenty of stops to explore the bays and marsh creeks between Fort Fisher and Bald Head Island. Wildlife sightings vary by day, but keep your eye out for everything from turtles and crabs to pelicans, sea turtles and even dolphins. Insider tip: In the warmer months, your guides will bring along their seine, dipping and cast nets, so you can try your hand at catching (and releasing) some local marine life.
Want to make a longer day of it? Pleasure Island Rentals offers single, tandem and fishing kayak rentals, so you can explore Zeke’s Island Reserve and beyond.
2. Explore the island on a stand-up paddleboard (SUP)
Test your balance on a SUP, also available to rent from Pleasure Island Rentals. The calm waters around Fort Fisher State Recreation Area are great for getting steady on your board and finding your rhythm. If you’re up for a bigger challenge, head to the surf for a thrilling open-water paddle.
3. Take a surf lesson with Odysea Surf School
If you’ve ever wanted to hang ten, Odysea Surf School offers small group and private lessons for all ages in Kure Beach. Your seasoned instructors will walk you through the basics so you can get out on the water, and all equipment is included.
4. Dive offshore to find “The Condor”
Just 700 yards off the beach near Fort Fisher State Historic Site sits “The Condor,” North Carolina’s first Heritage Dive Site. The remains of this Civil War blockade runner are exceptionally well‑preserved and located about 24 feet below the surface.
Rent all the dive equipment you need from a local outfitter like Carolina Beach Scuba, and set off on your self-guided tour of the shipwreck. If you aren’t scuba certified yet, check out Carolina Beach Scuba’s website to book your open water training in nearby Carolina Beach.
5. Go fishing
Head to the center of town and walk out onto the Kure Beach Fishing Pier, a 711‑foot historic pier stocked with bait and tackle, plus a concessions area if you need to fuel up for a long outing. Insider tip: Your fishing admission fee includes a blanket license that’s valid until midnight, and the crew at the counter is always happy to share what’s biting and which species to look for.
For a prime surf fishing spot, drive a few miles south to Fort Fisher State Recreation Area. The public beach is seasonally open to four‑wheel‑drive vehicles with a daily or seasonal pass, or you can park in the main lot and walk in. If you need a break from casting, hike the park’s Basin Trail to find a World War II bunker and take in wide views of the Cape Fear River from a wooden observation deck. Good to know: If you’re planning to go surf fishing, you’ll need to purchase a coastal recreational license beforehand – check out this link to learn more.
For more water adventures on the island, check out this guide to watersports in Carolina Beach.
