Story Ideas
Kure Beach provides a naturally beautiful setting in a peaceful, small-town atmosphere. The coastal community offers visitors the opportunity to fully relax and explore nature's playground through outdoor adventures and signature state attractions, including Fort Fisher State Historic Site and the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher. Kure Beach is just a 30-minute drive from Wilmington, named one of the “Best Small Cities in the U.S.” by Condé Nast Traveler.
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LANDMARK ATTRACTIONS
Kure Beach boasts two of the state's landmark attractions. The North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher is home to over 2,500 animals and has been named a top aquarium in the U.S. by Tripadvisor multiple times. Visitors of all ages enjoy viewing loggerhead sea turtle hatchlings, a family of Asian small-clawed otters and the beloved albino alligator. Adventure Reef provides an outdoor interactive play area for kids. At Fort Fisher State Historic Site, the site of the Civil War's largest amphibious battle, experience seasonally-held historical reenactments and take a self-guided tour along a trail with views of the remaining earthworks and a restored seacoast gun emplacement. Fort Fisher State Historic Site is currently undergoing renovations to upgrade its visitors center. The project includes the construction of a new 24,000-square-foot building, which is expected to open in spring 2024. During the expansion, the original visitor center, site grounds and restrooms remain open for visitors.
KID-FRIENDLY
Named “One of the Best Family Vacations in the Southeast” by TripSavvy.com, Kure Beach is one of those magical places where kids can be kids. Community events like the Boogie in the Park Concert Series the Cape Fear Kite Festival and the Island of Lights Christmas Flotilla deliver family fun without overwhelming crowds and commercialism. Families keep returning year after year thanks to kid-friendly finds, including an award-winning aquarium, an oceanfront park, a disc golf course, a century-old fishing pier and a state historic site.
ECO-TOURISM
Experience the awe-inspiring beauty of nature by taking a boat or guided kayak tour to Zeke's Island Reserve. This unspoiled estuarine sanctuary is home to protected flora and fauna, including rare shorebirds. Explore a collection of isolated islands with miles of pristine shoreline and diverse habitats, such as tidal flats, salt marshes and maritime forests. On your chosen eco-excursion, experience nature’s playground through paddling, hiking, shelling, fishing and birdwatching.
SOLO TRAVEL SERENITY
In Kure Beach, solo travelers can find a variety of activities and experiences perfect for a personalized getaway. Start your day with a visit to a local coffee shop, then stroll along the Kure Beach Fishing Pier at sunrise. Join a guided kayak tour to Zeke's Island Reserve or capture photos of the rare coquina rock formation at Fort Fisher State Recreation Area during low tide. Grab a to-go meal from Beach House Burgers or dine on the party-of-one-friendly deck of Big Daddy's Restaurant. Retreat to a cozy oceanfront inn or a one-bedroom vacation rental condo after a full day of solo adventures.
ROAD TRIP ESCAPE
Kure Beach is the ideal destination for a casual, convenient getaway, whether you're with your family, friends or significant other – or traveling solo. Our peaceful island town is easily accessible by car for travelers from in-state or neighboring states. Stay in a charming inn, vintage motel or vacation rental to experience the island like a local. Enjoy life’s simple pleasures and the island’s natural beauty through a variety of outdoor and wellness activities. Satisfy your curious side while exploring two of the state's landmark attractions.
HIDDEN GEMS
Escape to one of the few remaining undeveloped stretches of shoreline on the Southern coast at Fort Fisher State Recreation Area, a popular state park for sunbathing, surf fishing, shelling and birding. Four-wheel-drive vehicles are allowed seasonally with required permits. Located near the coast of Fort Fisher, Kure Beach's coquina rock formation is a rare and distinctive mossy hard rock outcropping visible only during low tide. This natural wonder was formed by fossilized seashells and coral, with an estimated origin ranging from 12,000 to 80,000 years ago.
SHIPWRECKS OFF THE COAST
Kure Beach’s surrounding waters contain captivating underwater sites, including North Carolina's first heritage dive site – The Condor. This Civil War blockade runner is one of the state’s best-preserved shipwrecks and can be explored just off the southern tip of Kure Beach at Fort Fisher. Divers can also discover fascinating prehistoric fossils on the ocean's natural ledges, in addition to a host of historic shipwrecks.
OCEAN FRONT PARK
Ocean Front Park is the largest public green space in Kure Beach. Located in the quaint business district near the town's iconic fishing pier, the park features a boardwalk, a playground for small children, oceanfront swing benches and public restrooms. One of the biggest attractions at the park is an open-air pavilion with a stage area used for concerts, weddings, yoga classes and educational events. The park hosts special events throughout the year like the free Boogie in the Park Concert Series, Story Time by the Sea and conservation-focused Turtle Talks.
Pet-Friendly
Bring your four-legged friend on your next trip to Kure Beach. Leashed dogs are allowed on the strand from April 1 through Sept. 30 between 5 p.m. and 9 a.m. During the off-season (Oct. 1 through March 31), dogs on leashes are welcome on the beach at any time. Dogs are allowed year-round at Fort Fisher State Recreation Area. For off-leash fun, visit Joe Eakes Park's Gurney Hood Barking Lot. The area offers several pet-friendly vacation rentals.
