Fall Things to Do in Kure Beach, NC

Escape to Natural Wonders

Venture beyond a typical day on the coast with a fall getaway to Kure Beach. Experience autumnal activities like outdoor festivals, eco-tours and strolls along the shoreline amid mild temperatures and fewer crowds. Fall is the perfect time to set out on a new adventure, and you’ll find plenty of ways to explore the natural wonders of Kure Beach.

Fall Festivals

The island provides the perfect coastline for surf fishing and hosts the area’s prime land-based surf fishing tournament each October, the Pleasure Island Surf Fishing Challenge. All are welcome to join the fishing-filled weekend for a chance to win cash and prizes. Set your sights on the sky at the annual Cape Fear Kite Festival, featuring two days of kite-flying cheer. Participants from all over come to fly their colorful kites of all sizes and styles on the beach at Fort Fisher State Recreation Area. The event is held the first full weekend of November.

Search Event Calendar

ADVENTURE AROUND EVERY BEND

Mild temperatures make fall the perfect time to set out on a guided kayak tour of Zeke’s Island Reserve with local outfitters to discover unique wildlife and an active landscape of tidal flats, salt marshes, dunes and ocean beaches. Or, paddle out on a kayak or canoe rental to Shark Tooth Island, an uninhabited island home to coveted seashells and shark teeth. Take a walk through history and explore the South’s largest earthen fort at Fort Fisher State Historic Site. Or, dive a little deeper with Carolina Beach Scuba to find The Condor, a sunken Civil War ship and North Carolina’s first heritage dive site, located approximately 700 yards off the beach.

Experience Nature's Paradise

People doing yoga at Kure Beach

TAKE TIME TO UNWIND

It’s impossible not to be at peace here with the unspoiled scenery at Fort Fisher State Recreation Area, where you can observe rare species like loggerhead sea turtles and piping plovers. Gas up your four-wheel-drive vehicle and purchase a permit to cruise along the recreation area’s beach strand. Find serenity by the sea with Kure Beach Yoga classes along the oceanfront or discover an under-the-sea experience by meandering through the exhibits of aquatic wildlife at the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher. Stop by the aquarium's newest exhibit, Caribbean Corals, featuring striking fish like the yellow-headed jawfish, vibrant corals and other species that inhabit this ecosystem.

Visit Island Attractions

View from the deck of the Kure Lighthouse Inn at sunset

REST YOUR HEAD

Find accommodations to fit every budget and party size in Kure Beach. Take in the sights and sounds at a peaceful beachfront vacation rental with a private pool. For a more intimate experience, opt for a quaint beach cottage or a charming seaside inn located blocks from the beach. Find family-owned motels in the heart of Kure Beach and close to the fishing pier, restaurants and the Ocean Front Park & Pavilion. Enjoy the comforts of home with a stay at a fully furnished luxury apartment with private entrances, kitchen supplies, fresh linens, towels and more.

Find Accommodations