Active Adventures & Wellness
in Kure Beach, NC

Kayaking

Set out on a kayak excursion to Shark Tooth Island with Kayak Carolina. Beginners will be taught how to safely navigate the waterways, while experienced kayakers can paddle ahead at their own pace. Upon arrival, explore the uninhabited island’s natural wonders. Hunt for seashells, fossils and coveted shark teeth. Additional kayak outfitters in the area include Pleasure Island Rentals and Paddle NC.

To experience one of the most important shorebird feeding habitats on the East Coast while also getting in a workout, take a self-guided kayak tour to Zeke’s Island Reserve. Bird species such as dunlin, black-bellied plovers, short-billed dowitchers, white ibis and great blue herons inhabit this scenic section of the Cape Fear River region. In addition, enjoy the area’s waterways through surfing, stand-up paddleboarding (SUP), fishing and more.

Diving

Kure Beach and the surrounding area are home to hundreds of fascinating dive sites to discover far below the surface. Visitors can discover captivating prehistoric fossils on the ocean’s natural ledges. The North Carolina Underwater Archeology Branch, located at Fort Fisher State Historic Site in Kure Beach, is responsible for everything found in North Carolina waters. To experience the historic shipwrecks for yourself, charter a dive with one of the island's professional scuba outfitters, such as Jet Lag Dive Charters and Carolina Beach Scuba.

The Condor

Among the most interesting dive sites at Kure Beach is North Carolina’s first Heritage Dive Site, The Condor. The Civil War blockade runner, which ran aground on her maiden voyage to Wilmington more than 150 years ago, is a historical gem and one of the state’s best-preserved shipwrecks. One of the passengers aboard The Condor was Rose O’Neal Greenhow, a famous Confederate spy returning to the states. Because she was concerned about being captured by the Union, Greenhow demanded to be sent ashore in a small lifeboat after the ship ran aground. She drowned in the surf, allegedly with stowed-away gold sewn into her garment.

A self-guided dive tour from May 1 to Nov. 1 or chartered excursion will reveal the full story of The Condor. There are also mooring lines at the site for boats and kayaks. Visitors can also learn about The Condor’s lore on dry land while viewing the artifacts housed at Fort Fisher State Historic Site’s Visitor Center, as well as an engine room replica in one of the tanks at the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher.

Yoga

Discover serenity by the sea with Kure Beach Yoga classes held on the beach strand near the Kure Beach Fishing Pier, at Ocean Front Park or inside the Kure Beach Community Center.