The Best Kure Beach Hotels

Kure Beach Hotels are on Pleasure Island, a strip of beautiful beaches on the coast of North Carolina. This resort community is home to Fort Fisher State Historic Site, a 712-foot fishing pier, and one of North Carolina’s three aquariums. At the southern end of the beach, twisted live oaks still grow behind the dunes. The community has miles of beaches; public access points are marked by orange-and-blue signs. Visit here for the best North Carolina Beaches.

Kure Beach Weather – When to Visit

Kure Beach is best in the spring (March to May) and fall (September and October), when the weather is most temperate and the water reasonably warm. You will avoid the crowds and higher prices associated with the peak summer tourist season, if visiting during these times.

Best Kure Beach Areas

Ocean Front Park & Pavilion

The Ocean Front Park is Kure Beach’s largest public park, and is located in the heart of the downtown area next to the fishing pier. The site features beach access and a walking path, a playground for kids, swings and rain gardens, and an open air pavilion that hosts special events and concerts throughout the year.

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Kure Beach Fishing Pier

The roughly 700’ ft. long Kure Beach Fishing Pier has lots of ways to stay entertained, besides fishing and stunning views of the oceanfront shoreline. The pier also features a nearby concessions stand, an on-site fishing / bait and tackle shop, an arcade, and a large souvenir area.

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Fort Fisher State Recreation Area

The 287-acre Fort Fisher State Recreation Area features six miles of undeveloped shoreline, and is a popular destination for beach-goers who want a full day of surfing, fishing, swimming, and relaxing in the sun. Ample parking and restrooms are available on-site.

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Zeke’s Island Reserve

Zeke’s Island Reserve is one of the most important shorebird habitats along the North Carolina coastline, and is a hard-to-reach but easy to enjoy collection of completely undeveloped barrier islands that feature great birding, boating and kayaking, shelling, and wildlife watching opportunities.

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Best Kure Beach Activities

Carolina Beach State Park

Visitors who want to take a break from Carolina Beaches’ busy surf side scene, and instead enjoy its acres of wild, undeveloped territory, can pay a visit to the sprawling Carolina Beach State Park. The park, which covers 761 acres of Carolina Beach or Pleasure Island, is a blissful retreat for nature lovers, kayakers, boaters, hikers, joggers, bird watchers, and naturalists.

Southport/Fort Fisher Ferry

The Southport / Fort Fisher ferry is a unique way to explore the southern North Carolina coastline. The ferry trip gives passengers exceptional views of the Cape Fear River, and an incredible story to take back home. The ferry ride is just a short 35 minute ride from the mainland to Pleasure Island.

Oak Island Lighthouse

As the newest lighthouse in North Carolina, the distinctive white, gray and black structure is unlike any other on the coastline, prompting both curiosity and amazement from visitors, and making it a “must-see” on any lighthouse lover’s road trip list.

Southport Marsh Walk

Nature lovers who want to take an in-depth and self-guided exploration of Southport’s wild terrain can take an easy stroll down the “Marsh Walk.” This long boardwalk that begins along Brunswick Avenue on the edges of the busy downtown ends, essentially, in the middle of nowhere, with incredible views of the Cape Fear River, Elizabeth River, and miles of the waterfront terrain that defines Southport as a uniquely coastal town.

Carolina Beach State Park

The park, which covers 761 acres of Carolina Beach or Pleasure Island, is a blissful retreat for nature lovers, kayakers, boaters, hikers, joggers, bird watchers, and naturalists of all genres. With rare and unique species that can only be found in this region of North Carolina, and endless active ways to explore the terrain, Carolina Beach visitors will be pleasantly surprised by this expansive and quiet off-the-beach destination.

Best Kure Beach Restaurants

Beach House Burgers Under $10

The burger stand is pretty hard to miss, with it’s lime-green and peach exterior, and just a hop, skip and a barefoot run away from the ocean. The menu is short, but appetizing, with hamburgers and cheeseburgers, and a collection of other classic sandwiches and beach eats. Telephone: 910-458-8586 Web: Beach House Burgers

Freddie’s Italian Restaurant $11 – 30

Freddie’s serves authentic Italian cuisine in an Irish pub atmosphere. There’s a small friendly bar serving the best martinis in the area. You might even hear Al Martino or Frank Sinatra crooning in the background. Telephone: 910-458-5979 Web: Freddie’s Italian Restaurant

Jack Mackerel’s Island Grill $11 – 30

Caribbean-influenced fare with a seafood emphasis served in colorful digs with a two story deck.” Jack Mackerels offers casual dining in a festive atmosphere! From USDA Choice grade steaks to locally sourced seafood. They serve only the freshest creations. Telephone: 910-458-7668 Web: Jack Mackerel’s Island Grill

Kure Beach Diner Under $10

This classic diner features no-frills southern fare and plenty of options that allow visitors all along the beach to take a beat, and enjoy a nice dose of southern home cooking. Telephone: 910-458-8778 Web: Kure Beach Diner

Cape Fear Boil Company $11 – 30

Dining out at the beach can be a daunting task. Leaving the beach early, hour long waits for tables, expensive drinks, and mediocre food are just the start! Let Cape Fear Boil Co. solve your dining dilemma! Choose either their at-home catering or one of their steam pots to-go. Maximize your beach time and enjoy a meal and experience you won’t soon forget! Telephone: 910-707-3034 Cape Fear Boil Company

Best Kure Beach Hotels