Bald Head Island is a beautiful and quaint island nestled off the coast of North Carolina. This island has no shortage of breathtaking views and lush greenery. The island has a very nice atmosphere that is relaxing and exciting. While Steven and I were driving around in our golf cart, I felt like we were on a jungle safari or national park.
Quick Note
Steven and I didn't really plan this trip so I don't think we got the full experience. Many of the girls where I work recommended it to me so we decided to go while he was on spring break.
The Ferry
The Ferry boards at Deep Point Marina and runs on the hour every hour, except 12pm, from 7am-11pm. We made the mistake of arriving at 12pm so we did have to wait until 1pm to board the ferry. The waiting area was very nice and had a cafe/snack bar that had just about everything. I would say their food options and quality was better than that of the islands (we will talk more about that later). Boarding the ferry was a breeze and the views along the way were relaxing.
Travel Around The Island
With limited vehicle access, the island offers a peaceful and relaxing getaway. There are very few cars on the island (mostly contractor vehicles) so visitors are urged to rent bikes, electric scooters, or golf carts. Steven and I rented a golf cart while we were on the island. The only downside is that the golf cart had to be returned by 4pm and well... we arrived on the island at 2pm. (again, bad planning on my part). However, we are very thankful that Steven's mom paid for our golf cart as a gift.
What We Did
For the most part, Steven and I just enjoyed a relaxing day riding around in the golf cart and exploring the island. Since Steven is a historian we stopped by the Old Baldy Lighthouse and Museum to read up on the local history and climb up the lighthouse. The climb surprisingly wasn't too bad, however before getting to the top, you do have to climb up a ladder through a square cutout. The birdseye view from the lighthouse was unreal. After that, we went to the beach to watch the waves crashing. Compared to Myrtle Beach, Bald Head Island's beach is sandier and not as crowded with condos and hotels. There is a lot of space on the beach to spread out and set up your own little area. By that time, It was time to return the golf cart, so we grabbed food and then departed.
Things To Do
- Old Baldy Lighthouse: climb to the top for stunning views of the island and ocean
- East Beach: enjoy a day of swimming, sunbathing, and beachcombing
- Marsh Walk: take a guided tour to learn about the island's unique ecosystem
- Maritime Market: shop for souvenirs and grab a bite to eat at this local marketplace
- Bald Head Island Conservancy: participate in educational programs and explore the island's wildlife
Where We Ate
As I mentioned earlier we had lunch while waiting for the ferry and then we had dinner on the island. There are many restaurants on the island (yet the map doesn't show them all) and only, to our knowledge one of them was open. We ate at Jules' Salty Grub & Island Pub, The food was decent however the service could have been better. There weren't many people in the restaurant and most of them were at the bar being served by the bartender. Our server wasn't very attentive but was kind. Since we were waiting for the departure ferry we weren't too put off by this. However, next time, I think it would just be best to pack our own meals and have a picnic on the beach. While we were boarding the ferry to the island, I did notice that everyone had coolers.
How Much It Cost
- Ferry - $23/person round trip (Total: $46)
- Snack Bar - $25 (2 meals + 2 drinks + cheesecake)
- Golf Cart Rental - $92 for the day (we only spent 2 hours on the island w/ the golf cart)
- Old Baldy Museum/Lighthouse - $8/each (Total: $16)
- Dinner - Around $70 (2 meals + 2 drinks + hushpuppies + lava cake)
- Parking - $12/day
- TOTAL: $261 for roughly 4 hours spent on the Island (2pm - 6pm)
Final Thoughts
Overall I think if we (*couch... I) would have planned better, the trip would have been even better! We enjoyed the much-needed break from the hustle and bustle of our day-to-day lives. While doing research for this blog post, I realized that Steven and I missed out on quite a few things. The map that we used that day must have been old because there wasn't a lot on it. I definitely think that Bald Head Island is a great destination if planned properly.
Let me know down below: Have you ever been to Bald Head Island? If yes, do you have any tips? If not, does it sound like somewhere you would like to visit?
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