Consistently ranked as one of the best beach towns in North Carolina, as well as throughout the southeastern United states, Oak Island uniquely offers the simple luxuries of a tourists’ escape, with the nostalgic comfort of hometown familiarity. Encompassing nearly twenty square miles and over ten miles of beach, Oak Island is one of the largest Brunswick Beaches.   The island itself is marked by the Atlantic Ocean to the south, and the Intracoastal Waterway to the north.  With over eight thousand year-round residents and nearly fifty thousand seasonal visitors, Oak Island has worked hard to maintain balance of its bustling, vibrant tourism, with the traditional, quiet charm of a small southern town. 

 As one of North Carolina’s only barrier islands that faces directly south, beachgoers can enjoy magnificent views of both sunrise and sunset over the ocean, all from the same stretch of sand.  Experiencing these awe-inspiring views are no challenge either; with well over one hundred free public accesses to the beach and the ICW, Oak Island offers more accessibility to the ocean than any other coastal Town in the state.  In addition, Oak Island provides amenities far beyond the beach itself; such as boating, fishing, kayaking, golf, fine and casual dining, established retail and small local shopping, boutique hotels, two fishing piers, and a robust Town recreation program … all watched over faithfully by the 63-year-old Oak Island Lighthouse. 

The Oak Island Recreation Center located mid-island provides both indoor and outdoor exercise facilities and rents out sporting equipment and amenities.  Popular Events include the “Run Oak Island” Marathon held in February.  Monthly Civil War Roundtables are held at the Hatch Auditorium in the NC Baptist Assembly while the Oak Island Library hosts wide variety of events to include “Socrates Café” and “Meet the Author” programs.