Sometimes I almost feel guilty when I tell people about Bald Head island, located off the coast of Southport, North Carolina. The subtle beauty and magic of the island make me want to keep its whereabouts all to myself.
Bald Head Island is such a magical place. I grew up in North Carolina and like to go back from time to time. But one of my most favorite places on earth is Bald Head Island! There are no cars, only the whisper of golf carts. There are no crowds of tourists, only turtle sightings. There are no roller coasters, only the dolphins rolling over the breathtaking surf!
Bald Head is such a great place for a family wanting to get away from the business of life. When you visit the island it is almost as if time stands still.
You arrive by ferry boat to a quaint landing. You immediately feel like you are in another place and time.
If you are looking for a hotel recommendation I am unable to give you one because there are no hotels, just private residences available as seasonal rentals. This adds to the charm of the island. No huge crowds, just nature made for exploring.
The beaches are gorgeous but even more breathtaking is the stunning forest that covers a lot of the island.
Turtles are one of the most precious things on the island. The Bald Head Island Conservancy oversees the hatching and releases of the turtles. Our kids loved chasing the hatching turtle times. Even more inspiring was watching the baby turtles being set free back into the ocean. These are always amazing memories and experiences for the children.
Since our accommodations are always a private residence we feel like we are at home, or maybe a little nicer than home. The architecture on the island is a gorgeous Southern style.
We had many home cooked meals. Buying groceries from a small grocery store on the island made it so simple. We stayed home and cooked in but also visited a few of the island's restaurants. But on stay home nights, another fun activity for the kids was going out for a loaf of bread in the golf cart through the forest!!
Whenever we visit the island the kids always put down their iPads and run out in to nature to explore. Some of their favorite activities are of course sea turtle sightings, beach going, pool going and we have even caught a glimpse of a real live alligator.
If you are looking for a break from the craziness of life, I highly recommend visiting the island. The beaches are breathtaking and the sand stretches forever as the water seems to always be warm!
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