Along with Sunset Beach and Holden Beach, Ocean Isle Beach is known as one of North Carolina's top three beach destinations for visitors with families. The beaches are pristine and calm, with soft white sand, minimal noise and crowds, and a gentle slope that's perfect for any child's first ocean experience. For older children, Ocean Isle Beach offers attractions like waterslides, hands-on museums, and child friendly beach activities. The waters are warmer than they are in the Outer Banks and they don't change drastically with the seasons, which makes Ocean Isle an excellent beach vacation spot at almost any time of the year.

Ocean Isle Beach offers many options beyond the beach as well. You can spend your days playing golf on one of the emerald green courses or visiting a spa for a relaxing massage. Shopping is also quite an experience here, since all three beaches offer a range of charming boutiques and the outlets of Myrtle Beach are just a short drive away. Additionally, the restaurants of Ocean Isle are unforgettable, which you might expect from the self-described seafood capital of the world.

Here are a few additional things to do during your stay in Ocean Isle Beach:

• See the Museum of Coastal Carolina: This natural history museum uses dioramas and interactive displays to depict the evolution of North and South Carolina.
• Take a culinary and winery tour: Visit some excellent wineries, sample the best offerings from local restaurants, and take a leisurely tour of North Carolina's vineyard country.
• Go turtle watching: May through October is nesting and hatching season for loggerhead sea turtles. If you're lucky, you may witness the actual moment of nest hatching!
• Go deep sea fishing: Take a deep sea fishing charter tour from the Gulf Stream to Inland Creeks.

Whether you're building sandcastles, enjoying a delicious southern breakfast, or making a pilgrimage to Old Baldy, the state's oldest historic lighthouse, you'll be busy all day long on Ocean Isle Beach. And when the sun sets you'll need a place to stay. Book a beautiful vacation rental any time of the year here. It's always easy to find a condo close to the heart of the shopping district or a beach house by the water!