Ocean Isle Beach vacation rentals

Explore the Ocean Isle Beach from vacation home rentals

Situated by the sea on the far southern coast of North Carolina, Ocean Isle Beach sits just above South Carolina, and is part of the Myrtle Beach metro area. This scenic and relaxing vacation spot is the perfect escape, offering low-key beach time paired with the recreational activities at Ocean Isle Beach Park, and easy access to the hustle and bustle of the nearby cities. Book an Ocean Isle Beach vacation rental with sea views, and spend each day taking in the sparkling sights of the Atlantic coast.

A celebration of natural history, both in and outdoors

Though most people visit Ocean Isle Beach with the plan to spend most of their time outdoors, there are a few museums for you and the kids to enjoy, too. Make sure to hit up the Museum of Coastal Carolina, a natural history museum exploring the region's past, and including a planetarium and live sea animals enclosed in a touch tank. If the planetarium at the museum only tickled a bit of your stargazing fancy, head to the Ingram Planetarium, which, like the museum, is also managed by the Ocean Isle Museum Foundation.

Activities near Ocean Isle Beach vacation homes

Ocean Isle Beach is one part of 58 acres of recreational area. When you're not swimming, surfing, and sunbathing on the beach, spend your days at the ballparks, on the tennis courts, or enjoying the events and concerts held at the festival grounds and in the amphitheater. There are biking trails ensuring you can explore the area easily on two wheels, but with a car, you can easily access even more of the great outdoors at Myrtle Beach State Park, or go fishing from the Surfside Beach and Pier.

Best excursions from Ocean Isle Beach vacation homes

Ocean Isle Beach is the ideal base camp for exploring Wilmington. Vacation rentals are close to attractions like Battleship North Carolina, a museum on a World War II battleship with historic artifacts and exhibits, and Airlie Gardens, a massive garden space with walking trails and freshwater lakes. You could also visit the Bellamy Mansion Museum, an antebellum home with a Victorian garden and restored historic slave quarters.

Local weather for your stay in Ocean Isle Beach vacation homes

Thanks to its southern climate, booking an Ocean Isle Beach vacation rental is an excellent idea for most of the year. Late March through early June offers sunny and warm days, perfect for sunbathing and swimming. July and August tend to be extremely hot and humid, so if you head down with the rest of the summer vacationers, bring your SPF! September and October are also a fabulous time to visit, but keep in mind that hurricane season can extend through November. December through February might not make for great beach weather, but you'll still find some winter sun.

Where the locals are wild, waveriders, or both

Separated from the mainland by the Intracoastal Waterway, Ocean Isle Beach is a barrier island just north of the South Carolina border. The island boasts miles of sandy beaches, perfect for starting each morning with a cup of coffee from your Ocean Isle Beach vacation rental. If you're eager to get up close to the wildlife, book a tour kayaking through the marsh, or go ziplining above at the Shallotte River Swamp Park. Look for baby turtle hatchlings as they make their journey back into the sea, or catch some waves and hang ten with the local surfers.

Transportation to and around Ocean Isle Beach

The nearest airport is in Wilmington Intl. Airport (ILM), located 39.9 mi (64.2 km) from the city center. If you're unable to find a flight that fits your schedule, you could book a flight to Myrtle Beach Intl. Airport (MYR), which is 31.3 mi (50.4 km) away.

Kid-friendly fun near Ocean Isle Beach vacation homes

Ocean Isle Beach has numerous kid-friendly attractions to enjoy during your trip. Vacation rentals are available near family-focused attractions like the Swamp Park, a recreational site with elevated ropes courses, zip lines, and boat tours, and Ocean Isle Beach Park, a vast park with playgrounds, tennis courts, and an amphitheater.