1. The beach is dog-friendly.
Did you know that Oak Island, NC is a dog-friendly beach? I love that we can bring our four-legged baby, Lucy, with us when we vacation here. She loved joining us and saying hello to all the strangers she saw. Just keep in mind that dogs must be leashed at all times during the busy season. They cannot go off-leash while swimming or exploring. During the slow season (October 15 through March 15), dogs can enjoy the beach off-leash.
2. You can bring tents on the beach.
This is a huge selling point for our family because we love having the extra shade. Although I once enjoyed laying out and tanning, I now prefer to protect my skin. Not only that, but we are now traveling with a little one! Our baby needs to stay covered and having the option to use a larger tent makes our lives so much easier. We prefer to have a 10×10 tent and a half-moon tent set up.
3. You are close to Southport, NC.
Southport is a wonderful place to visit and relax. We enjoy taking the time to slip away from the island and spending time there is so simple. You are just a 20-minute car ride from great restaurants, coffee shops, boutiques, and antique shops. We especially enjoy stopping at Provision Company for shrimp and their incredible potato salad.
4. The atmosphere is family-friendly.
We have always felt comfortable bringing the whole family anywhere we go at Oak Island. This year, we traveled with our 4-month-old and never had to worry about feeling out of place. All of the restaurants were accommodating and we never felt rushed to leave due to inconvenience. Bathrooms that we visited had changing tables and the staff were always so kind. They have nice parks and public spaces, including a splash pad.
5. The area feels safe.
Something that I always take into consideration is safety. Does it feel safe for me to walk alone? Now that I am responsible for a baby, feeling safe is more important than ever. I was able to walk to and from beach accesses alone and never felt like I was in danger. Everything was clean and there were often beach officials driving up and down the beach keeping an eye on the tide and the crowds.
To sum it all up…
Traveling to Oak Island is a wonderful experience. Our family had so much fun and I will be planning another trip there in the future. Next time, I hope to visit the lighthouse and spend more time at the public parks when our little one is a bit older. You can have confidence in knowing that your trip will be safe and family-friendly! Jump online and start searching for places to stay! You won’t regret it!
