The Town of Oak Island was created in 1999 with the consolidation of Yaupon Beach and Long Beach, making it the most populated town in Brunswick County. The foundation of this family beach community has always been plentiful and easy beach, waterway and river access. There are more than 60 public beach access points over it’s 12.6 mile length, two public boat ramps, several areas to put in canoes and kayaks, an extensive sidewalk system for bikes and pedestrians to enjoy, recreation trails, numerous parks and playgrounds, a full service parks and recreation department, and youth friendly facilities such as the newly completed skate board park.

Uniquely located in one of the “scallops” on the southeastern coast of NC, the beaches of the Brunswick Islands, including Oak Island, actually face south and not east.  When you stand on the soft sand of Oak Island looking out over the Atlantic Ocean you are looking toward Florida, the Bahamas and Cuba, not Europe and Africa.  During certain times of the year, Oak Island and the other islands on the southern coast of NC are the only places on the East Coast  where  gorgeous pictures of the sun setting over the Atlantic Ocean can be taken.

Oak Island is about 7 miles to Southport, 30 miles to Wilmington and about 60 miles to Myrtle Beach. The Island has a complex coastal ecosystem with areas of salt marsh, freshwater wetlands, maritime forests, 12 miles of beach strand and is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna, including the seasonal visits from Atlantic sea turtles, who return every year to lay eggs. Sea turtle populations include the Green, Loggerhead, and rare Kemp Ridley turtles. The Town, in conjunction with the US Army Corps of Engineers, recently completed a Sea Turtle Habitat Restoration Project to restore sea turtle habitat lost to erosion. We consider the sea turtles to be some of our most important residents! With so much natural beauty, historical significance and unique character, it is easy to see why Oak Island is such a great place to visit, and a greater place to live, work and play!