Kure Beach Attractions and Activities

Soak Up the Sun on Kure Beach

This is The sandy shores of Kure Beach are the main attraction for visitors looking to relax, swim, and enjoy the beautiful Atlantic Ocean. Spend your day basking in the sun building sandcastles with your family, or taking a refreshing dip in the waves. Kure Beach is perfect for water activities like surfing, paddle boarding, kayaking, offering plenty of options for adventure seekers.

Ocean Front Park & Pavilion

Just off the Curie beach pier is the oceanfront park and pavilion. You could enjoy the playground and oceanfront boardwalk with bench swings. The park also hosts events like turtle talks, story time by the sea and the boogie in the park concert series. Right across the street are a number of local restaurants, bars, coffee shops and the High-Tech arcade which has classic games.

Kure Beach Fishing Pier

Just a 4 minute walk from Periwinkle is the Hure Beach Fishing Pier. This is a family friendly, no alcohol allowed pier that gives kids of all ages the chance to see miles of coastline. You can walk along or fish off the recently renovated 711-foot pier. You can also buy or rent tackle, bait, rod and reel combos, or enjoy visiting the nearby seasonal concession stand that even has ice cream. Also at the pier is an arcade and a souvenir area. Bait Shop and Store traditionally operates from April 1st until Thanksgiving Sunday, no fishing license is required to fish off the pier, but there is a nominal fee involved to be allowed to do so. With the first pier constructed in 1923, pier access is free year round to those not fishing, but interested in a spectacular ocean view.

Walking/Hiking Trails

Just off the pier are several restaurants located in the immediate area. There is an arcade, coffee shop, and some local bars. Kure Beach has some of the best hiking trails. AllTrails (alltrails.com) has 6 scenic trails in the Kure Beach area. These trails are perfect for hiker and outdoor enthusiast at any skill level.

North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher

Just less than 3 miles South of Kure Beach, towards the end of the island, is the North Carolina aquarium (ncaquariums.com). This aquarium features an Adventure Reef outdoor play area and kid-friendly exhibits like the Otters on the Edge Habitat. There are also behind-the-scenes tours and summer camp programs. The aquarium is amazing and fun for all ages.

Fort Fisher/Southport Ferry

The Southport/Fort Fisher Ferry Terminal is just a few miles away. This “drive on” ferry leaves from the tip of Fort Fisher at the mouth of the Cape Fear River, and docks two miles from the historic town of Southport. The enjoyable 30-minute one way trip is filled with unique, beautiful views along the Cape Fear River. Once at Southport, you can drive your vehicle off the ferry. When you are done enjoying Southport you can return on the ferry back to Fort Fisher.

Fort Fisher State Recreation Area

You can explore a six mile stretch of protected shoreline at fort fisher state recreation area. You can hike the state park’s Basin Trail to find diverse wildlife and a WWII bunker, once home to the fabled Fort Fisher Hermit. You may also purchase a seasonal permit, take your 4 wheel drive vehicle onto the sand to reach a secluded surf fishing spot or enjoy a guided kayak tour to an island nature preserve.

Fort Fisher State Historic Site

This site was the civil war's largest amphibious battle, the remaining portion of the gigantic Fort Fisher earthworks along with the recently restored palisade fence and impressive seacoast gun should not be missed. There is a fully accessible Visitors Center and Gift Shop which includes videos, exhibits, and artifacts recovered from sunken ships. There are also remains from the Battle Acre Monument to Civil War Soldiers, with a separate walking trail and an ocean front gazebo. The remains of the blockade runner, Condor, are about 700 yards off the beach. Dive enthusiasts can pick up a dive map and explore the wreck.