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Information about Holden Beach for
Tourists & Visitors Click for Beach Regulations Like to know more about the coastal region outside of Holden Beach? Click: Brunswick Islands Click: Brunswick County Chamber of Commerce Click: Island Guide Click: Holden Beach Merchants Association Want a Map? Check out Mapquest Some Interesting Facts About Brunswick County Tourism The Tourism Development Authority of Brunswick County recently released survey information about visitors to the county beach areas during tourist seasons 98-99. Here’s a brief summary of the data obtained: Majority of visitors were in the age group 46-55. Average party size was 3-4. The party spent almost $3,200 dollars over a five-day period. The majority had already been here an average of almost five times including the current visit. 76% played golf while here. Almost 85% played golf while in the area. Golf was a key deciding factor for choosing NC Brunswick Islands to visit. Top three reasons why they came were, the beaches, the weather and climate, and sightseeing. Top three months for visitors without children were September, October and May. Those with children usually travel here in July. Top three locations to visit were Ocean Isle Beach, Sunset Beach and Holden Beach. Primary feeder states were Ohio, South Carolina, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
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 The Town of Holden Beach as seen from the high rise bridge to the island, looking west. The Intracoastal Waterway is the body of water on the right, the Atlantic Ocean is on the horizon to the left.
The Town of Holden Beach is located midway between Wilmington, North Carolina and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina -- about 40 minutes driving from each. The Town is situated on an Atlantic coastal barrier island, facing south onto the Long Bay region of Brunswick County. I-95 from the north and south, I-40 from the west and US-17 south from Wilmington or north from Myrtle Beach leads to Holden Beach -- approximately 3 hours from Raleigh, or 4 hours from Charlotte or Greensboro, or 7 hours from Asheville. For more map detail of Brunswick County, go to Brunswick Islands, and then click on "Maps". Nearly 900 fulltime residents call Holden Beach home; however, the island’s population swells to over 10,000 in mid-summer. With over 8 miles of clean, sandy beaches and a year around moderate temperature, the island attracts many visitors who want to experience a unique quiet family-oriented atmosphere. Holden Beach has a very small commercial area on the island. That point is considered by many to be a key reason to keep them coming back year after year. While there are limited commercial establishments on the island, everything one could desire is located within a short driving distance. The causeway leading to the island contains numerous specialty stores and shops, and the Town of Shallotte just 10 minutes away has several chain grocery and department stores that provide all the necessities. Wilmington and Myrtle Beach are only 35-45 minutes away and if you can’t find what you’re looking for there, it doesn't exist. There are over 125 superb golf courses within a one-hour drive from Holden Beach. Courses range from very challenging to user-friendly for golfers who don’t always hit the ball where they want it to go. The Myrtle Beach area is perhaps the best region in the United States to find a course just right. Seasonal rates vary. Boating, fishing and hiking the island are very popular activities. Shell hunters can find so many that the kids will fill up the car when they return home. The island is a sea turtle habitat and during the hatching season (May to October) those who don’t mind staying up late at night can witness one of nature’s most interesting pleasures – watching hundreds of small sea turtles "boil’ out of the sand and marching to the ocean. There is no other North Carolina barrier island like Holden Beach. Low commercial impact, hundreds of beautiful rental homes (many with dockage for fishing and pleasure boating) and a wholesome family-oriented atmosphere. Beach Regulations The Beach Strand: (Use CAMA marked public access points unless you are entitled to use designated private walkways to the beach as a rental customer or property owner.) 1. The line of sand dunes with fragile beach vegetation along the south side of Ocean Boulevard provides protection from storms. Please do not walk over the dunes to the ocean. Use the wooden walkways and ramps. Public walkways are marked with a CAMA sign. Others are private. Collect sea shells and other "beach treasures" at your leisure. 2. Only emergency and official Town Staff vehicles are allowed to drive on the beach. 3. There are no lifeguards when swimming. RIP TIDES can kill you. Check with Town Hall (842-6488) to see if RIP TIDES are in present. If you get caught in a rip tide pulling you away from shore, swim parallel to the shoreline until you get out of the current — do not try to swim against the current back to shore. 4. A popular place to "fish, wade, and shell" is at the extreme east end of the island along McCray Street . Be aware there is dangerous underwater debris in that area that should be avoided at periods of high tide — at low tide you can see it. The Town checks the beach daily, if dangerous debris is noticed, call Town Hall (842-6488). 5. Jet Skis should only be operated outside 500 feet from shore. Do not ride skis onto the beach strand. Town Courtesy Patrol personnel ride the beach during the summer to monitor this activity. 6. Alcoholic beverages are not allowed anywhere on the beach strand — or in any public place. 7. Trash receptacles are placed along the beach for your convenience, please do not litter. 8. Pets are not allowed on the beach from May 20 to September 10, except between 5 P.M. and 9 A.M. daily. Pets must be on a leash at all times on the island. 9. No surfboard shall be carried, pushed, wheeled, ridden or otherwise used on the beach strand and/or adjacent ocean waters within 500 feet of any fishing pier located on or adjacent to property within Town limits. 10. It is unlawful to dig into the sand on any part of the beach strand greater than 12 inches deep, without having a responsible person attending the area. Prior to leaving the area, any hole greater than 12 inches deep shall be filled to be level with the surrounding area, leaving the area in the same general condition in which it was found. 11. Beginning April 23, 2011, all unattended beach equipment must be removed from the beach by its owner or permitted user on a daily basis between the hours of 6PM and 7AM. Click here to read the ordinance with specific details. Boating & Fishing: (Boat ramps are located under and near the bridge.) 1. If you fish in the surf, please be courteous to those swimming and relaxing nearby. 2. Effective January 1, 2007, a North Carolina Coastal Recreational Fishing License is required. Licenses are available from any DMF office, WRC license agents (which includes most Wal-Mart stores), online at WRC's website, www.ncwildlife.org or by calling 888-248-6834. 2. You may not land your powered boat anywhere along the oceanfront. Sail boards and small sail boats may temporarily land along the beach. Be careful of swimmers. 3. Observe NO WAKE zones along the Intracoastal Waterway. Island Wide Ordinances: ( Note posted speed limit signs) 1. No Parking on Ocean Boulevard or McCray Street, except for the northern end of McCray Street east of Dunescape Drive. Observe signs for exact parking prohibitions. The largest public parking lot is under the bridge. Public Restrooms are located there as well. An unloading and pedestrian "drop-off" point is located at the bridgehead west of Cap‘t Pete‘s Apartments. Park all along Brunswick Avenue East and West. Do not block driveways or fire hydrants. 2. Bikes, roller-blades and pedestrians please share the sidewalk. No roller-blades on Ocean Boulevard. 3. FIREWORKS (except for sparklers) are not allowed on the island. They will be confiscated by the Police if found. |
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