The Oak Island Insider's Guide

From the local who actually answers the phone.

Welcome to Oak Island. Twenty-eight miles of shoreline, family-friendly, and built for slow mornings.

This is the short version of what we'd tell our own friends when they ask "where should we eat" and "where should I take the dog." Bookmark it. Bring it. Use it.

EATS

Breakfast and coffee

• Island Jo's | E Oak Island Drive — Coffee, baked goods, lunch, everything you need to start the day.

• Ruby's Coffeehouse | Oak Island Pier — Grab your coffee, take a stroll on the pier, It's a whole vibe.

• Sunset Grill | E Oak Island Drive (near Publix) — Quick, yummy breakfast. Connected to OKI Coffee House.

Lunch and casual

• Koko Cabana | Oak Island Pier — The best restaurant views on the island. Creative, fresh food.

• Shagger Jack's | E Oak Island Drive (Yaupon section) — Laid-back, dog-friendly patio, great beer selection.

• 49th St Grill Bar & Patio | E Oak Island Drive and 49th St — Casual, friendly staff, solid food and beer.

Dinner

• Island Way | E Beach Drive and 14th St — Seafood and steaks with a view.

• Salt 64 | E Oak Island Drive and 64th St — Upscale fine dining. Make a reservation, this one fills up.

• Tranquil Harbour | E Oak Island Drive and 59th St — Family-friendly with an awesome staff.

• Lazy Turtle | Ocean Drive on the beach — Dog-friendly patio, beach vibes, casual atmosphere.

  
  

Local seafood

• Pelican Seafood | 6235 E Oak Island Dr — Fresh fish market with seafood plates to go. Skip the chains.

  
  

When you need a beer

• Lone Rider | West end — Cold beer with a view.

  
  

THE BEACH

Best access points

Oak Island has more than 60 public beach access points. Most guests stick to the one across from their rental, which works. If you want variety, these are the ones worth driving to:

• Middleton Park Complex / Cabana (SE 46th Street) — Restrooms, parking, picnic tables, water fountains, rinse stations.

• The Point (far west end) — Viewing platform, rinse stations, porta potties. Look across to see Holden Beach.

• Oak Island Pier (705 Ocean Drive) — The central hub. Ramps, seasonal restrooms, rinse stations, Mobi-mats.

Handicap-accessible access

Rollout mats and reserved handicap parking. Free to park in marked spaces with placard or license.

• SE 74th Street — 75 ft mat

• SE 55th Street — 75 ft mat

• SE 40th Street — 150 ft mat

• 10th Place West — 80 ft mat

• 57th Place West — 150 ft mat

• 25th Place East — 150 ft mat

Parking, the honest version

Paid parking is in effect daily April 1 through September 30, 9am to 5pm. Free before 9am, after 5pm, and all off-season.

• Hourly: $5

• Daily: $20

• Weekly: $80

Heads up: Resident-Only Parking spaces are enforced 9am to 9pm daily and may be monitored 24 hours. Don't risk it.

THINGS TO DO

Walking and biking

Oak Island is flat, scenic, and built for two wheels. Golf-cart-friendly too.

• Bike rentals: OKI Beachin Rides or Mr Beach Rentals

Dog park

Hannon A. Templeton Park | 4106 E Oak Island Drive

• Fenced off-leash areas, separated by dog size

• Watering stations and waste bags

• Benches and shade

Fishing

Oak Island Pier | 705 Ocean Drive — Day passes available. Family-friendly, no boat needed. Restrooms, benches, fish cleaning stations, handicap-accessible railing, beach access right there.

Family activities

• Oak Island Jungle Golf | 6321 E Oak Island Dr — Mini golf, classic beach-vacation territory.

• Middleton Park Splash Pad — Free, central, kids love it.

• Ocean Education Center — Seasonal. Crafts, activities, youth programs.

Rainy day

Beach weather doesn't always cooperate. Locals' rainy-day list:

• NC Maritime Museum in Southport

• Surf Cinema in Southport

• Beachin Day Spa for a spa day

  
  

LOCAL EVENTS THIS SEASON

Worth planning around if your dates line up.

Oak Island Summer Concert Series

• When: Select Fridays through summer 2026, 6:30 to 8:30pm

• Where: Middleton Park (4610 E. Dolphin Drive)

• Cost: Free

• Bring: A chair, a blanket, a cooler if you want

• Kickoff: Band of Oz on Friday May 22, 2026

Oak Island Farmers Market

• When: Every Monday, 8am to 1pm, June 1 through August 31, 2026

• Where: Middleton Park Complex (4610 E. Dolphin Drive)

• What you'll find: Local produce, seafood, baked goods, crafts

• Pro tip: Paid parking is not enforced during market hours.

Special events to plan around

• Beach Day (July 1) — Celebrating Oak Island's founding. Games, food trucks, live music, kid zone. Middleton Park Complex.

• Sunset on Summer (September 5, 12pm to 8pm) — Middleton Park. Food trucks and two stages of live music.

• National Night Out Spooktacular (October 24, 4pm to 8pm) — Middleton Park. Outdoor concert, trick-or-treat, first responder displays, costume contest, fall market, carnival games, food. Family and pet-friendly.

• Trunk or Treat (October 31, 5pm to 7pm) — Middleton Park.

  
  

BRING THE DOG

Oak Island is one of the best NC beaches for dogs.

The rules

• Dogs allowed on the beach year-round

• Leash required March 16 through October 15. Off-leash dogs during designated dates must be under voice and visual control.

• Owners must clean up

• Provide adequate shade and water

• Dogs must remain leashed year-round at The Point

• Some events restrict dogs. Check first.

Stuff you'll need

• Emergency vet: Eastern Carolina Veterinary Medical Center | 50 Greenville Ave, Wilmington, NC | (910) 790-1070

• Dog-friendly patio dining: Shagger Jack's, Lazy Turtle

  
  

ESSENTIALS WITHIN A SHORT DRIVE

Grocery

• Food Lion | E Oak Island Drive and 59th St

• Publix | E Oak Island Drive and 50th St

Pharmacy

• Thomas Drugs | 7917 E Oak Island Dr

Urgent care

• Walk-in Care at Dosher Wellness Center | 3009 Medical Plaza Ln SE, Southport | (910) 454-4732

Emergency room

• Dosher Hospital Emergency Room | 924 N Howe St, Southport | (910) 457-3800

  
  

WHILE YOU'RE THINKING ABOUT IT

We hope this trip is the start of more. Whether that's your second stay or your tenth, booking direct keeps it simple.

Direct booking: shoremoregetaways.com

If you're a homeowner curious about what your property could earn as a short-term rental, we run free Vacation Rental Projections. Email dawn@shoremoregetaways.com with your property address to get started.

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Boutique short-term rental management on the NC coast. We keep the portfolio small on purpose.