Bald Head Island is on the southernmost tip of North Carolina's barrier islands and merely minutes from Wilmington. This vacation destination is accessible only by passenger ferry or private boat and guests and locals use golf carts to get around. This not only makes the island perfectly laid back, it’s also easier on the environment.
This 12,000-acre subtropical island is graced with 14 miles of
pristine beaches, thousands of acres of protected salt marshes, and a spectacular expanse of maritime forest. These qualities make Bald Head Island a unique natural vacation destination, any time of year.
Autumn on BHI slows to a perfect crawl, making it a beautiful place to spend time enjoying nature. Sunny and 70-degree days and cooler nights create the perfect environment for hiking, biking, kayaking, and exploring.
The Bald Head Island Conservancy is a robust organization that offers weekly events throughout the year. Reservations are required and are easy to make, simply call
(910) 338-0911.
See the full calendar of events, prices, and what’s required for each event on the BHI Conservancy website
.
Kayaking the Creek
Offered through November,
trips depend on the tide and weather
. Settle comfortably into a double kayak and explore some of the unspoiled creeks of BHI on this conservancy staff-guided trip. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Life jackets, paddles, and kayaks are provided.
Island Nature Tour
Join professional naturalists on a guided two-hour tour of wildlife hotspots to learn about and explore BHI’s pristine beach, maritime forest, and salt marsh. The tours are available year-round and focus on the best wildlife areas for the season you’re visiting, which means no two are the same.
Birding on BHI
Bald Head Island offers birding opportunities all year long. The island is home to hundreds of egrets, herons, and ibis as well as dozens of other species. Trips last about two hours and location is dependent on tides, weather, and recent sightings. Golf cart transportation is required to get to each stop around the island.
Bald Head after Dark
While many critters on BHI wind down for the night, there are a variety that are just waking up. This year-round event starts with a brief classroom presentation on Bald Head Island's active nightlife, which includes bats, frogs, toads, alligators, fireflies, and bioluminescent plankton. Then you’ll head out on a nighttime nature adventure.
here are also kid-friendly nature activities located indoors on the Bald Head Island Nature Conservancy Campus and open year-round.