Just across the water from Bald Head Island and Southport is Oak Island, a narrow strip of land that includes Caswell Beach and the Town of Oak Island.
Caswell Beach is the site of Fort Caswell, a military stronghold that dates from 1827. Fort Caswell is now owned by the North Carolina Baptist Assembly, which welcomes visitors of all denominations each year. The community has some summer homes, but the area has mostly permanent residences. The year-round population is about 460, but up to 1,500 people can be staying on this part of Oak Island in the summer. You will find a golf club, which is open to the public year round. There is no business district on this portion of the island but it is convenient to the Town of Oak Island and Southport on the mainland.
Be sure to visit the Oak Island Lighthouse, which guided seafarers beginning in 1958. In 2003 it was formally declared surplus by the General Services Administration of the U.S. Government and was deeded to the town. Friends of the Oak Island Lighthouse (FOIL) has been formed with the purpose of preserving and caring for the lighthouse and the 5 acres of beachfront property that was deeded along with it (see our Volunteer Opportunities chapter). This organization provides tours of the historic structure on a regular basis during the season and by reservation during the rest of the year.
As the name implies, the Town of Oak Island is famous for its beautiful live oaks. Recreational opportunities include a golf course on the mainland portion of the town, 65 beach-access points, three public parks, a skate park, a recreation center, tennis courts, miniature golf and two fishing piers, as well as opportunities for surf fishing. There are a number of motels, and the business district now includes a Food Lion grocery store along with the many small shops and restaurants. Though Oak Island is being discovered along with Southport (with a year-round population of more than 7,300 in the Town of Oak Island ), it still offers a quiet respite for a peaceful family vacation. For the most part, a visitor will enjoy renting a house for an extended vacation. In fact, vacation rental is the liveliest business here, with more than a dozen vacation rental companies operating on Oak Island (see our Vacation Rentals chapter). Recent growth in the area has led to the development of additional condominium units but they remain in the minority as far as housing units go.
There's so much to do in the area, you might not know where to start. Of course, you're at the beach and you want to get as much beach time as possible, but be sure to include some of the many wonderful museums, art galleries, historic sites and cultural events in your itinerary as well.
