The Museum of Coastal Carolina is the only North Carolina Natural History Museum that’s located on a barrier island, and is a fun destination for visitors of all ages to dive deep into the unique and beautiful coastal region. Located in the heart of Ocean Isle Beach, just a couple blocks away from the oceanfront and the Ocean Isle Beach Pier, this rainy day destination will impress patrons with its wealth of natural, interactive, and eye-catching treasures.
Visitors will find plenty to do once inside the museum, thanks to a series of exhibits that are designed to both educate and entertain. Kids can get their hands on live sea stars or sea urchins in the touch tank, dig in the fossil pit for ancient sharks’ teeth, explore the wild dioramas that showcase marine life, or even watch a movie on the sea turtles that nest along the Ocean Isle shoreline.
There’s also a host of seasonal programs that highlight a unique component of the region, as well as a gift shop on-site for shore-specific goodies. Engaging for visitors of all ages, the centrally located Museum of Coastal Carolina is a must stop for any Cape Fear newcomer who wants to learn more about this remarkable and distinct region.
Museum of Coastal Carolina
21 East 2nd Street, Ocean Isle Beach, NC 28469
910-579-1016
Memorial Day through Labor Day, 2023
Open Mondays through Fridays, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Tuesdays and Thursdays until 7:00 pm
Sundays 12:00 to 4:00 pm.
Planetarium Theater
April 3 through Sept 4, 2023
Doors open at 10:30 am Mondays through Saturdays
Open Memorial Day, Monday May 29
Dome shows start on the hour from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm
Laser shows on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 6:00 and 7:00 pm
See the events schedule for daily programs.
Laser Light & Music Shows
Laser music shows are a hugely popular and historic offering at the Ingram Planetarium. These immersive experiences include laser artwork, live covelight effects, and star projector effects as a backdrop for some of the biggest and most beloved hits in music. All laser music shows are performed live by our team of planetarium facilitators. They are an out of this world adventure you are not soon to forget!
Laser shows begin promptly.
Arrive 15 minutes early.
For your safety, late arrivals will not be admitted to the theater after a show has begun.
But despite being an instrumental component to the island's very existence, and a protector against erosion and storms, Bald Head Woods serves a more visible role as a fun, outdoor destination for visitors to enjoy off the beach. A popular spot with bird watchers, hikers and nature fans alike, this rustic destination allows vacationers to easily step off the beaten path, and dive into Bald Head Island's natural landscape.
Beach canopies and umbrellas create shade, lower ambient temperatures and block UV rays on hot, sunny Summer days. Sitting under the canopy of a quality beach umbrella can make the difference between comfort and sweltering. When choosing an umbrella, we look for durability, wind ratings, weight and size.
Location is everything when you're seeking the ideal beach vacation! Toes in the Sand is an refreshed 2nd row home with beautiful ocean vistas and a fast, two min. walk to the beach. Appreciate a cup of coffee or a glass of wine on the covered porches - With any luck, you'll even see dolphins at play! The open floor plan is great for visiting with family and friends. This home provides simple access to Publix, Middleton Park, Splash Pad, and Athletic Courts that are all within walking distance.This 4 bedroom, 2 bath home is just steps from the beach and features charming beach vistas. The open concept kitchen/living/dining area accepts meals to be prepped in the entirely supplied kitchen, while conversing with family and friends. Unwind in front of the sizable screened living room TV after a fun-filled day on the beach, or experience ocean breezes and impressive vistas from the covered ocean side decks. Imagine yourself calming in the warm sun while sipping your morning coffee and watching for dolphins swimming just across the way.Two bedrooms have queen sized beds, one bedroom features a twin-over-full bunk bed with a full size crib, and the fourth bedroom includes two twin-over-twin bunkbeds. All bedrooms have flat screened TVs and huge closets. Family friendly, we include books, games and puzzles for your rainy-day or evening activities.Savor the convenient access to Ocean Crest Pier, Oak Island Golf Course, Local Stores and Eateries. This home is walking distance to Middleton Park which offers basketball hoops, tennis courts, splash pad, playgrounds and more!Parking is available under this piling home, and has plenty of space for your boat. The outdoor shower is a private, painless way to rinse off the sand after a beach day.There is a pack n play available to guests that we keep on property as well as a full sized crib. Please remember to bring your own pack n play AND/OR crib sheet as these linens are not included through linen service.We provide a few essential amenities to get you started on your vacation, including a couple rolls of bathroom tissue, paper towels, hand soap, dish washing soap, a couple laundry pods & dishwasher tabs, as well as some additional trash bags. You'll want to bring more for use throughout your vacation, and will likely want to bring beach towels as well. Your linens will be delivered in wrapped and labeled packages just prior to your arrival by a professional linen service company, and include sheets for all beds, bath towels, hand towels and wash cloths for each individual, kitchen towels and dish cloths, as well as bath mats. The home will have pillows, blankets and quilts. You'll want to be sure to bring beach towels!Guests will have access to the entire home, except for a couple of locked owner's closets.Check us out on IG @ToesintheSandOKI
- Oak Island
- 4 Bedrooms
- 2 Bathrooms
- Sleeps 11