Shoals Watch Club

Boasting an incredible location surrounded by water, and an arsenal of amenities just waiting to be enjoyed by vacationers, the Shoals Club is easily one of the most unique and accommodating community clubs on Bald Head Island. With fun and active amenities for visitors of all ages, and fantastic seaside dining and event options to boot, the Shoals Club is sure to give visitors an introduction as to what oceanfront entertainment and luxury is all about.

Arguably, the most distinctive aspect of the Shoals Club is its location. The club is situated on the very southern portion of Bald Head Island, surrounded on two sides by the Atlantic Ocean, and bordering the island's southernmost "point." As a result, the beaches adjacent to the club are nothing short of amazing, with gorgeous sunrises, panoramic ocean views, and incredible shelling along the island's edge. The club features a long boardwalk that leads all the way out to the ocean, making it easy for summertime visitors to hit the beach, or oceanfront wedding parties to access the beachfront ceremony site.

The clubhouse itself is a distinctive, cedar-sided structure with white round columns, French doors, and Bahamian shutters. Bright, spacious, and airy throughout, the club was inspired by the 19th century pavilions that once graced the more popular North Carolina beach towns to the north and south of Bald Head Island, but features an added dose of all around grandeur. On the south side of the clubhouse, guests can easily step out to the expansive private pool, with an inset children's pool, that overlooks a landscape of sand dunes, palm trees, and distant views of the ocean. Ample seating is available poolside, as well as on the shaded clubhouse deck and covered pergola which borders the Sandbar Grille, and provides a delightful setting for afternoon lunches and poolside snacks. (Poolside food and beverage service is available as well.)

Two locker rooms are also located within the clubhouse, in addition to a fitness center for an active morning or afternoon, and plenty of parking for the island's resident golf carts.

As for dining at the club, visitors will find a multitude of options that extend past the pool into the second level of the clubhouse. Here, patrons can enjoy fresh local cuisine and ice cold drinks served up in the stylish bar and lounge, as well as the oceanfront dining room, and a second, expansive dining area that is ideal for large parties and special events. Menus change seasonally for both the dining room venue and the poolside grill, and visitors can find menus for all establishments at the club online.

The club is perhaps best recognized, however, for its ability to host galas, meetings and corporate retreats, and especially weddings. Known as one of the premier oceanfront event venues on the island, wedding parties have the option to enjoy a gorgeous oceanfront ceremony under the canopy of a coastal wooden pavilion, or grand weddings and receptions either poolside or in the large dining room, which can accommodate large parties. Catering is available for events as well. and is provided on site, and the club's event planners can even help brides unfamiliar with the area work out all the details, from needed space to local DJs. Interested wedding parties are advised to contact the club event planners directly at 910-457-3705 for more information, but couples are advised to book early, as the club, especially during the summer weekends, can book early for beachside brides-to-be.

The club also features a range of everyday events and activities, from kids programs and family-friendly holiday parties to special adult affairs, such as special dinners and wine tastings. Their online calendar will give future visitors a head's up as to the fun activities coinciding with their upcoming vacation, and visitors can also call the Shoals Club programs headquarters at 910-457-3701 for more information on registration and pricing for camps and certain events.

Only a limited number of memberships are available at Bald Head Island's premier Shoals Club, however new residents can inquire about a spot by contacting the membership sales team at 1-800-722-6450 or 910-457-7334. Some vacationing guests staying at vacation homes will also have the ability to secure a guest membership during their stay, allowing them access to the facilities, dining, and activities, provided that the homeowner of their rental property is a member. For more information on a temporary membership, guests can contact their vacation rental company.

The Shoals Club is certainly an original, offering a decadent oasis for visitors, with a location that is nearly at the very edge of the map. With an incredible locale that takes advantage of the fantastic ocean views in virtually all directions, and a world of activities, events, and dining options both inside and out, the Shoals Club brings new meaning to the concept of a relaxing oceanfront getaway. Members, both full-time and seasonal, are encouraged to dive right in and enjoy the fun. From the beach access to the ocean views, it doesn't get more luxurious or more coastal than the Shoals Club.