Search Ocean Isle Beach Area Homes
Search By Area MapOcean Isle Beach, NC
Geographic Features
Located at the southern end of North Carolina, Ocean Isle Beach is known as the 'Gem if the Brunswick Islands.' This barrier island is seven miles long and runs in an unusual east-west direction, which makes sunrises and sunsets especially striking.
Ocean Isle Beach has all the facilities a small coastal island needs for great water recreation. There is a fishing pier and a public boat launch with direct access to the Intracoastal Waterway. There are even beach paths every 500 feet. Locals and visitors enjoy the abundant fishing opportunities; deep sea or inshore fishing will leave you hooked. The island is connected to the mainland by a modern bridge.
There is a long history of being a popular vacation destination because it boasts stunning white sand beaches, charming cottages, and breathtaking beauty. Ocean Isle Beach features charming restaurants with delicious fresh seafood and the Ingram Planetarium and Museum of Coastal Carolina keep everyone entertained.
Price Range
Ocean Isle Beach homes have relatively high prices compared to both North Carolina and the United States. The median home price is $261,491. Most of the homes are single-family detached homes with 3 to 4 bedrooms and were built between 1970 and 1994.
- More than $1,579,001 1%
- $1,052,001 - $1,579,000 2%
- $842,001 - $1,052,000 5%
- $631,001 - $842,000 5%
- $420,001 - $631,000 15%
- $210,001 - $420,000 31%
- $105,001 - $210,000 28%
- Less than $105,000 13%
Daily Life
Ocean Isle Beach is a quaint community that offers just the right size for avoiding crowds but still has lots to keep you busy. It is a popular tourist area that substantially increases in size during the summer months. There are about 550 year-round residents and has a seasonal population of more than 25,000.
The small size creates a very car-oriented town; over 98% of residents commute to work in their car. There is no public transportation system and many of the roads are somewhat rustic. Traffic is never a concern.
Living in this Ocean Isle Beach affords a very relaxed and stress free lifestyle. The ocean provides an endless array of activities to keep you engaged. Imagine waking up and taking early morning beach walks, deep-sea fishing, and kayaking through tidal estuaries. Golfers get the luxury of choosing between the 30 golf courses located in Ocean Isle Beach and the famous Myrtle Beach courses that are just a short drive away.
Golf
Ocean Isle Beach offers 30 golf courses and easy access to the over 100 Myrtle Beach courses. It is such a beautiful place to play year round and golfers are privileged to choose what type of environment that want to experience: the marshes and Intracoastal Waterway, the pine forests, meadows and bays.
Ocean Ridge Plantation has four 'big cat' courses including the Tiger's Eye, Panther's Run, Lion's Paw, and Leopard's Chase. Master golf course architect and land planner Tim Cate designed the challenging courses to wind through the virgin pine and hardwood forest, fields of wild flowers, and a small ocean bay.
Brick Landing Plantation Yacht and Golf Club is situated amid a developed community and features 6,788 yards of golf from the longest tees for a par of 72. The course rating is 72.1 and it has a slope rating of 143. It was designed by H.M. Brazeal and Dan Maple.
Dan Maples also designed the Sand Piper Bay Golf and Country Club. It boasts rolling, contoured fairways, sculpted bunkers, and bent grass greens that remain in excellent condition year-round. It has more than 40 acres of lakes, which provide a sanctuary for the native wildlife.
Recreation and Sports
The miles of white sand beach are perfect for soaking up the sun and playing in ocean, where dolphins will be a frequent visitor. Surfing, fishing, and boating are all popular area sports. Here you can row a canoe or kayak along the Intracoastal Waterway and look for the endangered loggerhead sea turtles. May through October offers nesting and hatching of the sea turtles along the shores of the Brunswick Islands. Experience the wonder of a nesting loggerhead sea turtle or a hatching nest. During their hatching volunteers watch the nests at night, assist the babies into the sea, and protect them from predators.
The Museum of Coastal Carolina is North Carolina's only natural history museum on a barrier island. Visitors get a hands on learning experience about the regions natural wildlife. It boasts a Green Swamp diorama, Carolina Shells and Fossils exhibit, snake programs, and a touch tank, where you can hold a sea star, urchin, or hermit crab. Children will enjoy their free coastal environment programs.
The Ingram Planetarium will allow you to explore the heavens with their recent installation of the SciDome HD Digital projection system. Lean back and relax in the Sky Theatre's seats as the Planetarium staff points out constellations and planets. All shows are an hour or less. They have excellent programs about astronomy, science, and space exploration.
Night Life
Ocean Isle Beach has an abundance of evening activities to keep you happy when the sun goes down. On summer evenings enjoy Concerts on the Coast, a free outdoor concert series at the Museum of Coastal Carolina. Dance under the stars in the warm summer air to foot stomping live entertainment.
Ocean Isle Beach is home of several waterfront restaurants; enjoy your meal overlooking the waterway or the ocean with breath taking sunsets. Restaurants offer a variety of dining experiences from inexpensive fare to casual fine dining. The Isles Restaurant and Tiki Bar serves local seafood, beef, pasta, and kids favorites all with local and regional ingredients. The rooftop Tiki Bar is the perfect place to relax and enjoy a tropical cocktail. Rock out to the nightly live entertainment at Salty McDoogies.
Evening strolls down the beach under the moonlight is always the perfect end to a great day at the beach.
Festivals and Events
Ocean Isle Beach's largest festival is the annual North Carolina Oyster festival. It is so popular and beloved that in 2007 it was awarded the North Carolina Event of the Year by the North Carolina Association of Festivals and Events. It features an oyster stew cook-off, the North Carolina Oyster Shucking Championships, over 120 arts and craft vendors, live entertainment, a road race, surf contest, and kids area. This festival is not to be missed even if you don't like oysters; vendors serve all kinds of food ranging from cheese steaks to homemade ice cream.
Sunset at Sunset is held every October at near the Ingram Planetarium. Last year over 4000 people came out to enjoy the fabulous vendors, music, and fun. They are planning on adding a 5K-beach run and a Children's fun run in 2011.
Get out your fishing rods for the popular area fishing tournaments. The Fall Brawl King Classic is held every October when the King Mackerel are at its peak and even features great food, entertainment, and a cast net throwing contest.
The Winds Resort Beach Club hosts the International Tee Party Golf Tournament, the largest in the world. This is a Ryder Cup style event with a European team of 50 playing against our American team over four days.
Parks
Ocean Isle Beach Park opened a few years ago. This pretty 5-acre park located on Old Georgetown Road is conveniently located in the center of town. Its amenities include a playground, eight tennis courts, and a 300-seat amphitheater, which is starting to draw more enticing events.
The Brunswick Islands showcase nature and conservation efforts where you can enjoy the wildlife. Neighboring Sunset Beach is home to the dedicated North Carolina Coastal Reserve of Bird Island. It was once a separated from Sunset Beach island and only accessible by walking through the shallow inlet at low tide, but today it is connected by the sand filled inlet. Its nearly 1,300 acres of beach, marsh and wetlands protects habitat used by several threatened or endangered species, including loggerhead sea turtles, sea beach amaranth, piping plover, wood stork, and black skimmer.
A short drive to the mainland presents numerous wildlife exploration opportunities at area preserves. The Ev-Henwood Nature Preserve, Green Swamp Preserve, and Boiling Lakes Preserve are all popular destinations.
Schools
Ocean Isle Beach is part of the Brunswick County School District. There are approximately 11,500 students enrolled in the district's 16 public schools. This is an above average school district for compared to both North Carolina and the United States. They rate 37.4% higher than North Carolina school districts and 33.3% higher than US school districts. There is an average of 15 students per classroom and spend an average of $9,141 per child enrolled compared to the national average of $5,678.
The local public schools are Union Elementary, Shallotte Middle School and West Brunswick High School.
Area History and Culture
The region was originally inhabited by natives called the Cape Fear Indians; European settlers never learned their true name. They called the region Chicora and were first known to the English in 1661, when a colony from New England made a settlement near the mouth of the river. Natives soon drove the settlers out of the area. In 1665 another colony settled at the mouth of Oldtown creek in Brunswick county, on the south side of the river. However they soon abandoned it, even though the Indians were friendly.
During the 1930s, the US Army Corps of Engineers dredged the US Intracoastal Waterway, creating barrier islands like Ocean Isle Beach. The waterway is over 3,000 miles long and consists of natural inlets, salt-water rivers, bays, and artificial canals. It provides a navigable route along its length without many of the hazards of travel on the open sea.
After World War II these barrier islands began to grow in popularity. Many people moved to area or started the tradition of vacating here each summer with their family. The town of Ocean Isle Beach was established in 1959 and has been increasing in esteem ever since but has retained its relaxed small town charm.
Neighborhoods
The town of Ocean Isle Beach has just one neighborhood.
Geographic Features
Located at the southern end of North Carolina, Ocean Isle Beach is known as the 'Gem if the Brunswick Islands.' This barrier island is seven miles long and runs in an unusual east-west direction, which makes sunrises and sunsets especially striking.
Ocean Isle Beach has all the facilities a small coastal island needs for great water recreation. There is a fishing pier and a public boat launch with direct access to the Intracoastal Waterway. There are even beach paths every 500 feet. Locals and visitors enjoy the abundant fishing opportunities; deep sea or inshore fishing will leave you hooked. The island is connected to the mainland by a modern bridge.
There is a long history of being a popular vacation destination because it boasts stunning white sand beaches, charming cottages, and breathtaking beauty. Ocean Isle Beach features charming restaurants with delicious fresh seafood and the Ingram Planetarium and Museum of Coastal Carolina keep everyone entertained.
Price Range
Ocean Isle Beach homes have relatively high prices compared to both North Carolina and the United States. The median home price is $261,491. Most of the homes are single-family detached homes with 3 to 4 bedrooms and were built between 1970 and 1994.
- More than $1,579,001 1%
- $1,052,001 - $1,579,000 2%
- $842,001 - $1,052,000 5%
- $631,001 - $842,000 5%
- $420,001 - $631,000 15%
- $210,001 - $420,000 31%
- $105,001 - $210,000 28%
- Less than $105,000 13%
Daily Life
Ocean Isle Beach is a quaint community that offers just the right size for avoiding crowds but still has lots to keep you busy. It is a popular tourist area that substantially increases in size during the summer months. There are about 550 year-round residents and has a seasonal population of more than 25,000.
The small size creates a very car-oriented town; over 98% of residents commute to work in their car. There is no public transportation system and many of the roads are somewhat rustic. Traffic is never a concern.
Living in this Ocean Isle Beach affords a very relaxed and stress free lifestyle. The ocean provides an endless array of activities to keep you engaged. Imagine waking up and taking early morning beach walks, deep-sea fishing, and kayaking through tidal estuaries. Golfers get the luxury of choosing between the 30 golf courses located in Ocean Isle Beach and the famous Myrtle Beach courses that are just a short drive away.
Golf
Ocean Isle Beach offers 30 golf courses and easy access to the over 100 Myrtle Beach courses. It is such a beautiful place to play year round and golfers are privileged to choose what type of environment that want to experience: the marshes and Intracoastal Waterway, the pine forests, meadows and bays.
Ocean Ridge Plantation has four 'big cat' courses including the Tiger's Eye, Panther's Run, Lion's Paw, and Leopard's Chase. Master golf course architect and land planner Tim Cate designed the challenging courses to wind through the virgin pine and hardwood forest, fields of wild flowers, and a small ocean bay.
Brick Landing Plantation Yacht and Golf Club is situated amid a developed community and features 6,788 yards of golf from the longest tees for a par of 72. The course rating is 72.1 and it has a slope rating of 143. It was designed by H.M. Brazeal and Dan Maple.
Dan Maples also designed the Sand Piper Bay Golf and Country Club. It boasts rolling, contoured fairways, sculpted bunkers, and bent grass greens that remain in excellent condition year-round. It has more than 40 acres of lakes, which provide a sanctuary for the native wildlife.
Recreation and Sports
The miles of white sand beach are perfect for soaking up the sun and playing in ocean, where dolphins will be a frequent visitor. Surfing, fishing, and boating are all popular area sports. Here you can row a canoe or kayak along the Intracoastal Waterway and look for the endangered loggerhead sea turtles. May through October offers nesting and hatching of the sea turtles along the shores of the Brunswick Islands. Experience the wonder of a nesting loggerhead sea turtle or a hatching nest. During their hatching volunteers watch the nests at night, assist the babies into the sea, and protect them from predators.
The Museum of Coastal Carolina is North Carolina's only natural history museum on a barrier island. Visitors get a hands on learning experience about the regions natural wildlife. It boasts a Green Swamp diorama, Carolina Shells and Fossils exhibit, snake programs, and a touch tank, where you can hold a sea star, urchin, or hermit crab. Children will enjoy their free coastal environment programs.
The Ingram Planetarium will allow you to explore the heavens with their recent installation of the SciDome HD Digital projection system. Lean back and relax in the Sky Theatre's seats as the Planetarium staff points out constellations and planets. All shows are an hour or less. They have excellent programs about astronomy, science, and space exploration.
Night Life
Ocean Isle Beach has an abundance of evening activities to keep you happy when the sun goes down. On summer evenings enjoy Concerts on the Coast, a free outdoor concert series at the Museum of Coastal Carolina. Dance under the stars in the warm summer air to foot stomping live entertainment.
Ocean Isle Beach is home of several waterfront restaurants; enjoy your meal overlooking the waterway or the ocean with breath taking sunsets. Restaurants offer a variety of dining experiences from inexpensive fare to casual fine dining. The Isles Restaurant and Tiki Bar serves local seafood, beef, pasta, and kids favorites all with local and regional ingredients. The rooftop Tiki Bar is the perfect place to relax and enjoy a tropical cocktail. Rock out to the nightly live entertainment at Salty McDoogies.
Evening strolls down the beach under the moonlight is always the perfect end to a great day at the beach.
Festivals and Events
Ocean Isle Beach's largest festival is the annual North Carolina Oyster festival. It is so popular and beloved that in 2007 it was awarded the North Carolina Event of the Year by the North Carolina Association of Festivals and Events. It features an oyster stew cook-off, the North Carolina Oyster Shucking Championships, over 120 arts and craft vendors, live entertainment, a road race, surf contest, and kids area. This festival is not to be missed even if you don't like oysters; vendors serve all kinds of food ranging from cheese steaks to homemade ice cream.
Sunset at Sunset is held every October at near the Ingram Planetarium. Last year over 4000 people came out to enjoy the fabulous vendors, music, and fun. They are planning on adding a 5K-beach run and a Children's fun run in 2011.
Get out your fishing rods for the popular area fishing tournaments. The Fall Brawl King Classic is held every October when the King Mackerel are at its peak and even features great food, entertainment, and a cast net throwing contest.
The Winds Resort Beach Club hosts the International Tee Party Golf Tournament, the largest in the world. This is a Ryder Cup style event with a European team of 50 playing against our American team over four days.
Parks
Ocean Isle Beach Park opened a few years ago. This pretty 5-acre park located on Old Georgetown Road is conveniently located in the center of town. Its amenities include a playground, eight tennis courts, and a 300-seat amphitheater, which is starting to draw more enticing events.
The Brunswick Islands showcase nature and conservation efforts where you can enjoy the wildlife. Neighboring Sunset Beach is home to the dedicated North Carolina Coastal Reserve of Bird Island. It was once a separated from Sunset Beach island and only accessible by walking through the shallow inlet at low tide, but today it is connected by the sand filled inlet. Its nearly 1,300 acres of beach, marsh and wetlands protects habitat used by several threatened or endangered species, including loggerhead sea turtles, sea beach amaranth, piping plover, wood stork, and black skimmer.
A short drive to the mainland presents numerous wildlife exploration opportunities at area preserves. The Ev-Henwood Nature Preserve, Green Swamp Preserve, and Boiling Lakes Preserve are all popular destinations.
Schools
Ocean Isle Beach is part of the Brunswick County School District. There are approximately 11,500 students enrolled in the district's 16 public schools. This is an above average school district for compared to both North Carolina and the United States. They rate 37.4% higher than North Carolina school districts and 33.3% higher than US school districts. There is an average of 15 students per classroom and spend an average of $9,141 per child enrolled compared to the national average of $5,678.
The local public schools are Union Elementary, Shallotte Middle School and West Brunswick High School.
Area History and Culture
The region was originally inhabited by natives called the Cape Fear Indians; European settlers never learned their true name. They called the region Chicora and were first known to the English in 1661, when a colony from New England made a settlement near the mouth of the river. Natives soon drove the settlers out of the area. In 1665 another colony settled at the mouth of Oldtown creek in Brunswick county, on the south side of the river. However they soon abandoned it, even though the Indians were friendly.
During the 1930s, the US Army Corps of Engineers dredged the US Intracoastal Waterway, creating barrier islands like Ocean Isle Beach. The waterway is over 3,000 miles long and consists of natural inlets, salt-water rivers, bays, and artificial canals. It provides a navigable route along its length without many of the hazards of travel on the open sea.
After World War II these barrier islands began to grow in popularity. Many people moved to area or started the tradition of vacating here each summer with their family. The town of Ocean Isle Beach was established in 1959 and has been increasing in esteem ever since but has retained its relaxed small town charm.
Neighborhoods
The town of Ocean Isle Beach has just one neighborhood.
