Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina travel guide: things to do, food & where to stay

Overview

Ocean Isle Beach is a town on the North Carolina Coastal Plain.

4 places to stay

Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage

Plan your trip

Best time to visit & weather

Most comfortable: Mar–May, Oct–Nov. Summer highs reach about 90°F; winter lows dip to about 36°F. Very hot (Jul) — plan outdoor time for mornings. Wettest: Sep and Aug. (climate data from nearby Wilmington)

Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).

Getting there

From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
MYR Myrtle Beach International Airport, Myrtle Beach — 32 mi away (major hub). Directions
ILM Wilmington International Airport, Wilmington — 40 mi away. Directions

Ocean Isle is located just North of the South Carolina and North Carolina border, about 30 minutes North of Myrtle Beach, SC and 10 miles South of Shalotte, NC. Hwy 17 runs parallel to the beach and any of the exits marked Ocean Isle are OK. The best is the Airport exit which will take you straight in and over the bridge.

Full “Get in” guide ↓

Budget & where to stay

No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.

Food for you

There are two main restaurant/bars, the Giggling Mackerel and Sharky's, next to the bridge onto the island (to the left if driving onto the island). Both restaurants serve a variety of seafood (lots fried) and American fare. They both also have outdoor seating areas to enjoy a drink in the salty ocean air.

Captain Jack's seafood (over the bridge, back on mainland) is a great place to pick up seafood (clams, fish, shrimp) to cook yourself.

What to ask about, for your diet

Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder