Fairway Fantasy

• Home
• Amenities
• Photos
• Guest Book
• Things to Do
• Current Weather
• Rates & Availability
• Book Now

Learn about the Area at the Museum of Coastal Carolina

The Museum of Coastal Carolina, located in Ocean Isle Beach, is home to the largest natural seascape replica in the Southeast. This seascape is home to sharks, dolphins, game fish, octopus, and other sea creatures, as well as a shipwreck from the 1800s. Also in the Museum, you will find artifacts from the Civil War, a Shell Room, shark jaws, wildlife exhibits, and more. A popular exhibit is the 500-gallon Touch Tank that allows you to touch and hold a variety of sea creatures, including hermit crabs, sting rays, sea stars, flounder, and more. A variety of educational events are also offered at the Museum, which is open daily during the summer. For more information, contact the Museum of Coastal Carolina at (910) 579-1016.

Take a Private Charter Boat Trip

Many visitors to the area enjoy going fishing in private charter boats. A variety of private charter options are available in Brunswick County, including full-day and half-day trips that can either go inshore or offshore. Depending on what kind of trip you are interested in, you will more than likely be able to find a captain in Brunswick County who can meet your needs. Half-day charters range from $300 to $600 and full-day charters range from $650 to $1,200. A variety of charters are available in the area. Bald Head Island offers Impulsive Charters at (910) 457-5331, while Oak Island is home to the Boss Lady Charter Boat Services at (910) 278-3433, the Fugitive Charter Boat at (910) 278-3796 and the Liquid Asset Sport Fishing Charter Boat at (910) 278-4199. Southport offers the Southport Fishing Center at (910) 454-4000 and the Salty Dog Charter Boat at (910) 278-9834. In Holden Beach, Holden Beach Charters can be reached at (910) 842-9055, while Ocean Isle Beach is home to the Voyager Fishing Charters at (910) 575-5978 and Captain Brant's Fishing Charters at (910) 575-3474.

Visit the Price Creek Lighthouse

The Price Creek Lighthouse was built in 1849, which made it the last lighthouse built in the series of lighthouses on the Cape Fear coast of North Carolina. The lighthouse used to be accompanied by the two beacons - a brick structure and a wooden tower with the light keeper's house. The brick structure was damaged during the Civil War but is still standing today. The light keeper's house was damaged in the late 1800s and early 1900s and is no longer at the site. The Price Creek Lighthouse is located on private property and currently is not open to tours, though this may change sometime in the future. If you would like to view the Price Creek Lighthouse, it is located on the west bank of the Cape Fear River and can be seen from the Southport/Fort Fisher Ferry.

Play a Competitive Game of Pool at the 49Th Street Station and Bar

The 49th Street Station and Bar is an Oak Island neighborhood bar that offers you the chance to socialize and play a few games of friendly competitive pool. The bar is housed in a renovated old gas station and is a popular local hangout. In addition to the games of pool, karaoke is also performed each Saturday night, and a variety of other events and fundraisers are held throughout the year. For more information, contact the 49th Street Station Game Room and Bar at (910) 278-9811.

Take a Break at a Local Coffee Shop

If you enjoy drinking specialty coffee while reading your daily newspaper or a favorite book, there are a few options for you in Brunswick County. The Flying Pig Coffeehouse of Oak Island is a bright shop with interesting furniture that serves a variety of specialty coffees and teas. Open seven days a week, The Flying Pig can be reached at (910) 278-5929. In Holden Beach, you may enjoy Cappuccino by the Sea, which serves coffees, teas and snacks. This shop also has a gift shop, and can be reached at (910) 842-3661. Finally, in Sunset Beach, The Roasted Bean Beverage Co. and Art Gallery serves gourmet coffees, teas, smoothies, sandwiches and snacks. They also have some local art on display that is available for sale, and they can be reached at (910) 575-6759.

Learn More about the Long Bay Artificial Reef Association

The Long Bay Artificial Reef Association, based in Bolivia, was formed in 1984 and consists of members of the Brunswick, Oak Island and Ocean Isle Fishing Clubs. Their initial project was to build six artificial reefs in the area, which were all completed by 1992. One more reef was built in 1996, so today there are seven artificial reefs existing in the area. The Association has completed several projects to enhance the habitat of the artificial reefs, including adding tugboats, barges, concrete pipe and "Reef Balls," which act as homes for the fish who live in the reefs. The creation of these artificial reefs helps the fishing economy of Brunswick County, and plans to continue their enhancement projects as long as funds allow. The Association sponsors a King Mackerel and Flounder tournament each year. To learn more about the project, or for more information about how you can help the project, contact the Long Bay Artificial Reef Association at (910) 842-3136.

Go Bicycling on Area Bike Paths

Brunswick County is a great place to ride your bicycle, as the roads are not as busy as they are in other coastal areas of North Carolina. A 32-mile bike route takes you from Southport to Orton Plantation and Brunswick Town Historic Site. Also, a recently built 3-mile paved shoulder bike path takes you from the state ferry dock to downtown Southport. Other bike trails can be found throughout the county. For more information, you can get a bicycle trail map from the Oak Island Recreation Center at (910) 278-5518. For information about state-funded bicycle trails, you can contact the North Carolina Division of Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation at (919) 733-2804. For your bicycling adventure, you can rent bicycles in the area from Boomer's Rentals of Holden Beach at (910) 842-1400 or Julie's Rentals of Sunset Beach at (910) 579-1211. Also, there is a full-service bicycle shop in Southport, Southport Bicycles at (910) 457-1878.

Take a Workshop or Class from the Waterway Art Association

The Waterway Art Association, located in Calabash, is an organization that was created in 1991 to increase art awareness in the area. Each month between September and May (excluding December), the group meets at the Calabash Fire House on the third Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. Following the meeting, art programs are offered and are open to members of all skill levels. Offerings include professional art workshops, outdoor painting and drawing sessions, lectures, exhibits, and museum trips. The Association also offers two art shows throughout the year - a Labor Day show and a Memorial Day show. For more information, contact the Waterway Art Association at (910) 575-7981.

Browse Around in Mace's Seafood, Boat Rentals, Live Bait and Tackle

Located on Canal Drive in Holden Beach, Mace's Seafood and Boat Rentals, Live Bait and Tackle is just the shop for you if you want to experience the beach activities of boating, fishing, or cooking fresh seafood! Their seafood store offers a variety of local catch that will be great for the hungry appetites in your family. If you plan to spend an afternoon fishing, you can visit Mace's for your live bait and tackle needs. Finally, if you are interested in boating around the area, you may want to rent a boat from Mace's. For more information, contact Mace's Seafood, Boat Rentals, Live Bait and Tackle at (910) 842-7171.

Take Your Kids To the Annual Children's Crab Derby

The Children's Crab Derby is held each year in September and open to children ages 16 and younger. Held at the Old Yacht Basin in Southport, the Children's Crab Derby divides its young participants into teams of two or three, separated by age category, and prizes are given for the largest crab caught and the most crabs caught in each age category. Children must bring their own small crab basket or line and bait, and some luck! For more information, contact the Children's Crab Derby at (910) 457-7923.