Cape Fear — What Can You Do at This Natural Wonder?

Cape Fear is one of the best beach destinations in the country — yet not many people know of its existence. It is a great place to see dolphins and fish, get lost in nature, go kayaking and much more. Read on and find out the best activities in this beautiful place.

01Go to the Beach

Let's face it: Cape Fear is a beach destination. The roaring sound of the ocean, coupled with golden sand and a bright sun above your head, is so appealing that this may well be the first thing you want to do on arrival. There are many different beaches to visit, each offering a different experience — in fact, it is safe to say Cape Fear has a beach for every taste of beach-goer:

• Carolina Beach Boardwalk — head to this tourist-busy destination for active fun under the sun, with shops, bars and plenty of activities at hand. A great pick for those who love to do more than lie in the sand getting nice and brown.
• Freeman Park — a fine destination for those who like a quieter shoreline combined with a little nature, plus the ordinary coming-and-going you'd expect of a park.
• Fort Fisher State Recreation Area — for those who love to be completely alone and cut off from civilization on vacation. Six miles of undeveloped shoreline will satisfy that need, and for anglers the surf offers a chance to spend an entire afternoon pulling in fish after fish.

Carolina Beach Boardwalk — the busy end of the shoreline spectrum.

02Cruise Through Amazing Open River Waters

Open waters at Cape Fear are unlike most you may know from other places in the world. Sailing or navigating them, you can watch dolphins and fish and marvel at breathtaking sunsets over the water. There are plenty of ways to do it: book a tour, rent a boat, or even buy one to leave at a marina and come back to whenever you feel like it. For many visitors this is the highlight of a Cape Fear trip — make sure you don't miss out.

Dolphins, fish, and sunsets over the water — the highlight of many a visit.

03Appreciate the Amazing Gardens

It is true the gardens are man-made — but the flowers and the beautiful nature growing in them are not. Head to Airlie Gardens and take in the 100,000 (yes, one hundred thousand) azaleas that bloom through the spring and summer seasons. The New Hanover County Arboretum, meanwhile, is home to 33 gardens with an easy-to-explore layout that walks you through different species, aromas and colors. Nature is showing off in these places; keep your camera ready.

04Get Lost in the Parks

It is difficult to find a destination in the southern part of North Carolina as beautiful, landscape-wise, as Cape Fear. This is the main reason the government built an amazing chain of parks that let you appreciate the scenery while having fun with a plethora of activities. The recommended starting point is Carolina Beach State Park — a 761-acre natural wonder full of cool activities like camping and kayaking, overlooking beautiful riverfront landscapes.

05Feel Like Tom Hanks Discovering a Deserted Island

You don't have to grow your beard or scream "Wilson!" at the sky — but you will surely step into Tom Hanks's skin when you visit one of the region's best-kept secrets: the deserted islands. You can reach them by kayak, taxi boat, or by booking a tour. Finding yourself in an isolated paradise can be one of the most relaxing experiences you've had in a long time, and while you're there you can enjoy bird-watching and all kinds of water-based activities. Head for Masonboro Island Reserve and enjoy the beach like never before.

Masonboro Island Reserve — an isolated paradise reachable by kayak or taxi boat.

Conclusion

Taking advantage of the seasonal route added to Wilmington International Airport, you can explore one of the best beach destinations in the United States. Don't wait until everyone else finds out — be a pioneer!