An Island of Golf Carts?!

a day trip to bald head island, north carolina

If you’re craving an off-the-grid coastal escape that doesn’t require a passport—or even a car—Bald Head Island, North Carolina, delivers a full day of memories, shaped by maritime breezes, golf cart cruises, and salty shells. We traded highways for waterways, cars for golf carts, and noise for a marshy stillness. By sundown, I’d driven a golf cart past a baby deer, climbed a historic lighthouse, and secured a shell from ocean water at the edge of the East.

The Crossing: Wilmington to Southport, Southport to Bald Head

We hopped in the car before sunrise and drove 50 minutes to Southport, a quaint town near the bottom of the state. Pulling into Deep Point Marina, we parked the car, walked to the ferry, and waited for boarding.

The Bald Head Island Ferry takes the long way, hugging channels and markers rather than taking a direct path. As we got further from the port, the Bald Head Island Lighthouse grew in size to our left, and the Oak Island Lighthouse grew in size to our right. The twenty or so minute trip through the Cape Fear River went by like a breeze, the electrical hum of the motor matched only by the hum of the water. By the time we docked at Bald Head Island Marina, excitement lingered in the air as everyone was eager to step onto the island. No cars, no traffic lights—just bikes and golf carts, hand signals, and stop signs to guide us around the island.

First Stops: Golf Carts, Old Baldy, Even a Chapel

Only a quick walk from the ferry, the Cary Cart Company awaits with an array of golf cart rentals. Within minutes, we had checked in and were on our way, cruising down the shaded paths of Bald Head to our first destination—Old Baldy.

Standing loud and proud as North Carolina’s oldest lighthouse, Old Baldy has a textured outside design that looks like a mix between camo and cow print. The coastal beacon has a climb up 108 narrow steps to the top, with the last leg being up an old wooden ladder. Once inside the glass top, you’re met with a panoramic view of salt marshes, the Atlantic, and stunning houses surrounding the island’s marina. The adjacent Smith Island Museum of History gives context to the island's unique past, including pirates, Civil War blockades, and tales of early lighthouse keepers who lived isolated lives on the edge of America.

Just down the path sits the Village Chapel of Bald Head Island, a one-room sanctuary with triangular architecture nestled under live oaks. Wooden pews, white walls, and sunlight streaming through arched windows make it one of the most beautiful churches I have seen. A visit to this chapel is only complete after seeing the green, grassy marsh from the oversized windows behind the altar.

Caffeine, Cart Cruising, and Turtle Central

Needing a little breakfast and coffee, we visited the Maritime Market. This grocery store is the only one on the island, and while their stuff looked good, we found another spot for some pick-me-up fuel.

Midway Coffee, a cheerful shop tucked in the woods only a short distance away, was a spot I had to try. I opted for their strawberry granola toast, which was delicious, and just enough to fuel the rest of our morning adventures.

From there, we stumbled upon the Bald Head Island Conservancy as the island is well-known for its conservation efforts with sea turtles. A little trail of purple, blue, and green painted baby turtles leads up to their conservatory, where you are greeted with life-size paintings of the various turtle species that nest in North Carolina. The island had already racked up an astonishing 45 turtle nests so far in the May–August 2025 season. We walked through their rooms with a charming mix of educational exhibits displaying fish, turtles, and snakes before heading next door to the Turtle Central Gift Shop to browse. Anything from kids’ books to sea turtle merch to local goods, and cute coastal clothes. The proceeds go toward turtle conservation, so the magnet purchase felt justified.

On the way back to the golf cart, Mike’s Bites, the cutest little snack shack, caught our eye. They offer mini bites like Italian ice, signature hot dogs, custom sandwiches, and general beach snacks. A quick stop there for some Cotton Candy Italian ice to cool off on the hot July day, before returning to the road.

The Edge of Everything: The Point

Bald Head's beaches are gorgeous and significantly less populated by most North Carolina standards, but The Point is one of a kind. At the end of Federal Road, we parked the cart and walked across the wood-planked bridge that spans across the dunes. When wood turned into sand, we took off our shoes and quickly decided to make a run for it as the sand was scalding.

With our feet safe in the water, we picked our heads up and truly looked around for the first time. The landscape here is stunning: wide swaths of untouched sand, tidal pools glinting in the light, the occasional pelican hovering above.

The silence was complete, save for wind, waves, and the laughter of children. We made our way to the island’s tip—pointed, and jutting out into the water. Standing there felt as though we had reached the very end of the continent—and in some ways, we had. Calm and flat on one side representing the brackish Cape Fear River water, colliding with the white tipped waves of the Atlantic Ocean. A stunning juxtaposition that you must see to believe.

From there, with slightly burned feet, we made our way to the island's casual eatery—Jailhouse Provisions. For lunch, we both chose the All-American classic combo: a burger and lemonade. We ate slowly and enjoyed the air conditioning at one of the indoor tables after basking in the sun all day.

Island Wildlife: Birds, Gators, and Deer

We continued cruising around the island, eventually passing a Gator Lookout and swerving the cart on a dime to make sure we didn’t miss it. A small dock overlooking a still pond promised sightings if you were patient. We spotted a few bubbles rising from the depths of the water, but ultimately the gators eluded us; however, the wildlife did not. Instead, we spotted deer—three of them—quietly crossing the road. Eventually, we even spotted a young fawn moving through the underbrush with ease, unbothered by us onlookers.

We marveled at the herons and egrets fishing in the marshes. The daring sparrows shooting across the road, and the chirps coming from high in the trees. It was at this point that we realized we had quite literally circled the island. Without hurrying, without planning, we had traced the full loop of Bald Head seeing forest, dunes, and tides, all in a day.

A Sweet Farewell: Chai and a Ferry Home

Before returning to the marina, we cruised around here and there—drove past the coastal houses with golf cart garages and fenced-in front yards. We meandered to the front of the island, taking a sandy walkway to the jetty that guides boats into the marina. Here we just looked out at Oak Island and Southport, and the water in-between.

After returning our cart, we made one final stop at Sandpiper Coffee & Ice Cream. Their frozen chai latte may have been the best drink of the day—spicy, creamy, and cold enough to cut the island heat after a full day of exploring.

We boarded the late-afternoon ferry with many of the island’s workers returning home themselves. The cool breeze on the top deck refreshed us as Bald Head faded behind us.

Bald Head Island offers more than a change of scenery—it offers a change of pace. There are no traffic lights, no chain restaurants, no distractions that don’t serve nature or reflection. What remains is a place suspended in time: rich in history, enveloped in natural beauty, and guided by a gentler way of life.

If you're planning a visit, here's our tip: let the island lead. You won't need a car—or a plan.