United Beach Vacations Blog

Holiday Trimmings at Carolina Beach

2009-12-08T11:48:00.000-08:00

The festive lights have been turned on around the Carolina Beach lake, and the boardwalk is decked out and ready for events through the New Year. It must be Christmas time on Pleasure Island!

Carolina Beach to Host Major Surfing Event: Competition Slated for Nov. 6-7 Moves from Wrightsville Beach

2009-09-22T12:26:00.000-07:00

Surf Carolina Magazine has chosen Carolina Beach and the Marriott Hotel for its 22nd Annual Hot Wax Challenge and Carolina Surf Awards, scheduled for Nov. 6-7.

The surfing event will be held 8am to 6pm at the Hamlet Avenue beach access and features $50,000 in prizes and giveaways.

Saturday night entertainment includes bluesman extraordinaire Mojo Collins.

While the Hot Wax Challenge has been previously held in Wrightsville Beach and in Fort Fisher, Hot Wax founder Michael Paul says he chose Carolina Beach and the Marriott for their close proximity to the newly renovated CB Boardwalk.

For more information, please visit the Hot Wax Surf Shop website.

Carolina Beach and Kure Beach Sea Turtles Ready to Hatch

2009-09-02T08:14:00.000-07:00

Several sea turtle "boils" will take place over the next few days and weeks. A boil is when turtle egg hatchlings emerge from their shells and appear phoenix-like out of the ground. Dozens of volunteers are at the ready to guide the little creatures into the water, a first step in an arduous journey to adulthood.

One of the boils includes the offspring of a rare leatherback sea turtle, a beast that can weigh nearly 2000 pounds. Her nest could hatch over 100 babies.

Stay tuned.

This Just In

2009-08-14T12:26:00.000-07:00

Despite the rather dreary weather we've been experiencing the last few days, the free concert at Fort Fisher Air Force Recreation Area will go on as planned this evening (the radar shows decent clearing through the night).

Tonight’s band is Mako, which features a variety of Top 40, Classic Rock and Blues. The concert starts at 6:00 p.m. so bring your lawn chairs and snacks.

Rock on.

As we slide into the weekend, I'll leave you with a classic scene from the classic mockumentary "This Is Spinal Tap":

Nigel Tufnel: The numbers all go to eleven. Look, right across the board, eleven, eleven, eleven and...
Marty DiBergi: Oh, I see. And most amps go up to ten?
Nigel Tufnel: Exactly.
Marty DiBergi: Does that mean it's louder? Is it any louder?
Nigel Tufnel: Well, it's one louder, isn't it? It's not ten. You see, most blokes, you know, will be playing at ten. You're on ten here, all the way up, all the way up, all the way up, you're on ten on your guitar. Where can you go from there? Where?
Marty DiBergi: I don't know.
Nigel Tufnel: Nowhere. Exactly. What we do is, if we need that extra push over the cliff, you know what we do?
Marty DiBergi: Put it up to eleven.
Nigel Tufnel: Eleven. Exactly. One louder.
Marty DiBergi: Why don't you just make ten louder and make ten be the top number and make that a little louder?
Nigel Tufnel: [pause] These go to eleven.

The Latest Fishing Report

2009-08-07T11:59:00.000-07:00

Angling fans might want an update on the latest fishing activity in Carolina Beach and Kure Beach. Here's the catch:

Lots of flounder lately around the inlets, in Snow's Cut and in the Cape Fear River. The river is also producing puppy drum and speckled trout.

For surf fishing aficionados bluefish, pinfish, spots, croaker, a few flounder and plenty of small black tip sharks are turning up. Spanish mackerel are in the area (I know first hand; a friend dropped off 7 pounds last week).

Farther off shore (out to 20 miles) king mackeral are being snared while barracuda and mahi mahi are being caught in the 10-20 mile range.

I'll sign off with a favorite quote from Jaws:

Quint: Y'all know me. Know how I earn a livin'. I'll catch this bird for you, but it ain't gonna be easy. Bad fish. Not like going down the pond chasin' bluegills and tommycods. This shark, swallow you whole. Little shakin', little tenderizin', an' down you go. And we gotta do it quick, that'll bring back your tourists, put all your businesses on a payin' basis. But it's not gonna be pleasant. I value my neck a lot more than three thousand bucks, chief. I'll find him for three, but I'll catch him, and kill him, for ten. But you've gotta make up your minds. If you want to stay alive, then ante up. If you want to play it cheap, be on welfare the whole winter. I don't want no volunteers, I don't want no mates, there's just too many captains on this island. Ten thousand dollars for me by myself. For that you get the head, the tail, the whole damn thing.

Beach Overload: Alternate Fun for the Dog Days of Summer

2009-08-02T11:09:00.000-07:00

With so much going on these days at Carolina Beach and Kure Beach, it's easy to overlook some nearby attractions.

Located in the heart of Wilmington, Jungle Rapids is just 20 minutes from Carolina Beach, and is a terrific place for fun of all sorts. The park features a water slide, go-karts, laser tag, a rock climbing wall, and miniature golf plus free parking.

For more information please visit www.junglerapids.com.

Reason No. 342 to Visit Carolina Beach

2009-07-25T12:35:00.000-07:00

Have you been to Britt's Donuts at the Carolina Beach Boardwalk?

No?

Oh my ... you have no idea what you're missing.

Britt's sickly sweet, slightly salty glazed donuts always melt in the mouth and have been an area institution since Franklin D. Roosevelt lived in the White House.

Remember Saturday Night Live's skit at the lunch counter? "Cheeseboiger, cheeseboiger, cheeseboiger ..."

"No Coke. Pepsi."

Britt's is similarly minimalist, with not much to choose from except glazed donuts and some drinks.

It's an experience.

Lots of summer action left at Carolina Beach Boardwalk

2009-07-24T12:09:00.000-07:00

The Carolina Beach Boardwalk Makeover has announced a few exciting changes to the schedule of the Boardwalk Blast Summer Event Series, which will continue throughout the summer.

The updated schedule is as follows:
· Tuesday is Family Night 6-8pm includes bounce house, kids’ activities, variety shows, karaoke, arts & crafts. Free
· Wednesday is Cash Bingo 6-8pm, Cash prizes up to $1,000. Nominal fee to play.
· Thursday features Live Music at the Gazebo 6:30-9:30pm. Great local or regional bands perform at the Gazebo stage before and after the fireworks display at the Boardwalk. Free
· Sunday Trop Rock DJ 6-8pm. Island country & Carribean tropical rock music. Time to relax and enjoy before the movie at the lake! Free

Also don’t miss the last daytime Battle of the Bands Competition from 2-5pm on the Beach Stage on Aug 8, plus Jazz Under the Stars from 9-11pm. Upcoming Jazz dates are: July 25, Aug. 22, Sept. 5. All are free.

“We still have a lot of the summer left, with plenty of good music to see,” emphasized organizer Brett Keeler.

Pleasure Island included in summer travel feature

2009-07-16T11:33:00.000-07:00

Carolina Beach and Kure Beach were recently mentioned in The New York Times' Sunday Travel Section. The story, titled "One Summer, 14 Weekends," boasted that the area has "pleasurable beaches for catching a tan," and mentions hiking at Carolina Beach State Park, the wonders of the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher, and the 712-foot-long Kure Beach Pier, where hopeful fisherman can snag mackeral and flounder.

The brief story also cites the Cape Fear River, which "rambles past [the] historic and picturesque city of Wilmington, N.C., widening and creating slivery barrier islands with [the] river on one side and the Atlantic on the other."

Sounds so beautiful and fun, I wished I lived there. Good thing I already do.

They Swim With Their Homes On Their Backs/Update 7/10/09

2009-07-03T10:29:00.001-07:00

If you're like me your knowledge of sea turtles comes from those exciting scenes in "Finding Nemo," where the surfer dude turtle cruising the EAC (East Australian Current) marvels at his rambunctious young son, Squirt.

But sea turtles have an even more fascinating life than even Hollywood could imagine.

Consider these facts:

> Female loggerhead sea turtles lay an average of 120 eggs in each nest and may nest up to 7 times in one season.

> When resting, sea turtles can hold their breath for several hours.

> Sea Turtles reach sexual maturity around 25 years.

> Sea turtles swim speeds that can reach up to 35 mph.

> Female sea turtles return to the same beaches where they were born to lay their nests.

For information about sea turtles in the Carolina Beach and Kure Beach area, please visit www.seaturtleproject.org

To see a sea turtle "boil" (hatchlings), please visit
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oO1zV4cYFbo

JULY 10, 2009, SEA TURTLE UPDATE -- On Wednesday, July 8, a rare leatherback sea turtle plodded onto the sands of Carolina Beach to lay her eggs. The endangered leatherback, whose shell is not hard like a loggerhead's, is about half the size of a Volkswagon Beetle, according to Pleasure Island Sea Turtle Project Volunteer Coordinator Nancy Busovne. "Since our project began in the 80s, we've never seen evidence of a leatherback. This is truly remarkable."

4th of July Weekend: Blivet! Will Rock Tangerine Caribbean Grill

2009-06-26T11:00:00.000-07:00

The site: Tangerine Caribbean Grill in Carolina Beach (covered outdoor deck)
The Date: Sunday, July 5
The Time: 3pm-7pm
The Band: Blivet!

If you like the Beatles, Pink Floyd, Zeppelin, Marvin Gaye, the Beastie Boys, Creedence, the Doobies, Stones, Johnny Cash, the Grateful Dead, Sheryl Crow, the Doors, Keb Mo, Styxx, Norah Jones, the Police, Skynyrd ...

The list goes on and on. Put simply, Blivet! is a fun band that plays something familiar for everyone. Visit the song list at the band's website -- www.blivetband.com

Grab a brew, dance barefoot, and rock with Blivet!

Carolina Beach/Kure Beach Vacation: Smoke-Free in 2010

2009-06-26T10:19:00.000-07:00

Cough! Hack! Cough! Hack!

No more.

Even in the cradle of Tobacco Road, it's finally happened -- North Carolina legislators recently passed a bill prohibiting smoking in all bars and restaurants, effective January 2, 2010.

There are those who will whine about this law, but I am not one of them. On the contrary, I applaud it and will most likely go out to eat and drink more because of it. Most sensible establishments have already gone smoke-free anyway, so this was a fait accompli.

Learn How to Handle Rip Currents

2009-06-20T11:59:00.000-07:00

A vacation to the sunny shores of Carolina Beach or Kure Beach might include rip currents, which are powerful, channeled currents of water flowing away from the beach. They typically extend from the shoreline, through the surf zone, and past the line of breaking waves. If you find yourself in a rip current, do not panic. There is a tried and true method to extract yourself from a rip current.

Click here for further tips on how to handle these dangerous surf phenomenon.

That Police song

2009-06-14T11:24:00.000-07:00

I'll send an s.o.s. to the world
I'll send an s.o.s. to the world
I hope that someone gets my
I hope that someone gets my
I hope that someone gets my
Message in a bottle, yeah
Message in a bottle, yeah

Turns out one turned up in Kure Beach recently. Richard Vieregge came across a message in a bottle while he was roaming the beach during a break from painting.

The note was dated May 11, 2009, and was sent by a group of Florida residents from a boat off the Canary Islands. That's just off the coast of North Africa, so the bottle travelled quite a distance in a month.

Nicholas Sparks would be proud.

Hey Chowder Head! Michael's Seafood Restaurant Competes on National Stage

2009-06-06T10:33:00.000-07:00

Michael and Shelly McGowan of Michael's Seafood Restaurant in Carolina Beach are in Rhode Island this week for the Schweppes Great Chowder Cook-Off. The couple have been invited to compete in the Newport event before, but have always declined.

This year, though, "Captain M's Seafood Chowder" will compete at a major cook-off that expects to attract 30,000 people.

Each entrant is expected to bring at least 120 gallons of chowder, but just to be sure the McGowans decided on 200. Mike and his team prepared chowder for four consecutive days and built a custom cooler to fit in the back of his truck.

The heaviest load they'll carry, however, is the hopes and dreams of the entire state of North Carolina. Congressman Mike McIntire called to offer support, State Senator Julia Boseman drove from Raleigh to give them a state flag to fly at the contest, Governor Perdue sent a letter, and the state Senate issued a proclamation.

Talk about a pressure cooker.

Kure Beach Bocce Ball Court Opening In Time For Summer Rush

2009-05-26T12:32:00.000-07:00

Just when you thought the Cape Fear area couldn't get more fun, in comes this long overdue announcement:

"Come be a guest of the Kure Beach Parks and Recreation Committee for a dedication ceremony of the new Bocce Ball Court at Joe Eakes Park.

The ceremony will take place this Saturday, May 30th at noon. Attending will be Kure Beach Commissioners, County Commissioners and lots of enthusiastic bocce ball players anxiously awaiting the official start of the bocce ball season in Kure Beach.

Joe Eakes Park is located on K Avenue at the corner of 7th Street in Kure Beach."

Bocce is from the Italian for "bowl" and has been popular in Europe since ancient times. The game has been transplanted overseas and is common in various areas in the US. The game is played on an outdoor court with multiple, colored balls. Players take turns throwing a smaller ball after which they bowl the larger ones as close to the smaller one as possible. The sport is much like curling, the game played on ice and made popular in the last few Olympics.

Carolina Beach boardwalk is hoppin' in 2009

2009-05-21T12:45:00.000-07:00

The Carolina Beach boardwalk is on its way to going from the outhouse to the penthouse. Check out all the action this summer here. Music, rides, bingo, family night, fun, fun, fun. Best of all, it's all FREE (except bingo).

Rip Van Winkle syndrome?

2009-05-16T11:57:00.000-07:00

There's so much new on our small island, it feels almost like we woke up from a nap in 1980.

Here are just a few recent events and additions to grace Carolina Beach and Kure Beach

> Carolina Beach was one of 12 municipalities across the state to get a bicycle and pedestrian planning grant from the DOT. Last week, the N.C. Board of Transportation awarded $315,850 to 12 municipalities for bicycle and pedestrian planning. Carolina Beach gets $20,000.
> The North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher introduces an albino alligator on May 29.
> The new Kure Beach Boardwalk will be completed by Memorial Day.
> The Carolina Beach Boardwalk is undergoing a facelift that includes amusements for the summer. Indeed, rides are already being installed.
> New(ish) restaurants include Havana's Fresh Island Seafood, Harbor Masters, The Dive, The Shuckin' Shack Oyster Bar, and Tangerine Caribbean Grill.
> A Brew-Thru opened recently and we're awaiting a new (and larger) ABC Store.

One of the country's oldest beach music festivals comes to Carolina Beach June 6

2009-05-13T07:29:00.000-07:00

Carolina Beach is the cradle of beach music, and on Saturday, June 6, the town comes alive with its distinct tunes and rollicking dances with the 24th annual Carolina Beach Beach Music Festival. The all-day event features five of the best beach music bands in the south, including Jim Quick and Coastline Band, Sammy O'Banion with Mardi Gras, Holiday Band, Craig Woolard Band, and Mark Roberts & Breeze.

Tickets are $10 in advance (visit here to buy stubs) and $15 at the door. Beer and soft drinks will be available for purchase. No coolers and no pets, please.

A trip to Carolina Beach State Park

2009-05-13T07:22:00.000-07:00

"Study nature, love nature, stay close to nature. It will never fail you." -- Frank Lloyd Wright

Okay, ditch the cell phone, hide the Blackberry, and cancel all appointments. We're heading to Carolina Beach State Park today to walk in the unique maritime forest among long leaf pines, turkey oaks and live oaks. Behold the stately trees and look closely because wings are everywhere: there's a warbler ... and a finch ... do I hear a woodpecker? As we move closer to the shore we pass dense shrub swamps populated with loblolly, sweet bay and pond pines. Look! Up in the air … is that superman? No, it’s a pelican. The prehistoric looking brown bird thrives in this rich coastal environment. He must be between meals, taking time off from dive-bombing fish in the Atlantic.

The soil becomes boggy and muddies our shoes, but onward we march in search of that oxymoron of nature -- the carnivorous plant. Actually, there are several species in these parts, because they love the damp and acidic rich soil. There's a pitcher plant and a bladderwort, both of which trap and ingest various insects. But we are on the hunt for the spectacular Venus flytrap, and -- lo! -- there it is! Its leafy death trap is a deep green on the outside, and reddish inside with little hairs. Not too inviting for your basic arachnid.

Carolina Beach State Park is a great place for hiking, camping, and picnicking. It’s also a treat for the family pet, with wonderful well-marked trails. Be forewarned though, if your dog happens to be a hound with a healthy prey drive, like my Rhodesian Ridgeback, keep your eyes open. A deer or fox could walk by, and the dog might bolt after them. Please keep all dogs on leash in the park.

Carolina Beach and Kure Beach to hold beauty pageant

2009-04-30T11:51:00.000-07:00

Lots of folks outside of the Cape Fear area will probably not know that Miss USA 2009 is right here from southeastern North Carolina. Kristen Dalton, a native of Wilmington, is a veteran beauty pageant winner and took home the big prize a few weeks ago.

Carolina Beach and Kure Beach will stage its own pageant, a dazzling display of local lovelies who might one day follow in Ms. Dalton's footsteps. The Miss Pleasure Island Beauty Pageant is scheduled for May 15. Please call 910-798-6405 for details.

Stimulus money coming in to Carolina Beach and Kure Beach

2009-04-30T08:46:00.000-07:00

Carolina Beach is scheduled to receive $3.3 million in federal stimulus money – the most of any community in the state. The loot will be used to build two stormwater ponds to help with runoff in the Wilmington Beach area and replace old sewer lines along U.S. 421 through its central business district.

Kure Beach was awarded nearly $620,000 to replace approximately 6,500 feet of sewer line along U.S. 421 around its commercial corridor.

Rides! Cotton Candy! Hot Dogs!

2009-04-17T10:49:00.000-07:00

It's official: The Carolina Beach Town Council this week approved a proposal for putting amusements on the Boardwalk -- beginning this summer. Rides will be open till 11pm on Sunday through Thursday and midnight on Friday and Saturday.

Click here to see a layout of where the rides will be set up.

Time your Ferris Wheel ride right and you could see fireworks from a most enviable location. Fireworks displays in Carolina Beach are scheduled for Friday, May 22, every Thursday beginning June 4 and ending Aug. 27, plus 4th of July (Saturday), and Friday, Sept. 4.

13th Pleasure Island Chowder Cook-off

2009-04-14T07:34:00.000-07:00

When: Saturday, April 18, 11:30am
Where: Carolina Beach Lake
How much? $5 (ages 6 & under Free)
Logistics: Free parking at Federal Point Shopping Center (3rd traffic light after bridge; free trolley to and from venue)

Hard to believe it's been over a dozen years since the first Chowder Cook-off, but the annual event has just gotten better and better. Speak truth to chef as area cooks show off their best in rich, creamy chowders -- clam, oyster and seafood! For just $5 you can sample all you like, and then vote for your favorite.

The party includes live music, games, face painting, balloon art, and the obligatory inflatable slide. Join Mad Science of Coastal Carolina in interactive science experiments that could include that working volcano last seen on The Brady Bunch.

Don't care for chowder? Fret not. The day also features hot dogs, fudge, funnel cakes, soda, beer and wine. Sorry, no coolers and please leave Fido at home.

Daytripper 101: The Charms of Southport

2009-04-03T08:41:00.000-07:00

Southport, the old fishing village just across the river from Pleasure Island, is the type of town that is inevitably called quaint. Fortunately, it lives up to the description. Situated along the west bank of the Cape Fear River’s mouth, Southport is reachable by ferry from Fort Fisher and is a great day-trip for Carolina Beach and Kure Beach vacationers.

Steeped in American history, the town has always attracted sailor types. In fact the earliest settlers arrived shortly after Columbus, in 1524. The first European vessel constructed in the New World was built on these banks. Other firsts include North Carolina’s first fort (Fort Johnston, 1754). In 1795 the soldiers at the fort fired 13 cannon shots to honor the 13 states, thus celebrating one of the earliest known 4th of July celebrations.

Today, Southport’s July 4th festivities are a blowout 4-day event and popular throughout the Cape Fear region and Southeastern North Carolina. Southport’s shopping includes funky little stores and antiques galore, the restaurants are varied and welcoming, and the old homes are remarkable (check out, for example, the Captain Thompson Home, an intriguing peek into the life of a genuine Civil War blockade runner).

Hollywood has not been immune to Southport’s charms, filming several movies in the last few decades, including 1986’s “Crimes of the Heart," starring Diane Keaton, Jessica Lang and Sissy Spacek.

Perhaps the best part about Southport? Unlike other communities in the area, public parking is free -- and it’s a great place for bike riding.