About Bald Head Island

  • Semitropical Climate

  • 14 Miles of Unspoiled Beaches

  • 10,000 Acres of Sea Marsh with Exotic Birds

  • No Cars

  • 200 Year Old Oaks in an Undisturbed Maritime Forest

  • The Ideal Vacation Spot

What Makes Bald Head Island so Unique?

Located off shore in warm Gulf Stream waters, this semitropical island enjoys not only a physical 20-minute boat ride separation from the mainland - providing the ultimate gated community - but more importantly it offers a psychological separation from the real world.

Deep Point Marina is an easy drive from most of the East Coast urban centers. From there, a convenient ferry system will deliver you safely to your Bald Head Island paradise. And yet, all this comes with many of the conveniences of home.

The island consists of 14-miles of unspoiled and lightly inhabited beaches, 200 acres of maritime forest preserve and 10,000 acres of protected salt marsh and tidal creek.

The small amount of total island area left for development is divided among six diverse environments. Each should be explored while visiting to fully appreciate Bald Head.

The entire island is serene, but within this serenity lie quiet corners for you to enjoy quiet, introspective relaxation - a “fun wave-riding, sand castle-building friends and family holiday” - or a romantic sunset in a corner of the world that is yours and yours alone.

Bald Head is being developed and lived upon with nature conservation in mind. You will notice almost immediately how trees in the maritime forest are treasured, resulting in the placement of homes “into” the environment. More than 10,000 of the island’s 12,000 acres will remain forever protected and undeveloped.

The island’s proximity to the warm Gulf Stream waters contributes to the mild, semitropical climate that makes Bald Head the northernmost point in the United States where Sabal Palms grow naturally. On Bald Head it is not uncommon to see palm trees, pine trees and 200-year old live oaks growing side by side.

Our Climate

Bald Head Island is a mild climate semitropical island. Moderated by the warm waters of the nearby Gulf Stream, the weather on Bald Head Island is generally mild year-round, making it an ideal year round destination. 

We have had a dusting of snow (That's fun in a golf cart!!!) but in general, winters are mild with temperatures averaging in the 50s, and by March we average high 60s. By Easter we expect days in the mid-70s.  Every season has something unique to offer. 

The locals’ favorite months are September and October with daytime highs in the 70s and 80s and nights in the 60s and 70s. But summers are made for the beach and spring and fall are made for weddings.

The Beaches!

Bald Head’s 14 miles of beaches have been singled out for their beauty, including designation as one of “Americas Top 20 Beaches” by Stephen “Dr. Beach” Leatherman. There are beautiful beaches on three sides of the island, with each offering a different seaside experience.

South Beach (right across the street from Villa 20)

Villa 20 is located on South Beach. Much of the early Bald Head development occurred along the miles of soft sand in front of the dune ridge that bisects the island east to west, which is South Beach.

With the Atlantic Ocean as your front yard as far as you can see, gentle sea breezes and proximity to the Harbour and the Bald Head Island Club, it is not hard to understand why this is treasured land.

South Beach stretches from the legendary Cape Fear Point to the east to the Cape Fear River point to the west.

Running from the legendary Frying Pan Shoals (The Point) to some point north that even the heartiest of you will probably never find, is East Beach. The water on East Beach tends to be about 5 degrees cooler than the water on South Beach but beyond that it is more of the same - only better. The north end of East Beach is the place to go if beach and quiet are your favorite combination.

East Beach - Miles of sand and surf

West Beach - Where river meets the sea

At the confluence of the historic Cape Fear River and the Atlantic Ocean, this area is a nice walk from Villa 20 and offers a peaceful spot to pick up shells, watch for dolphins, sunbathe, and fish. It is the best beach at sunset.

Take the cart, beach chairs, and refreshments and find the beach access along Green Teal Trail and sit back and enjoy. Take advantage of this opportunity, because this is one thing that makes Bald Head a unique destination on the East Coast - a place where the sun rises and sets over ocean each and every day.

Marsh and Tidal Creek - birds, dolphins, kayaking

For many people the marsh and tidal creek are the most beautiful spot on Bald Head. The marsh slowly changes color throughout the day as the sun lights the grasses. The marsh covers the entire north side of the island.

Middle Island can be entered near East Beach and offers views back across the marsh toward Bald Head and out over thousands of acres looking further north. You can rent kayaks at Island Passage and take marsh tours or sit and watch the various water fowl (egrets, ibis, Great Blue Heron), or go fishing or crabbing.

There is also a walking trail that meanders out onto a peninsula into the marsh that offers some beautiful views and photo opportunities. Entrance is from near the Maritime Market. The marsh is a calming spot on the island of calm.

Maritime Forest - 200 years in the making

Most of the island behind the ocean dune ridge is covered in thick diverse forest filled with stately live oaks, huge wax myrtle, old dogwood, yaupon, cedar and palmetto palm trees. This is among the only place you will have the opportunity to drive in a perfectly quiet electric cart on roads that have been carefully sculpted through historic maritime forest. Because of the strict development rules, you will see homes in settings that will cause you to wonder how they got them in and around the trees. It’s a Bald Head thing and best understood by people who built tree forts as kids.

Old Baldy Lighthouse - Over 200 years of history

Old Baldy, North Carolina’s oldest standing lighthouse (circa 1817), is only a short walk from the island’s ferry landing. Admission to the Smith Island Museum of History allows you to climb Old Baldy’s 108 steps for an incomparable view of the island.

For those wanting to delve deeper into Bald Head Island’s past, the Smith Island Museum offers self-guided audio tours, as well as guided Historic Tours that take you to various island landmarks while providing a glimpse into the area’s rich history.

(Text from Bald Head Island website - https://www.baldheadisland.com/see-do/old-baldy-lighthouse/old-baldy-lighthouse)

Bald Head Island Marina - it all starts
and ends here

Cedar-shingled coastal island homes rim the harbour where the ferry arrives. The harbour is best known as the point of entry but once you have arrived you will want to return to the harbour to enjoy the harbour swing, shop Island Passage, or eat seafood outside and enjoy the music at Jules’. If you can’t stand to leave, there is also a BHI real estate office in the Harbour Village as well.

Bald Head Island Village

The ‘official’ center of the village is located close to the harbour village and includes Old Baldy Lighthouse. Here you will find the village offices, the U.S. Post office and package pick-up center, and the Village Chapel of Bald Head Island.

A second ‘center’ is located mid-island, which includes The Shops at Maritime Way. Shops in the area include the Maritime Market grocery store, dine-in restaurants, take-out restaurants, the hardware store, boutique shops with clothing, gifts and homewares, golf cart sales/repairs, and more.

The Clubs

One of the great social opportunities renting our villa makes possible for you is the ability for you to purchase a temporary membership at the Bald Head Island Club and the Shoals Club. To purchase temporary memberships, you will need to contact the clubs directly.

Bald Head Island Club

With its cedar-shingled exterior and spacious wrap around verandah, the Bald Head Island Club - located right next to the Villas - is stately and welcoming. The Clubhouse, with its warm paneling and traditional finish, creates a classic southern country club environment but in true Bald Head tradition - Relaxed.

Bald Head Island Club is home to the championship, Cobb-designed, 6,855 yard golf course that many consider to be one of the finest courses in the Carolinas. Golf Digest recently awarded it the coveted 4.5-star rating, and a survey of more than 3,000 executives through the Executive Golf Guide named it their favorite to play across a series of categories.

The Dining Room at the BHI Club offers an elegant atmosphere and extensive menu to enjoy on a night out. For more casual dining the Club Lounge (AKA - The Grill) features a grill menu and well-stocked bar. Televised sporting events and live bands offer evening entertainment.

The Club’s other amenities include hard surface tennis courts, pickleball courts, regulation greenswards for a serious game of club croquet, a multi-pool water complex, including water slides and a splash pad. Plus, there is an outdoor playground for the kids. While spending your day at the pool, you can grab a bite at the poolside snack bar, which has deli-style sandwiches, hot dogs, salads and a variety of snacks and cold drinks.

Additionally, there is a brand new and well equipped fitness center, which also has a smoothie bar.

The Shoals Club

Located near the Cape Fear Point, just a 10 to 15 minute cart drive from the house along scenic South Beach. It takes its name from the sandy “Frying Pan Shoals” that extend 20 miles out from the Point and have served up thousands of shipwrecks, as shown in the picture up in the loft at the Villa. Built in 2004, this wonderful Beach Club serves as a center of beach activity. With 10,000 square foot clubhouse and 20,000 square feet of porches, pools and decks and dramatic views of the shoals, The Shoals has quickly become a favorite spot to swim, eat and meet.

Use your temporary membership card to obtain beach towels and walk down the private wooden boardwalk to South Beach, where you can borrow club lounge chairs and umbrella. Be sure to walk to the far extremes of the Point and look out over the ocean where two bodies of water rush together, creating a beautiful surf break and wonderful photo opportunities. For a fresh water option, the covered porch on the rear of the club opens to a series of cascading terraces that descend to a spacious lap pool, spa, and walk-in children’s swimming pool. Depending on your child’s age and stage of independence, you can lounge on the deck with a beverage and still keep an eye on the kids, while enjoying the vast ocean view.

The primary dining room at the Shoals Club (Aqua) is on the second floor and offers a wide variety of dinner menu items. A casual pool side grill (Sandbar Grille) offers appetizers, salads, sandwiches, burgers and soups. There is also a full service bar that specializes in frozen beach drinks served with an ocean view.