Kure Beach.
Quiet sands, an old-school fishing pier, and the Fort Fisher coast just minutes south.
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Getting to know
Kure Beach.
Kure Beach occupies the south end of Pleasure Island, and it is the quietest of the beaches in this guide. There is no boardwalk and little in the way of nightlife, which is the point. Days here are built around the sand, the pier, and the historic sites just down the road at Fort Fisher.
The Kure Beach Fishing Pier is the center of town and one of the oldest fishing piers on the North Carolina coast, worth a walk even if you never bait a hook. A few minutes south, Fort Fisher State Historic Site preserves the largest earthwork fort of the Civil War, and the adjoining state recreation area gives you a wilder, undeveloped stretch of beach and hiking. The North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher is closed for a major expansion and is not expected to reopen until later this decade, so plan around it for now.
From the tip of the island, the Southport-Fort Fisher Ferry carries cars and walk-ons across the mouth of the Cape Fear River for an easy day trip to Southport. Kure keeps its dining small and classic, the kind of places worth the short drive. Choose Kure when you want a slower beach with history close at hand, and Carolina Beach a few minutes north when you want the boardwalk.
Read up on
Kure Beach.
Field-tested itineraries, local-favorite restaurants, and the kind of unhurried recommendations that don't show up on the first page of search results.
Fort Fisher State Historic Site: Visiting Wilmington's Civil War Fort by the Sea
Fort Fisher State Historic Site in Kure Beach is free to visit. See the new visitor center, walk the earthworks trail, and plan your time at the fort.
Kure Beach Restaurants: Seasonal Hours and a Fort Fisher Meal Plan
Find Kure Beach restaurants for seafood, a casual meal with kids, or a Fort Fisher day trip, with tips on location, seasonal hours, and reservations.
Take the Ferry to Southport: Fares, Return Times, and a Day-Trip Plan
Plan a Fort Fisher–Southport ferry day trip from Wilmington: crossing time, car and walk-on fares, schedule links, queue tips, and waterfront stops.
The Cape Fear Kite Festival at Fort Fisher: What to Expect on Kite Weekend
Plan Cape Fear Kite Festival weekend at Fort Fisher, Nov. 6-8, 2026. Find free admission details, beach activities, and where to park for the kite displays.
Fort Fisher Aquarium closure and the free Discovery Bay alternative
Fort Fisher Aquarium is closed for expansion. Plan Discovery Bay at Independence Mall with its current hours, location and free admission.
Where locals
send first-timers.
Questions we
get asked.
Frequently asked
Is the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher open?
No. The aquarium closed on May 26, 2026 for a roughly $65 million expansion, and the state expects about two and a half years of construction, which points to a reopening in late 2028 or 2029. A free exhibit called Discovery Bay is open in the meantime inside Independence Mall in Wilmington, and the rest of Fort Fisher stays open.
What is there to do at Kure Beach?
The Kure Beach Fishing Pier is the center of town and one of the oldest fishing piers on the North Carolina coast, worth the walk even if you never bait a hook. A few minutes south, Fort Fisher State Historic Site preserves the largest earthwork fort of the Civil War and charges nothing to walk in, though it closes on some days of the week, so check current hours before you drive down. The adjoining state recreation area gives you an undeveloped stretch of beach and hiking.
How do you get from Kure Beach to Southport?
The Southport-Fort Fisher Ferry runs from the south tip of the island and takes about 35 minutes each way, covering a little under four miles of open water where the river meets the Atlantic. Walk-ons land about two miles from downtown Southport with no sidewalk, so drive the car on or bring a bike.
Is Kure Beach quieter than Carolina Beach?
Yes. Kure has no boardwalk and little in the way of nightlife, and parking is more distributed and easier to find outside peak holiday weekends. Carolina Beach is a few minutes north when you want the rides, the arcade, and the crowds, so it is easy to have both on one trip.