South of historic Wilmington, North Carolina, and just north of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, lies the beautiful coastal village of Sunset Beach.
Officially incorporated in 1963, Sunset Beach has been a quietly kept secret of residents and dedicated beach lovers.
Over the decades, it has remained a wholesome, family-oriented community and was ranked as the #1 barrier island on the North Carolina coast by Duke University. Rankings were based on natural characteristics, quality of management, anticipated development and physical changes, and lastly, potential danger to people.
Only 3 miles in length, Sunset Beach had North Carolina's last floating bridge in operation across the Intracoastal Waterway.
The new high rise bridge is open with absolutely no delays to Sunset Beach from the mainland.
The gazebo has a direct path to the beach.
If you enjoy the idea of visiting or even living in a soothing, slow paced atmosphere then Sunset Beach is your perfect getaway.
Sunset Beach is a great choice for a vacation. A visitor looking for a quiet coastal place to relax will do very well to book a house on this beach.
Sunset Beach features a white sandy beach with undisturbed sand dunes, a natural habitat and a nesting ground for coastal wildlife of all kinds, including the endangered loggerhead sea turtle. There is a full-service fishing pier on this island, and both island the mainland areas of the town offer shopping centers, grocery stores, small boutiques, dining, golf and the Ingram Planetarium.
Sunset Beach also offers a unique opportunity... a walk to Bird Island. Bird Island was once a separate island accessible only by walking through shallow Mad Inlet at low tide. Today it is connected to Sunset Beach as the inlet has filled in with sand. Bird Island is completely untouched by development as its nearly 1,300 acres of beach, marsh and wetlands were dedicated as a North Carolina Coastal Reserve in 2002 following 10 years of work by the Bird Island Preservation Society to protect it. This designation protects habitat used by several threatened or endangered species, including Kemp's Ridley and loggerhead sea turtles, sea beach amaranth, piping plover, wood stork and black skimmer.
Another unique feature to be found on Bird Island is a "kindred spirits" mailbox where visitors can leave inspirational messages for others to read and contemplate. Locals and vacationers alike say the Kindred Spirit mailbox is one of the nuances that makes Bird Island and Sunset Beach unique. Some people say it's just an outgrowth of the beauty and serenity of the small beach town.
Sunrises and sunsets are spectacular here...hence the name Sunset Beach..
