While many folks come to Ocean Isle Beach to soak up the sun and frolic in the warm waters of the Atlantic, many others come to the area to explore the surrounding ecological features.  One such place, and a personal favorite of mine, is the Green Swamp.

Located a short 20 minutes drive from Ocean Isle Beach is the Green Swamp Preserve. The preserve encompasses over 17,000 acres and is home to some of the country’s finest examples of longleaf pine savannas. The open savannas have a diverse herb layer with many orchids and insectivorous plants.

Brunswick County itself has the largest number of rare species of any of North Carolina’s 100 counties. A number of plants and animals are found here and nowhere else.

The Green Swamp contains 18 species of orchids and at least 14 different species of insectivorous plants, including:

• extensive populations of Venus flytrap
• sundew
• four species of pitcher plant
• 18 species of orchids

On your next visit to the area, why not pack your hiking boots and binoculars and spend an afternoon exploring this wonder of Brunswick county? There are hiking trails throughout the swamp and vast savannas, which provide ample space for bird-watching or photographing rare plants and wildflowers.

Holidays are here and many of us will be in a hurry to see friends and family when trekking the friendly skies. If you are jetting your way across the country or just boarding for a quick flight, here is some Holiday food-for-thought. Pass these tidbits to those you think could use the extra nourishment.

>Check-in online. This will save time in line!

>Arrive for your flight early. Avoid unexpected hold-ups!

>Leave behind sharp objects…don’t bring that pocket knife you thought would be a cool Christmas gift for little Jimmy

>Remember the 3-1-1 Rule: place any liquids/gels (weighing no more than 3.4 ounces or 100 ml each) in a quart size freezer bag, one per passenger, for easy inspection…put in checked luggage if possible.

Exceptions: liquid medications, baby formula and breast milk

>Prepare Credentials, these will be asked for immediately: boarding pass and picture identification

>Attire: omit the jewelry, empty pockets, wear those slip-on shoes and sport a jacket that is easy to remove

>Keep laptops in their carrier bags. Some video cameras and DVD players will need to be removed

>Select the right line. This allows those of us more familiar with the process of boarding to get through quicker

>Handy Holiday Tip: keep presents unwrapped until you get to your destination.

The flight experience has been different for us all since the last decade but maybe these morsels of information will abet our Holiday Travel adventures.

Enjoy Life and Take Off!

Though 2012 is just around the corner, the end of 2010 ended an era when the familiar 500-foot-long single lane pontoon swing bridge of neighboring Sunset Beach was retired. Servicing traffic to and from the island since 1961, it was the last of its kind still in operation on the east coast. Every morning, at each hour between 7am to 9am, traffic would sit at a red light on either side of the waterway. The bridge would swing to the side to allow boat passage with a system of pulleys and cables. From a vantage point in a little white house that sits directly on the wooden bridge itself, the bridge operator would open the bridge at the top of each hour. Throughout the day as well, a signal from a commercial boat would command a repeat performance.With the demands of tourism, a growing population and progression in general, the old bridge became obsolete. Despite 30 years of controversy from locals that did not want to see the bridge replaced, a new 65-foot-high two lane arch bridge was completed in October 2010, the Mannon C. Gore Bridge.

The antique bridge was moved to a donated portion of land just beside her replacement. Currently decorated for the holidays at her dry dock, she frequently receives visitors from history buffs, old friends and locals alike.

You can see a video of the last day the bridge was in operation here.

As 2011 quickly comes to an end, preparations for 2012 are already underway at the Ocean Isle Inn.  Over the past several weeks our management team has worked side by side with our customer service staff to develop more exciting vacation packages for the upcoming new year.

Along with the great rates you’ve come to expect from the Ocean Isle Inn, we will also be bringing you, our valued guests, some fantastic packages with some of the most popular attractions in the area.  How about a night gambling aboard the SunCruz Casino boat or sampling some of your favorite wines from Silver Coast Winery in Ocean Isle Beach?

Keep checking out our Specials page and our Facebook page for more details as we make them available. Until then, enjoy the remainder of 2011 and have a happy holiday season and we’ll see you at the beach in 2012!



Make someone’s holiday a bit brighter by giving them an Ocean Isle Inn Gift Certificate.  Our Gift Certificates can be an ideal gift idea to help someone get away for the weekend or take an extended vacation.  It’s perfect for friends, family or business associates.  Our Gift Certificates can be purchased in any dollar amount and are redeemable year-round.  Wrap up your holidays with the perfect gift…the gift of relaxation at the Ocean Isle Inn.

Call our office today to get your certificate. 1-800-352-5988

Summer isn’t the only time to plan a vacation to the beach.  The holiday season is also a great time to visit us.  Temperatures are mild, prices are low, and there is an abundance of holiday activities for the entire family, so start making your plans today! Here is just a sampling of events in the area.

Raleigh Ringers – Nov 19 -  8-10pm - Wilmington, NC
One 17-member ringie-dingie that’s 50% classics & rock, 50% holiday favorites — and 100% awesome. Performing on one of the most extensive collections of bells and bell-like instruments in the world. Count on “Jingle Bells” from jingling bells, seasonal classics with a familiar ring – plus hits from Lynyrd Skynyrd, The Who, Led Zeppelin & Queen.

Ocean Isle Beach Flotilla Saturday, November 26.. There will be a boat parade starting at 5 p.m. and traveling down the Shallotte River in front of Inlet View Bar & Grill and proceeding down the IntraCoastal Waterway to the commercial canal in front of Sharky’s next to the bridge of Ocean Isle Beach.

The Nutcracker –December 1^st and 2^nd 7-8pm Thalian Hall Enjoy this holiday classic’s favorite characters & highlights in a condensed, narrated 60-min. version perfect for the whole family, little ones included.

Cape Fear Festival of Trees December 3^rd and 4^th Wilmington, NC. The festival of trees and Nutcracker is a community event organized by the Wilmington Ballet Company and Minnie Evans Performing Arts Center/Ashley High School where a significant portion of the proceeds benefit Lower Cape Fear Hospice and LifeCareCenter.

Christmas on Ice now through Dec 31 Start Christmas in style as Santa and his merry helpers take you on an unforgettable nostalgic Christmas journey on a 40ft ice skating rink and a massive winter wonderland stage.

Carolina Opry Christmas Special  now through Jan 2, 2012 A holiday tradition for over 25 years, The Carolina Opry Christmas Special brings the spirit of Christmas to life with music, comedy and dance.

New Years Eve!

December 31, 2011  8:00pm ~ Sharky’s Restaurant of Ocean Isle Bring in the New Year as the Shark drops from a three-story crane at Jimmy Buffet’s favorite nightlife spot on Ocean Isle Beach.

Make the Ocean Isle Inn a part of your holiday tradition

The recent Paws-Ability Poker Run hosted at the Ocean Isle Inn was a grand success! It generated over $9000 this October and will be an annual event at the Ocean Isle Inn. The organization helps our community be a better place. Keeping the feral cat population on the island of Ocean Isle under control with their spay/neuter program is just one of their feats.  Paws–Ability also provides funds for the Brunswick County animal rescue groups for their needs.

Thanks go out to all of the sponsors, volunteers and participants that contributed to the success of the First Annual Bicycle Poker Run that was held October 29^th 2011!!!

Looking forward to seeing even more faces next year……

As many of you already know, the Ocean Isle area is home to a managed population of feral cats.  Some of these friendly felines have chosen to call the Ocean Isle Inn home. Over the past year we have worked diligently with a local animal group, Paws-Ability to help assure that these animals are taken to a vet for spaying and neutering and given their shots.  It has truly been a cooperative effort between our staff and their staff to make sure these whiskered wanderers and given the TLC they need.

Paws-Ability is a non-profit 501-c3 organization and as such relies heavily on donations from the community to assist them in their cause.  They are also instrumental in helping other local animal groups and shelters in the Brunswick County area.  As such, we decided that we wanted to give something back to them for all the help they have given us.  We are pleased to announce that we will playing host to:

First Annual Paws-Ability Bicycle Poker Run

Saturday, October 29, 2011

Registration 1:00

Ocean Isle Inn, 37 West First St., Ocean Isle Beach, NC

Fee: $25 per rider

The poker run will include stops on the island to draw playing cards and end at the Ocean Isle Inn’s outside pool for refreshments, prizes and a silent auction.

You can register online for the Poker Run HERE