Everything there is to love about Holden Beach!

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Everything there is to love about Holden Beach, NC

Holden Beach is such an amazing beach. Located in North Carolina, it is nestled along an 8-mile stretch between the Intracoastal Waterway and the Atlantic Ocean. This beach has impressed so many people that it was Ranked among the “Top 10 Family Beaches in the US” by National Geographic’s, TRAVELER Magazine. 

For history buffs, this great barrier island of Holden Beach was purchased in 1756 by Benjamin Holden.  His family farmed and fished here for generations. They began developing the resort community that thrives today in the 1920s. Today, it has retained much of its same charm and small town feel as it had back in its earlier days.

The bridge that connects the mainland to Holden Beach had not always been there for beach goers. Before the Holden Beach Bridge was built in 1986, the way to reach Holden Beach was much more different. In the late 1930’s, before the ICW was constructed, Holden Beach residents got to the mainland via a log bridge. The Ferry service then began after the ICW was completed and only lasted up till 1954. At that time the beach town was developing so fast the ferry could not handle the traffic during the summer months. In 1953, a swing bridge started to be constructed about 1/2 mile west of the ferry landing, one which was built well enough to survive the winds of Hurricane Hazel. Holden Beach had become so popular that even the draw bridge could not handle the number of visitors coming each year. Then in May of 1986, this bridge was replaced by the current high rise structure that we know today as the Holden Beach Bridge. This amazing structure rises 65 feet above the Intracoastal Waterway. It provides a breathtaking vista of the ocean and a sweeping view of the island as visitors come across it. 

Holden Beach has a fishing pier where avid and casual fishermen can spend many a lazy day fishing. For turtle lovers, HB is also a sea turtle habitat. When it is sea turtle nesting season, the turtles can be seen coming ashore to lay their eggs. Nesting season on the North Carolina Coast lasts from Mid-May through August. Loggerhead turtles are the primary visitors to the North Carolina Coast, but occasionally a leatherback, a green sea turtle, or Kemp’s Ridley sea turtle will make its nest to our North Carolina Beaches.

The real beauty of Holden Beach is its limited commercial establishments on the island. This has given HB, an old-time beach for everyone to enjoy. The causeway leading to the island is lined with family owned specialty stores, gift stores and shops. 

Though many visitors just enjoy strolling on the beach and collecting sea shells, HB offers many water activities too. You can enjoy paddle boarding throughout the year, kayaking, surfing and jet skiing. There is always something fun to do on HB!

Don’t feel like cooking? HB has many restaurants to choose from when you are in the mood for an evening out. We have burgers and hot dogs, seafood, Southern comfort food, Mexican cuisine, fine dining, BBQ, deli classics, pizza, wings, bakeries, ice cream, and more!  Check out Mermaids Island Grill for their award winning Clam Chowder Soup. In the mood for locally caught fish? Check out Provisions Company for a casual waterfront dining experience. No matter where you go, the time will be well spent with good food and good old southern hospitality.