Kure Beach

 . Kure Beach is about 19 miles south of Wilmington, on the southernmost tip of Pleasure Island. Located between the Atlantic Ocean and the Cape Fear Rive,r the town was established in 1870 .

Restaurants feature fresh seafood. Accommodations range from charming motels to comfortable cottages, efficiencies, and condominiums. Everywhere you’ll want to go is within easy walking distance. Miles of beautiful untouched beach are available. Start at the Fort Fisher State Recreation Area, adjacent to Kure Beach, with bathhouse showers, a Visitors’ Center and concession stand. You can also explore the area’s rich and diverse coastal habitats, ranging from unspoiled salt marshes and dune covered beaches to maritime forests.

In addition to sun, sand and surf, you can explore the last major stronghold of the Confederacy at Fort Fisher.

Take a ferry cruise down the Cape Fear River to picturesque Southport and back again.

Kure Beach is best known for its landmark 712-foot long fishing pier. First built in 1923, the Kure Beach Fishing Pier has survived numerous hurricanes, having been continually fortified and rebuilt. It’s a beautiful place to simply watch the sun rise over the Atlantic, or cast a line and test your fishing technique. If you’re lucky, you might meet up with king mackerel, Spanish mackerel, flounder, sheepshead and blues.

The North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher features a 235,000 gallon saltwater tank and a 22,000 square foot conservatory... along with live exhibits of sharks, sea turtles, alligators, and other native marine life. With the opening of a new gallery in November 2005, there’s never been a better time to visit. Visitors now encounter not only native species but also tropical sea snakes from the Pacific, fluorescent cuttlefish from the Mediterranean, and grotesquely beautiful Indo-Pacific lionfish. Daily programs feature live animals, marine life videos, and special activities. Plan on a couple of hours to tour the aquarium, more if you’d like to search for relics in the Fossil Hunt or visit the gift shop.