Sunset Beach  NC

Sunset Beach is the most southern island of the South Brunswick Islands and of the North Carolina Barrier Islands. And town of itself. The population was 1,824 at the 2000 census. Since most of Sunset Beach and the adjoining Bird Island coastal reserve encompass a barrier island, the only way to get there from the mainland is by crossing a pontoon bridge (swing bridge) stradling the Intracoastal Waterway and adjacent marshland. It is a wooden structure and is the only one of its kind still in use along the East Coast. While this does cause headaches for those trying to get on or off the island, many locals say the bridge does give the town a more relaxed feel. Historically, this has been in stark contrast to the rapid growth affecting other beach communities, including the Grand Strand. However, as of February 2008, the North Carolina Department of Transportation started construction to replace the old bridge with a modern, 65' high arc bridge (non-draw, non-swing) that will eliminate the need for a bridge keeper, and will provide for a continual flow of vehicle traffic on and off the island, and water traffic on the Intracoastal Waterway

The road onto Sunset Beach comes to an end at Sunset Blvd. just across from the main entrance onto the beach, graced by the Alantic Ocean which spans in front of you as far as the eye can see. The view is only made more dramatic by the east-west alignment of the island, like the other South Brunswick Barrier Islands. Although it was the last area island to be developed, Sunset Beach has remarkably grown to an almost built-out stage of developement.The Town consists of both mainland neighborhoods and a barrier island of approximately 1200 homes. Two of the larger mainland neighborhoods in the Town are golf course developments at Sea Trail Resort and Sandpiper Bay. The island is primarily home to vacation rental cottages, although there are close to 100 fulltime residents as well. three miles of coastline in North Carolina. Sunset Beach, incorporated in 1963, is the smallest and quietest of three barrier islands which together, make up the modestly famed South Brunswick Islands. But with its wide snow-white sand beaches, huge dune ridges, and marsh areas, Sunset Beach continues to have a very natural and secluded feeling. An uncommon coastal scene, this small sequestered island is crowned with a naturally wide, gently sloping, white sand beach and a shroud of undisturbed sand dunes.

The Town of Sunset Beach is actually comprised of much more than the island alone. Several square miles of mainland offer a variety of necessities, amusements, and educational activities. Residents and visitors frequent the many local shopping centers, golf courses and dining spots and find comfort in the security of first-rate local medical facilities. Cultural, spiritual, and educational activities are all nearby, including Ingram Planetarium. Calabash, the Seafood Capital of the World,is just a few miles away. Bird Island, which is a natural area and 1300 acre State Preserve on the barrier island, is connected to Sunset Beach and reachable by boat, walking, or biking along the beach and is home to Loggerhead turtles. The shoreline, dunes, maritime forest, and marshland are also an important hibitat and nesting area for various species of birds that are threatened or endangered. One can walk from the public parking area and gazebo at Sunset Beach, along the Bird Island beachfront, all the way to South Carolina. The Town of Sunset Beach is dedicated to preserving the small-town character of its community. Our fundamental goal is to preserve the tranquility of our coastal environment--which has become the basis for visiting and living in Sunset Beach while improving the overall quality of life through controlled and orderly growth.