Father and son on beach

Wilmington, NC Eco-Adventures

Discover renewal in a diverse ecosystem featuring coastal waterways, the Atlantic Ocean and Cape Fear River, as well as state and local parks teeming with wildlife. Explore uninhabited barrier islands, spot native Venus flytraps and uncover hidden gems found only at low tide.

 

Barrier Islands

Carolina Runner

Masonboro Island

Accessible only by boat, visit Masonboro Island located near Wrightsville Beach. This North Carolina Coastal Reserve and National Estuarine Research Reserve System is rich with wildlife, including coastal birds, sea turtles and dolphins. Embark on tours and cruises through local outfitters, such as Epic Excursions and ​​Wrightsville Beach Scenic Tours, to explore the largest undisturbed barrier island along southern North Carolina’s coast.

Zekes Island Kayak

Zeke's Island Reserve

Explore pristine Zeke's Island, an important shorebird habitat home to tidal flats, salt marshes, dunes and beaches. In addition to serving as a site for long-term research and education, Zeke’s Island offers prime birdwatching. Keep your eyes peeled for dunlin, black-bellied plover, white ibis and more. Located on the Cape Fear River Basin, access the island with a boat rental or through a guided eco-tour or kayak rental from Kayak Carolina, paddling out at the public wildlife ramp. Once there, traverse to the barrier-spit portion of the Reserve and explore the North Island, the largest and most ecologically diverse of the three islands, and enjoy walking trails overlooking the Reserve site.

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The Diminishing Republic

Crossing the iconic drawbridge from the mainland to Wrightsville Beach, look towards the northeast and see a sandbar known by locals as “The Diminishing Republic” or “Palm Tree Island.” Complete with a fake palm tree and a parking meter, the island is said to be maintained by a secret society of locals who show up when the treetop needs replacing. Boaters often anchor there on either side of the low tide to temporarily inhabit the island, which slowly disappears as the water begins rising toward high tide. The treetop is the only visible part of “The Diminishing Republic” at high tide. See if you can spot it!

Maritime Trails

WWII Bunker on the Basin Trail

Hermit Bunker

Fort Fisher State Recreation Area’s legendary hermit, Robert E. Harrill, lived in an abandoned WWII-era bunker near the Cape Fear River along a salt marsh from 1955 to 1972. Harrill attracted visitors who sought to listen to his philosophies and wisdom during his stay there. Today, hike along the state park’s 1.1-mile Basin Trail to view the bunker he made into a home. The Fort Fisher Hermit has been the subject of numerous documentaries and articles, and even a live stage production.

Venus Flytrap

Venus Flytraps

Did you know the Venus flytrap (Dionaea) grows natively only within a 60-mile radius of Wilmington? Blooming in May, this remarkable plant entraps unsuspecting insects by closing its bristly leaves. See this remarkable plant at Carolina Beach State Park by visiting the bog garden behind the visitors center or hiking the Venus Flytrap Trail, a half-mile loop that features other indigenous carnivorous plants, such as the Bladderwort and Pitcher Plant. The state park’s rangers lead free guided carnivorous plant hikes on Saturdays from spring through fall; check the schedule as you plan ahead. For even more Venus flytraps, visit the public Stanley Rehder Carnivorous Plant Garden and find additional locations here.

Coastal Wildlife & Beach Gems

Baby Sea Turtle

Loggerhead Sea Turtles

Did you know Loggerhead sea turtles visit Kure Beach between mid-May and September? Learn more about this protected species as you observe sea turtle hatchlings at the award-winning North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher. Each year, the aquarium nurtures a handful of hatchlings that have been rescued from doomed nests and releases them the following year. The volunteer-led Pleasure Island Sea Turtle Project is dedicated to the protection and preservation of threatened and endangered sea turtles. During nesting season, volunteers monitor from the southern end of Kure Beach to the northern end (including Freeman Park) of Carolina Beach.

North Carolina Birding Trail

Peruse 11 sites on the North Carolina Birding Trail across Wilmington and its three island beaches, including Airlie Gardens, Oakdale Cemetery, Fort Fisher State Historic Site, Fort Fisher State Recreation Area, Zeke’s Island Reserve and more. The area’s unique geographic setting along the Atlantic coast flyway provides both breeding and wintering grounds for many birds, creating a premier birding destination.

Wrightsville Beach Mailboxes

Mailbox on the Beach

In the sand on the north end of Wrightsville Beach, find a special mailbox where people pour their hearts out. Visitors write letters to clear their conscience and place them in a mailbox for safe keeping. The mysterious mailbox somehow stays stocked with paper, pens and stories from visitors sharing their fondest beach memories year after year. 

River Exploration

Go Local - Wilmington Water Tours

Eco-River Tours

Gain a new perspective of the history and ecology of our waterways and the area surrounding the Cape Fear River with Wilmington Water Tours. Cruise by historic downtown during an Eagles Island Cruise as you learn about flora and fauna, as well as local rice plantations. Book Wilmington Water Tours’ Black River Cruise to learn about the variety of wildflowers, wildlife and spectacular cypress trees along the meandering river. Cape Fear River Boats invites visitors aboard the 4-hour Black River Nature Cruise to hear about the swamp forest’s plants and wildlife from a local coastal ecologist. Enjoy a customizable paddling eco-excursion on Wilmington’s tranquil, slow-moving Black River with Mahanaim Adventures.

Cape Fear River - Wilmington, NC

Wilmington Riverwalk

Stroll along the Riverwalk to explore part of the Cape Fear Estuary, an important ecological system filled with coastal wildlife. Learn more from signage displayed along the 1.75-mile meandering path. Bring your binoculars to spot species like the American Alligator, River Otter, Snowy Egret and manatees, among others.

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