Bald Head Island
No bridge connects the mainland to the island. Access to the island is by passenger ferry or private boat. Ferry departs Indigo Plantation & Marina in Southport, N.C. Primary mode of transportation on Bald Head Island is by electric carts.
2000 Census Population – 173- 51.4 % male
- 48.6% female
- Median Age 56.3
- Total Housing Units – 599
- Occupied housing units – 88
- Vacant Housing Units –511
- Seasonal, recreational or occasional use – 331
- 2004 Population Estimate – 209
- Southern-most Barrier island
Things to Do & Points of Interest
Bald Head Island Conservancy – dedicated to conserving the natural resources in and around Bald Head Island, through environmental conservations, education and land preservation. Offers turtle walks and many other educational programs.
Bald Head Island Cluboffering tennis, croquet, dining, recreation and a George Cobb designed, 18-hole golf course.
Bald Head Island Historic ToursAn historical, and sometimes hysterical, narrated tour of Bald Head Island delivers facts and fancy, legends and lore. Tours run Tuesday-Saturday starting at 10:30 am. The $40 price also includes round-trip ferry passage, lunch voucher, and entrance to the Smith Island Museum of History and the Old Baldy Lighthouse. Tours for those already staying on the island are available for $30 (price subject to change without notice). Call (910) 457-5003 for reservations.
Bald Head Island FerryBald Head Island’s passenger ferry service is run by Bald Head Island Transportation, Inc. The mainland ferry terminal is located at Indigo Plantation and Marina in Southport, N.C. For schedules and information on passenger ferry service call (910) 457-5003 or, click here to download ferry schedule:
Winter Schedule (12/1 - 2/28)
Summer Schedule (3/1 - 11/30)
Worship services- guest preachers of all denominations.
Beachesfourteen miles of beaches.
Cape Fear & Frying Pan ShoalsShoals stretching 20 miles out into the Atlantic Ocean. Cape Fear is one of three NC capes, which also include Cape Hatteras and Cape Lookout.
Captain Charlie's StationNational Register of Historic Places and privately owned. Built in 1903, three cottages overlooking Frying Pan Shoals housed lighthouse keepers and their families.
Fort Holmes SiteDirt and log earthwork fortification built in 1863 by Confederate troops. A model of the fort is on display at Smith Island Museum of History.
Maritime Forest State PreserveLive oaks, palmettos with an under story of various species such as holly, yaupon and dogwood. Northern most region of the sabal palm.
Old Baldy LighthouseClimb the steps of North Carolina’s oldest lighthouse which was built in 1817.
Smith Island Museum of HistoryCharming replica of the 1850's light keeper's cottage located next to Old Baldy lighthouse.
U.S. Life Saving Station Old BoathouseSee the outbuilding that housed the servicemen in the early 1900s, as well as the boathouse that housed the vessels that brought food & supplies for people manning the Cape Fear Lighthouse and the U.S. Life Saving Station.
Major Festivals & Events
- Bald Head Island Fishing Rodeo
- Bald Head Island Regatta
- July 4th Annual Golf Cart Parade
- Maritime Classic Road Race