Guidebook for Oak Island & Southport
Food Scene
OKI Scoop Shop and Donuts
4922 E Oak Island DrDelicious cake donuts and ice cream
More formal dining with good seafood and great views, right on the water.
85 locals recommend
Island Way
1407 E Beach DrMore formal dining with good seafood and great views, right on the water.
Kai-Joe's
4722 E Oak Island DrFreshly-made tacos and burritos. Order ahead to avoid a wait.
Bob's Dogs
8903 E Oak Island DrOpen for lunch only. A good, cheap, quick bite.
Great for an indecisive group. They have every type of ice cream and frozen treat imaginable - from Dippin Dots to italian ice. A variety of coffee drinks too.
Tropical Treats
5811 E Oak Island DrGreat for an indecisive group. They have every type of ice cream and frozen treat imaginable - from Dippin Dots to italian ice. A variety of coffee drinks too.
Great stop for whole fresh fish, local shrimp, crab cakes and more.
32 locals recommend
Haag & Sons Seafood
7901 E Oak Island DrGreat stop for whole fresh fish, local shrimp, crab cakes and more.
A landmark seafood joint just off the water in Southport. Order your food and sit down outside at a picnic table.
109 locals recommend
Provision Company
130 Yacht Basin DrA landmark seafood joint just off the water in Southport. Order your food and sit down outside at a picnic table.
Fantastic shrimp and grits, crab cakes and other fresh catch. Some good beers on tap, and picnic tables to enjoy the weather outside when it's not too hot.
84 locals recommend
Shagger Jacks
8004 E Oak Island DrFantastic shrimp and grits, crab cakes and other fresh catch. Some good beers on tap, and picnic tables to enjoy the weather outside when it's not too hot.
Great homemade ice cream in a variety of flavors.
37 locals recommend
Lil & John's Sweetreat Ice Cream Parlor
6324 E Oak Island DrGreat homemade ice cream in a variety of flavors.
A casual stop for seafood, steaks and burgers. They take reservations - good if other spots are busy during the week.
27 locals recommend
Tranquil Harbour Restaurant & Bar
5908 E Oak Island DrA casual stop for seafood, steaks and burgers. They take reservations - good if other spots are busy during the week.
A second go-to on Yacht Basin Dr in Southport. More of a sit-down meal than Provision Company. Fresh seafood specials, prime rib and live music most weekends.
116 locals recommend
Fishy Fishy Cafe
106 Yacht Basin DrA second go-to on Yacht Basin Dr in Southport. More of a sit-down meal than Provision Company. Fresh seafood specials, prime rib and live music most weekends.
Open daily for a classic diner breakfast. Recommended by fellow Oak Islanders and it's always a busy place in the mornings. (Yes, it's attached to a gas station)
37 locals recommend
Old Bridge Diner
132 Country Club DrOpen daily for a classic diner breakfast. Recommended by fellow Oak Islanders and it's always a busy place in the mornings. (Yes, it's attached to a gas station)
Yummy Italian Ice and ice cream, with a small outdoor patio to sit and enjoy
Sunset Slush OKI & Sandcastles: Sweets & Treats
6006 E Oak Island DrYummy Italian Ice and ice cream, with a small outdoor patio to sit and enjoy
Great food and great service, beside the marina and Intracoastal Waterway
52 locals recommend
Joseph's Italian Bistro & Chop House
5003 O'Quinn Blvd SEGreat food and great service, beside the marina and Intracoastal Waterway
Attached to the Oak Island pier, Koko Cabana has beachfront dining on the patio and an eclectic, fresh menu.
67 locals recommend
Koko Cabana
705 Ocean DrAttached to the Oak Island pier, Koko Cabana has beachfront dining on the patio and an eclectic, fresh menu.
Cafe Koa & Market
302 N Howe StIncredible brunch and coffee with a fun, island vibe.
A great spot for a beer and a bite, with a spacious outdoor area and views of the sunset over the intracoastal waterway.
Lonerider at Oak Island
A great spot for a beer and a bite, with a spacious outdoor area and views of the sunset over the intracoastal waterway.
Dry Street Pub & Pizza
101 E Brown StA favorite for pizza in downtown Southport
Burney's Bakery
808 N Howe StGreat croissants, pastries, desserts and ice cream.
Just off the Intracoastal Waterway with views of the water and marina
27 locals recommend
Rusty Hooks Dockside Grill
4907 Fish Factory RdJust off the Intracoastal Waterway with views of the water and marina
Drinks & Nightlife
Grape & Ale
8521 E Oak Island DrA variety of affordable wines plus good craft beer selection.
A nice stop in downtown Southport to do a wine or beer tasting. They also have board games if you want to fill a glass and stay a while.
13 locals recommend
Silver Coast Winery Tasting Room
105 S Howe StA nice stop in downtown Southport to do a wine or beer tasting. They also have board games if you want to fill a glass and stay a while.
Makai Brewing Company
5850 Ocean Hwy WA cool spot for pinball, Foosball and tasty beers.
Cool little bar with tasty beers on tap, located at Ocean Crest Peer so you can enjoy a drink by the water. Live music during the summer.
The Seahorse Eats & Drinks
1409 East Beach DriveCool little bar with tasty beers on tap, located at Ocean Crest Peer so you can enjoy a drink by the water. Live music during the summer.
A great beer selection, skeeball and shuffleboard, and a pub menu for a quick bite.
Paul's of Oak Island
A great beer selection, skeeball and shuffleboard, and a pub menu for a quick bite.
Sightseeing
Oak Island Lighthouse
300a Caswell Beach RdThe perfect place to watch a sunset. Head west to the end of the island for a public parking area with access to the beach.
33 locals recommend
The Point
The perfect place to watch a sunset. Head west to the end of the island for a public parking area with access to the beach.
Essentials
Food Lion
5901 E Oak Island DrLowes Foods of Oak Island
2829 Midway Rd SENewest grocery store on the island with good, fresh produce and great Boar's Head sandwiches at the deli.
32 locals recommend
Publix Super Market at Oak Island Marketplace
5003 E Oak Island DrNewest grocery store on the island with good, fresh produce and great Boar's Head sandwiches at the deli.
Walmart Supercenter
Entertainment & Activities
Oak Island Jungle Golf
6321 E Oak Island DrSurf Cinemas
4836 Long Beach Rd SETake the ferry from Southport to Fort Fisher.
550 locals recommend
North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher
900 Loggerhead RdTake the ferry from Southport to Fort Fisher.
Oak Island Golf Club
928 Caswell Beach RdA fun spot for zip lines, canopy tours and a unique swamp boat tour.
55 locals recommend
The Swamp Park- Zip Line and ATV Center
5550 Watts Rd SWA fun spot for zip lines, canopy tours and a unique swamp boat tour.
A short drive from Oak Island. A fun way to spend a cold or rainy day, with star shows, films and activities for kids.
34 locals recommend
Ingram Planetarium
7625 High Market StA short drive from Oak Island. A fun way to spend a cold or rainy day, with star shows, films and activities for kids.
Parks & Nature
Dutchman Creek Park
4750 Fish Factory Rd SEFishing, playground, ball fields and a disc golf course.
Middleton Park
102 E Dolphin DrPublic tennis courts, skate park and nice playground.
Shaded trail and butterfly garden make for a nice walk. A small public fishing pier on the Intercoastal Waterway. The Nature Center hosts learning activities for kids on weekends throughout the summer. Also a great place to go crabbing.
Malcolm Register Park
409 NE 52nd StShaded trail and butterfly garden make for a nice walk. A small public fishing pier on the Intercoastal Waterway. The Nature Center hosts learning activities for kids on weekends throughout the summer. Also a great place to go crabbing.
No fishing license needed, and you can rent fishing poles and buy bait here. An easy way to catch a few fish. You can also walk onto the pier for $1 to check out the view.
37 locals recommend
Ocean Crest Fishing Pier
1409 E Beach DrNo fishing license needed, and you can rent fishing poles and buy bait here. An easy way to catch a few fish. You can also walk onto the pier for $1 to check out the view.
Recently re-opened. Grab a beverage from the pier shop, and take a walk on the pier to catch a great sunset
59 locals recommend
Oak Island Pier
705 Ocean DrRecently re-opened. Grab a beverage from the pier shop, and take a walk on the pier to catch a great sunset
Shopping
A cool little shop with lots of local artist works and home decor. The driftwood whale in our dining room came from here.
Coastal Cottage Shoppe
5130 Southport-Supply Road SoutheastA cool little shop with lots of local artist works and home decor. The driftwood whale in our dining room came from here.
A cool toy store for the kids. They also have candy and some fun decor.
8 locals recommend
Bullfrog Corner
101 E Moore StA cool toy store for the kids. They also have candy and some fun decor.
Carries brands like Vineyard Vines, Southern Tide and Yeti coolers.
15 locals recommend
Ocean Outfitters
121 E Moore StCarries brands like Vineyard Vines, Southern Tide and Yeti coolers.
Exactly what the name says, plus a big candy shop in the back with lots of salt water taffy flavors.
22 locals recommend
The Christmas House
104 W Moore StExactly what the name says, plus a big candy shop in the back with lots of salt water taffy flavors.
Lots of Southport and Oak Island gear, fresh fudge, ice cream, unique gifts and food items.
Southport Market
Lots of Southport and Oak Island gear, fresh fudge, ice cream, unique gifts and food items.