Things to do in Sunset Beach.
A long walk to Bird Island and the Kindred Spirit mailbox, the Town's park on the waterway, the ocean pier, the old pontoon bridge, a planetarium, and boat trips from the Calabash waterfront.
Bird Island & the Kindred Spirit mailbox
Bird Island is an undeveloped state coastal reserve at the west end of the beach, open year round. There's no bridge or road: you walk west along the beach from the 40th St. access.
- The Kindred Spirit mailbox sits in the dunes about 1.4 miles out from the 40th St. access, so it's about 2.8 miles there and back. People leave notes in the notebooks inside.
- Parking: a few paid spaces at 40th St. and Main St., roadside parking near the 40th St. crossover, and more paid lots on N. Shore Dr. and at the pier.
- Reserve rules: no fires, fireworks, camping or motor vehicles (bikes are allowed on the ocean beach). Dogs on a leash. Don't take plants or animals.
- Bring: water, sun cover and shoes. There are no restrooms or shade out there.
From the NC Coastal Reserve Bird Island page and the Town of Sunset Beach Places & Events page, checked Oct 11, 2026.
The park, the pier & the old bridge
Sunset Beach Town Park
The Town's 5-acre park on Mary's Creek and the waterway, on the mainland side of the bridge.
- Picnic shelter, boardwalk, benches and swings.
- A fishing pier on the waterway and a kayak launch.
- Restrooms and a dog watering station.
- It's where the Town holds Sunset at Sunset, its block party on the first Saturday in October.
Sunset Beach Fishing Pier
The ocean fishing pier, about 900 feet long, with a snack bar and tackle shop. Its own site says it opens the first Saturday of March and runs to the end of November, 7 days a week (closed Thanksgiving).
The Old Bridge
The tender house of the pontoon bridge that carried cars to the island from 1958 until the new bridge opened in 2010. Now a small museum with a store. Its own site says it's open Wednesday to Saturday, 10 AM to 2 PM, March 1 to December 19.
Ingram Planetarium
Dome shows Thursday to Saturday, and Friday and Saturday evening laser shows in the fall season (Sept 3 to Dec 31, 2026). Good for a rainy day.
From the Town of Sunset Beach Park & Recreation and Places & Events pages and each place's own website, checked Oct 11, 2026. Hours change with the seasons, so check before you go.
Parks, sights & nature
Tap a pin for directions and the website.
Boat trips, fishing & rentals
The fishing fleets and dolphin cruises leave from the Calabash waterfront on Nance St., about 3 miles west of the bridge as the crow flies. More about Calabash →
Boat rides & tours
Fishing charters
Kayaks, bikes & beach gear rentals
These companies say on their own websites that they serve Sunset Beach. Remember the Town's shade rules: what's allowed on the sand.
From each business's own website, checked Oct 11, 2026. Listed A to Z; not a review or endorsement. Prices, seasons and service areas change, so check with them.