The Town of Oak Island and the Town of Caswell Beach offer a combined 67 public beach access locations across the island. Each access differs in size and visual appearance varying from pedestrian-only pathways to large accesses with ample parking and emergency vehicle accessibility. Scattered throughout the Town of Oak Island are mobi-mats that assist those with limited mobility. Almost all public beach accesses, typically found at a street end, are marked with familar post-and-rope. A series of public accesses along Ocean Drive, close to the Oak Island Fishing Pier, are not marked with post and rope but provide clear pathways to the beach.
Public Beach Access Map
Similarly, a series of 130 total shared access pathways line the beach and offer direct beach access to oceanfront properties along East Beach Drive and West Beach Drive. Placed approximately every 60 yards, these shared accesses are marked with post-and-rope to provide guidance on where to safely and legally access the beach. Private, self made access points directly in front of each oceanfront home are no longer allowed by the town of Oak Island therefore beach goers are asked to use the numerous shared accesses installed by the Town of Oak Island.
Shared Beach Access Map
With nearly 200 combined legal pathways to access the beach, beachgoers should take note that walking, climbing or standing on the dunes otuside of a legal access is prohibited and monitored closely by town employees. Visitors and locals alike who do not utilize the many legal beach access points face hefty fines when disturbing the dunes, even when done unintentionally. Oak Island Accommodations encourages all beachgoers to familiarize themselves with these guidelines so a fine doesn't put a damper on a fun-filled day at the beach.
