Kure Beach

Carolina Beach merges into the town of Kure Beach. Kure Beach (pronounced "CURE-ee") is a younger community. Development began in the 1870s when Hans Andersen Kure moved from Denmark and bought large tracts of land in the middle of the island. Kure Beach was incorporated in 1947.

Today Kure Beach is overwhelmingly residential, dotted with modest cottages, new upscale houses and a number of beach motels. Several condominium buildings cluster together in one area, but there is little in the way of tall buildings. At the center of town, a popular fishing pier extends well out over the ocean and there are several restaurants. A charming boardwalk with benches extends north along the beach and is lighted at night.

You won't find a lot of amusement park-style entertainment here, although there is an arcade. There is very little in the way of shopping. A permanent population of 1,500 residents makes for a very close community. Kure Beach will remain small because it is completely surrounded. The Fort Fisher State Recreation Area and Historic Site are on the south side, and the U.S. Government owns the west side as part of a buffer zone for the military terminal at Sunny Point across the Cape Fear River. Carolina Beach borders the town on the north. Of course, the Atlantic Ocean forms the east border.

To the south of Kure Beach are the Fort Fisher State Historic Site and Fort Fisher State Recreation Area. The Historic Site, amidst twisted live oaks on the west side of U.S. Highway 421, was the largest of the Confederacy?s earthwork fortifications during the Civil War. It fell to Union forces in 1865, cutting off the last of the Confederacy supply lines from the sea. During World War II, as an arm of Camp Davis to the north, it became an important training site for anti-aircraft and coastal artillery defenses and a large airstrip was located there. An extensive, newly expanded visitors center offers guided tours.

The Recreation Area on the east side of U.S. 421 has 4 miles of wide, unspoiled beach, a visitor center with bathhouse, a snack bar and restrooms.

The North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher, which was closed for nearly two years due to construction, was expanded to become North Carolina's largest aquarium, reopening in the spring of 2002. The aquarium has many dramatic exhibits and features a huge shark tank and half-acre freshwater conservatory.

Atthe southern end of U.S. 421 is the Fort Fisher/Southport Ferry, possibly the best $5 cruise in the world. Across the road is a public boat launch area that is popular for windsurfing, parasailing, kite boarding, kayaking and fishing.

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