Charter Fishing Boats Available

Pleasure Island is also the locale of Carolina Beach State Park. Located at the northwest corner of the island, more or less at the juncture of Snow’s Cut and the Cape Fear River, the park has a marina with more than 40 slips, launch ramps, concessions, hiking trails including the Flytrap trail, an 83-site campground, group camping and an outstanding visitor’s center with educational programs and exhibits.

Freeman Park, just past the North End Pier, is owned by New Hanover County but controlled by Carolina Beach, and features about a mile or so of uninhabited beach at the very northeast tip of the island. The park is accessible only on foot or by four-wheel-drive vehicles with the proper wide tires. Overnight tent camping on the strand is permitted, as are campfires. There is an admission charge and Carolina Beach police patrol the area.

For the fishermen, in addition to surf fishing, there’s a sizable charter boat fleet in the boat basin plus fishing from the large cruise boats. Pleasure Island has two fishing piers, one at the north end of the island in Carolina Beach and one in Kure Beach.