- With mild temperatures year-round, Holden Beach provides a great setting for beach and water activities. Visitors can take advantage of nearly eight miles of beaches for swimming, fishing and boating. Boat ramps can be found near the Holden Beach bridge for launching motorized boats and canoes, kayaks, and other smaller vessels are also allowed along the shoreline. The Holden Beach Pier provides an ideal location for fishing and also for enjoying the ocean views and sunsets. Various businesses exist in Holden Beach that rent Jet Skis, canoes, kayaks, beach chairs and other water-sports equipment.
- The number of family activities available in Holden Beach help it rank as a top beach destination for families. The Loggerhead Sea Turtle, a protected species, utilizes the Holden Beach area as a nesting area. From July to October families can experience baby turtle hatchlings on the beaches. For more active family fun, the Treasure Island Miniature Golf Course (no website; 3445 Holden Beach Road, Holden Beach; 910-842-4878) features bumper boats, rock climbing wall, carousel, ice cream shop and arcade.
- With more than 100 golf courses within an hour drive, Holden Beach is also a prime destination for golfers. The Lockwood Folly Country Club (lockwoodfolly.com) sits only three miles from Holden Beach and provides 18 holes of woods, sand and water traps and views of the coast. The 30 courses located in Brunswick County range from high-end private courses to inexpensive public courses and fit all golf skill levels from amateur to professional.
- With an eclectic mix of stores, Holden Beach will also please shoppers. Fun stores such as Callahan's Gifts (callahansgifts.com), which sells a wide range of nautical-themed gifts, can be found all over the island, most within easy walking distance from anywhere on the island. Shoppers can take advantage of a number of art galleries, antique stores and gift shops to find a souvenir to bring home. Just 10 minutes away in Shallotte are several chain grocery and department stores and Wilmington, North Carolina, and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, only 35 to 45 minutes away, have a number of malls.