900 Loggerhead Rd, Kure Beach, NC 28449-3786

Visitors to the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher, located in Kure Beach (a short drive from Wilmington), enjoy an exploration of “The Waters of the Cape Fear.” Journey down the Cape Fear River – from freshwater streams and swamps, to coastline habitats, reefs and the open ocean - discovering unique habitats and aquatic wildlife. Meet a rare albino alligator named Luna. Get eye-to-eye with a loggerhead sea turtle. Talk to a SCUBA diver swimming with sharks rays and eels. Compare teeth with a megalodon. Touch sea stars, horseshoe crabs and even sharks! Play outside in the Adventure Reef play area. Feed free-flying tropical birds. Free daily programs include dive presentations, animal feedings and encounters. Explore more with behind-the-scenes tours, outdoor adventures, classes, camps and more. Open 363 days a year, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily (closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Days). Tickets available at the door and online.

1610 Fort Fisher Blvd S, Kure Beach, NC 28449-3755

At the dawn of the American Civil War, the Confederacy took control of land in southeastern North Carolina near one of the two outlets to the Atlantic Ocean from the Cape Fear River. Fort Fisher was the largest earthwork fortification in the Confederacy and was constructed to protect this vital opening. Ships running the Federal blockade of the port of Wilmington, known as blockade runners, supplied necessary goods to Confederate armies inland. By late 1863, the supply line through Wilmington was the last remaining supply route open to Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia. The Federal Army and Navy attacked Fort Fisher December 24, 1864. After two days of fighting with little headway, Federal commanders concluded that the fort was too strong to assault and withdrew their forces. However, they returned for a second attempt on January 12, 1865. For two and one-half days, Federal ships bombarded the fort on both land and sea face. On the fifteenth, more than 3,300 Union infantry, including the 27th U.S. Colored Troops, assaulted the land face. After several hours of fierce hand-to-hand combat, Federal troops captured the fort that night. The Confederate army evacuated their remaining forts in the Cape Fear area, and within weeks Union forces overran Wilmington. Once Wilmington fell, the supply line of the Confederacy was severed, and the Civil War was soon over. This site has been declared national historic landmark. Along with a restored palisade fence, approximately ten percent of the fort still stands. Guided tours, outside panel makers and museum exhibits provide a historical point of reference. Shaded by gnarled live oaks, a scenic trail leads tourists from the visitor center past the gigantic earthworks and around to the rear of the fort. Visitors are invited to tour the remains of the fort's land face featuring an impressive reconstruction of a 32-pounder seacoast gun at Shepherd's Battery. Fort Fisher State Historic Site is located in Kure Beach on what was then known as Federal Point and today as Pleasure Island.

100 Atlantic Avenue, Kure Beach, NC 28449

1000 Loggerhead Rd, Kure Beach, NC 28449-4845

Old historic fort that was the site of two major Civil War battles.

Kure Beach, NC

Kayak Carolina is the Cape Fear area’s premiere kayak rental and tour company! Our tours and rental services cover the entire Cape Fear region, including Wrightsville Beach, Carolina Beach, Kure Beach, and Wilmington. Find tours around Zeke’s Island, Fort Fisher, Shark’s Tooth Island, Masonboro Island, Sugarloaf Dune, Bald Head Island, and so much more. Book your next adventure with Kayak Carolina today! Our tours begin with a paddling clinic led by an American Canoe Association Certified Kayak Instructor, to introduce you to the basics of kayaking including proper boat fitting and paddling strokes. Our tour guides are all lifeguard/CPR/first aid certified and are knowledgeable in local wildlife, history, and ecology.

105 Atlantic Ave, Kure Beach, NC

Kure Beach, NC

111 K Ave, Kure Beach, NC 28449-3614