Tucked away on the East Coast is a paradise that you should totally visit before summer ends. Masonboro Island Reserve is an oasis full of hidden gems to discover, like a shipwrecked sailboat that'll give you all the pirate vibes. Explore this stunning North Carolina island and escape from reality.
This scenic spot is located off the coast of Wilmington, North Carolina, near Wrightsville Beach. Masonboro is a barrier island that sits between the Intracoastal Waterway and the Atlantic Ocean.
Before you go, be sure to look over the rules for safety and preserving the natural beauty of this incredible place.
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There are miles of picturesque shoreline you can wander. Visit soon and you may come across a large Avant-Garde sailboat stuck on the sand just feet from the water called the Rising Sun.
Though a rope swing has been attached to the now-sideways mast, with a boat bumper for a seat, and the bottom has been graffitied, the boat is private property, according to Hope Sutton, Stewardship Coordinator & Southern Sites Manager.
"The vessel [...] is private property and will be removed from the island as soon as all of the various factors that need to come together to make this happen can be arranged," Sutton told Narcity.
But until then you can soak up some sun and enjoy the breathtaking ocean views hidden behind the vessel.
You'll make some amazing memories during your visit to Masonboro.
Leave nothing but footprints behind on these gorgeous shores and check it off your North Carolina bucket list.
Masonboro Island Reserve
Price: Free
Address: Masonboro Island, Wilmington, NC
Why You Need To Go: Explore a North Carolina island and see if you can discover its hidden gem.
Before you get going, check our Responsible Travel Guide so you can be informed, be safe, be smart, and most of all, be respectful on your trip.