If you are looking for a beautiful North Carolina beach, then you may have thought about checking out Kure Beach, a small beachfront town just south of Wilmington. While visiting Kure Beach, one of the top attractions is the Kure Beach fishing pier, located at 100 Atlantic Avenue, Kure Beach, NC 28449.
It is one of the most popular attractions in the Wilmington area, and it can present you with a beautiful ocean view. This is also a popular location for anglers and you might even be able to catch some mackerel right from the pier!
During your time at the beach, here’s what you really need to know about the Kure Beach Pier. Learn more about beach access, and don’t forget to swing by the bait shop and gift shop during your visit!
The Pier Is Family-Owned and Operated
First, when you swing by the pier, keep in mind that it is family-owned and operated. Therefore, it has a tremendous amount of history for the town of Kure Beach. It is an unmistakable landmark of the region, and it is a popular destination among people who want to check out everything the fishing scene has to offer.
If you go out to the edge of the pier, you should take a minute to look to your left and right. This is one of the best locations to take in views of the amazing coastline, and you can see everything from Fort Fisher State Park to Carolina Beach. There are lots of people who can spend all day sitting on the end of the pier with a fishing pole; however, remember to wear some sunscreen! You don’t want to get a sunburn.
The Oldest Fishing Pier on the Atlantic Coastline
If you take a minute to appreciate the Kure pier history, you will probably realize that this fishing pier is the oldest one along the Atlantic Coastline. It was constructed in 1923 by a local resident, named LC Kure. This is also where the name of the beach comes from.
When the pier was built, the goal was for the pier to be the crown jewel of a giant entertainment complex that would bring a bunch of tourists to the Wilmington area. Of course, Kure Beach gets its fair share of tourists throughout the year, but it still retains the small-town charm that makes the pier so popular along the east coast.
There are plenty of attractions to check out during your visit. For example, you may want to explore a few of the shops and restaurants that have been built along the pier. There used to be a bunch of bathhouses in the area as well; however, these have long since faded away as a public attraction. Many of the beach house rentals and cottages still remain, so you might want to explore some of that history, as well.
The Pier Has Been Destroyed and Rebuilt Several Times
Even though the original pier was built in 1923, it is not the same structure that you see today. Since it was first constructed, the pier has been destroyed and rebuilt several times.
The initial pier was 120 feet long; however, it was destroyed by a lot of the animals that live in the area. Small worms burrow through the structure, weakening it to the point that it collapsed.
In 1924, the pier was rebuilt. This time, it was 240 feet long and constructed using reinforced concrete. Eventually, this pier was destroyed as well. In 1954, Hurricane Hazel came through and destroyed it.
Again, the pier was rebuilt. Unfortunately, another hurricane came through and destroyed the pier. In 1984, Hurricane Diane came through and leveled the pier once again. Another iteration of the pier was built, only to be destroyed by Hurricane Bertha in 1996.
Clearly, something had to be done. At this point, the operator of the pier was the grandson of LC Kure, and he wanted to make sure the next version of the pier would be built to last.
Therefore, he reverted to the original structure but also increased the elevation and added some actual structural reinforcements. Now, the pier is 26 feet above the ocean, leading to a much stronger structure. Even though Kure Beach still gets its fair share of hurricanes, this version of the pier has stood the test.
The Biggest Draws and Attractions Along Kure Fishing Pier
Clearly, there is a lot of history behind this pier, but what is there to do today? Some of the most popular activities include:
- Consider bringing a lounge chair to check out the ocean view. Kick back, relax, and let the salt, sand, and wind rush through your hair as your marvel at the ocean waves.
- Take a break from the sun by visiting the concession stand. This is a great place to get a cold beverage, enjoy an ice cream, or you can enjoy a different quick snack.
- Do not forget to pick up a souvenir from your trip. You can visit the gift shop to see what they have to offer.
- You should also swing by the arcade. There are plenty of games to play, and there are several pool tables. This is a fun stop for people of all ages.
Even though these activities are fun, the best draw is certainly the fishing. You can catch a wide variety of fish including bluefish, sharks, drum, flounder, and numerous other fish. The most popular catch is the king mackerel, so make sure you bring plenty of bait. If you are looking for the best bait, you may want to swing by the local bait shop.
Furthermore, the fishing pier hosts regular fishing tournaments. They are meant for people of all ages, and many fishing tournaments raise money for people with special needs. If you want to try your luck against some of the top fishermen in the area, consider signing up for a tournament.
Even though the pier is free, you will have to pay a fee to go fishing. When you are done, remember to stroll down to the sand with a towel and an umbrella!
No alcohol is allowed on the premises, but you can still jump in the water to cool off. Now you’re ready to take advantage of everything the Kure Beach Fishing Pier has to offer. This ocean front park in New Hanover County is an amazing, family-friendly beach!