Bald Head Island

Two miles off the coast and accessible only by a 20-minute passenger-ferry ride from Southport, Bald Head Island is pretty much a whole 'nother world. It's the southernmost of the state's barrier islands, just where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Cape Fear River, and less than an hour (including drive and ferry ride) from Wilmington.

Bald Head is certainly remote. No cars are allowed, only golf carts and bicycles; the speed limit's 18 mph - perhaps a nod to the island's George Cobb-designed championship golf course. No high-rise hotels here - a whole lot of lush foliage and a whole lot of deer; you'll see sea turtles and alligators along sea marshes, tidal basins and 14 miles of gorgeous beachfront. The fishing is quite fine: king and Spanish mackerel, blues, drum and flounder. The crabbing and clamming is good too.

Bald Head is an escape - but with plenty of amenities. The clubhouse restaurant is excellent, and there are several choices for casual eats with a nice view of the marina, and a coffee shop, of course, as well. There's also a grocery store and deli if you'd prefer to eat in.

Bald head is not cheap, and doesn't pretend to be. But there are some reasonably priced weekly rentals to be had, starting at $2,000 or so, which, if you're bringing a few folks with you is worth what you get.

Quiet is, most notably, what you get - quiet and quite a panorama.

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