Bald Head Island 2023 • Kath Eats
Here is the summary of our summer trip to Bald Head Island
The last time we came to Bald Head Island was in the summer of 2020. After a horrible experience of social distancing on the ferry, we decided to move to Oak Island in 2021 and 2022. This summer marked our return to the island.
sea oats shack
we stay in sea oats shack (a Wendy Wilmot property) for the third time. It is an absolutely beautifully decorated home with three king bedrooms and two twin rooms for the kids. It is also well stocked and semi oceanfront with a small path between you and the dunes. While the walk to the beach is actually a walk in the blazing sun, it’s our only commitment!
Read this post if you are looking for tips for traveling to Bald Head Island.
Bald Head Island 2023
As usual, our group consisted of my parents, my sister, her husband Matt, and their two daughters. Plus the four of us.
The cousins had a blast playing together for a week! Even the big pre-teen Mazen was very helpful and patient with his cousins. Emerson is 6.5 years old and she and Mazen were friends a lot, and Avery is 3.5 years old, so she and Birch were a couple most of the time. Birch said that she wanted to marry Avery!
Morning visitors to my bed!
arrival night
Getting to BHI takes us about six hours, plus all the madness on the ferry, but we were so glad we got there on Saturday around 5:00.
My sister had ordered the family style shrimp and grits at the Maritime Market, which was the perfect homecoming meal.
After dinner, we all ran to the beach!
I took some amazing photos of Birch… showing my thumb. Yuck!
Here’s one cut out!
Of course my kids were swimming in their clothes before we left. BHI is great for kids because the surf at South Beach is pretty mild but a lot of fun.
beach day on repeat
The next day was all beach! The children played for hours and hours and hours. Despite lots of sunscreen, Birch’s eyes burned badly from her wiping them with a towel! She wore a mandatory hat the entire rest of the week. We had a couple of super windy days followed by some super calm and hot days. Luckily we had minimal rain!
the opposite of cute
Other women look so cute on the beach. I don’t! Ha ha. I always wear a hat, a sun shirt, and bring 5 things.
beach boys
If you don’t have a beach umbrella system, You are missing out! These were great in 25mph winds AND for sun protection with their UPF shade on the hottest days. We have two umbrellas!
Other activities
We went to each of the pools on the island (part of the beach clubs my parents are members of) for some sand-free time.
Turtle Central
We also did a grandma shopping trip to Turtle Central and visited the king tortoises afterwards at the nature center.
Games
Beach Themed Sensory Jars
Mom brought individual sensory jars of Young + Wild which were a HUGE success.
There was a lot of snuggling that turned into…
Kids naps!
puzzle club
We did some youth puzzles.
followed by the Adult Puzzle Club finishing 500 cars and 1,000 Lego minifigs!
And Matt and I played Jaipur – a great game for two that is easy to travel with.
Musical theatre
The little kids and I put on a Lion King show. We didn’t rehearse a bit, but the audience enjoyed it!
Walks on the beach
The six adults took some nice walks on the beach. Mazen liked to go with my parents after dark, and I went early one morning when it was very quiet.
Applications at the Shoal’s Club
Every year, Dad treats us all to dinner at the Shoal’s Club, where we all share a plethora of apps. This was the only night where we got some fancy photos of all of us! I think one of the two times I put on real makeup and clothes.
Birch tells us that he “would be safe” running ahead:
The boys in their matchup bdraddy polo shirts (Mazen too)!
date night
The four youngest adults (not to be confused with the youngest adults!) went out on a date night while Grammie and Pea babysat. We went to Jules’ for cocktails and dinner.
bald head bottle
Thomas and Matt discovered Bald Head Bottle while shopping together and bonded over a glass of Chardonnay. They said we had to go back because Larbs and I would love it. They were right! What a nice modern addition to the island.
The orange wine on trend!
home cooking
We cooked twice: tacos night one and country cooking down night two when Matt’s parents came to join us for the day.
father’s day lunch
Larbs and I took Dad for a Father’s Day brunch at Horizons. This Watermelon Quinoa Salad was fantastic!
yepz
I brought some of the yepz for mom and Larbs to try. Larbs was a fan! Mom was a little scared to take more than a few sips. At 2mg, they are VERY mild and not “stronger” than a glass of wine. [Use code save35 for 35% off!]
kath eats real food
Breakfasts + lunches!
Cville’s Donuts
yogurt bowl + granola
Sandwich, fries and salad all in one!
Scrambled banana with egg and PB!
classic beach sandwich
horizon takeaway
The perfect mix of dining out and enjoying the comforts of home with the kids was ordering takeout from Horizons. It was very easy to email our order and send someone to pick it up at 6:00. We did this twice!
Yellowfin tuna salad
greek pizza
Lots of shrimp!
Dessert!
Be you next time!
This trip fortunately went very well. Larbs and I were discussing how this was the first year in MANY that we haven’t needed cribs, diapers, strollers, strict nap times, high chairs, baby monitors, etc. He made traveling there so much easier, and the cousins were all so happy to play together! We look forward to our next visit.
Machias Gachuzo