The Museum of Coastal Carolina is the only North Carolina Natural History Museum that’s located on a barrier island, and is a fun destination for visitors of all ages to dive deep into the unique and beautiful coastal region. Located in the heart of Ocean Isle Beach, just a couple blocks away from the oceanfront and the Ocean Isle Beach Pier, this rainy day destination will impress patrons with its wealth of natural, interactive, and eye-catching treasures.

Visitors will find plenty to do once inside the museum, thanks to a series of exhibits that are designed to both educate and entertain. Kids can get their hands on live sea stars or sea urchins in the touch tank, dig in the fossil pit for ancient sharks’ teeth, explore the wild dioramas that showcase marine life, or even watch a movie on the sea turtles that nest along the Ocean Isle shoreline.

There’s also a host of seasonal programs that highlight a unique component of the region, as well as a gift shop on-site for shore-specific goodies. Engaging for visitors of all ages, the centrally located Museum of Coastal Carolina is a must stop for any Cape Fear newcomer who wants to learn more about this remarkable and distinct region.

Museum of Coastal Carolina

21 East 2nd Street, Ocean Isle Beach, NC 28469
910-579-1016

Memorial Day through Labor Day, 2023
Open Mondays through Fridays, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Tuesdays and Thursdays until 7:00 pm
Sundays 12:00 to 4:00 pm.

Planetarium Theater

April 3 through Sept 4, 2023
Doors open at 10:30 am Mondays through Saturdays

Open Memorial Day, Monday May 29

Dome shows start on the hour from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm

Laser shows on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 6:00 and 7:00 pm

See the events schedule for daily programs.

Laser Light & Music Shows

Laser music shows are a hugely popular and historic offering at the Ingram Planetarium. These immersive experiences include laser artwork, live covelight effects, and star projector effects as a backdrop for some of the biggest and most beloved hits in music. All laser music shows are performed live by our team of planetarium facilitators. They are an out of this world adventure you are not soon to forget!

Laser shows begin promptly.

Arrive 15 minutes early.

For your safety, late arrivals will not be admitted to the theater after a show has begun.

FAQ for Laser Light Shows

Check our Events Calendar!

Ocean Isle Beach
Hours
*Off-season hours may vary*
Call 910-579-1016 for current hours.
  • Monday10:00am-04:00PM
  • Tuesday10:00am-04:00PM
  • Wednesday10:00am-04:00PM
  • Thursday10:00am-04:00PM
  • Friday10:00am-04:00PM
  • Saturday10:00am-04:00PM
  • Sunday12:00PM-04:00PM
Victory Beach Vacations

Visitors who are on the hunt for the postcard-perfect vacation rental in the heart of the Carolina Beach or Kure Beach area will find an enticing selection and plenty of friendly customer service when they rent through Victory Beach Vacations. Based in Carolina Beach in the coastal Cape Fear region, Victory Beach Vacations has more than 100 vacation rentals in all shapes and sizes to ensure that every vacationing family can find their dream home away from home on the beach.   When you book your Cape Fear getaway with Victory Beach Vacations, the fun doesn’t end when you leave the beach, it continues with an array of privately-owned properties outfitted with all of the amenities needed for a fabulous beach vacation.   Jenna Lanier, General Manager, explains that her family first opened the rental and property management business in 2002. At the forefront of Victory Beach operations is Lanier’s mother, Caroline Meeks. Meeks is both the Broker in Charge and co-owner with husband, Buck Meeks, who manages the Field Services team with Lanier’s husband, Scott.   For nearly 20 years, the Victory Beach team has worked tirelessly to establish a network of top-of-the-line rental properties for Cape Fear visitors to enjoy. “As far as our properties go,” explains Lanier, “they are all updated, well-furnished and appointed. “We have always performed post-cleaning inspections and since the pandemic, have put freshly laundered duvets over all of the comforters between rentals.”   Lanier emphasizes how important the guests experience is “we strive to give our guests a relaxing, stress free, memorable vacation.” This emphasis on customer service has led to Victory Beach Vacations having a 4.8 Google rating with over 300 reviews by happy owners and guests.In addition to Victory Beach’s superior sanitation practices, the company offers properties for every type of visitor. Choose from luxury oceanfront houses and condos to more reasonbly priced 2nd row properties with oceanviews. Many properties include pools and hot tubs as well, perfect for outdoor entertaining, and many are dog friendly.   Lanier also notes that all properties are within walking or driving distance to Pleasure Island’s main attractions – Carolina Beach and Kure Beach. The former, as described by Lanier, is the more commercialized of the two destinations and features a boardwalk, outdoor dining options and a plethora of weekly activities including fireworks, live music, amusement park pop-ups, and movies under the stars. Kure Beach offers a more residential feel with its fishing pier, intimate restaurants and family favorite, North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher.More water fun awaits, too. “There is a harbor and a canal that feed into the intercoastal. We have several properties on the harbor so guests can bring their boat, kayak, [or jet ski] and travel between islands,” says Lanier.   A stay with Victory Beach Vacations is an annual pilgrimage for most. “A large percentage of guests are previous guests. Some even reserve the same property for the next year as they’re checking out,” Lanier says. “It’s almost like it’s their personal vacation home.”   Even before guests arrive at their vacation destination, the Victory Beach Vacations’ website greets them with a live beach cam and exquisite aerial footage of both Carolina and Kure Beaches. See for yourself by scanning the QR code and call Victory Beach Vacations at 910.458.0868 to book your Cape Fear getaway. Start making your memories today! —Grace Silipigni