From sunrises and seafood to swimming, surfing, and kayaking ... it's not hard to have a perfect day at Sandbridge Beach. However, it never hurts to have a plan. Here's our idea of the best way to spend a day on Sandbridge.
Catch the Sunrise
Sunrises on Sandbridge Beach are spectacular. The sun comes up early in the summer — just after 6 a.m., but this sunrise is worth getting up for. If you don't want to set the alarm on vacation, sleep with your blinds open and get up as the sky begins to lighten. Grab your coffee and walk to the beach to watch the show.
Breakfast at Baja Coffee
Reward yourself for rising at the crack of dawn with a hearty (or light) breakfast from Baja Coffee. The shop is open from 6:30 to 11:30 a.m. Tuesday through Sunday, and is located just a short drive from the fishing pier.Treat yourself to a freshly baked cinnamon roll or muffin, a breakfast wrap, yogurt and homemade granola, a fresh-fruit smoothie, or even a gluten-free quiche.Baja's coffee comes from Kill Devil Coffee Roasters in the Outer Banks of North Carolina. The beans come from small independent farmers who are focused on sustainability and organic growing methods. This is the most delicious small-batch coffee you'll find, so you may want to linger for a second cup.
False Cape Bike Tour
After breakfast, it's time to get moving with a False Cape bike tour. The bike tour is a new activity for Surf & Adventure Co., and it's sure to become one of the most popular.Meet at Little Island Pier for a 10 a.m. start on one of two tours. You can either bike the semi-paved roads in False Cape State Park or rent a fat-tire sand bike and cruise the beach. Tour the interior roads, and you'll pedal through high dunes and diverse ecosystems. Of the two tours, this is the least strenuous. Keep an eye out for critters such as deer, foxes, birds, and wild pigs.The beach tour will take you east of the dunes across pristine, undeveloped beaches. You may see dolphin and seabirds starting their day too.
Lunch at Simply Steamed
If you're ready for a break and a big glass of tea, head to Simply Steamed. Start with a jumbo shrimp cocktail, crab cake, She Crab soup, gazpacho, or a salad before diving into one of their famous sandwiches. Choose from local favorites such as the seafood wrap, shrimp taco, lobster salad, or crab-cake sandwich, or go for traditional entrees such as a BLT, Club, or fish sandwich. Take your lunch to the deck outside the seafood market and relax.Before you leave, notice their one-pot take-out meals. Pots are custom made to order and can include corn on the cob, onions, red potatoes, and any combination of shrimp, clams, mussels, crabs, lobster, and crawfish. A small pot feeds two or three people, and the large pots can feed a large group or family. All you have to do is steam the contents of the pot in water, beer, or wine, and serve.
Shopping at Sandpiper Beach Shop
After lunch, it's time for a little shopping at Sandpiper Beach Shop. This cute store is the best place to find the ultimate Sandbridge Beach souvenir. You'll also find beach clothing for the whole family, sun hats, beach toys, sunblock, games, beach-themed home décor, and more.
Fishing and Swimming at Little Island Park
Little Island Park is a 122-acre beach park north of Back Bay Wildlife Refuge. The park features a massive 775-foot pier that stretches out into the Atlantic Ocean. Bring your pole and your fishing license and try your hand at landing a bluefish, drum, or Atlantic mackerel. If you're not an angler, there's much more to do here.The gentle waves are just right for swimming, surfing, or learning to surf. There are Pickleball courts, tennis and basketball courts, volleyball and beach volleyball courts, a playground, restrooms, concessions, vending machines, and a canoe and kayak launch.Didn't bring your gear? Don't worry. You can rent badminton equipment, sports balls, corn hole boards and bags, Frisbees, and volleyball equipment. You can also borrow beach wheelchairs on a first-come, first-served basis.
Blue Pete's Sunset Dinner Kayak Tour
Cap your perfect day with Blue Pete's Sunset Dinner Kayak Tour, a lovely one-way journey through Back Bay Wildlife Refuge to Blue Pete's restaurant. First, you'll kayak through Back Bay Wildlife Refuge, enjoying the breathtaking scenery before landing at the restaurant.Blue Pete's is one of the most popular restaurants in Sandbridge Beach, and for a good reason. Relax over a dinner of fresh seafood or steak, and when you're ready to return, Surf & Adventure Co will take you (and your kayak) back to the store. No experience is necessary.Whether you follow our plan for a perfect day or make your own, you're sure to create lasting memories on your Sandbridge Beach vacation.
