Sunset Beach Travel Guide

This is a unique bridge and should be viewed. Most pontoon bridges are temporary. As far as I know there are only three in the US - one in Seattle, one in Hawaii, and this one. Others exist in Europe or in the Caribbean.

The theory is that a bridge that floats on the surface of the water won't be as likely to be swept away by rising water levels.

The bridge is supported on floating segments, and one section of it is pulled aside by cables to allow boats to pass through. (It is important not to go through the bridge until the cables are out of the way - even if you can't see them, they are there under the water and will damage your boat if you try to rush the bridge opening.)

If there is insufficient water, however, the bridge doesn't float and can't be pulled aside.

The photo shows clearly the single lane which carries traffic across the bridge

If you are driving to Sunset Beach, there is only one way on and off of the island itself and that is both unusual and a potential source of frustration. The bridge swivels on a pivot point rather than lifting and lowering, which is much more typical. Boats, especially commercial boats, have priority on the Intracoastal Waterway, so you may have a very long wait to get on or off of the island. From 7 PM until 7 AM, commercial boats still have priority but pleasure craft do not, and there are fewer commercial craft plying the evening waters so if you can arrive or depart during those hours, the chances of a lengthy wait are less likely

A 1300 acre nature preserve owned by the state of North Carolina lies between Sunset Beach and the South Carolina state line. It is composed of beaches, marshlands, and other wetlands and was purcahsed by the state in 2002 for the primary purpose of maintaining a habitat for wildlife in that area, including several endangered species. The most famous of those species is probably the loggerhead sea turtle but they also include wood storks, piping plovers, Kemp's ridley, and black skimmers.

An unusual feature in the preserve is an old-fashioned rural mailbox. The words "Kindred Spirit" are written where you would normally expect the house number and residents' names to appear. Inside, there is a journal. Visitors are welcome to share their thoughts of the area with future visitors and, of course, to review the reflections of their predecessors.

Golf, meetings, vacations, and even real estate investment opportunities can be yours at the Sea Trail Conference Center and Golf Resort. Three separate courses deigned by three different course designers (Rees Jones, Dan Maples, and Willard Byrd) offer a beautiful array of challenges.
You can take a virtual tour of their courses at their website.
Their overnight accomodations are mostly one to four bedroom villas and start at around $300 per night. They do have planned activities for children and a fitness center which includes a swimming pool.