Bird Island Reserve

Beautiful beach. It still amazes me that myrtle beach is right down the road—such a difference. I love how everyone pitches in to keep the wildlife safe and their environments clean.

I’ve been wanting to go to Bird Island at Sunset Beach, since I read about the Kindred Spirit mailbox in the Nicholas Sparks book “Every Breath”. It did not disappoint. The walk was about 1.5 miles from the end of the road. Such an amazing experience to write in the kindred spirit journal. Another few steps more and you reach South Carolina. One second I was on a North Carolina beach and the next I was on a South Carolina beach. A must see! The beach was quiet and serene. Not a lot of people.

This is a serene and quiet place to visit and a perfect place to leave a thought , a poem or advice for the next person. It's a nature walk and a visit to the Kindred spirit Mailbox to leave your thoughts or write in one of the notebooks in the mailbox. A must see and check off the bucket list for some!!

One of the great beaches in N.C. Bird Island is conjoined with Sunset Beach. This beach is a reserve sanctuary for birds and sea turtles. You can swim and Sun bath here as well as anchor you boat in the inlet waterway area. Bird Island is also home of the Kindred Spirit Mailbox and has a trail loop inside the dune area. Visit the lower area at the waterway inlet to watch boats go in and out for fishing, site seeing, casino cruises.

We walked the 1.7 miles from 40th. If you plan on walking though the reserve during October (and probably other months) wear sneakers and jeans. There are nasty, spikey, weed seed bombs. Our walk through the reserve was cut drastically short due to my companion's inability to walk through the grasses.
The reserve itself is untouched and lovely to look at; although, we a saw more birds walking to and from the area.

Love walking to the mailbox! When I see someone there writing I give them their time but when I went the other day I had a lady stand waiting for me to leave. She also was snapping photos of me which really upset me. To me that place is for you to reflect on life or prayer. Write down memories, words unsaid to someone or just to write a sweet note of support to anyone reading. I really didn't appreciate this photographer waiting for me to leave by standing at the foot of the dune and photographing me.

Truly an amazing white sand beach hidden in the southern most part of N.C. Don’t be in a rush here your on Island time here 😎

Great place to hangout and play games. Make sure you anchor front and back to keep from drifting

We rode out here on Southern Shores Island & Dolphin cruise.

The island is nice, quiet, and peaceful. There was hermit crabs further in near the marshes. We also found some small fish and some jelly fish that had been deposited on the shore.

Bird island has the whitest sand I've ever seen. The ocean is so peaceful

It was a peaceful walk. Son and dog had fun, with a leash of course lol.

Beautiful and peaceful! A little farther down this beach is the mailbox "kindred spirit". There is a notebook in the mailbox. You can write a message in this book for whatever your thoughts are. Such a neat thing and place

Quiet, peaceful. A perfect place to stroll and unwind.

Beautiful place to relax! Looking forward to taking my family again next weekend.

This is a great walk. If you are in shape go to the end if the island.

Pristine beach and peaceful setting. Nice walk 30 to 40 minute walk from the west end of Sunset Beach.

While bird Island is often visited as a leisurely walk along the shore from Sunset Beach there are also beautiful, serene nature trails tucked in behind the dunes (the entrance is marked on Google maps) for those who want a glimpse at the protected wetlands of the bird Island reserve. The trails are medium level difficulty.

Bird Island is wonderful but it is NOT accessible via Bay Street. I have encountered many lost walkers/drivers searching for it due to Google Maps' error. You need to go onto the beach via 40th St walkway then turn right and go along the beach until you see the big Bird Island sign. Not accessible with a vehicle.

Beautiful scenery and landscape. Great place for alone time or with the family. Many species of birds and waterfowl to observe during different seasons. Bring picnic, water bottles, sturdy shoes and layered clothing. Worth taking time to walk or just observe. Would recommend, will definitely go back to this spot. Worth the trip.

Whether you enjoy beaches or nature reserves this island probably has something to pique your interest. From the sunrises to sunsets the peaceful atmosphere and variety of wildlife make walking down here worthwhile.