Why this charming Brunswick County coastal community remains 'undiscovered'

Over the past decade, the coast of Southeastern North Carolina has rapidly grown into a more popular destination for visitors and new residents alike.

For some, an unfortunate byproduct of the Wilmington area gaining more widespread popularity is that some local coastal towns have gone from hidden gems to big-time vacation spots. But not all have been affected in that way.

Some remain relatively undiscovered by tourists, instead holding onto that old-school charm for at least a little while longer. One such beach town sits nestled in Brunswick County.

The travel publication TravelPulse listed 10 "U.S. Coastal Towns that Still Feel Undiscovered." Alongside beaches in Hawaii, California and Florida, Southport, Nort Carolina, made the list.

It could come as a surprise that Southport hasn't blown up in the same way that other local coastal communities have. The town's charming and historic setting has earned it several appearances on the big screen in films such as "I Know What You Did Last Summer" and "Firestarter."

Aerial photo of Southport on Monday, March 24, 2025, in Brunswick County.

Southport also sits roughly between the two major metros of Wilmington and Myrtle Beach, which gives it plenty of population to draw from.

So what makes Southport still earn the title of "undiscovered?"

For starters, Southport only had a population of around 4,000 at the time of the 2020 census. While that number has increased in the following years, the town isn't growing nearly as fast as some of its neighbors.

But that doesn't mean Southport isn't a great place to visit. For one, Southport has a rich history that it celebrates through places like the N.C. Maritime Museum and the Fort Johnston-Southport Museum.

The town also hosts festivals all throughout the year, including its Fourth of July Festival, which has been celebrated since 1795.

Southport's natural beauty is also not to be understated. Visitors can take in waterfront views of both the Cape Fear River and the Atlantic Ocean in Southport. And if you are looking to hit the beach, Caswell Beach is only a short drive away.

There's also plenty of shopping and dining to be done at local small businesses.

If you need yet another reason to visit, look to the slogan presented front and center on Southport's website: "Home of the salubrious breezes."

Salubrious means favorable to or promoting health or well-being. For Southport, the salubrious breeze encapsulates the peace and calm that's constantly rolling off the ocean and over the quaint town.

Charlie Kingree is the trending topics and Pender County reporter for the StarNews. He can be reached at [email protected].