Holden Beach vacation rentals Archives • Page 3 of 3 • Holden Beach Vacations Blog

November 27, 2020January 13, 2021

Plan Your 2021 Family Vacation Today

2021 will be here in a little over a month and it’s time to plan your 2021 family vacation. The temperatures may be cold right now, but soon it will be perfect vacation weather. Take advantage of planning your next family vacation to Holden Beach early to get the most out of your vacation. It’s always nice to have your Holden Beach vacation planned early so you can enjoy it.

Budget Time

The first thing that you will want to get a handle on is your budget. Planning any vacation can take a lot of time, but if you know what you can afford it will help. With a little bit of budgeting and knowing when you would like to go can take a bit of financial stress away. To get things started, have a family meeting to see what the family would like to do on vacation. For example, if you’d like to do a few activities and dine out, add that to your budget. Purchasing gift certificates before you leave on vacation will help keep you on track. You will have a peace of mind knowing that you can relax while on vacation rather than stressing.

Vacation Rental

One of the many advantages of booking your next family vacation to Holden Beach now is the choices you have to choose from. With many different vacation rentals to choose from you will be able to find the perfect one. No matter what kind of rental you are searching for, we have the right location for you. Here are a few other advantages you have booking with us over a hotel:

Location – We are able to offer you more options in a home than a hotel can. Whether you’d like an oceanfront home, second row home, pet-friendly home, we have them for you. You won’t get the “standard” view as you would from a hotel room.
Kitchens – All of our vacation homes offer you the perfect kitchen for your vacation needs. From small kitchens to large kitchens, you will be able to prepare and cook your meals here for your family.
Size – When you vacation, we understand that size does matter for your family. We wouldn’t want you all to be in one room, so finding a home that can accommodate everyone is just what you will get.
Amenities – Many of our homes have pools, hot tubs, grills, and other fun things for you to do. Vacationing in a home much more pleasant than a hotel room and you still can enjoy the fun.

Plan Your Actitivies

Many families like to plan their activities out before they even book their vacations. Sometimes your plans can change if it rains, so always remember to make a backup plan. There are so many different activities that you and the family can enjoy while you vacation. From heading over to Magic Mountain to enjoying some mini golf, there is something for everyone. And we are about 45 minutes from North Myrtle Beach if you’d like to try a few restaurants there. Being prepared for your vacation can help you and your family enjoy it a little more.

Now that you and your family have come up with a plan, it’s time to book your 2021 vacation. With the ease of booking your vacation online, we want to help make this vacation the best it can be. If you should need any help with booking your vacation, please contact one of our Vacation Specialists today at 800-842-6949. We hope that your family will be able to find the perfect Holden Beach vacation rental today for your next vacation!

September 21, 2020January 13, 2021

3 Kid-Friendly Restaurants to Try in Holden Beach

Do you and your family have a vacation planned to visit Holden Beach this year and are looking for an excellent kid-friendly restaurant? Then look no further as we at Holden Beach Vacations have picked three restaurants that we recommend you try. Staying in one of our Holden Beach vacation rentals will keep you and your family close to some of these fantastic restaurants. Let’s look below at our top 3 kid-friendly restaurants to try on your next visit to Holden Beach.

Patronies Pizza

3 Kid-Friendly Restaurants to Try in Holden Beach

Pizza from Patronies Pizza happens to be a great kid-friendly restaurant on the island. Pizza is a favorite among the kids and adults, as it’s easy to find something on the menu that everyone will love. Not only will you find pizza on the menu, but you’ll find some other great items too. Some of the things you will find on the menu are pizza, heroes, pasta dishes, and more. Patronies also have a great kid menu to choose from, such as chicken tenders and fries and spaghetti. Let’s not forget about their dessert menu, which offers your family cannoli’s, cheesecake, and more!

Simply Barbecue

Another favorite kid-friendly restaurant located in Holden Beach would have to be Simply Barbecue. Known for having a fantastic menu to choose from, including their family meals to go, this restaurant is one of our top picks. Some of the food that your family can enjoy is their pulled pork sandwich, St. Louis Ribs, their dinners to feed the whole family, and more. You can also purchase their “Old Man” dinner, which includes pulled pork, brisket, rack of ribs, sides, cornbread, and an apple crisp. Simply Barbecue is a favorite among the locals, too, and we had to include this in our kid-friendly restaurant’s list.

The Scoop

If you’re looking for a great kid-friendly restaurant that offers not only breakfast and lunch items but sweets too, then The Scoop is for you. Kids of all ages love eating at this restaurant as it’s perfect for the whole family to enjoy. Some of the items you’ll find on the menu are Bagel Sandwiches, Burritos, Waffles, Hot Dogs, and Sandwiches. If you’re looking for something to satisfy your sweet tooth, then be sure to try out their ice cream. They have fresh waffle cones, brownies, muffins, floats, and homemade ice cream. We can promise you that this restaurant will become a favorite for your family too! Right now, it is taken out only, but don’t let that stop you from trying this fantastic restaurant out.

While there are many other kid-friendly restaurants located in Holden Beach, we wanted to share these with you. If you haven’t booked your next vacation to stay in one of our Holden Beach vacation rentals, now is the time. We look forward to seeing you and your family on your next vacation and giving these restaurants a try!

August 31, 2020January 13, 2021

Hunt for Seashells on Holden Beach

Do you and your family have a vacation planned for Holden Beach soon? If the answer is yes, then we want to share with you some of the seashells you’ll find on the beach. Staying in one of our Oceanfront vacation rentals will allow your family to be close to the surf and sand. Let’s look below at what seashells you’ll be able to find on the shoreline here in Holden Beach.

Scotch Bonnet

Did you know that the state of North Carolina has its very own seashell? Yes, it’s real, and we promise you that you will see this shell on the beaches of the North Carolina Coastline. The Scotch Bonnet is the official shell of NC, and it’s one that you will often find while the kids are playing or looking for shells. These shells are often characterized by their shape, which looks like a bonnet and has short spirals and a distinguished pattern of orange squares. These aren’t big shells and will typically only be around 3” when they are fully grown.

Moon Snail

A moon snail is often called a “shark eye” because of its color and look. They usually are a gray color with a glossy outside that, if looked at just right, it does look like an eye of a shark. These aren’t large shells, and they make an excellent decoration for sandcastles that the kids will be building while on vacation. They are also an excellent shell to decorate with paint to give them a little more pizzazz to them and could keep them as souvenirs.

Calico Scallop

Have you ever seen a scallop at the aquarium before but wondered if you could find them on the beaches in NC? If the answer is yes, then you’re in luck as they are often found here on the beaches of Holden Beach. The Calico Scallop is often seen in colors of reds, pinks, oranges, purples, and browns. They are often mistaken as being Atlantic Bay Scallops, which are generally black, dark grey, red and yellow. Either way, both of these shells are most common on the beaches and within the sand.

Banded Tulip

A Banded Tulip is often found in the Holden Beach area and is one that you will have to see. It’s a thin-looking shell that is parallel in shape and gray with olive green splotches on it. This shell usually is about 2-4 inches long and is one that the kids will go nuts about. These can often be found near the shoreline, and if you sit in the sand and dig a little, you will find a ton of.

While there are many other shells that you will be able to find on the beach, these are the few we wanted to share with you. If you haven’t booked your next vacation in an Oceanfront vacation rental, now is the time. We can’t wait to see you and your family on your next vacation to Holden Beach this fall!

June 30, 2020January 13, 2021

Fun Summer Activities to do near Holden Beach

Do you and your family have a summer vacation planned for Holden Beach? If you do, then we want to share a few fun activities around the area. Staying in one of our Holden Beach vacation rentals will allow you and your family close to some of the activities. Let’s look below at some of the fun summer activities you can do near Holden Beach.

Tour H2O

Fun Summer Activities to do near Holden Beach

If your family likes to try new things on the water, then head on over to Tour H2O. They have pontoon tours and Kayaking tours available this summer. Rent a pontoon boat for 2 hours and enjoy your time on the open waters enjoying the quiet time. You may even get to see a dolphin or two while you are on tour. They also have kayaking tours where you can do a self-guided tour or a guided tour. This is a great way to see Holden Beach via the water and make new memories with the family.

Rent a Jet Ski

Another fun activity that you and the family can do is rent a jet ski. This is a high activity that is perfect when you have older kids. This is a way that everyone in the family can enjoy some time out on the Intracoastal Waterway. Holden Beach Jet Ski Rentals will be able to help you and your family enjoy your time spent together. They will be able to show you a safety orientation, and with your rental, you will have life vests and a full tank of gas to enjoy the day. Holden Beach Jet Ski Rentals are located in Supply, NC, just a short drive away from your vacation rental.

Fish the Day Away

Fishing is a high, fun outdoor activity that your family can do together. Head on over to the Holden Beach Fishing Pier located in the heart of Holden Beach. This fishing pier was founded in 1959 and allowed you and your family to enjoy time together, making new memories. Bring the fishing rods, bait, sunscreen, and drinks with you. Think of the fun you can have, even if you don’t catch anything. Capture the memories on camera as you enjoy a new adventure this summer.

While there are many other things that you can do in the Holden Beach area, we wanted to share these with you. If you haven’t booked your Holden Beach vacation rental yet, now is the time. We hope to see you and your family as you make new memories at the beach this summer!

April 29, 2020January 13, 2021

3 Free Things Your Family Can Do this Summer in Holden Beach

Do you and your family have a vacation to Holden Beach this summer and are looking for some fun things to do? If so, then we at Holden Beach Vacations can tell you about three things you can do with the family for free. Staying in one of our Holden Beach vacation rentals will keep you and your family close to where the fun is. Let’s look below at what those three things are you can do together as a family in Holden Beach for free.

Climb the Oak Island Lighthouse

3 Free Things Your Family Can Do this Summer in Holden Beach

Have you and your family ever visited the nearby Oak Island Lighthouse before? If not, then you are missing out on one of the best views in the area. Taking a tour of the lighthouse is how you will be able to climb to the top. And best yet, the tours are free! One of the things that we recommend to all of our guests is to make reservations for the tours. Since they are free, they do fill up quickly, and during the holidays, it could be hard to request. Be sure to take your camera with you and your phone so that you can capture the memories and views from the lighthouse.

Enjoy a Hidden Gem

Anytime you go on vacation with the family, sometimes finding new places in the area is the best part. If you’re looking for a new park to head to, then we suggest trying out Sailfish Street Park. Located along the Intercoastal Waterway is where you will find this park along with another park, Sanddollar Park. Both are hidden gems when it comes to parks where you can watch boaters go by, fish a little, and enjoy the beach. You may even get to see some dolphins come to say a quick hello and other cool wildlife. Spend the day at one of these parks and see how your family likes them.

Building Sandcastles

This activity that your family can do together and is free is to build a village of sandcastles. When staying in one of our Holden Beach vacation homes, your family will be close to the beach. For many of our staff remembers going to the beach with our families and building sandcastles. Give each one of the kids something to build with the sand and then take a fun video or picture with each castle. Think of all the new memories that will be made by just creating a sandcastle together on your next vacation!

While there are many other fun things that you can do for free in the area, these are the few we wanted to share with you. If you haven’t booked your next family vacation to visit this summer, now is the time. We can’t wait to see you and your family and hear all about the fun things you did!

November 25, 2019January 13, 2021

Play a Round of Golf this Winter in Holden Beach

Do you live in a state that gets a lot of snow during the winter months but you’re ready to take a quick vacation to Holden Beach? You’re in luck because while it may be cold and snowy back home, you will have pleasant weather down here. Staying in one of our Holden Beach vacation rentals will keep you and your family close to the shoreline and yet close enough to a golf course. If you and your family love to play a good game of golf or two together, then this getaway or vacation is just what you’re looking for this winter.

What Season is the Best to Golf?

Many have realized that during the summer months, it is a little less desirable to go golfing in the afternoon. The reason being is that it does get awfully warm during the day and can be a little too hot for the whole family to join you. Instead coming during the fall & winter times seem to be the ideal time to play golf. Even though it may be the wintertime, you will still want to protect your skin from the elements including the sun. So be sure to bring with you some sunblock, wear protective clothes and be sure to drink plenty of water. This will help you and your family enjoy your vacation to Holden Beach but going to the golf course can make it more fun.

Where’s the Green?

If you have never played golf while on vacation to Holden Beach before then you have been missing out on some fun. Not only will you not have to worry about it snowing during your game, you will find the weather is quite pleasant too. One of the closest golf courses to our area is going to be Lockwood Folly Country Club located in Supply, NC. This course is roughly a 15-minute drive from the island, and you will be able to see its gorgeous course. The course offers views of the Intracoastal Waterway and beautiful wildlife. Don’t miss this amazing course on your next vacation to Holden Beach with the family or friends.

Practice Makes Perfect

There are many great things about picking up the club if you’ve never been golfing or haven’t played for quite some time. This is a great activity that you can do with the whole family by getting some swing time at the driving range. Another way to practice your swing is by heading over to Fantasy Isle Mini Golf or Treasure Island Mini Golf for a few rounds with the family. And if you didn’t bring your clubs with you on the vacation, then you are able to drive to North Myrtle Beach where you can rent golf clubs for the duration of your vacation. Either way you get to spend time with your friends and family on this fun adventure to practice your swing!

No matter what the reason is for wanting to play a round or two of golf is while you vacation to Holden Beach, these are just a few suggestions. Staying in one of our Holden Beach vacation rentals will keep you and your family wanting to come back for more. Make this an annual trip each winter to escape the cold weather and freezing temps to play golf at the beach!

September 28, 2019January 13, 2021

Don’t Miss These Fun Events Happening in October

Are you and your family taking a vacation to the Southern Coast of North Carolina in October? If the answer is yes, then we have to tell you about the fun events that are happening locally. Staying in one of our Condo rentals will keep you and your family close to where the fun is happening. Let’s look below at some of the fun events that are happening during the month of October on the coast.

39^th Annual North Carolina Oyster Festival

The North Carolina Oyster Festival is well known to many who visit the area during the fall months. This is the 39^th year that the festival has been going on and you won’t want to miss it this year. The North Carolina Oyster Festival is being hosted in Ocean Isle Beach which is just a short drive from Holden Beach on October 19^th & 20^th. There will be plenty of things that everyone in the family can enjoy such as arts & crafts, live entertainment and of course the one reason to visit, oysters. This is a festival that you will want to return to year after year for the amazing things you can enjoy at the 39^th Annual North Carolina Oyster Festival!

Boo at the Beach

If you have kids in your family, then this event is for you. The Town of Holden Beach is hosting “Boo at the Beach” this year and it’s an event your kids are going to love. Happening on Saturday, October 19^th at the Pavilion is where you can bring the family for some trick or treating fun. This event is from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm and is fun for everyone in the family. Some of the fun things that will be happening at the event is carnival games and candy. And to help make the day even better is they will be providing a Free 5K Color Run beginning at 9:00 am. What a great day of fun to spend and make new memories with the family together with joining in this fun event!

Fun Day at Sunset at Sunset Festival

Sunset Beach is hosting their very own fall festival this year called “Sunset at Sunset Festival”. This is a community block party with many local vendors and locals who like to celebrate fall at the beach. You can get several things from this festival from food to live music there is something for everyone in the family to enjoy. Plus you will be able to get several different arts & crafts from local vendors to give as a gift or you can keep them to remember this fun trip. This even will be happening on October 5^th from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. Don’t miss this fun day spending it with friends and family.

No matter what kind of event you’re looking for on your next family vacation, we can tell you these events above you won’t want to miss. If you haven’t booked your next family vacation to Holden Beach this October, now is the time. We can’t wait to see you and your family as you make new memories together by joining in the fun events happening locally!

May 12, 2019September 29, 2020

Everything You Need To Know About Holden Beach Sea Turtles [2020 Update]

It’s Loggerhead Sea Turtle Nesting Season Here at Holden Beach

While summer doesn’t officially start until June, a certain guest starts checking in for oceanfront stays as early as May 1st. Each year, hundreds of loggerhead sea turtles come to the shores of Holden Beach and the other Brunswick Islands to lay their nests and eggs, which will hatch sometime before October 31st. And when you stay in one of our oceanfront Holden Beach rentals, you may have the opportunity to see a nest or even a turtle.

Holden Beach Sea Turtle Nesting Season

Many of the local residents’ love turtle nesting season not only for the warm weather, but also because it means that they’ll start seeing their favorite quests roaming the beaches. Turtle nesting season in Holden Beach starts on May 1st and ends on October 31st each year and is the one of the most magical times to be on the North Carolina coast. Female sea turtles only leave the water to lay nests once every two or three years, and will lay anywhere from two to seven nests per season. Each nest will contain about 120 eggs, however many of them will not actually hatch.

How to Find Sea Turtle Nests on Holden Beach

The first thing that you should know about finding sea turtles and sea turtle nests on Holden Beach is that you should never approach a nest, turtle, or hatchling if you come across one. Try to keep a safe distance so that you don’t disturb the animal, and if it appears to be in distress please contact the Holden Beach Turtle Watch’s 24 hour hour emergency hotline at 910-754-0766.

Your best chance at finding a sea turtle nesting is to venture out onto the beach at night, just be sure to leave your flashlights off. Any light shining on the beach could disorient nesting turtles, and many will not lay eggs on a beach if there’s too much light pollution. Additionally, nesting loggerhead sea turtles rely on the light from the moon for navigation, and manmade light pollution can severely limit their ability to get around. If you’re staying in an oceanfront rental or are close to the beach, we ask that you turn off exterior lights at night, and do your best to keep curtains closed if lights are on inside. It may sound silly, but even the smallest amount of light can make or break sea turtle nesting season.

Holden Beach Turtle Patrol

Also known as the Holden Beach Turtle Watch program, the Turtle Patrol is a group of volunteers that help discover, monitor, and collect important data about the loggerheads that come to shore. They start making morning rounds up and down the beach starting May 1st, searching for the first of the nests. So if you happen to see someone riding a red ATV early in the morning, it’s likely the Holden Beach Turtle Patrol!

Once the Turtle Patrol has identified a nest site, they make sure that it is in a safe, ideal location. If it isn’t, then they will carefully reconstruct the nest exactly as it was made by the mother sea turtle in a better location, before safely transporting the eggs. Once the nest has been deemed safe, it is marked off and labeled for safety, and one egg is taken to have its DNA examined.

Even though we’re not members of the Turtle Patrol ourselves, we love to walk the beaches in search of these awesome creatures. In fact, we encourage all of our guests to be their own independent “turtle scout” while on vacation in Holden Beach. The best way to find hidden sea turtle nests is to look carefully for small tracks left behind by mother sea turtles. Pay careful attention to look out for two small sets of tracks, running in opposite directions to and from the sea as this is a telltale sign of loggerhead activity. Just remember to not get too close if you find one!

How You Can Help Protect Our Loggerhead Sea Turtles

The locals on Holden Beach take protecting our loggerhead sea turtles very seriously as they have made their home on our beautiful shore. To help us keep them safe and sound, here are a few rules to follow while you are vacationing to Holden Beach during turtle nesting season:

Please keep your distance from the turtles nest and the mothers who lay the eggs.
Don’t disturb the nests or the grating that are covering the nests. These grates help keep predators away from the eggs and hatchlings.
Don’t use your flashlight on your phone and don’t leave the outdoor lights on overnight at your oceanfront vacation rental. The turtles use the moonlight to help guide them to the ocean and any other lights will distract them from what they came to shore to complete.
Please clean up after your day at the beach and don’t leave any of your beach equipment on the beach overnight. This can prevent sea turtles and hatchlings from freely navigating the beach.
Please keep the beaches clean from any trash or plastic on the days you spend at the beach. We like to keep our beaches free of trash to help with the new hatchlings as much as we can.
If you see a mother who is in distress, injured or unmarked nests, please contact the Holden Beach Turtle Patrol at 910- 754-0766.

While there are many other things that you can do while on vacation to Holden Beach during the turtle nesting season, these are the most important ones we wanted to share. If you haven’t made your family vacation to Holden Beach yet, now is the time. We can’t wait to see you and your family on your next vacation to our beautiful Holden Beach this summer!

April 15, 2019January 13, 2021

Find Beach Treasure on your Next Family Vacation to Holden Beach

Is your family vacation to Holden Beach coming up soon? If the answer is yes, then we just have to tell you all about the treasure you may find on the beach. When you are staying with us in one of our Oceanfront vacation rentals, you will be close to where the treasure hunt begins. There are many different kinds of treasure on the beach that you may not have known about or just forgot what is out there. Adventure is out there and getting the kids involved in the hunt can be more fun. Let’s look at what kind of hidden treasure you may find while on the beach with your family.

Sand Dollars

Did you know that you can find sand dollars on the Carolina Coast? While many thinks that these beautiful treasures can only be found in the warmer climates such as the tropics and in tropical waters. Any day you are visiting Holden Beach you and your family will be able to find several different sizes of sand dollars. Sand Dollars are also known to many as “flattened” sea urchins so having the kids on the hunt for those can make for a great day of treasure hunting. You may be able to find sand dollars after a storm during low tide. What a great souvenir to take home and share with others as you display them in your home.

Sea Glass

Sea glass is another treasure that you and your family can hunt for while on vacation to Holden Beach. This can be a wonderful item to look for just before low tide comes or just after low tide comes. In order to find them we have a few different ways to begin to search for the sea glass. Look for a beach full of shell beds rather than smooth sand because it can be found here. Zig zagging will help you find the sea glass a little better as you will be covering more ground that way. We suggest that you don’t look down at the sand, but straight ahead because you will be able to spot the sea glass better. Sea glass can be in several different colors so be on the look out while on your walk.

Shells

As you are on your hunt for the sea glass, you can also be on the hunt for some pretty interesting sea shells too. The North Carolina coastline have some beautiful shells that you will be able to take home with you. As you go for your late evening walks with the kids on the beach, be sure to bring a shell bag or a mesh bag with you. This is a good way to keep up with what you collect but won’t have to worry about bringing home more than shells. Sometimes if you wade a little in the water and dig around you can find some treasure too.

While there are many other things that you can hunt for while on vacation to Holden Beach, these are the few activities we thought you’d like. If you still haven’t made your vacation reservations yet in one of our Oceanfront vacation rentals, now is the time. We can’t wait to see you and your family as you come and hunt for treasure together!