Oak Island Homes for Sale
Discover Year-Round Island Living & Waterfront Properties in Oak Island NC

Welcome to Oak Island, NC – Brunswick County’s Largest & Most Active Beach Town
Oak Island homes for sale offer the perfect mix of year-round island living and classic beach town charm on Brunswick County’s largest barrier island. With 12 miles of south-facing beaches, no high-rises, and a vibrant yet relaxed atmosphere, Oak Island is ideal for retirees, families, and second-home buyers seeking oceanfront homes, canal properties, and easy boating access. The island features the Oak Island Pier, multiple public beach accesses, and the Intracoastal Waterway for boating and fishing. Unlike quieter islands, Oak Island has its own grocery stores, restaurants, and amenities while staying family-friendly and uncrowded—making it Brunswick County’s most livable beach town.
History and Community of Oak Island
Originally known as “Fort Caswell” for its Civil War battery and later developed as a resort in the 1920s, Oak Island grew into a full-time community after the 1954 bridge connection. Incorporated in 1999, the island has a year-round population of around 9,000 (median age ~60—strong active adult appeal), swelling to 40,000+ in summer. Famous for its “no commercial overload” policy (local shops/restaurants only), Oak Island balances year-round convenience with beach relaxation. Community events include the Oak Island Lighthouse Run, Summer Concert Series, and annual Christmas by the Sea parade.
Key Landmark: The Oak Island Lighthouse – a 153-foot beacon (built 1958) with public grounds, views, and history tours.
Community:
- Population: ~9,000 year-round
- Proximity: 10 minutes to Southport historic charm/ferry, 20 minutes to Shallotte shopping (Hobby Lobby, Ulta, Starbucks, Marshalls), 30 minutes to Wilmington NC (airport ILM, major healthcare), 40 minutes to Myrtle Beach SC (airport MYR, entertainment). Close to Caswell Beach and Bald Head Island (ferry access).
Life in Oak Island: Year-Round Beach Living with Convenience

Life in Oak Island blends true island relaxation with mainland-like amenities—grocery stores (Food Lion, Lowes Foods), restaurants (like Island Way, Shagger Jacks), coffee shops, and parks all on the island. The Oak Island Pier offers fishing and ocean views, while the ICW side has canal homes with private docks and public boat ramps. Golfers enjoy nearby courses like Oak Island Golf Club (18-hole on-island) or Lockwood Folly. Top subdivisions include: The Hammocks at Oak Island (waterfront townhomes/condos ~$400K–$700K), Tranquil Harbour (canal-front single-family with docks ~$600K–$1M), and Oak Island Estates (oceanfront and second-row luxury ~$800K–$1.5M+). Enjoy mild weather (winter highs ~60°F, summer ~85°F), low crime, and activities like kayaking, biking the 65+ public accesses, summer markets, and lighthouse tours. It’s perfect for retirees wanting year-round livability, boating, and beach walks without seasonal shutdowns.
Taxes (Very Retiree-Friendly): Brunswick County rate: 34.20 cents per $100 valuation. Oak Island town adds approximately 13 cents per $100 (combined ~47.20 cents)—still far below northern states, supporting full-time island retirement.
Other Fun Facts: Oak Island is home to the famous “Yaupon Beach” dunes, hosts the NC 4th of July Festival (one of the state’s largest), and features the Oak Island Nature Center for education on sea turtles and coastal ecology. The island’s bridge access (no ferry needed) makes it the most convenient Brunswick beach town.
Oak Island Real Estate Market
The Oak Island real estate market is robust and diverse, with a median home price of ~$650K–$850K (late 2025 data), reflecting its year-round appeal and larger inventory than smaller islands. Oceanfront homes range $1M–$2M+, canal/ICW properties $600K–$1.2M, and mainland-adjacent or second-row start ~$400K–$700K. Demand remains high for retirement and investment properties, with steady sales driven by on-island amenities and proximity to Southport/Wilmington. Popular types include elevated beach houses, canal-front with docks, and low-maintenance condos—ideal for active adults seeking livability and rental potential.
Ready to Find Your Oak Island Home?
As your local Brunswick County coastal expert, Suzanne Polino can guide you to oceanfront properties, canal homes, or hidden gems in Oak Island.
Suzanne Polino offers local expertise you can rely on.

📞 Contact Suzanne Polino
Southport & Oak Island, NC Community Expert
📱 Phone: 910-477-1378
📧 Email: Suzy@SuzySellsNC.com
👉 Schedule a no-pressure strategy conversation
👉 Ask a question about Oak Island homes
Contact Me Today for a No-Pressure Strategy Conversation
Current Oak Island Homes for Sale
$1,499,000
Active
1408 E Beach Drive Oak Island, North Carolina
5 Beds 4 Baths 2,302 SqFt 0.26 Acres
$1,495,000
Active
108 Caswell Beach Road Oak Island, North Carolina
5 Beds 6 Baths 1,966 SqFt 0.16 Acres
$1,490,000
Active
2221 E Beach Drive Oak Island, North Carolina
5 Beds 3 Baths 2,070 SqFt 0.29 Acres
$1,490,000
Active
714 W Dolphin Drive Oak Island, North Carolina
5 Beds 4 Baths 2,950 SqFt 0.36 Acres
$1,479,000
Active
604 E Yacht Drive Oak Island, North Carolina
3 Beds 3 Baths 2,000 SqFt 0.29 Acres
$1,474,900
Pending
3604 W Pelican Drive Oak Island, North Carolina
4 Beds 4 Baths 2,725 SqFt 0.18 Acres
$1,460,000
Active
1914 E Dolphin Drive Oak Island, North Carolina
5 Beds 5 Baths 2,923 SqFt 0.23 Acres
$1,369,000
Active
100 SE 43rd Street Oak Island, North Carolina
6 Beds 7 Baths 2,579 SqFt 0.17 Acres
$1,350,000
Active Under Contract
315 NE 56th Street Oak Island, North Carolina
4 Beds 4 Baths 2,837 SqFt 0.23 Acres
$1,300,000
Active
308 E Beach Drive Oak Island, North Carolina
5 Beds 4 Baths 2,630 SqFt 0.17 Acres
$1,300,000
Active
1919 E Beach Drive Oak Island, North Carolina
4 Beds 2 Baths 1,536 SqFt 0.23 Acres
$1,299,000
Active
212 NE 37th Street Oak Island, North Carolina
4 Beds 4 Baths 2,694 SqFt 0.15 Acres
$1,250,000
Active Under Contract
1507 E Yacht Drive Oak Island, North Carolina
4 Beds 4 Baths 3,170 SqFt 0.15 Acres
$1,249,900
Active
3325 W Beach Drive Oak Island, North Carolina
4 Beds 2 Baths 1,156 SqFt 0.17 Acres
$1,245,000
Active
102 SE 68th Street Oak Island, North Carolina
4 Beds 6 Baths 3,634 SqFt 0.2 Acres
$1,244,900
Active
515 W Beach Drive Oak Island, North Carolina
4 Beds 2 Baths 1,187 SqFt 0.17 Acres
$1,200,000
Active
114 NE 31st Street Oak Island, North Carolina
4 Beds 4 Baths 2,880 SqFt 0.15 Acres
$1,200,000
Active
1726 W Beach Drive Oak Island, North Carolina
5 Beds 4 Baths 2,280 SqFt 0.17 Acres
$1,185,000
Active
120 NE 17th Street Oak Island, North Carolina
3 Beds 3 Baths 2,564 SqFt 0.23 Acres
$1,159,900
Active
6602 W Beach Drive Oak Island, North Carolina
4 Beds 2 Baths 1,763 SqFt 0.32 Acres
$1,150,000
Active
106 SE 44th Street Oak Island, North Carolina
4 Beds 4 Baths 2,814 SqFt 0.16 Acres
$1,150,000
Active
4325 E Pelican Drive Oak Island, North Carolina
4 Beds 3 Baths 1,800 SqFt 0.14 Acres
$1,150,000
Active
4823 W Beach Drive Oak Island, North Carolina
6 Beds 4 Baths 2,169 SqFt 0.17 Acres
$1,149,000
Active
3229 E Beach Drive Oak Island, North Carolina
4 Beds 2 Baths 1,404 SqFt 0.25 Acres
$1,147,000
Active Under Contract
5205 E Pelican Drive Oak Island, North Carolina
6 Beds 6 Baths 2,643 SqFt 0.12 Acres
$1,135,000
Active
805 E Yacht Drive Oak Island, North Carolina
3 Beds 3 Baths 2,023 SqFt 0.17 Acres
$1,135,000
Active
318 E Beach Drive Oak Island, North Carolina
4 Beds 3 Baths 1,900 SqFt 0.17 Acres