Calabash
Calabash is a coastal community of 2,000 people (2020) in North Carolina, bordering South Carolina. Billed as "The Seafood Capital of the World", Calabash is famous for its seafood, prepared with the namesake "Calabash Style" cooking. It's worth visiting for more than the food, the town offers an abundance of shops, golf courses, and opportunities for maritime recreation, including charter fishing and boat tours.
Understand
[edit]- Town of Calabash website
Get in
[edit]
By car
[edit]Calabash is located near the state line, on the Calabash River near the coast. To get there from Myrtle Beach, take U.S. Route 17 north, then exit onto Beach Drive Southwest. From Wilmington, take U.S. Route 17 south.
By plane
[edit]Being a small town, Calabash lacks its own commercial airport. The nearest airports with scheduled commercial service are in Myrtle Beach (33 miles; 54 km) and Wilmington (52 miles; 84 km).
Get around
[edit]There is no public transportation in Calabash. Getting around will generally require a car or taxis.
See
[edit]Do
[edit]- 1 Calabash Fishing Fleet, 9945 Nance St, ☏ +1 910-575-0017, toll-free: +1-866-575-0017. Offers deep-sea fishing charter and dolphin-watching cruises aboard the Navigator and the Miss Calabash.
- 2 Hurricane Fleet Charter Fishing, 9975 Nance St, ☏ +1 910-579-3660, toll-free: +1-800-373-2004, info@hurricanefleet.com. Hurricane Fleet provides customers with exciting nautical experiences on one of their four vessels, Hurricane II, Cyclone, Westwind, and Party Time. In addition to fishing charter, there is also a dolphin-watching cruise and a shrimping cruise.
- 3 Lucky Strike Charters, 9887 Oak St, ☏ +1 843-249-2049, captained@luckystrikechartersc.com.
- 4 Tropical Adventure Mini Golf, 10124 Beach Dr SW, ☏ +1 910-579-2226.
- 5 Sunset Beach (public parking lot at 35 E Main St, Sunset Beach). The closest sandy beach is in nearby Sunset Beach, about a 15-minute drive away.
Buy
[edit]- 1 Callahan's of Calabash, 9973 Beach Drive, ☏ +1 910-579-2611. Su-Th 9AM-9PM, F Sa 9AM-10PM. This sprawling gift shop has been a mainstay of the town since the 1980s, serving as a tourist draw from its prominent corner in the heart of Calabash. Home to St. Nautical Gifts, Pea Landing Mercantile, and St. Nick Nacks stores, Callahan's of Calabash offers nautical and shore memorabilia, apparel and beach wear, holiday décor, and a fudge counter selling delicious, creamy creations.
- 2 Sunset River Gallery, 10283 Beach Dr SW, ☏ +1 910-575-5999. Apr-Dec: M-Sa 11AM-5PM. Unique art gallery that sells art by regional and local artists, and offers classes, and has pieces for sale.
- The list includes:
- Briar Patch Floral and Gift Fresh and silk Flowers, FTD
- Sue's Pottery Unique pottery items
- The Curiosity Shop Home decor
- B&B Cards and Gifts Handcrafted cards and gifts
- Vintage Treasures Vintage and collectibles
- Photography by Dianne Local Photography
- Beach Dreams Market Coffee, tea, local honey
Eat
[edit]- 1 Beck's Restaurant, 1014 River Rd, ☏ +1 910-579-6776, becks@atmc.net.
- 2 Calabash Creamery, 9910 Beach Dr SW, ☏ +1 910-575 1180. Th-Su noon-9PM, M 1-7PM, closed Tu W. The best ice cream in the area. Many different flavors. Indoor and outdoor seating available.
- 3 Calabash Deli, 9929 Beach Dr SW, ☏ +1 910-579-9801, calabashdeli@yahoo.com. M-Sa 7AM-7PM, Su 8AM-3PM.
- 4 Calabash Seafood Hut, 1125 River Rd, ☏ +1 910-579-6723.
- 5 Captain John's Seafood House, 9887 Oak St, ☏ +1 910-579-6011.
- 6 Dockside Seafood House, 9955 Nance St, ☏ +1 910-579-6775, DocksideSeafoodCalabash@gmail.com. Opens at 4PM everyday.
- 7 Ella's of Calabash, 1148 River Rd, ☏ +1 910-579-6728. 11AM-9PM.
- 8 The Boundary House Restaurant, 1045 River Rd, ☏ +1 910-579-8888.
Drink
[edit]- 1 Coffee Cottage, 10152 Beach Dr SW, ☏ +1 910-579 9100. M-Sa 8AM-4PM, closed Su. Excellent quality coffee in a comfortable setting.
Sleep
[edit]- 1 Captain Andy's Campground, 1220 Wilson Ave SW, ☏ +1 910-579-2050.
Connect
[edit]- 1 Southwest Brunswick Branch Library, 9400 Ocean Hwy W, Carolina Shores, ☏ +1 910-575-0173. M W F 9AM-6PM, Tu Th 9AM-7PM, Sa 9AM-5PM; Su closed. Public library. Free wifi. Free computers with internet service. A library card is not required to use a computer. $0.10 per page for black and white printouts, and $0.30 per page for color printouts. Meeting rooms are available.
Go next
[edit]| Routes through Calabash |
| Norfolk ← Wilmington ← | N  S |
→ Little River → Myrtle Beach |