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
- Town of Calabash website
Get in
By car
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
Being a small town, Calabash lacks its own airport, so flying in will involve landing in one of the larger cities nearby, such as Myrtle Beach or Wilmington.
Do
- 🌍 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.
- 🌍 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.
- 🌍 Lucky Strike Charters, Lucky Strike Charters 9887 Oak St, ☏ +1 843 249-2049, captained@luckystrikechartersc.com.
- 🌍 Tropical Adventure Mini Golf, 10124 Beach Dr SW, ☏ +1 910 579-2226.
- 🌍 Sunset Beach. The closest sandy beach is in nearby Sunset Beach, about a 15-minute drive away.
Buy
- 🌍 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.
- 🌍 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
- 🌍 Beck's Restaurant, 1014 River Rd, ☏ +1 910 579-6776, becks@atmc.net.
- 🌍 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.
- 🌍 Calabash Deli, 9929 Beach Dr SW, ☏ +1 910 579-9801, calabashdeli@yahoo.com. M-Sa 7AM-7PM, Su 8AM-3PM.
- 🌍 Calabash Seafood Hut, 1125 River Rd, ☏ +1 910 579-6723.
- 🌍 Captain John's Seafood House, 9887 Oak St, ☏ +1 910 579-6011.
- 🌍 Dockside Seafood House, 9955 Nance St, ☏ +1 910 579-6775, DocksideSeafoodCalabash@gmail.com. Opens at 4PM everyday.
- 🌍 Ella's of Calabash, 1148 River Rd, ☏ +1 910 579-6728. 11AM-9PM.
- 🌍 The Boundary House Restaurant, 1045 River Rd, ☏ +1 910 579-8888.
Drink
- 🌍 Coffee Cottage, 10152 Beach Dr SW, ☏ +1 910 579 9100. M-Sa 8AM-4PM, closed Su. Excellent quality coffee in a comfortable setting.
Sleep
- 🌍 Marsh Harbour Villas, ☏ +1 910 579-3700, webmail@marshharbour.org.
- 🌍 Captain Andy's Campground, 1220 Wilson Ave SW, ☏ +1 910 579-2050.