Transportation
Bald Head Island is only reachable via passenger ferry or by private boat. It is not possible to drive to Bald Head Island; in fact, motorized vehicles are not allowed on the island. All rental properties include golf carts. Ferry tickets from Southport to Bald Head Island include free tram delivery of you and your gear to your destination on the island, then a return trip back via tram to the ferry terminal at the end of your stay. Also, the start line is within short walking distance of the ferry terminal, whereas the finish line is about three miles – across the island – from the ferry terminal.
Ferries depart Deep Water Marina in Southport TO Bald Head Island on the hour from 0600 2100 on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday; from 0600 to 1000 on Wednesday; from 0600 until 2300 on Thursday and Saturday; and from 0600 until midnight on Friday – BUT NEVER AT NOON except Sunday.) Ferry Schedule.
Ferries depart Bald Head Island TO Southport on the half hour from 0630 to 2130 on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday; from 0630 to 2230 on Wednesday; from 0630 to 2330 on Thursday and Saturday; and from 0630 to 0030am (30 minutes after midnight) on Friday – BUT NEVER AT 1230 except Sunday. Ferry Schedule.
Staying on the Island? Follow instructions given to you by your rental company; you will presumably take the free tram ride to your property, and then use the tram service to leave your property at the end of your stay. You will have a golf cart or two (depending on the size of the house you rented) to use during your stay. There will be golf cart parking available at the race start line for race day: follow directions given when you arrive by VBHI Public Safety officers as to where to park.
Not Staying on the Island?
– On Friday, take the ferry over on Friday afternoon. WHEN YOU BUY YOUR TICKET, tell them that you will need a tram ride to the BHI Conservancy. When you arrive on the island, stop at the podium next to the driveway to ask which shuttle you should take. Then take your free shuttle ride to the Bald Head Island Conservancy for Racer Check-In and the Social Mixer from 300 to 600pm.
– After Racer Check-In and the Social Mixer, you can either walk about three miles west back to the marina, or trams will pick up runners at 1700 and 1730 in front of Bald Head Island Conservancy in order to catch the 1830 ferry back to Southport.
– On Saturday morning, take either the 0600 (recommended) or 0700 ferry (risky as it takes 25 minutes, and could also be delayed) from Southport to Bald Head Island. Upon arrival, walk about 5 minutes to the start line at Old Baldy, the lighthouse, which you can see easily as you walk east onto the island from the marina. NOTE: There will be portable toilets and a hand-washing station at the start line, but there will be no food or water. Come prepared. (However, Sandpiper Coffee at Bald Head Marina opens extra early just for the runners and race fans coming over on the 600am ferry! Stop in for java and treats before you walk over to Old Baldy Lighthouse!)
– From the finish line, we will have trams running from the Conservancy back to the marina hourly on the half-hour from 1330 to 2130.
Housing
Bald Head Island is an ideal vacation get-away spot for the entire family, located less than one hour from Wilmington, NC and its major airport with American and Delta service (flying into Myrtle Beach, SC is another convenient option.)
There are no hotels on Bald Head Island, however there are a few hundred vacation homes and cottages, some small enough for one or two couples and some large enough for groups of 20 or more. We encourage all entrants to STAY ON BALD HEAD ISLAND!
But how? It’s pretty simple, really, and it usually works out to be much cheaper than staying on the mainland. Just get together with family and friends, bring a bunch of members of your running club, or find housemates through Facebook: Rent a house together through VRBO or AirBnB or one of the local property management companies such as Wendy Wilmot Best of Bald Head, Bald Head Island Services, Tiffany’s Beach Rentals, Bald Head Island Ltd., or others and you’ll have a blast!
Here is the “event” page for the 2025 Badwater Cape Fear on Facebook. Use it to connect with fellow Badwater Cape Fear runners and perhaps carpool or share houses!
You can also visit this webpage for a listing of all accommodations available on the island.
Please mention “BADWATER” when contacting them and booking rentals.
Staying on the Mainland vs. Staying on Bald Head Island (BHI):
It is possible to stay in Southport on the mainland as an alternative. Featured in the film “Safe Haven,” Southport is a quaint and cozy little waterfront town and is home to the marina from which the Bald Head Island ferries depart and return. If you do stay on the mainland, just factor in the following:
1) Careful home rental selection on BHI for a group of friends or a family would likely be cheaper than staying in hotel rooms in Southport and making multiple trips to BHI on the ferry.
2) Racer Check-In on Friday is super fun and includes a Social Mixer hosted by Bald Head Island Conservancy and includes free beer, drinks, and snacks. (Plus you won’t get your infamous Badwater Mugshot if you don’t attend!)
3) Likewise for the Post-Race Breakfast which we host at Maritime Market on Sunday: It’s a great opportunity for a really delicious – and FREE – breakfast and a last chance to swap stories and pose for selfies with your fellow Badwater runners!
4) The whole concept of the event is a Spring Break Vacation and Badwater Family Reunion, but you have to be on the island to really partake in all that! (Badwater races are never just about the running…)
5) Rough water, wind, and/or weather can cancel ferry crossings, so there is a small chance that one or both of the morning ferries won’t run on race day.
6) The ferry to and from Bald Head Island costs $23 round-trip ($12 for kids), so making multiple trips to the island will drive up your costs.
All that said, Hampton Inn and the Fairfield Inn by Marriott in Southport (on the mainland) have excellent rates and rooms can be booked with Expedia or Kayak:
Hampton Inn 4820 Port Loop Road SE, Southport, NC 28461
Marriott Fairfield 5181 Southport Supply Road SE, Southport, NC 28461
