Trying to decide where to have a small family reunion (with children 1 - 9 years old). We would like a beach type area but nothing too crowded.

These two have been recommended. Any thoughts? Any good rental agencies?

If you don't mind being stranded on an island that you have to ferry on and off of, Bald Head Island no contest.

funtrvavel, Emerald Isle is where we go to "beach" almost every year. We love it because it's beautiful, residential but they do have the small waterpark(I don't know if it's technically one)/pool up near a really nice shopping center where you can get great pizza, see a movie, have great gift shops........ and then you have all the other great little towns to visit on the Crystal Coast strand. I think it's just perfect for family get-togethers, with children of all ages. Bald Head is great but isolated...... More to do on Emerald Isle and surrounds.

Oh, and Swansboro is right across the bridge....... wonderful restaurants and gift shops!

Emerald would be fine. I agree on the Bald Head comments. If you want Bald Head Island type houses but more connected to the mainland, try Figure Eight Island. Still an Island, but its connected by a bridge, not a ferry. I would also consider Wrightsville Beach. A thin strip of an island, but Wilmington, North Carolina is just a 10 minute drive away in case you want to do some "city type" things (movies shopping mall, putt-putt, etc.). Nice family beach.

Bald Head Island and Emerald Isle are so different that it's amazing the two would be recommended to the same person! As noted, Bald Head Island is an upscale private island accessible only by ferry, and no private cars are allowed on the island; Emerald Isle is a very middle class beach area on the mainland. It just depends on your budget and what you want.

--Lan Sluder

I agree with the last post. Bald Head is not at all accessible-has no amenities that would be for young children.

I had also considered these 2 islands and also hear that Emerald Isle is great for families. I'm looking for a nice ocean front condo and am considering Topsail Island's Villa Cipriano for me and my husband. It's very hard to find accommodations, ocean front for just 2. We also wanted access to tennis courts and to some good restaurants. I'm not sure if there is much more than just beach fare on Topsail. We are looking at late August, early Sept. Any other recommendations?

We rent through emeraldislerealty.com, and have had excellent luck with them. If there's anything wrong with your rental when you arrive, it will be taken care of in a flash, or you will be moved to an even nicer place. They manage condos as well as cottages, duplexes, etc. A terrific company to work with, and the reps will tell you if they wouldn't recommend a place. (Have been very surprised and impressed at their candor............ especially regarding pet-friendly properties.) Have rented from them many, many times!

Bald Head is elitist- VP (retired) Al Gore vacations there and VP (nominated) John Edwards owns a house there. It will be more expensive than Emerald Isle. Topsail Beach is better than both and Topsail's rents will be about $ 500 cheaper for an oceanfront cottage.

Shane, we went to Topsail a couple of summers, and we like Emerald Isle better. Different strokes and all that, I guess...........

dlccols, it has been several years since my visit to Topsail but at that time, my only complaint was the lack of good restaurants. We had one memorable meal, (besides the ones I cooked of course). You may want to venture beyond Topsail for dining and entertainment.

bonnie, no offense taken. I've never gone to Emerald and have gone to Topsail for 35 years, since I was 7. If you have time, please give me a thumbnail about Emerald.

You are lucky, Shane. We enjoyed Topsail--(except for dining as I mentioned above) our week was in September, so it was extra-laid back. Friendly people and lots of sharks teeth!

Is that area still being considered as an alternative to Vieques? I haven't kept up with the Navy's decision. I looked into buying property in Topsail, but this deterred me.

Shane, basically I like that Emerald Isle is a great family beach..... Now, my impression of Topsail is from about 12 years ago. This was not North Topsail but Topsail. Hurricane Fran did so much damage that I know many things had to be re-built, as I recall, so maybe it is quite different now. I guess I think of Emerald Isle as a little more upscale with more to do. I had a great time with my family at Topsail, so am not saying anything negative. We stayed on the second floor of an older cottage in Topsail...... I wouldn't turn down a vacation at either place, I'm sure. If you're on the Carolina Coast, how bad could it be, right?

The politics of Bald Head aside (people sure sounded more Repub. than Dem. to me when we were there, anyway), it's more than just "a bit" upscale -- it's off the charts! A small house with 1 queen BR and a loft with 2 twin beds goes for $3000/week. You'd need a larger house and you all would have to have very fat wallets even to share the rent.

That said, it's got gorgeous and very very uncrowded beaches, and there's actually more for kids to do than a previous poster implied. Beyond the standard beachy things involving kites, boogie boards, etc., there are a number of kid-oriented sort of day-campy things to do, like tours re: the turtles, etc. Frankly, the best kid vacations involve being able to hang with other kids and just mess around -- on the beach by day, in the house playing "Clue" by night.

In all likelihood, Emerald or some of these other suggestions are a better idea -- what about Wrightsville? -- nice beach, easy access to inland stuff like movies, etc.

I had forgotten that I could run into Al Gore in his Speedo at Bald Head!!! Now John Edwards........ hmmmmmm... I could handle that!

eeeeeewwww!

Just my opinion.

atilla....... which one is a "ewwwwwww?" I'll even be bi-partisan here! Gore and Cheney don't bear thinking about!!!!

There is no comparison to Bald Head.
I have stayed there several times. Wonderful place for kids!
Be sure and take everything you need over on the ferrry because once you get there, you won't want to leave!