Can anyone give us some opinions about the Brunswick Islands of NC, especially Oak Island and Holden Beach?

I grew up going to Holden Beach, and admittedly, it's been a few years since I've been back (my grandparents retired to that area). It is a small, quieter beach with none of the high-rise condos and hotels that you see at other beaches. A few restaurants and mini-golfs and soft serve ice cream stores on the island or on the small road leading to the island on the mainland. So, a slower pace and more relaxed than a Wrightsville, Myrtle Beach, or Atlantic Beach. About 10 minutes away (inland) is Shallotte, which has more restaurants and stores, in case you get tired of what Holden Beach has to offer or if you find yourself in need of supplies. A 30-45 drive will take you to Calabash for GREAT seafood.

Holden used to have a really great pavilion with arcade games and mini golf(a good hangout for kids), but that washed away YEARS ago with the bad erosion that Holden sees in storms. It's still a great beach and pretty quiet, if that's what you're looking for. There are more picturesque beaches in NC, but this holds its own with its slower nature.

kgh8m has it right about the lack of high-rise condo towers on the Brunswick County Islands. You may want to also consider Ocean Isle Beach (just to the West of Holden) and Sunset Beach (just to the West of Ocean Isle Beach). Ocean Isle is very similar to Holden. Sunset is nearly all houses. One interesting note: there is a new planetarium between Ocean Isle Beach and Sunset Beach.

All these beaches would be very relaxing. They are also less than an hour from Wilmington, which would make a great day trip. Another nice little day trip would be Southport.

We had an oceanfront house at Holden Beach when I was growing up, and we just bought a canal home a couple of years ago. You don't say anything about what you're looking for. The Brunswick beaches are fairly quiet with Long Beach and Ocean Isle being the most developed, Sunset the least developed (it also has a floating bridge that can be a real hassle) and Holden Beach in the middle. All are a pretty quick trip to Myrtle Beach or Wilmington, if you're looking for more activities. There's a lot of golf nearby, easy access to the ICW or ocean for boaters, and quiet beaches. House rentals are very reasonable ($1,000 and up per week for oceanfront). Restaurant choices are sparse, unless you like fried seafood, but there are a few (Capt. Pete's at HB is a great example.) If you're looking for picturesque and quiet, these beaches are great choices. If you have kids and are looking for action, I'd look farther south to Myrtle, or north to Wrightsville/Carolina Beach. Give more specifics, and I'll try to help further.

This topic has been pretty well covered, Holden is the least commercialized of the lot w/Sunset being next. Oak Island includes Long Beach (the end by Holden) & also Yaupon Beach. I too have been going to Holden since my youth & visit there (or Oak Island) 4 or 5 times a year. Both my spouses & my families go there annually as well (they all still reside in Ohio). If you would like specifics I would be happy to help. I'll be down there this year in June, July & September & whenever else we can fit it in. Holden Beach does have a new legit grocery store right where you turn on 130 to head to the beach (a Bi-Lo I think). No need to go to Shallotte to stock up anymore.

The new grocery store at Holden Beach is a Food Lion -- about a mile from the bridge. In the same little strip center is a Subway, Domino's Pizza and a Chinese restaurant. The Food Lion is a pretty nice store was a surprisingly large wine selection and decent meats and produce. As SAnParis said, it's very convenient considering we used to have to drive over 10 miles to Shallotte for a real grocery store -- a Lowes Foods, which sometimes is still worth the drive. Another nice recent addition is a multiplex movie theater in Shallotte, which is convenient to Holden, Ocean Isle and Sunset.

Just thought I'd throw this in. There is a relatively new winery in Ocean Isle, actually a few miles inland of Highway 17. It's called Silver Coast Winery, and it has a very nice tasting bar. Very decent wines, especially the American Oak Chardonnay (we can confirm that via personal experience!)