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Coastal Compass

Trip ideas, tips, and a few favorites from the coast.

Plan your visit with Coastal Compass — guides to Wilmington, day trip ideas, themed weekend write-ups, and family camping how-tos.

10 Wilmington-area adventures worth a day trip from camp COASTAL NC ADVENTURES

10 Wilmington-area adventures worth a day trip from camp

From Wrightsville Beach at sunrise to the Battleship at golden hour — ten trips inside a half tank of gas.

The Island Creek Team·June 10, 2026·7 min read
First-time family camping: everything to pack (and what you don't need) FAMILY CAMPING TIPS

First-time family camping: everything to pack (and what you don't need)

A packing list for families who've never tent-camped or RV-camped before. The essentials, the surprisingly skippable, and the must-pack-anyway-because-kids items.

The Island Creek Team·June 8, 2026·6 min read
Wrightsville Beach with kids: a camper's guide COASTAL NC ADVENTURES

Wrightsville Beach with kids: a camper's guide

Twenty-five minutes from camp to one of the best family beaches on the NC coast. Parking, public access, the pier, where to feed everyone, and when to go.

The Island Creek Team·June 4, 2026·6 min read
CAMPING 101

Glamping vs tent vs RV: which site type is right for your family?

An honest sorting-hat for the family that hasn't camped before. Three categories, the trade-offs that actually matter, and how to think about it for your first Wilmington trip.

The Island Creek Team·June 12, 2026·8 min read
LOCAL EATS

Carolina BBQ vs Texas BBQ: a camp-cookout showdown

Vinegar and slaw vs brisket and bark. A friendly side-by-side, two real recipes you can pull off at the picnic table, and the right side dishes for a long weekend at the campground.

The Island Creek Team·June 11, 2026·7 min read
CAMPING 101

Setting up your RV at Island Creek: a step-by-step guide

From the moment you pull through the gate to slide-outs deployed and beverage in hand — here's how check-in and setup will work.

The Island Creek Team·June 6, 2026·5 min read
FAMILY CAMPING TIPS

What to do at camp when it rains in Wilmington

Carolina coast rain is heavy, fast, and almost always over within a few hours. A short, specific plan for the family weekend that doesn't end at the first thunderclap.

The Island Creek Team·June 6, 2026·5 min read
COASTAL NC ADVENTURES

Halloween in Wilmington: a family weekend itinerary

Spookywalks downtown, pumpkin patches around Pender County, and the costume contest at camp. Plan the whole weekend.

The Island Creek Team·June 4, 2026·5 min read

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Meet the writers

Doug + the Island Creek team.

Doug Grant writes the series — monthly construction updates, decisions, and lessons learned from picking up shovels and drawing site plans. The Island Creek team handles trip guides, family-camping tips, and the local-eats series.

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Doug Grant

Owner & Builder

The Island Creek Team

Tips, guides, stories