Southport
is a historic seaport city located just below Wilmington at the mouth of the Cape Fear River. Originally incorporated in 1792 as Smithville, the name was changed to Southport in 1887 in hopes of attracting a port. It didn't work and the port went further upstream to the city of Wilmington, but the historic charm of Southport lives on today with its canopy of 200 year old live oak trees (some of the largest in the South) and stately Victorian mansions. The town offers a true "downtown" area with banks and other businesses, antique and specialty shops, restaurants and pubs. Southport has been rated as one of the "Best Places to Retire" in the U.S. by Rand McNally and the Carolina coast was ranked as one of the "Best Vacations" by Money Magazine in 2001. The Visitor's Center in Southport has maps and brochures for a self-guided tour of the town. Points of interest include the Southport Maritime Museum, the Southport Riverwalk and the shops and restaurants at the Yacht Basin and Marina. Movie buffs may recognize parts of Southport, which has been used in several films, including "Crimes of the Heart," starring Diane Keaton, Jessica Lang and Sissy Spacek. Southport is conveniently located near Wilmington, yet off the beaten path of the interstate traffic and noise.
Surrounding areas: Oak Island, North Carolina (3.8 mi), Bald Head Island, North Carolina (4.6 mi), Kure Beach, North Carolina (8.3 mi), Carolina Beach, North Carolina (10.7 mi), Holden Beach, North Carolina (16.3 mi), Wilmington, North Carolina (21.5 mi), Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina (23.6 mi)
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Southport Vacation Rentals
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Southport Weather & Climate
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Both air and water temperatures are generally mild on the barrier islands. Summer air temperatures along the immediate coastline are considerably lower than those even just a few miles inland. In the winter months, coastal fronts are common and can push inland, bringing warmer than normal temperatures. However, at times, the cold Labrador Current passes between the Gulf Stream and the North Carolina coast, offsetting most of the general warming effect the Gulf Stream might otherwise have on coastal temperatures. Opposite the ocean, across the narrow barrier islands behind most beaches, are the "Sounds". These protected inland waters, calm, quiet and sheltered even from the sea breezes, are bordered on both sides by cool forests and productive swamps with unique vegetation and wildlife. Tropical hurricanes come close enough to North Carolina to influence the weather about twice in an average year
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| Month |
High Temp |
Low Temp |
Rainfall |
Ocean Temp |
| January |
56°F |
33°F |
5.28 in. |
48°F |
| February |
58°F |
35°F |
4.18 in. |
48°F |
| March |
64°F |
41°F |
4.47 in. |
53°F |
| April |
71°F |
48°F |
3.08 in. |
64°F |
| May |
78°F |
57°F |
4.15 in. |
73°F |
| June |
84°F |
65°F |
5.04 in. |
74°F |
| July |
88°F |
70°F |
6.69 in. |
79°F |
| August |
87°F |
68°F |
7.66 in. |
82°F |
| September |
83°F |
62°F |
8.93 in. |
79°F |
| October |
75°F |
50°F |
3.87 in. |
71°F |
| November |
68°F |
43°F |
3.45 in. |
59°F |
| December |
59°F |
35°F |
4.19 in. |
54°F |
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Southport Map & Transportation
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| Click each thumbnail image to enlarge. |
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The closest airports in the area are the Wilmington International airport (ILM) located about 25 miles northeast of Southport in Wilmington, North Carolina, the Myrtle Beach International airport (MYR) located approximately 54 miles west of Southport in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, the Albert J Ellis airport (OAJ) located roughly 66 miles northeast of Southport in Jacksonville, North Carolina, and finally the Duplin County airport (DPL) located around 74 miles north of Southport in Kenansville, North Carolina.
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Southport Attractions
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| | | Amusement and Theme Parks |
| Jubilee Park | Carolina Beach | NC | 10.7 mi. | | | Myrtle Beach Grand Prix | North Myrtle Beach | SC | 38.6 mi. | | | Windy Hill Watterboggan Park | North Myrtle Beach | SC | 38.6 mi. | | | Family Kingdom Amusement Park | Myrtle Beach | SC | 52.3 mi. | | | Gay Dolphin Park | Myrtle Beach | SC | 52.3 mi. | | | Myrtle Beach Pavilion | Myrtle Beach | SC | 52.3 mi. | | | Pedroland Park | Dillon | SC | 84.6 mi. | |
| | | Water Parks |
| Myrtle Waves Water Park | Myrtle Beach | SC | 52.3 mi. | |
| | | Golf Courses |
| Bald Head Island Country Club | Southport | NC | | | | Founders Club at St James | Southport | NC | | | | Members Club at St James Plantation | Southport | NC | | | | Players Club at St James Plantation | Southport | NC | | | | Oak Island Golf Club | Caswell Beach | NC | 2.8 mi. | | | Lakes Country Club | Boiling Spring Lakes | NC | 7.8 mi. | | | Carolina National Golf Club | Bolivia | NC | 11.8 mi. | | | Lockwood Folly Country Club | Holden Beach | NC | 15.3 mi. | | | Olde Fort Golf Course | Winnabow | NC | 15.6 mi. | | | Briarwood Golf Club | Shallotte | NC | 20.9 mi. | | | Brick Landing Plantation | Ocean Isle Beach | NC | 21.4 mi. | | | Beau Rivage Resort & Golf Club | Wilmington | NC | 21.8 mi. | | | Cape Golf & Racquet Club | Wilmington | NC | 21.8 mi. | | | Duck Haven Golf Club | Wilmington | NC | 21.8 mi. | | | Echo Farms Golf & Country Club | Wilmington | NC | 21.8 mi. | | | Inland Greens Golf Course | Wilmington | NC | 21.8 mi. | | | Porters Neck Plantation & Country Club | Wilmington | NC | 21.8 mi. | | | Porters Neck Plantation & Country Club | Wilmington | NC | 21.8 mi. | | | Wilmington Municipal Golf Course | Wilmington | NC | 21.8 mi. | | | Magnolia Greens Golf Plantation | Leland | NC | 22.8 mi. | | | Ocean Isle Beach Golf Course | Ocean Isle Beach | NC | 24.1 mi. | | | Oyster Bay Golf Links | Sunset Beach | NC | 28.1 mi. | | | Pearl Golf Links | Sunset Beach | NC | 28.1 mi. | | | Sandpiper Bay Golf & Country Club | Sunset Beach | NC | 28.1 mi. | | | Thistle Golf Club | Sunset Beach | NC | 28.1 mi. | |
| | | State Parks |
| Lake Waccamaw State Park | | NC | 33.9 mi. | |
| | | Zoos and Aquariums |
| North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher | Kure Beach | NC | 8.3 mi. | | | Brookgreen Gardens | Pawleys Island | SC | 71.8 mi. | | | North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores | Atlantic Beach | NC | 90.8 mi. | |
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Disclaimer: We recommend you conduct your own research regarding all accomodations and attractions found on this website. The distances shown on this website are straight-line distances as the crow flies. The road distance may be considerably longer. You assume all liability for use of any information found on this website. No information is confirmed or warranted in any way. By using our services you agree to the terms and conditions of this disclaimer.
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