Calabash

Calabash is a coastal community of 2,000 people (2020) in North Carolina, bordering South Carolina. Billed as "The Seafood Capital of the World", Calabash is famous for its seafood, prepared with the namesake "Calabash Style" cooking. It's worth visiting for more than the food, the town offers an abundance of shops, golf courses, and opportunities for maritime recreation, including charter fishing and boat tours.

Understand

Town of Calabash website

Get in

33°53′29″N 78°34′5″W

Map of Calabash

By car

Calabash is located near the state line, on the Calabash River near the coast. To get there from Myrtle Beach, take U.S. Route 17 north, then exit onto Beach Drive Southwest. From Wilmington, take U.S. Route 17 south.

By plane

Being a small town, Calabash lacks its own commercial airport. The nearest airports with scheduled commercial service are in Myrtle Beach (33 miles; 54 km) and Wilmington (52 miles; 84 km).

Get around

There is no public transportation in Calabash. Getting around will generally require a car or taxis.

See

Do

33.88529-78.566831 Calabash Fishing Fleet, 9945 Nance St, ☏ +1 910-575-0017, toll-free: +1-866-575-0017. Offers deep-sea fishing charter and dolphin-watching cruises aboard the Navigator and the Miss Calabash. (updated Jun 2015)
33.8847-78.56752 Hurricane Fleet Charter Fishing, 9975 Nance St, ☏ +1 910-579-3660, toll-free: +1-800-373-2004, info@hurricanefleet.com. Hurricane Fleet provides customers with exciting nautical experiences on one of their four vessels, Hurricane II, Cyclone, Westwind, and Party Time. In addition to fishing charter, there is also a dolphin-watching cruise and a shrimping cruise. (updated Jun 2015)
33.88628-78.565163 Lucky Strike Charters, 9887 Oak St, ☏ +1 843-249-2049, captained@luckystrikechartersc.com. (updated Jun 2015)
33.8912-78.57374 Tropical Adventure Mini Golf, 10124 Beach Dr SW, ☏ +1 910-579-2226. (updated Jun 2015)
33.867398-78.5111685 Sunset Beach (public parking lot at 35 E Main St, Sunset Beach). The closest sandy beach is in nearby Sunset Beach, about a 15-minute drive away. (updated Feb 2024)

Buy

33.8906-78.56771 Callahan's of Calabash, 9973 Beach Drive, ☏ +1 910-579-2611. Su-Th 9AM-9PM, F Sa 9AM-10PM. This sprawling gift shop has been a mainstay of the town since the 1980s, serving as a tourist draw from its prominent corner in the heart of Calabash. Home to St. Nautical Gifts, Pea Landing Mercantile, and St. Nick Nacks stores, Callahan's of Calabash offers nautical and shore memorabilia, apparel and beach wear, holiday décor, and a fudge counter selling delicious, creamy creations. (updated May 2023)
33.8897-78.58352 Sunset River Gallery, 10283 Beach Dr SW, ☏ +1 910-575-5999. Apr-Dec: M-Sa 11AM-5PM. Unique art gallery that sells art by regional and local artists, and offers classes, and has pieces for sale. (updated May 2023)

The list includes:

Briar Patch Floral and Gift Fresh and silk Flowers, FTD
Sue's Pottery Unique pottery items
The Curiosity Shop Home decor
B&B Cards and Gifts Handcrafted cards and gifts
Vintage Treasures Vintage and collectibles
Photography by Dianne Local Photography
Beach Dreams Market Coffee, tea, local honey

Eat

33.8903-78.56841 Beck's Restaurant, 1014 River Rd, ☏ +1 910-579-6776, becks@atmc.net. (updated Jun 2015)
33.891634-78.5693832 Calabash Creamery, 9910 Beach Dr SW, ☏ +1 910-575 1180. Th-Su noon-9PM, M 1-7PM, closed Tu W. The best ice cream in the area. Many different flavors. Indoor and outdoor seating available. (updated Feb 2024)
33.89119-78.566223 Calabash Deli, 9929 Beach Dr SW, ☏ +1 910-579-9801, calabashdeli@yahoo.com. M-Sa 7AM-7PM, Su 8AM-3PM. (updated Jun 2015)
33.8875-78.567094 Calabash Seafood Hut, 1125 River Rd, ☏ +1 910-579-6723. (updated Jun 2015)
33.8862-78.56555 Captain John's Seafood House, 9887 Oak St, ☏ +1 910-579-6011. (updated Jun 2015)
33.8854-78.56736 Dockside Seafood House, 9955 Nance St, ☏ +1 910-579-6775, DocksideSeafoodCalabash@gmail.com. Opens at 4PM everyday. (updated Jun 2015)
33.8873-78.56757 Ella's of Calabash, 1148 River Rd, ☏ +1 910-579-6728. 11AM-9PM. (updated Jun 2015)
33.8895-78.56748 The Boundary House Restaurant, 1045 River Rd, ☏ +1 910-579-8888. (updated Jun 2015)

Drink

33.89028-78.5815281 Coffee Cottage, 10152 Beach Dr SW, ☏ +1 910-579 9100. M-Sa 8AM-4PM, closed Su. Excellent quality coffee in a comfortable setting. (updated Feb 2024)

Sleep

33.88945-78.555671 Captain Andy's Campground, 1220 Wilson Ave SW, ☏ +1 910-579-2050. (updated Jun 2015)

Connect

33.922332-78.5789171 Southwest Brunswick Branch Library, 9400 Ocean Hwy W, Carolina Shores, ☏ +1 910-575-0173. M W F 9AM-6PM, Tu Th 9AM-7PM, Sa 9AM-5PM; Su closed. Public library. Free wifi. Free computers with internet service. A library card is not required to use a computer. $0.10 per page for black and white printouts, and $0.30 per page for color printouts. Meeting rooms are available. (updated Sep 2024)

Go next

Routes through Calabash

Norfolk ← Wilmington ←

N

S

→ Little River → Myrtle Beach

This city travel guide to Calabash is a usable article. It has information on how to get there and on restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please feel free to improve it by editing the page.