Bird Island Reviews

Walk to bird island was really nice, main goal was to see Kinred mailbox. Bird Island is now connected with Sunset beach. We were pleasantly surprised by wide but not so crowded Sunset beach. The plants on the island dunes were good to see as well.

We enjoyed this walk down the beach from Sunset Beach Pier to the tip of Bird Island. It was a beautiful day and there was a gentle breeze. It took us about an hour to walk the 2.4 miles (4.8 miles total). it's a flat walk along an unpopulated shore. We weren't really sure what to expect, but it's very pretty. There are no boardwalks out into the marshy areas, so you really only see what you can see from the shore. The Kindred Spirits mailbox is very unique; we took a few minutes to read some of the recent journal entries which were all very sweet and heartfelt. And, lastly, although it's called Bird Island, we didn't actually see a large number of birds!

Bird Island is the Southern (Western) part of Sunset Beach, which is also an awesome beach. This is our favorite beach, by far. This past summer new bathroom facilities were installed in the parking area. Far better than the porta-potties that used to be there.
The sand is great and not as granular as others in the area. We found that walking towards Little River, SC as the tide is almost out, is when we found the most sand dollars. Also far less crowded during the summer.
Parking can be an issue if you want to park for free and don't get there early. You can park in the private lot beside the public lot if you choose to pay for the day. Don't try to park in that lot for free just because there is no attendant. They will put a boot on your car.
You can pay a dollar to walk on the pier and there is food and drink at the pier and across the street from the beach.
My biggest complaint by far is the LARGE amount of cigarette butts in the sand. USE AN ASHTRAY PEOPLE!!!!

we had some trouble finding access to the island but got help from some friendly locals. park on the street and walk about a mile or so to the mailbox. we met a couple an their way back who got engaged there 38 years ago and were celebrating their anniversary. there are benches to sit and write and /or read the journal entries. the most beautiful beach we saw in myrtle beach, well worth the drive and walk

While having visitors stay with us, I always try to find interesting and enjoyable things to do. I have been wanting to go to Bird Island in NC, and for one reason or another, it never happened until this weekend. My husband, sister, brother-in-law, and I went. You have to park at Sunset Beach, in NC, and you walk along the beach (about I 1/2 -2 miles), and you come across the sign to Bird Island. We actually did not see much in the way of birds, or people either for that matter, but our goal was to stop and spend time at the Kindred Spirit Mailbox. If you are able to take this walk, and it was a beautiful spring day, then do yourself a favor and go. We sat on the bench there, and inside the mailbox are journals for you to enter a message to Kindred Spirit, or to read what others may have written, and look around you at the beautiful ocean, sand dunes, etc. get away from the busy world and become one with nature. There are no restrooms or other facilities, so think ahead for that, and bring your water, before you head back that 2 miles. We loved the walk, along the beach!

We went here for sand dollars only two tiny ones found. Very few people on the beach. Enjoyed the walk. This is a long walk if u go all the way to the point. Parking can be an issue since your parking in a subdivision on the street.

My sister and i decided to take a beach trip to honor her recent wedding engagement and in memory of our mother that we lost in September 24. We had read about the kindreds spirit box and immediately knew we had to go. Our mother loved the beach and we never got the chance to take her after she had became paralyzed. My sister and I showed up to sunset and the gps said “arrived” but to where we were unsure. Thankfully, almost like a sign from our mom, there was a group that was so kind to take us in when we asked if they knew where the mailbox could be. They said they were headed that way and would love for us to tag along! We learned about the history of the land, the turtles and so much more. But mostly the take away was how those sweet and knowledgeable ladies made my sister and I not feel alone when we have felt alone since September. We walked half way with them and decided to take off a bit and when we made it to the box it was even more beautiful and magical than I could have ever imagined. My sister and I sat and wrote and reflected. It was a moment of peace that was needed. A moment to actually breath and be thankful for all we have. We headed back down the beach and met back up with the group and one of the ladies stopped us, brought us water, and asked us how much we loved it! They allowed us a moment to express how much this meant to us and tell them stories. It was MUCH more than just a fun little information tour, it truly made an already great experience to phenomenal! THANK YOU ❤️

It was a Peaceful walk from the parking lot , no crowds and everyone we met were so nice. sand dollars were everywhere and we found many perfect ones to bring home. We plan to make it a yearly adventure.

Nice bike ride from the pier. Beautiful view from the end across is the sky line of North Myrtle Beach. Can get off the beach and take the nature trial which is a little steep to start. Fun tow arch the waves hit the rock jetty.

This is a beautiful pristine beach. But as a bird reserve it is a fail. Foxes and other predators have run rampant and left the reserve devoid of the majority of bird life. The beach is now mostly a turtle perseve with a few nesting area scattered along the dunes. However, predators find a way to destroy these as well. Until something is done to eliminate the predators this preserve is going to be a wasteland. As for the tour on Wednesday's, it is pretty lame. It is led by a guy who all but admits to being an echo terrorist. He makes lite of how some activists burned the wooden bridge that was built by the original owners of the island that would have permitted them to drive over to the spot where they would have built homes for themselves and their children. I'm glad the land was eventually made into a preserve but I don't agree with the methods some extremists used to make it happen. I find it ironic that after all their efforts to create a bird preserve that foxes and other predators have made short work of their efforts. The conservationists seems to have no clue or maybe the just lack the backbone to deal with the predators. Either way if your hoping to photograph some rare birds you will be sadly disappointed.

I found a ton of partial sand dollars, but the elusive whole one remains out there somewhere. The walk was nice, though we didn't see nearly as many birds as we thought we would. If I did Bird Island again, I would definitely rent a bike.

Although it was only a brief visit, the island was litter-free, all natural, and welcoming! Next time, I’ll definitely seek the “mailbox” to record my entry.....

The locals now more numerous with over development disobey leash laws and use Bird Island as a leash free dog park. There is no enforcement for this turtle sanctuary. But once you get out a mile or land trail before the mailbox it is quite nice

Located 1.4mi from parking ,this treasure of a beach is serene. Lots of sea shell sanddollars, pelicans, turtle nests, shrimp boats, dog friendly beach, and a hard sand to bike also.
Kindred spirit located here.

On of the only areas on the east coast of the USA that will never be built on. You feel like an explorer. The only human presence is the Kindred Spirit mailbox with its bench and American flag on a pole. For decades, visitors have been sharing their dearest thoughts in writing inside notebooks that reside there. It is a very special place. It resides next to an adjacent island called Sunset Beach in North Carolina.

To get away from the hustle of Myrtle Beach we decided to visit Bird Island. Walked from Sunset Beach the 2 miles to the rock jetty visiting the Kindred Spirit mailbox along the way. The next day we visited again but rode bicycles.

I have made this walk twice while walking my dog. It offers great views and plenty of peace and quiet. Everyone is always friendly but they usually keep to themselves as everyone is always in their own thoughts which this place easily brings out.

Unfortunately a hurricane washed away much of the "Kindred Spirit Mailbox" area including the benches and original mailbox. The mailbox has since been replaced but all the old note pads containing confessions, inner thoughts, and viewpoints from the original mail box have been lost to the ocean. A new mailbox was erected just before you get to the jetties.

The jetties are a great place to watch boats coming in and going out to sea. Be warned though that people often get swept off the rocks by surprise waves. The ocean has a VERY strong current here and several swimmers and fishermen have drowned as a result. My advice would be to to enjoy the scenery but stay off the rocks!

This island, adjacent to Sunset Beach, has been protected from development by the state of North Carolina. It is a beautiful gentle beach, a bird sanctuary and borders South Carolina to the south. It was listed by Yahoo as one of the Earth's most unusual beaches. Visit it, walk it and discover why.

Walked to the Kindred Spirit mailbox on Bird Island were you can read entries in the journals inside and write your own comments.

I'v been to Bird Island for the past three years. Very gorgeous, peaceful and fun. It is breathtaking and a great way to just get away from everything!

We had an amazing day at Bird Island off the NC coast. The weather was absolutely perfect and the water was amazing. A great place for kids to swim (no rip currents or big waves). Lots of nature to explore as well.

Beautiful beach, sweet breezes and pelicans. Softly rolling waves soothe the soul and calm the spirit. Took a long walk on the beach and watched the pelicans diving and re-surfacing, talked to some of the nicest people along the way. Great photo opportunities everywhere. A great place to leave work and worries behind and "just breathe."

Wow! Amazing! We did the tour by North Carolina Coastal Reserve that meets on Wednesdays at 830 on 40th street at the ocean. They were so knowledgeable and my kids 4 and 11 enjoyed it as much as my mom and I did. They went above and beyond my expectations and the whole walk is breathtaking. And at the end with the kindred mailbox was such a beautiful thing watching many others write down hopes, dreams or thoughts on notebooks and placing back in the mailbox, and if that wasn’t enough for you the views were picturesque sitting at the bench in front and behind you of the marsh and sand dunes. I also learned a lot about the area and the birds, turtles and small creatures from shells. If you are in the area you have to make this a to do on your list, you will NOT be disappointed!