Create Sweet Memories: Iconic Ice Cream Spots Near Holden Beach

There is something so special about enjoying ice cream on vacation, especially one spent at Holden Beach. Why is it such a cherished experience? I think it's partly how it conjures up memories of our own childhood trips to the beach.

And we all know the feeling of craving something cool after a long day spent playing in the waves and sand. Ice cream is the perfect way to cool down. It provides instant relief from the warm summer sun and creates happy memories made with family and friends.

Ice cream is a vacation essential, and Holden Beach has several wonderful spots perfect for your next beach trip:

Saltwater Shanty

Located just across the bridge in Supply, Saltwater Shanty is a local institution featuring homemade ice cream. It's a family business owned by fifth-grade sweethearts, Jeff and Leigh Whitfield, who use their Uncle Gene's recipes to keep customers lining up every night of the week.

• The Vibe: You'll love their cozy, comfortable garden setting that is adorably lit at night.

• The Flavors: Not only are all of their ice cream flavors homemade, but their waffle cones and bowls are handmade every day and served warm.

• Must-Try: Sea Turtle is a local fav - vanilla with a hint of caramel, chocolate fudge swirls, caramel drizzle, and topped with their delicious home roasted pecans.

  
  

The Scoop

Located right on Holden Beach Road, look for the adorable red building with blue and yellow trim, and you'll know you've found The Scoop. Known for their delicious, homemade ice cream, it's always a huge hit with everyone visiting Holden Beach.

• The Vibe: Fun, welcoming, atmosphere highlighted by a huge Adirondack chair - perfect for pictures of the kids.

  
  

• The Menu: They not only have

  more than 20 flavors of ice cream, they also make homemade bagels, waffles, breakfast burritos and lots more!

  
  

• Must-Try: The Holden Beach Sunset is a crowd favorite.

  
  

Fantasy Isle

Located right on the Holden Beach Causeway in an iconic light-yellow house, Fantasy Isle Ice Cream & Mini Golf has been a local landmark since 1986. (I spent plenty of time here during my childhood summers at Holden Beach!) It’s the ultimate destination for capping off a perfect day in the sun with a cold treat and a little friendly rivalry.  It features a 18-hole mini-golf course right outside, making it the perfect spot to challenge the family to a round of putt-putt before (or after!) indulging. If you’re lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of "Putter," the shop’s famous resident squirrel who stops by for her very own miniature vanilla cone.  

Fantasy Isle Facebook Page

• The Vibe: Vibrant, nostalgic, and full of classic coastal charm. With its bright outdoor seating and welcoming atmosphere, it feels exactly like the roadside ice cream shops from your own childhood summer vacations.

  
  

• The Menu: . Fantasy Isle doesn't do dainty, micro-portioned artisanal scoops. They are famous for their generously proportioned scoops of premium, velvety ice cream and customizable toppings like hot fudge, rainbow sprinkles, and a mountain of whipped for full-vacation mode.

  
  

• Must-Try:  Their homemade waffle cones are an absolute must. Fill one up with a generous scoop of Blue Bubble Gum (a multi-decade crowd favorite) or the rich, magical Butter Praline. 

  
  

Beaches -N- Cream

Located right on the Holden Beach Causeway, Beaches -N- Cream is the island’s original champion of the scratch-made scoop. If you’re a dessert lover who believes the best ice cream comes from the freshest local ingredients, this cozy, vibrant spot is your paradise.

• The Vibe: Bright, festive, and deeply community-oriented. Inside, you’re greeted by colorful shiplap walls and a hand-written blackboard menu displaying the day's creations. Outside, string lights hang over a collection of rainbow picnic tables, making it an idyllic spot to watch the causeway traffic.

  
  

• The Hook: It is all about local, small-batch craftsmanship. Every single flavor is made fresh on-site using premium ingredients, including milk from North Carolina free-range cows and fresh local produce whenever available.

  
  

• Must-Try: Because they rotate creative flavor combinations nearly every single day, the menu is always a delicious surprise. Keep an eye out for Southern-inspired crowd-pleasers like Banana Pudding (loaded with vanilla wafer goodness), decadent Coconut Cake, and vibrant, refreshing fruit-and-herbal combinations like Blueberry Lavender or Key Lime.

  
  

You simply can't go wrong with any of these local spots! They are part of what makes living in—and visiting—Holden Beach so sweet.

Thinking about making these ice cream spots a permanent part of your life? I’d love to help you find the perfect beach house where you can start making your own memories featuring delicious, homemade ice cream.

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