The beach is the point. Eight miles of pale sand running east to west, with the kind of gentle break that suits families and beginner surfers but does little for the experienced. Beyond walking it, shelling on the western tip, and biking the flat island roads, most of the activity is on or just off the water — Holden Beach Fishing Pier is the social hub, charter boats run inshore and offshore from the bridge, and kayak rentals open up the inlet and the salt marshes behind the island.