I wonder how many cruising boats ply the ICW year in and year out and do NOT stop at Bear Island / Hammocks Beach State Park. So many cruising logs and blogs seem to approach the ICW as "get north | south as fast as possible" and blow right by wonderful locations such as this one.
Catch the tide just so, and an anchored boat in the Swansboro area (about Statute Mile 229) can put a dinghy on the barrier island in about an hour. It may be less if outboard powered.
There are kayaks and canoes for rent in the area on the mainland.
The island has some beautiful remote beaches, unspoiled by the motels, resorts and condos of more "modern" beach areas.
Here's how we got there for an overnight camp; this is on the Sound Side of the island. (Photo by my daughter, H.F.R.)