The Five Best Boating Spots in North Carolina
The Tarheel State is blessed with an incredible variety of waterways. From coastal marshes and sounds to the clear blue water of the Gulf Stream, coastal North Carolina is a boating wonderland. When you add boat-up restaurants and nightlife that can be partaken on a trip, the opportunities are that much more exciting. A bit further west, there are lakes here boast bass fisheries good enough to attract the professional tournament circuits.
Here’s a breakdown of five of our favorite North Carolina boating destinations. Each is provided with a bit of context and what you might expect.
Wilmington, North Carolina.
Wilmington is a charming city located on the southern aspect of coastal North Carolina. Wilmington hosts respectable offshore fishing, attracts a variety of national music acts, and has plenty of boat-up activities.
Designated the nation’s first World War II Heritage City, you can check out the historic Battleship North Carolina just across the Cape Fear River from downtown. Preserved, open to the public, and available for tours, it is a sight to see and well worth the price of admission.
Downtown Wilmington sits on the waterfront of the Cape Fear River. There is plenty of dockage and visiting the area by boat, before shopping or having lunch, is a pleasant, doable proposition.
You can also take your boat over to Wrightsville Beach. Here you’ll find trendy waterfront eateries, breweries, and plenty of space to bring your boat.
Morehead City
Head two hours up the coast from Wilmington and you’ll find Morehead City. Located on the inshore of a barrier island and the waters of Bogue Sound, Morehead City’s water tower appropriately reads “Fisherman’s Paradise.”
Head across the sound and you can visit Atlantic Beach or historic Fort Macon. Head east, cross the inlet, and you can hunt for prehistoric sharks’ teeth or see wild horses on Shackleford Banks. You’re also just a 45-minute boat ride away from Cape Lookout.
The seafood here is fresh and plentiful. There are plenty of local oysters and shrimp straight from the source. Morehead City’s waterfront is home to the world-famous Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament each June. In the winter, there is a world-class bluefin tuna bite just in front of the inlet.
Morehead City’s diversity of boating options is really hard to beat. From sand bars and deserted islands in the sound to boat-up dining and festival viewing options, to blue water pursuits offshore, there is much to like.
Hatteras Island
Located at the end of North Carolina Highway 12, Hatteras Island is a wonderful place. To drive here, you’ll pass Cape Hatteras National Seashore and the hills where the Wright brothers took their first flights. This part of the world has been attracting all manner of boater—from pirates to Ernest Hemingway—for centuries. Offshore, Hatteras offers easy access to the waters of the Gulf Stream. It is home to a thriving charter scene targeting white and blue marlin, dolphin,
and tuna.
Hatteras Island sits squarely between the Atlantic and the Pamlico Sound. The sound hosts incredible inshore fishing opportunities. The world record redfish came from Avon, right up the road.
If you have the boat for it, you can cruise to Hatteras straight across the sound. You can rent a slip and a room at Oden’s Dock, rent a golf cart for the week, and enjoy a world-class boating adventure in one of the most beautiful, relaxed places you’ll find.
Ocracoke Island
The headline on Ocracoke’s website reads, “Slow Down. You’re Here.” With good reason.
Ocracoke sits right smack in the middle of the Outer Banks— southwest of Hatteras Island, northeast of Cape Lookout. While you can drive to Hatteras, Ocracoke is reachable only by boat—either your boat or by a car ferry operated by the state.
Ocracoke is slow-moving and peaceful. Its beaches--part of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore-- are among the most beautiful you’ll find anywhere. There are plenty of places where you can rent a slip for your boat and a room for yourself and your family. From there, you can rent a golf cart or bike or explore the island on foot.
The place is made for unwinding and relaxation. Folks have been coming to this beautiful, remote part of the world since the days of the pirates. Check it out, bring your boat. You’ll be glad that you did.
Jordan Lake, North Carolina
If you prefer to keep your boating pursuits salt-free, North Carolina has quite a bit to offer in terms of freshwater as well. Jordan Lake hosts a bass fishery that is good enough to attract BASS tour events. This 14,000-acre reservoir is located just 30 miles west of Raleigh. Recreation areas around the lake house more than 1,000 campsites that are open for tents, campers, and RVs.
Beyond the fishing, Jordan Lake is known for summertime aggregations of bald eagles. The area is wooded and beautiful, and home to a vast network of hiking trails. You can trailer your boat here and stay on the lake. If you’re so inclined, you can head over to Raleigh for an afternoon. It’s a vibrant city, with a great restaurant scene and plenty to take in.
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