Water Tours and Cruises

Water Tours and Cruises

Visitors have always been drawn to the coast of North Carolina for the miles and miles of blue water, and what better way to explore the coast than by boat. After all, some of the most phenomenal coastal attractions can only be appreciated from the deck of a cruise, charter or tour boat, like an up close and personal examination of curious dolphins or a breezy morning of exceptional Gulf Stream fishing.

From the first visitors to the coast who relied on privately run ferry boats to navigate them to and from barrier islands to the pioneering locals of the tourism industry who set up fledgling charter boat services in the 1960s, North Carolina has treasured its boating culture. For avid sailors and first time visitors alike, a tour of the waters that these communities call home allows folks to experience this maritime culture for themselves.

Regardless of which area of the North Carolina coastline you visit, chances are there is a multitude of different tours and cruises available to suit your interests. Because of the proximity to the Gulf Stream, almost all coastal areas feature a bevy of charter boats who take daily trips. For other recreation on the water, there are pirate cruises, dolphin tours and eco-tours. For a romantic adventure, visitors can try a dinner cruise that features gorgeous waterfront views - no matter where on the ship they dine. Because there are miles of water and tons of attractions, there are plenty of options for you to enjoy your special cruise on the water.

The type of boat that embarks on these adventures varies widely and depends on the purpose of the tour or cruise. Saltwater fishing boats vary widely in length and are used for charter fishing. These boats are specialized for various species of fish. Flats boat, for example, are used in protected, shallow waters and have shallow draft. Sportfishing boats, which are common along the North Carolina coastline, range from 25' to 80' or more, and can be powered by large outboard engines or inboard diesels. Fishing boats in colder climates may have more space dedicated to cuddy cabins and wheelhouses, while boats in warmer climates like North Carolina are likely to be entirely open.

The term "cruising boats" applies to both power and sailboats, and refers to trips ranging from short two hour tours to local weekend passages to lengthy voyages. Cruising sailboats range from 20' to 70' or more, and have easily managed sailplans to allow relatively small crews to sail them long distances. Some cruising sailboats will have two masts to further reduce the size of individual sails, and to make it possible for a couple of sailors to handle the larger boats.

Navigating the water is an intricate process, and once on board, newcomers might hear a few terms or notice a few components of which they might not be familiar. Common to most boats are several key components which make up the main structure of the vessel. The hull is the main structural component which provides buoyancy for the boat. The roughly horizontal, but cambered structures spanning the hull of the boat are referred to as the deck. In a ship there are often several decks, but the tour boats that travel along the coast are unlikely to have more than one. Above the deck are the superstructures, and the underside of a deck is the deck head.

An enclosed space on a boat is referred to as a cabin. Several individual structures make up a cabin: the similar but usually lighter structure which spans a raised cabin is a coach-roof. The "floor" of a cabin is properly known as the sole, and the vertical surfaces dividing the internal space are bulkheads. The keel is a lengthwise structural member to which the frames are fixed (sometimes referred to as a backbone.)

The front (or forward end) of a boat is called the bow. Boats of earlier times often featured a figurehead protruding from the front of the bows. The rear (or aft end) of the boat is called the stern. As a passenger is facing forward, the right side of the boat is starboard and the left side is port. While knowing these terms won't affect the enjoyment of the ride, many new visitors find it helpful and entertaining to interpret the commands relayed from the crew members as they set off into the water.

Once you are familiar with the boating terms and have conquered any sea sickness, it is time to decide which type of tour or cruise to try first. No matter where you initially land, there are plenty of tours available from the Outer Banks to the Brunswick Beaches. In fact, the only problem visitors might encounter while researching a boat tour or cruise is deciding on which tour to select.

The following sampling of tours available will help ease the way, and give an idea of the different adventures available in the varying regions of the North Carolina coast. Also, please remember that just because a tour is listed under one region, doesn't mean that it can't be found anywhere else along the Carolina Coast. Adventures like dolphin tours, charter fishing and eco-tours are popular throughout the coastline, and nearly every beach offers maritime vendors for these tours.

Outer Banks Tours and Cruises

Charter Fishing

Many folks flock to the Outer Banks for its exceptional charter fishing, as this region of the coast can be as little as 15 miles away from the Gulf Stream Current. The Gulf Stream is home to a multitude of prizewinning sport and game fish, and the Hatteras and Oregon Inlets provide a pathway for charter boats to chug out early in the morning for a day of fishing.

Because of the popularity, charter boats should often be booked well in advance. While some fishermen call a local charter boat business for direct reservations, like the Albatross Fleet in Hatteras Village, new visitors often find it is easiest to work with fishing centers and marinas to reserve a boat. Teach's Lair Marina, Hatteras Harbor Marina, the Oregon Inlet Fishing Center and Pirate's Cove Marina can all provide recommendations and even help guests book their fishing trip.

Generally, charter boats must be booked in parties of six, though captains can often combine two smaller parties together if need be. Once your trip is booked, prepare to get up early. Most carter boats leave at 4:00 or 5:00 a.m. to get a head start out to the Gulf Stream. Once out in the waters, anglers can expect to reel in a multitude of seasonal species, like Wahoo, marlin, doulphin, snapper, drum, and much more. Then it's back to the docks to unload and clean the day's catch.

If the weather doesn't cooperate, almost all charters offer a refund or a booking for an alternate day, if it is available during the party's stay.

Kayak Tours

Because the Outer Banks borders the Albemarle Sound, the 30-mile wide Pamlico Sound and acres of winding saltwater canals and marshlands, kayak tours of this area are a favorite pastime of many visitors. Kayaks are small, easy to navigate and offer a safe way to explore the calm sound and canal waters. A number of watersports companies like REAL Kayaking and Ocean Atlantic Rentals offer kayak rentals by the day or week so visitors can explore on their own and enjoy a self-guided tour.

Of course, some folks argue that to get the best sunset vistas and explore the secret local spots, a guided tour is the way to go. Local sports companies like Kitty Hawk Kites offer a multitude of ways to paddle out on an adventure, including daily and nightly seasonal guided tours.

With locations on the Outer Banks from Ocracoke to Corolla, Kitty Hawks Kites offers the largest number of tours in the area, ranging from 1-2 hour eco-tours to beautiful sunset tours exploring the sound waters. Visitors are encouraged to bring cameras and enjoy a leisurely paddle to some of the best wildlife viewing locations. Reservations are recommended for these tours, and Kitty Hawk Kites offers refunds or rescheduled trips for at least 48-hour cancellations or inclement weather.

ATV / Portsmouth Island Tours

While ATVs are not allowed on the Cape Hatteras National Seashore, Ocracoke visitors have an opportunity to embark on a very special and unique tour via an All Terrain Vehicle of neighboring Portsmouth Island. Originally a bustling port city, Portsmouth Village faded away when the inlet became too shallow for boats to land, and has been deserted for the past three decades. Through the tour, visitors can explore the original coastal village, which is still abandoned, but maintained by the National Park Service.

If you make the trip to Portsmouth Island, bug spray is strongly recommended. The bugs can be brutal on the island, particularly since there are generally no other humans for miles. You should also pack plenty of drinks and snacks, especially in the summertime, as there are very limited facilities on the island.

The tours are seasonal, offered each year from April 1 through November 31, and depart daily from the Jolly Roger Marina in Ocracoke Village. The tours take approximately four hours, as a party of six rides a boat to Portsmouth Island. Once the boat arrives, the tour guides provide ATVs for exploring as they guide visitors throughout the island. Tours are rescheduled or refunded in bad weather, and refunds will be granted for 24 hour cancellations.

Crystal Coast Tours and Cruises

Private Ferries

Some of the most desirable beaches along the Crystal Coast remain that way because of their accessibility. Cape Lookout National Seashore and the Shackleford Banks are some of the most beautiful pristine beaches along the East Coast, simply because you need a private passenger or vehicle ferry to access them. It may seem like a bit of a hassle for a day at the beach, but considering that the trip is half the fun and the beautiful beaches are certainly worth the trouble, many visitors set sail for these barrier islands year after year.

The Crystal Coast has a veritable fleet of ferries to choose from. Many depart from different marinas located along the coastline, like Morris Marina in Atlantic or Cape Point Marina on Harkers Island. While several ferries offer guided tours of the barrier island attractions, like the Cape Lookout Lighthouse or the Shackleford Bank Ponies, many ferries are simply a means of transportation. As such, it is crucial to load up on drinks and supplies before your trip, as facilities on these islands are limited.

Running low on supplies? Not to worry. Many ferry services, like the Island Ferry Adventures in Harkers Island, offer an on-premise ship's store with everything you will need for a long day at the beach. Whether you walk, bike or take a 4-wheel drive vehicle, these ferries depart at different times of the day from early spring through late fall. Generally, cancellations are fine if you are able to give at least 24 hours notice.

Historic Beaufort Tours

A good way to get a taste of what the Crystal Coast has to offer is by embarking on a tour from the small historic town of Beaufort. With a busy but quaint downtown that borders the waterfront, Beaufort serves as the launching point for a number of boat tours that explore the sites. Tours range from viewing the dolphins that play nearby, to touring neighboring Carrot Island and its population of wild horses, to the downtown area itself. In fact, a leisurely "cruise down the creek" that gives passengers a splendid waterfront view of Beaufort's historic homes is one of the most popular tours available. These tours are quiet, quick and a leisurely way to discover this lovely town.

Because of the abundance of tours in this area, cruises and boat tours can run from small 1-hour affairs up and down the waterfront to long evening dinner cruises that linger into the night. Prices and departure times vary, but the tours are generally seasonal from spring through fall, with multiple runs in a single day.

New Hanover Tours and Cruises

Bordering the Intracoastal Waterway and home to a number of charming towns like Wilmington, Wrightsville Beach and Carolina Beach, the New Hanover County area is an ideal locale for exploring the Cape Fear River while indulging in a number of specialty cruises.

While this area has no shortage of luxury tours for couples, corporate events or even weddings, the interesting mix of city upscale living and laidback beach attitude allows this coastal area to have a wide variety of tours catering to every vacationer's taste, and most with a little bit of local history and folklore mixed into the tour. In fact, visitors can even find a huge array of tours from a single well-known company, Henrietta III.

Henrietta III

An example of this area's extravagant water tour and cruise variety is Wilmington's Henrietta III. Managed by Cape Fear Riverboats, Inc., Henrietta III is named for Henrietta, a trailblazer for steamboats on the Cape Fear River, which enjoyed a long and financially successful life. James Seawell, who lived on a plantation in what is now Fayetteville, North Carolina, built Henrietta in 1817-1818. Seawell named the boat after his daughter, and the massive steamboat was launched April 30, 1818 under the command of Captain Charles Taws.

Her first run from Fayetteville to Wilmington was in July 1818, and after the initial success, she continued to run the Cape Fear River between Wilmington and Fayetteville for 40 years. When she was retired from service, she had run at least 1.5 million miles on the river and had earned no less than $1.5 million for her owners.

Under the ownership of Cape Fear Riverboats, Inc., construction of Henrietta II, North Carolina's only true sternwheel riverboat, began in mid-September 1987 in Greenville, Mississippi. She debuted in Wilmington on April 2, 1988 - almost exactly 170 years after Henrietta's Wilmington debut. Henrietta II operated as a sightseeing and dinner cruise boat until she was sold on March 23, 2000. Henrietta II is still alive and well and is presently in Baltimore, Maryland, functioning as a dinner riverboat under the name of the Black-Eyed Susan. Henrietta III, under the command of Captain J.N. Maffitt, has taken over the duties of entertaining visitors up and down the Cape Fear River and is doing a fine job of carrying on a long and fun tradition.

While the Henrietta III stays loyal to the Cape Fear waters that the former Henriettas traveled, this cruise boat offers a huge array of entertainment options for folks who are looking for an interesting night out. On Friday and Saturday nights from April through December, visitors can sign up for the popular Dinner Dance Cruise. Held from 7:30 to 10:00 p.m., passengers are treated to a huge Southern buffet of tossed salad, baked French rolls, seasoned homestyle baked chicken, sliced roast beef in homemade brown sauce, vegetables, side dishes and desserts, followed by a romantic evening of dancing on the deck.

For a little spooky fun, try the Murder Mystery Dinner Cruise. During the 2-hour cruise on Tuesdays from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., passengers mingle with unusual characters and watch for clues as they enjoy the ship's sumptuous buffet. This cruise feeds on audience participation, and the crime-solver wins a prize at the end of the night.

On Wednesday nights from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Henrietta visitors can combine Southern history and Southern cooking with the Sunset Cruise, a nostalgic and relaxing adventure along the calm waters of the scenic Cape Fear River. This tour features a narration by the Captain on local points of interest and amusing anecdotes. Passengers will be treated to the Shrimp-a-loo Buffet, featuring peel & eat shrimp, seasoned homestyle baked chicken, oven roasted seasoned red potatoes, corn on the cob, creamy coleslaw, Mexican cornbread and dessert.

Finally, for a more lighthearted affair, try the Redneck Wedding Comedy Cruise, where guests can come and watch Bubba and Sallie Jean get hitched and share the BBQ Wedding Buffet. Bring along your appetite because there will be plenty of pork barbecue, baked chicken, cole slaw, corn on the cob, baked beans, cornbread, and of course, wedding cake.

For an easy introduction to the Cape Fear area, take advantage of the cruise's lunch and sightseeing tours during the day. Henrietta III offers 45 to 90 minute sightseeing tours of the Cape Fear area, narrated by the captain and crew. You can even book a water taxi to the famous USS North Carolina Battleship, or book a 4-hour relaxing cruise up the wooded Black Tar River.

Have your own private party in mind? Henrietta III is also open for private party rentals, ranging from small corporate retreats to large wedding receptions. Guests can rent a single deck or the entire boat for a quick day trip or an entire evening. The boat is also available for rehearsal dinners, engagement parties, birthday parties, anniversary parties, retirement parties, family reunions, school reunions, and more.

Cruises and tours are seasonal and vary on a regular basis. Often, there are also holiday tours available, ranging from Valentine's Day Sweetheart Cruises to patriotic 4th of July Celebrations. For more information, stop by the Cape Fear Riverboat's headquarters in downtown Wilmington.

Inshore Fishing

The New Hanover area offers plenty of opportunities to go offshore charter fishing in the Gulf Stream through local fishing boat companies, like Class Action Charters. In addition, the miles of Intracoastal Waterway present another unique and fun experience for visiting and local anglers: inshore fishing.

Inshore fishing charters can take place in the Intracoastal Waterway, salt marshes and tidal creeks behind Carolina Beach, Wrightsville Beach and Topsail Beach, as well as in the Cape Fear River. Once you board the boat, the variety of locales allows you to cast, troll or bottom fish for a variety of inshore fish, namely flounder, red and black drum, speckled and gray trout, bluefish, striped bass, croaker, Virginia mullet and spot.

The light fishing tackle makes landing these fish a thrill that anglers of every skill level can enjoy. Generally, the fishing trips are shorter than offshore fishing, which is usually a half or full day event, since the boats explore waters close to home. In addition, with less fuel cost and shorter trips, an inshore fishing trip can be less expensive than a day of fishing in the Gulf Stream.

Carolina Explorer Fishing Charter and Guide Service of Carolina Beach is one such company that offers both offshore and inshore fishing. On their expeditions, bait, ice and tackle are provided on the fishing charter. All guests have to bring is food and drinks for the ride. Inshore fishing trips are available for 1-4 people, for 4-7 hour trips, and can range in cost from $250 to $450 for the entire trip.

Brunswick Beaches Cruises and Water Tours

Five islands, six beaches, three mainland towns and over 35 golf courses sum up the Brunswick Islands, but the boating and great fishing are large attractions that keep visitors coming back year after year.

Each island located on the 45-mile stretch of south-facing Brunswick Islands, the southernmost of all of the North Carolina beaches, is just a little bit different. Each island offers its own personality and own unique way to enjoy the water. Oak Island offers a variety of parks, canoe and kayak friendly areas and recreation trails that are an ideal haven for active nature lovers, while Holden Beach has long been known as a fisherman's paradise.

Passenger Ferries

Depending on where you visit, you may end up taking a passenger ferry on your travels. Serene Bald Head Island, renowned as a safe haven for wildlife, waterfowl and loggerhead turtles, can be reached only by private passenger ferry, and no cars are allowed on the island.

Scenic and Holiday Tours

Of course, one of the better ways to explore this area is with a scenic cruise that winds around historic Cape Fear River while taking in the sites of Bald Head Island, Fort Caswell and the surrounding areas. With a scenic tour, guests can enjoy the area's amazing sunsets or the abundant wildlife that lives in and around the waterways.

These tours are generally inexpensive and an impressive way to enjoy the water. For example, Starship Deep Sea Fishing and Adventure Cruises operates cruises throughout June, July and August, and only charges between $10 and $20 for a 90-minute to 2-hour tour. Just be sure and bring a camera, as the Brunswick Islands feature both stunning sunrises and sunsets over the water.

Many cruises along the North Carolina coast, including the Starship Cruise, offer seasonal holiday tours for special events, particularly the 4th of July. Because a number of coastal beach towns use the safety of the water as a backdrop to set off fireworks over the water from a pier or off the beach, an Independence Day Cruise may offer the best view of the festivities.

If you are in the Outer Banks area, check out the Miss Hatteras Party Boat for an amazing view of the fireworks launched off the Hatteras Ferry Docks. Further south, Wilmington's own Henrietta III offers 4th of July Celebration Cruises, as well as a multitude of other festive cruises for special events throughout the year.

In Southport, the Starship Fireworks Cruise departs the Southport Yacht Basin at about 8:30 p.m. and ventures out into the water for a terrific view of the Southport Waterfront and Fireworks Celebration. The trip includes light hour douvres and party favors, as well as a cash bar with beer, wine and soda. Space is limited, so if you want to see the amazing spectacle of a sky filled with explosions reflecting over the water, it is best to make your reservation early.

Scuba Diving

One of the most amazing ways to explore North Carolina's beaches is not by exploring the land, but by exploring under the water via a scuba diving trip off the coast. The Brunswick Beaches have plenty of offshore and underwater areas to explore, starting with the Frying Pan Reef, a Rock reef at the end of Frying Pan Shoals, with depth ranges from 40 to 70 feet.

Here, a large variety of sea life can be observed, including fish, coral and lobster. Diving under the legs of the Frying Pan Shoals Tower is an equally exhilarating experience. Not far from here is the Fossil Ledge, a break that is about 80 to 100 feet where divers can find whale bones and Megaladon Shark Teeth.

In season, there are spots where experienced divers can catch spiney and shovel-nosed lobsters 60 to 120 deep in the water, perfect for an evening seafood beach feast to celebrate an amazing dive. Remember that in North Carolina you must be certified to go scuba diving. If you are certified, or are able to take a certification class on or before your vacation, the ocean is all yours to explore.

One company that provides scuba diving charters in the Brunswick beaches area is Scuba South Diving, located in Southport. Scuba South Diving features a 52-foot aluminum twin diesel Scuba South II, and is Coast Guard certified for 24 passengers to travel 100 miles offshore. Diving expeditions leave the dock at 7:00 a.m. for all dive sites off Cape Fear's Frying Pan Shoals. The captain (licensed for 50 tons to 100 miles offshore) is Wayne Strickland, a NAUI certified instructor with 35 years of experience, and he is also certified to teach all NAUI courses for beginner scuba divers.

In order to confirm dates, deposits are required within two weeks of when reservations are made. If you are planning a last-minute adventure, walk-ons are always welcome and all necessary scuba equipment, from the wet suit to the tank, is available for rental. Refunds will be given if the trip is cancelled is due to weather or breakdown of the diveboat.

All of the aforementioned cruises are just a sample of the variety of cruises the North Carolina coast has to offer. Nature lovers who are handy with a camera can sign up for dolphin tours through a variety of ports along the coast, like Water Bug Tours in Beaufort or Outer Banks Cruises in Manteo. These tours can last anywhere from 1-3 hours and feature spectacular first hand looks at pods of dolphins playing in the water, often within feet of the tour boat. The kids in your group will also love the pirate cruises that pop up along the coast, like on the Miss Hatteras Boat on Hatteras Island. On these tours, plastic swords and pirate gear is provided, as the crew members dress up to create the atmosphere of a pirate ship that is out on an adventure on the high seas.

Whatever adventure best suits your vacation style, from a scuba diving underwater exploration to a fine dining cruise along the Cape Fear River, there is no shortage of ways to enjoy the brilliant sounds, rivers, marshlands and Atlantic Ocean waters that make the North Carolina beaches one of the most unique vacation destinations on the East Coast. With hundreds of miles of water to explore, there is no excuse not to get your feet wet with a water tour or cruise.