My experience with the Oriental Harbor anchorage is that most boats anchor between Oriental Harbor Marina, and the channel leading to the interior reaches of Oriental harbor, and Oriental Marina (plus Toucans Restaurant – A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR). Captain Emerson is right in that depths decline somewhat the closer you approach the Oriental Yacht Club facility.

Cruising News: For some reason, none of the cruising guides we have with us mention what’s inferred on the charts: the channel through Oriental\’s harbor is close to the breakwater. While anchoring in Oriental, we tried to leave room between us and the new marina, thinking that was the fairway for the shrimpers. In fact, this is the space for anchoring (well, don’t block the marina fairways, of course), and the area near the breakwater should be left clear.
It’s hard to comment on typical depths in the harbor as right now (19-20 Oct 2009) there\’s minor flooding in the street at the head of the harbor. Several days of north winds have driven water levels about 2′ higher than usual. Nonetheless, it looks as though anchoring towards the Oriental yacht Club is not for the deep of draft (like us!).
Richard B. Emerson

Click Here For The Cruisers’ Net’s North Carolina Anchorage Directory Listing For Oriental Harbor Anchorage

Click Here For The Cruisers’ Net’s North Carolina Marina Directory Listing For Oriental Marina and Toucans Restaurant