Columbia, NC
On the Scuppernong River, Cutting Into Southern Albemarle Sound
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Columbia

Columbia, a river town founded in 1792 and originally named Shallop’s Landing, is located at the Scuppernong River’s upstream cruising limit for larger pleasure craft. According to Bill Sharpe, writing in his wonderful

Columbia Town Docks

county by county 1950’s compilation, “A New Geography of North Carolina,” a visitor to Columbia was walking down the town’s main street when he noticed that everyone seemed to be carrying a fishing pole. The stranger began to feel uneasy. He went to the sheriff’s office and asked, `Is it a law in this town that everybody has to carry a fishing pole?’ The deputy replied, `Well, I wouldn’t exactly call it a law; but you might say it was the rule.’ This is a typical down-east tale if I have ever heard one. It embodies the spirit of this little town and emphasizes how good the fishing can be on the wide and lazy Scuppernong River.

Cruisers can count of discovering one welcoming private marinas, and one set of city docks in Columbia. Furthermore, there are a host of nearby anchorages, all of which are within at least a long dinghy ride of downtown Columbia. Coupled with the Scuppernong River’s great natural beauty, there is more reason than ever for captains to draw a red circle around this fortunate port of call.

Approaches

Columbia lies along the upstream reaches of beautiful Scuppernong River. This stream cuts into the southern shores of Albemarle Sound east of Mackeys Creek, and well west of the AICW and Alligator River.

Early explorers were so enchanted with the beauty of Scuppernong River that they named it `Hearts Delight.’ This lovely body of water is narrower than its sister streams to the north and is lined by heavily wooded shores. Old, gnarled cypress trees with their trailing beards of gray moss majestically guard the banks. Here and there, a few picturesque homes break the landscape.

Tradition claims that the river is the birthplace of the Scuppernong grape. Early visitors are said to have carried clippings of the vine back to Roanoke Island, from which grew the `Mother Vineyard.’

The marked Scuppernong River channel holds minimum 7-foot depths to Columbia. The dredged entrance passage from Bull Bay is well outlined by aids to navigation, as is the remainder of the river.

Marinas

Canadina Geese Near Cypress Landing Marina

One private marinas and a collection of town docks are accessible to cruising craft in Columbia. Between these facilities, most cruising craft will find comfortable dockage in or near Columbia, though captains piloting craft over 50 feet in length might find the facilities a tiny bit crowded.

Cypress Cove Marina
35 55.022 North/076 16.667 West
Moving upstream from the Albemarle intersection, you will first come to the entrance to Cypress Cove Marina (35 55.022 North/076 16.667 West, 252-796-0435) south of lighted marker #7. The marina’s well sheltered dockage basin actually lies off the eastern banks of the narrow canal, which you will spy running off to the south. Minimum depth in the canal and along its approach runs 5 feet, improving to soundings of some 6 feet in the harbor.
Transient dockage is cheerfully provided at fixed wooden slips and face docks. Fresh water and 30-50 amp power connections are in the offing, and waste pump-out service is also available. Nice showers are found in a climate controlled, stand alone, wooden building, but no laundromat is located on the premises. A minimal snack bar will be found at a BP filling stating within walking distance, and some basic supplies can be purchaed here also. Otherwise, hungry cruisers must trek across the Highway 64 bridge to access the local restaurants and provisioning possibilities outlined below.
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s North Carolina Marina Directory Listing For Cypress Cove Marina

Columbia Town Docks
35 55.037 North/076 15.265 West
The town of Columbia boasts a series of low-level fixed wooden piers along the downtown waterfront, flanking the river’s eastern shore just downstream (north) of the fixed bridge (near 35 55.037 North/076 15.265 West). Visiting cruisers are welcome to tie to these docks on a first-come, first-served basis. The downtown business district, with its visitors center, restaurants and other attractions is only a few convenient steps away. Depths alongside the piers run around 6½ to 7½ feet. Neither power connections, fresh water hookups, nor fuel is to be had. Waste pump-out service is available through the town hall, located just behind the city piers, and here you will also find a rest room with a climate controlled shower. All in all, this a free, convenient dockage facility for small cruising craft (up to 38 feet) that do not have an immediate need for power hookups.
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s North Carolina Marina Directory Listing For Columbia Town Docks

Anchorages

The Scuppernong River offers visiting cruisers many overnight anchorages. This is the sort of stream where captains can almost pick a spot at will. Those who want a little more direction might consider the havens described -below.

Cove/Scuppernong River Anchorage

Entrance to Cypress Landing Marina

35 55.647 North/076 18.579 West
Moving upstream from the river’s entrance, mariners might consider the cove south of the gap between lighted markers #3 and #4. Notice the charted tongue of 7-foot waters flowing to the southwest. You can follow this channel to within 200 yards of the southwesterly banks and maintain minimum 6-foot depths. Try anchoring near 35 55.647 North/076 18.579 West in the midst of 6½-foot soundings. There is superb shelter here from southern, southeastern, and southwestern winds, but there is little in the way of protection to the north and northeast. Swinging room should be more than ample for a 50-footer.
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s North Carolina Anchorage Directory Listing For Cove/Scuppernong River Anchorage

Unnamed Point/Scuppernong River Anchorage
35 55.794 North/076 17.745 West
Next up are the waters west of lighted marker #4, tucked behind (to the north and northwest of) the adjacent point (near 35 55.794 North/076 17.745 West). This haven offers protection from southern, southwestern, and southeastern winds. Depths of 7 to 9 feet can be expected short of the correctly charted 3-foot shallows to the west and southwest. There is ample space for almost any size pleasure craft, and the shores are completely natural.
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s North Carolina Anchorage Directory Listing For Unnamed Point/Scuppernong River Anchorage

Eastern Shore/Scuppernong River Anchorage
35 55.642 North/076 16.701 West
With strong northeasterly winds in the offing, cautious cruisers can take shelter adjacent to the riverbanks northeast of the gap between lighted marker #4 and unlighted marker #5 (near 35 55.642 North/076 16.701 West). Minimum depths of 6 feet run to within 100 yards of shore, and 5-foot soundings can be carried even closer to the banks. Again, swinging room and the adjacent scenery are all that any mariner could ask for.
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s North Carolina Anchorage Directory Listing For Eastern Shore/Scuppernong River Anchorage

South Shore/Scuppernong River Anchorage
35 55.190 North/076 16.859 West
Another spot worth a look lies southwest of lighted marker #7, near 35 55.190 North/076 16.859 West and hard by the entrance canal leading to Cypress Cove Marina. While there are some surrounding shallows to avoid, minimum depths of 5 to 6 feet can be held well into the charted cove.
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s North Carolina Anchorage Directory Listing For South Shore/Scuppernong River Anchorage

Upstream Scuppernong River Anchorage
35 55.445 North/076 15.632 West
Finally, those who like to pitch the hook just a bit closer to civilization might try the 8- to 9-foot waters abutting the Scuppernong River’s northeastern banks just upstream of lighted marker #10 (near 35 55.445 North/076 15.632 West). This anchorage is within sight of the Columbia waterfront and is protected enough for heavy weather.
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s North Carolina Anchorage Directory Listing For Upstream Scuppernong River Anchorage

Downtown Columbia (as see from Columbia City Docks)

Columbia Ashore

Those who have not had the opportunity to visit Columbia during the past decade will discover big changes for the better. Perhaps the most significant addition is the visitors center overlooking the Scuppernong’s eastern banks just south (upstream) of the fixed U.S. 64 bridge, and within easy walking distance of the city docks. The Tyrrell County Visitors Center (203 Ludington Drive, 252-796-0723) is dedicated to the preservation and understanding of coastal North Carolina wetlands, with which the country surrounding Columbia is so richly endowed. The center features a 0.75-mile raised boardwalk interpretive nature trail, which allows visitors a close look at a typical wetland. Complete with explanatory signs and an outdoor classroom, this trail is highly recommended for any who have an interest in coastal ecology.

The center also supplies kayaks for those adventurous souls who want to explore the upstream reaches of the Scuppernong River. As you might imagine, this waterway leads to a host of undeveloped wetlands.

For those interested in the history of Columbia, the visitors center provides an informative pamphlet entitled, `Columbia on the Scuppernong’”Walking Tour.’ With this booklet in hand, cruisers can stroll downtown Columbia and identify twenty historical structures whose dates of origin range from the late nineteenth to the early twentieth century.

Visiting cruisers with an artistic bent will want to beat a path to Pocosin Arts (252-796-2787), located on the corner of Main and Water Streets. Housed on the second floor of a historic downtown building, this attraction features a display gallery, a gift shop, a sale gallery, and a large educational space. The proprietor, Feather Phillips, has told this writer that her mission is to `expand understanding of the relationship between people and place, culture and environment through the production of traditional arts.’ Pocosin Arts is truly one of the finest establishments of its kind in eastern North Carolina.

A new downtown Columbia attraction is the Vineyards on the Scuppernong Wine Shop (252-796-4727), located right on Highway 64 and also within an easy stop of the Columbia City Docks. Not only is this a really fascinating wine retail outlet, but tours of the nearby winery related to this store can be arranged. Vineyards on the Scuppernong claims to offer “the world’s healthiest wine.”

Clearly, with the free town docks and the Tyrrell County Visitors Center, Columbia can lay claim to a far larger share of many cruisers’ attention than was true in years past. This writer suggests you heed its call.

Restaurants

The dining situation has changed in downtown Columbia during the past several years, and it has been a change for the better! Now, cruising visitors will find at least three, solid restaurants where they may satisfy a sharp appetite, garnered from a long day on the water.

Cypress Landing Marina

To this writer’s tiny mind (and palate), the most fascinating Columbia dining choice is the Scuppernong Mill House (252-796-9600), located directly on “Main Street” within a block of the town docks. The Mill House is a combination bakery, cafe and gallery, featuring “sinfully good deserts.” All of the displayed bakery items looked “sinfully good” to this writer, and more than a few locals told me the sandwiches here are “awesome.”

For a good breakfast, as well as the other meals of the day, take a look at Mike’s Kitchen (103 South Broad Street, 252-796-1668), a mere two blocks from the Columbia city docks. We have not yet had the good fortune to sample Mike’s bill of fare, but the locals speak well of the food here.

Finally, there’s Columbia Crossing Restaurant (252-796-1300), located right on Highway 64, again within an easy step of the docks. The Good Times Tavern is also a part of this establishment.

Provisioning

Cruisers visiting Columbia in search of provisions will have to hoof it some 1 mile east of the Scuppernong River Bridge to the local Food Lion Supermarket. This establishment lies along the north side Highway 64. No local taxi or bus service is available.