Even though it's not near the AICW, Cape Lookout Bight remains the most popular anchorage on the North Carolina coastline. That's because it's a wonderful natural habor, and the nearby beachcombing can be spectacular.
The best way to reach the bight is to cruise out Beaufort Inlet for a safe distance, and then cut east, paralleling Shackleford Banks (staying WELL offshore), and then enter the harbor by a marked entrance.

One anchorage NOT to miss: Cape Lookout Bight.  it's worth the 6 miles out the inlet, beautiful place!  We took the tender around the back of Shackleford to see the wild horses. Good holding (although our 110lbs Claw started dragging just a little in 40kts wind…), plenty of water, great beaches to walk on.  It's going on my mandatory stop over list.
We spent one night on the hook in Cape Look Out bight, a must do stop if the ocean isn't too rough between beaufort inlet and the bight (unless you draw little and can sneak inside).  Take the dink to the beach, lighthouse, etc… and the back side of the Shackleford banks to see the wild horses. Terrific anchorage, plenty of room, good holding although our 110lbs claw started dragging early in the night when the winds reached about 40kts. didn't come loose but a slow drag forcing me to haul anchor and move up toward the entrance… Not much fun to relocate in 40kts at night although I
can't blame the anchor, 110lbs on a 70 footer enclosed FB isn't storm anchor grade…  
Pascal
M/Y Charmer (70' Johnson)
live cel helmcam at www.sandbarhopper.com