On 7/23/09, as part of a “North Carolina Wish List,” I posed the following question:

45. The delightful village of Swansboro will be spotted northwest of marker 46. There are two transient friendly marinas to choose from, or you could brave the swift currents and anchor on the westerly reaches of White Oak River, and dinghy ashore to the small town pier. Who has visited Swansboro? Where did you dock, or did you anchor? Please give us some shoreside dining and docking recommendations.

Responses follow:

We anchored just downstream of the bridge in July 2008. Good holding. A fair weather anchorage with currents no more or less strong than those all along the coast from Beaufort, NC to Fernandina Bch, FL
Rick

We docked a Casper’s Marina overnight, the staff is very friendly and accommodating, although the one unisex non-climate controlled shower and restrooms are just adequate. The face dock can be very rough from wakes on the White River and Intracoastal and is wide open from the southwest, but with good fenders it is okay. The water normally quiets down in the evening, but the band plays on until late from a shrimper’s bar near the southeast side of the bridge. The music was good, though
Chuck Tontsch

We anchored out in Swansboro near the bridge. We got there fairly late and had to jostle for a while to get right. Actually we moved 4 times before we felt right. We did not get to go ashore but it looked cute and we will try to do so on our way south and look forward to reading about it more. Our recomendations would be to get there early for a good spot. It gets a bit close there with the bridge, docks and big fishing vessels forming a three sided anchorage. A bit daunting in windy conditions if its crowded, which it was.

We stayed at Caspers Marina there in June 2008. Good experience. We ate dinner at Icehouse Restaurant and were very pleased with the food and service. Nice waterfront location. For breakfast I highly recommend Yana’s. Wonderful food and friendly service. Swansboro is a fun place to visit and has some interesting shops.
Pat Cummins, s/v Kentris

I think Swansboro is one of the most overlooked little towns along the ICW. They have a number of small and simple restaurants with great food, some cute little shops and very friendly people. If you stay at Casper’s Marina, it is an easy walk into town. Speaking of Casper’s, this marina is exposed to the ICW right at the place where the channel speed drops from 25 to No Wake. Needless to say, there are plenty of recreational day boaters who don’t respect that go zooming by (or very close) to the marina. If you stay there, insist that you stay on the inside of the fuel dock which acts as a breakwater. I spent a very uncomfortable night on the outside and was `banged’ pretty good. In all fairness, I stayed there on a Saturday so the number of fast boats and jet skis was disproportional. They do have fuel, nice shower and heads and a small but ample provision store all on site.
Peter

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Nice summary of the features to be found at Caspers Marina, and what is available in the downtown Swansboro business/histroic district. I would just add that if you like fried seafood, don’t dare miss Captain Charleys Seafood Paradise.

Stayed at Caspers Marina ($1.25 a foot) tonight, April 11, 2009. Dock hands were quick and knew how to tie a line. Docks exposed to fetch from west or WSW. Fixeed wood docks in good repair. As with Dudleys this marina is also exposed to passing boat traffic but seems to die off after dark. I personally would not stay at either marina for severe weather if it could be helped. Fairly new power pedestals with cable that works. Wifi worked right off the bat with no issues, fast and stable. New building
for bathrooms and shower, one shower and one mens/one ladies restroom. Small shipstore on site.
Town is 5 minutes walk, around 3 blocks. 6 or 7 restaurants serving deli stuffs to cooked Prime Cow and seafoods. Also, Ice cream and snacks. Downtown is a small revitalized 5 block section with some gift, antique, and knick knack shops. They have a courtesy car which you can use to drive about 3 miles north to a Lowes grocery store which has a very good selection.
Pat Banyas
s/v Marguerite

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Dudleys actually sits across the White Oak River Causeway/Bridge from downtown Swansboro, so it can be an interesting walk into the business/historic district, where you will find ALL the MANY wonderful restaurants, including Captain Charley’s Seafood Paradise (perhaps the best FRIED seafood in NC).

Subject: Marina
Cruising News: Dudley’s Marina in Swansboro,NC is a good deal! Not in the cruising books but has docks for .75/ft and free electric 50a.They have clean restrooms and a van for going to store, etc.
Patty Mitchell

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The message below comes to us from Captain Keith Mackey, owner of CC Yacht Delivery (A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, http://ccyachtdelivery.com ). PLEASE patronize Captain Mackey’s service whenever possible.
Spooners Creek is my OLD home base on the North Carolina coastline. The facility is very different now than it was in the days when Bruce, Rene and John Fetzer manned the bastions here, but the new icarnation is very nice as well, and they are also a SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR (http://www.shoresatspoonerscreek.com/bogue-sound-marina.php)! Spooners Creek’s entry channel lies off the southern flank of the AICW’s run through Bougue Sound, as short hop west of the Atlantic Beach high-rise bridge. See you there!

I did a short little delivery trip on the ICW this past Sunday (1/24/09) from Morehead City to Wrightsville Beach. I had my first opportunity to visit Spooners Creek Marina. While I picked the boat up from a private residence back in Spooner?s Creek, I did have an opportunity to check out the marina before I departed. This is a class “A” facility. The entrance is deep and well marked. The yacht basin is also very deep and the docks and facilities are new and top of the line. While the marina is not on the main strip in Morehead City, it is a very reasonable walk (about a mile or so through the neighborhood) up to HWY 24 where the Super WalMart is located and an Outback Steakhouse is just another 2 or 3 blocks. The marina is directly off the ICW and is well protected.
I hope this is helpful. With kind regards,
Capt Keith

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