Manteo is a charming port of call in North Carolina “Sound Country.” The community waterfront sits perched on the waters of Doughs Creek, which cuts off of Roanoake Sound. A marked channel leads from the easterly reaches of Albemarle Sound, to this latter body of water.
And, right there on the town watefront is the Manteo city marina, which goes under the name of Manteo Waterfront Marina. This an excellent facility, and they are a SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR! Tell harbormaster Carl, we sent you!

We arrved in Manteo, Roanoke Island on June 2nd after two worthwhile days at the national park dock (you can anchor free in Silver Lake or pay 60c ft with Golden Age pass) on Ocracoke Island. This dock was the PT Boat dock in WW2 when they were deployed to respond to the German subs crusing our coastline in the early days of the war. What an interesting place—market where you get fish swimming in the morning for evening grilling, nice beaches, time moves a little slower here. The North Carolina Teacher Education Center rep gave of a tour of the old Coast Guard Headquarters which they have renovated for upgrading teacher skills–kind’a teachers Camp David retreat.
The town dock here in Manteo is a great location from which to enjoy local activities and tour the Outter Banks. Will be here till 8/1 when we head to the Chesapeake with extended stops in Baltimore and month of Sept in DC.
Based on our trip up the Pamlico if weather is favorable in the future we will use this route verses the Pungo Canal etc to go north and south as we have done that route a number of times now and advantages are out weighed by the abundance of stumps and deadheads that are ever present –besides Manteo and Ocracoke are stacking up to be absolutely wonderful places to stop with tremendous variety of history and current day attractions.
Thanks again and safe travels.
Howard H Cole

Trish and I did this trip this past November on our way south. We went from Elizabeth City, where the mayor stopped by and spent an hour or so with us aboard Great Expectations; a very friendly place, to Manteo where we stayed at the Waterfront Marina.
The trip was about 42 statue miles and quite uneventful with the exception of where you turn to starboard to enter the channel to Manteo harbor. There is major shoaling there and the buoys are confusing at this spot. Just take it slow and be careful to follow the right marks. We made it into Manteo without issue but gently hit bottom on our way out.
We really enjoyed this stop. It was lovely, boater friendly and not crowded. I am sure you will enjoy it as well.
Jim Riordan
Great Expectations
aboard the C Horse

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I could not agree with Captains Susan and John more. Manteo is a great spot from which cruisers can explore the NC Outer Banks. Ditto for Manteo Waterfront Marina, and let me not fail to mention that these good folks are a SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR!

John and I have just completed our visit to the Outer Banks, NC (after leaving Coinjock) and found it to be very interesting and well worth the stop.? We based our visit in Manteo, on Roanoke Island at the Manteo Waterfront Marina where Carl Jordan is the dockmaster (252-473-3320.)? This is very centrally located and many restaurants (our favorite, Full Moon Cafe, was right across the street) and shops were close by. We rented a car from local Ford Dealer R D Sawyer which picked us up and delivered us back to the marina–a la Enterprise.? (Enterprise is located ‘out on the island about 30 minutes away’.)?
We drove out on the Island to Nags Head, Kitty Hawk, Hatteras and saw most of the sites including the Wright Brothers Memorial. I would recommend this stop which is a little off the beaten ICW track.? From Hatteras we crossed the Pamlico Sound and Neuse River to join back with the ICW and ended this part of the journey in Beaufort, NC.
Heading south–
Susan and John Hauge and Lily
on “La Garza Verde”

We agree but make Ocracoke a stop going north to Manteo. Do not miss the Ocrafolk Opry and if you see the movie, “Nights in Rodanthe” you will hear these folks sing.
First & Ten anchored in the Little Aligator River heading back south

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I could not agree more with Captain Larry that the community of Manteo, NC, located on Roanoke Island (itself sandwiched between the Croatoan and Roanoke Sounds) is a delightful port of call. And, Manteo Waterfront Marina, which shines so much in Larry’s posting, is one our newest SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSORS!
Captain Larry is quite right about his cautions concerning entering Shallowbag Bay channel from Roanoke Sound, partricularly for first timers.

Subject: A visit to Manteo
Message: This is a great stop. We stayed at the Manteo Water front [Marina] & enjoyed the town & people very much.
A word of warning.. as you enter the channel to Shallowbag Bay channel be sure to keep the green marker (coming from the north) to your right AND DO NOT ENTER THE CHANNEL until you pass the green marker. We rubbed bottom by entering too soon.
Larry Hemmerich

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