Elizabeth City, at the south end of the Dismal Swamp route, has been charming cruising visitors to the City Docks since 1983 and it’s wonderful that some things do not change! The city docks are officially called Mariner’s Wharf and dockage is free for 48 hours. However, we were once allowed to stay for three days when high winds prevented the Alligator River Bridge from opening. We are proud to report that Elizabeth, NC is A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR!
Cruising News: Elizabeth City is always a great stop for cruisers. A great place to talk with some of the boaters you’ve been traveling with and get ready for the trip across the Albemarle. Especially want to thank Jessica and Susan at the Convention and Visitors Center for their help when I found out that I needed to get some parts and do some rewiring. Bill Watson
These anchorages lie just off the AICW, north and northwest of Waterway marker #23 and a short jog west of the Alligator River’“Pungo River Canal’s shoal-prone southerly entrance. The easternmost haven is, in our collective opinion, about as good as it gets!
We anchor here on a regular basis. It is a great location just prior to a northbound entry to the canal. Leave the ICW at marker 24 and you will see no less than 8 foot to the charted anchorage. Good holding in soft mud. It is exposed to the East ‘“ South but if it is really blowing you can find more shelter further up the creek. There is a small beach if you have pets. Verizon service comes and goes. Dave Boxmeyer
Just completed in February, 2012, the new Carolina Beach mooring field is located south of Snows Cut, between markers #4 and #5 on the approach channel into Carolina Beach town waterfront. As expected, the new mooring field has prompted both pro and con comments, such as these below.
Great news . Looking forward to stop for a few cold ones. Carolina beach good work. Ed & Joyce
Those of us who prefer to anchor, and I have done so many times successfully in Carolina Beach, think the `slap in the face’ is what we are getting! I know and trust my anchoring gear, and I go where I can use it. I didn’t spend thousands of dollars on it just to carry it around with me. Hopefully, sufficient room for anchoring will be retained. John Kettlewell
Cruising News: Cruisers on your site may be interested in stopping at Carolina Beach NC where ten new moorings have recently been installed for vessels from 26′ to 55′. The overnight charge for a mooring is $20. We just returned from a three day visit to Carolina Beach where the mooring field is located (Myrtle Grove Sound); the website for the field is myrtlegrovesound.com. Telephone number for Randy at the Mona Black Marina (the manager of the mooring field) is 910-667-0004. Our trawler Antares is based in Southport, and we’ve anchored at Myrtle Grove Sound once or twice a year for the past four years or so since we arrived here. The area has a lot to offer with regard to restaurants, entertainment for children, beach, etc. (you’ll need a dinghy, of course). It’s a calm, quiet anchorage (now mooring), and certainly a great stop on the way north or south just off Snow’s Cut on the ICW. Captain Bob Fuller
A few years ago, the cruising community was actively commenting on what was then a newly revamped marina facility, just off the Waterway, south of Belhaven, NC, on the northern shores of Pungo Creek. Pungo Creek Marina was pumping fuel, had a newly opened ship’s store and lounge, and was (and still is) set in one of the most peaceful places imaginable. Then, along came strong storms and this facility was all but laid waste. I visited here in March of this year, and could not find any management to speak with, but a long time resident boat owner was most helpful, and it became apparent from our conversation that the future, if any, of this marina, was “iffy.” Now, we are very happy to report that new owners have taken over, fuel is once again being pumped, and transients accepted for overnight dockage. And, it just so happens, the boat owner I spoke with back in March, Captain Allen McMurtry, is the new, and super friendly, dockmaster! There are no restaurants that can currently be accessed from Pungo Creek Marina’s docks, but Captain Allen will help with landside transportation to the local Food Lion supermarket, and to propane tank exchange and tank refill dealers in nearby Belhaven. Of course, it’s only fair to point out that this facility must be weighed against SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, Belhaven Waterway Marina, just to the north along the shores of Pantego Creek and the Belhaven waterfront. BWM has the advantage of being within easy walking distance of downtown Belhaven, with its restaurants and historic attractions. However, if you prefer a marina that is far, far from the maddening crowed, give Pungo Creek a look as well. We would LOVE to hear from fellow cruisers who have spent some time at the new incarnation of Pungo Creek Marina. PLEASE send your impressions to CruisersNet@triad.twcbc.com, or click the “Contribute Cruising News” link/button on the upper right of this, and all Cruisers’ Net pages (except Chart View pages).
Thanks to “Captain Parky” we have learned that Shallowbag Bay Marina, in the community of Manteo, North Carolina, on Roanoke Island, is under new ownership and management, and is now once again welcoming visiting cruisers. Coupled with SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, Manteo Waterfront Marina, this community can now lay claim to marina facilitates second to none in the Tar Heel state! Shallowbag Bay Marina is accessed via a marked channel, running south from Shallowbag Bay channel marker #10. This passage can be a bit tricky for first timers. Give super-friendly dockmaster, Rita, a call at 252-305 8726. She can give you the latest tips for safe entry!
I’m at Shallowbag Bay Marina (http://www.marinasouterbanksnc.com) – a first class facility at reasonable rates. Grocery stores, pharmacies, a liquor store and a great little family restaurant called TL’s are all within walking distance. Manteo is a bike ride away – but with plenty of things to do and see. And the Outer Banks themselves (Nags Head, Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills etc) offer just about every experience you need for a holiday or stopover visit – including good fishing, good sailing and endless beaches. So much so, I’m thinking of wintering here so that next year I’ll easily have both Chesapeake and the Outer Banks wihin easy reach. Cap’n Parky MV Pisces
Carrying 7.5 ft of draft, Captain Hipple not only came through the Masonboro Inlet cleanly, but also managed to avoid the recent shoaling that has plagued the Inlet’s intersection with the AICW. See Link below.
We are 130 ft drawing 7.5 feet and came in Masonboro inlet on 9/20/12 at mid tide. The inlet is deep and well marked as usual. We rounded G-129 leaving it to port and turned south in the ICW. I never saw less than 10 feet of water. We headed down through Snows Cut out to the Cape Fear and had no problems. Bill Hipple M/Y Lady Kath
The AICW Alternate Dismal Swamp Canal Route southbound departs the primary AICW south of Norfolk at Statute Mile 7.2 and begins officially at Deep Creek Lock at Statute Mile 10.6. See the link below to read an earlier article on the pros and cons of the two inland route choices south of Norfolk.
Cruising News:
Having gone through the Dismal Swamp route a few times in the past and also being on the leading edge of the annual migration south this year, we would like to report that our passage resulted in our going bump at least 10 times that eventually resulted in a broken shaft. We draft 4 1/2 feet and although we did see the ACOE barge working away, we experienced our bumps occurred both up and down stream from them. Just fair warning especially to all powerboats, you may want to think again before attempting this route this year as the risk may just not be worth it. Doug Cordello
We’re disappointed to hear Mr. Cordello experienced problems. The Army Corps of Engineers has the Elizabeth II barge and crane in the Canal currently to do cleaning and debris removal of stray logs and any other problems they may find. We are grateful they managed to secure funding in the budget and scheduled the crew in the waterway late summer to try to tame nature. The Dismal Swamp Canal is such a beautiful treasure, we do our best to make her as hospitable as possible. Donna Stewart, Director Dismal Swamp Welcome Center 2356 US Hwy 17N South Mills, NC 27976 Phone ~ 252-771-8333 www.DismalSwampWelcomeCenter.com
We have to agree; the articles we read elsewhere said that the dismal swamp canal was cleaned, and we wanted to enjoy the ride, so we took it. We were one of two trawlers and 12 sailboats that went through the lock at one time. We also draft 4.5 feet and just had our props trued and balanced, running perfectly. We had about five serious bumps and now the vibration is back, so we are hoping it is just the props and not the shafts. Many of our travelers said the same thing. Bob and Margaret Kaine
Capt. Bell’s comments were prompted by a lengthy discussion of the pros and cons of mooring fields, Carolina Beach in particular. The recently renovated State Park Marina’s entrance channel cuts off from the AICW, at the western end of Snows Cut, between markers #163 and #165.
An alternative to the mooring balls is the state park marina, to the south, that you pass before Carolina Beach, heading north. Dockage with power is only $30.00 per day. That is a great deal and you are only a bike ride away from town. They will take up to a 45 foot vessel, I believe. Dave Bell
Just completed in February, 2012, the new Carolina Beach mooring field is located south of Snows Cut, between markers #4 and #5 on the approach channel into Carolina Beach town waterfront. A dinghy dock is now available at the Carolina Beach Municipal Marina in the extreme southwest corner of the harbor.
We just left the Carolina Beach mooring field this morning after spending two nights there. The $20 fee does seem steep to me since it does not include access to showers, restrooms or laundry facilities. For access to showers and restrooms you will need to pay another $5 to Randy the dock master who can grant access to the facilities where his boat is docked. We don’t need access but I think a total of $25 a night for folks who do is a high, especially after Labor Day when not much is open except on weekends. I’d stay there again but only if I really, really wanted to go to the beach. Paula Spence M/Y Sea Eagle
Wilmington, NC, on the Cape Fear River off the AICW, is a longtime popular side trip for many Waterway cruisers. The City Docks are located along the easterly banks of the Cape Fear River, in downtown Wilmington, just west of the high-rise Hilton hotel.
Just spent a week here on the dock in front of the Hilton. Would have stayed a month but the city will only give a daily rate and it was just too expensive to stay longer. I am utterly enchanted with downtown Wilmington and the city dock access to the area is excellent. The wooden River Walk runs for a mile along the riverfront and is just alive with walkers, runners, etc. We even had a very large 5k race group come running by one afternoon. The battleship North Carolina is right across the river and open for touring. The Cape Fear Museum and the Wilmington Railroad Museum are both within walking distance and very worth the time. Farmers Market on Saturday morning, beautiful old homes, gorgeous old churches, lots of shopping and plenty of restaurant variety, Wilmington has it all. The only negatives are dock cost, being waked fairly frequently and many large logs floating up and down the river. Paula Spence, M/Y Sea Eagle
The newly established Carolina Beach Mooring Field, just south of Snows Cut, has been getting a lot of electronic ink here on the Salty Southeast Cruisers’ Net of late. First, we published an article that was partly critical of this facility (see /?p=95509), followed by a laudatory look at the field (see /?p=97015). Now, we are fortunate to present an in-depth article by our strategic partners, Captains Diana and Mark Doyle, founders and owners of On The Water ChartGuides. With all this data in hand, cruisers can now make an informed decision as to whether the Carolina Beach Mooring Field is a good spot to spend the evening, or not.
Hi Claiborne, As many of your readers know, the Carolina Beach town moorings aren’t free anymore … but they’re still a great deal!
Until the town of Carolina Beach found a company to manage their moorings, boaters were welcome to tie up for a night or two at no cost. The moorings, ten of them placed in the well-protected bight of Carolina Beach at STM 295.1, now cost $20/night.
On the upside, you can now make a reservation in advance by calling 910-667-0004. The moorings are for boats 26 to 50 feet in length and the maximum stay is 10 days.
If the moorings are full, don’t overlook Carolina Beach’s two excellent nearby anchorages. The south anchorage has slightly better protection and is closer to the town dinghy dock than the north anchorage. Both spoil island anchorage areas are very deep, as charted, but moving to the edge affords more reasonable anchoring depths.
I’ve included a sample page from our new ICW AnchorGuide series to show the locations of the moorings and the two anchorages.
The town maintains a free dinghy dock at the southern end of the bight. It has excellent access to nearby restaurants, tourist shops, and of course the beach.
Sea Merchants Food Store, an excellent independent grocery store, is located only a few blocks away (910-458-7409). And Carolina Beach State Park, with a visitor center and jogging/hiking trails, can be reached with a pleasant walk ‘Žup pedestrian-friendly Harper Avenue.
Here are pictures of the mooring field and Sea Merchants grocery store.
Just completed in February, 2012, the new Carolina Beach mooring field is located south of Snows Cut, between markers #4 and #5 on the approach channel into Carolina Beach town waterfront. A dinghy dock is now available at the Carolina Beach Municipal Marina in the extreme southwest corner of the harbor.
Cruising News: What a great addition to this area. Arrived on Monday night 9/17/12. There is a big sign upon entering, just grab a ball and call or register on line. Boats from 26′ – 55′. Randy the dockmaster is great. He will come to your boat and collect the $20 fee not to mention that he offered to take us ashore or bring us ice if needed. Really glad to be on a ball during the big blow on Tuesday. Capt. RL
Looks like this SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR just got even better! We highly recommend a stop here as you are cruising south this fall, or just spending a night away from home base, while exploring the waters of southeastern North Carolina. And, after you coil the lines, it’s an easy walk of several blocks to Mr. P’s Bistro (910-457-0801). YUMMMMMM!
Southport Marina ‘“ Southport NC – We are excited to let all boaters know we have completed our dredging project that began in early spring. All interior marina slips have been dredged to a low tide depth of 6′ and our transient dock and approach depths average 8’. Make sure you make Southport Marina a stop on your next cruise! Vanessa Jenkins, MIRM
Southport Marina is a great stop. Numerous other waterfront restaurants are all within walking distance. The grocery store is a little further. Atlantic Marine is a handy store as well. David Craft
Town Creek is east of the south end of Gallants Channel in Beaufort, NC, east of unlighted daybeacon #1.
We anchored here in the Summer of 2012. Good hold and swinging room, about 7 feet deep that I remember. Nothing spectacular because there’s town and other activity in the vicinity. Don’t go too far to the southern side of Town Creek, it’s awfully shallow. We wandered too far that way coming in at night and found bottom but were able to get off of it reasonably easily. Mostly black pudding mud on the bottom all around. Ben Matthews
Jonaquin Creek is just east of the anchorage symbol shown in our chartview of Cedar Creek below and has been successfully used by several of our readers.
We tried Jonaquin Creek early in the summer 2012, after reading Chuck and Susan’s post here. It is a very narrow opening at the back left of Cedar Creek. Very nice anchorage, peaceful, about 5-6 foot of water. We came in very slow 2-3 knots with eyes glued to the depth finder at the entrance, checking for mud swirls behind the boat. We draw 3-1/2 feet in our trawler, and had no issues. Not much swinging room, but very calm and rustic. Black pudding bottom, outstanding wind protection. Ben Matthews
Shackleford Banks Anchorage lies three miles southeast from statute mile 206 of the Waterway in Morehead City, NC and Capt. Matthews’ recommended anchorage is 4.8 miles southeast from the Waterway.
We have anchored here for years. HOWEVER. There is a better spot. On this spot the currents can be too strong to want to swim in, even though the water is pretty clear. I have had my anchor drag in the sand before. The BETTER SPOT is at 34’40.58N by 076’36.58W. about a mile East of this anchorage. It is marked by buoys to enter. The chart snippet in this listing is NOT accurate, it is dated. You must go back to a point around 34’41.53N by 76’38.90W. The main chart in Cruisers Net shows this correctly. Anyway, in this other anchorage there is less current, less day-partyers, and a good bit of rustic shoreline. The main attraction though is the reduced current in that area. Much better for holding and better swinging room. Ben Matthews
Whittaker Point Marina lies east of marker #5 on the Whittaker Creek marked entrance channel. I just visited Whittaker Pointe Marina in April of 2012, and found it to be a quiet facility, with superb showers and a welcoming swimming pool. This facility lies at the entrance to Whittaker Creek, a bit downstream of Oriental’s primary harbor.
We kept our boat at Whittaker Point Marina this summer. It is a pretty sparkling facility, meaning new. Nice fixed docks in great condition, beautifully clean and comfortable clubhouse, nice pool. Ashley the dock master really looks out for your boat and he called a time or two when the wind got rough and toyed with our ailing bimini. It is close to Oriental, but remote enough to be super peaceful. The frogs chirping a bit at night is the only sound you’ll hear. Take heed on the markers though, it goes from 6+ feet to knee deep in a hurry if you drift outside the markers. Saw about a 24 foot shoal keel sailboat get stranded once, and was only 1/2 an oar deep when I was fiddling in the dinghy on the other side of them. Ben Matthews
After reading the USCG article depicted below, we immediately began researching this incident. If there was a piling waiting just below the surface to ambush the keel of any cruising craft, we wanted to find out about it forthwith. Well, one cool week later after an even half dozen calls to the Elizabeth City, NC USCG Small Boat Base, we were getting seriously frustrated. None of our calls were being returned, even after more than one thorough explanation that we were just attempting to provide information to the cruising community which would avoid a repetition of the incident in question. Thus it was that we turned to our friends at the Elizabet City Convention and Visitor’s Center, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, for help. Less than 24 hours later, a promptly returned called solved the mystery. Many, many thanks to Captain Susan for clearing up this question. Turns out the semi-sinking took place well south of the downtown Elizabeth City Waterfront, along the eastern banks of the Pasquotank River, opposite the old blimp factory (northwest of marker #4). It seems that somehow the vessel in question had wandered into shoal water abutting the river’s eastern banks, near the charted position of “Elizabeth City Beach.” Even a quick gander at chart 12206 shows plentiful evidence of submerged pilings along this shoreline. Just stay anywhere within striking distance of the main AICW/Pasquotank River channel, and your vessel can easily avoid a similar fate. Case closed, mystery solved!
PORTSMOUTH, Va. ‘” The Coast Guard assisted three people aboard a sailboat that was taking on water in the Pasquotank River near Elizabeth City, N.C., Saturday. [9/1/2012]
A member aboard the 32-foot sailboat Grace contacted Coast Guard Sector North Carolina watchstanders at approximately 2:45 p.m. reporting their boat hit a submerged piling, were taking on water and had 14 inches of water in the boat.
Sector North Carolina watchstanders dispatched a crew aboard a 25-foot Response Boat ‘“ Small from Coast Guard Station Elizabeth City to assist. Once on scene, the RB-S crew removed the three people from the boat and took them to Lambs Marina in Camden, N.C. Tow Boat U.S. is scheduled to salvage the boat. The sailboat is not blocking the channel and there are no reports of pollution.
We have run several earlier articles here on the Salty Southeast Cruisers’ Net concerning the relatively new Belhaven Town Dock (see /?p=77961 and /?p=86346). Now, we are treated to an in-depth report on this facility, courtesy of our “On The Water ChartGuides” strategic partners, Captains Mark and Diana Doyle. Note that Belhaven’s new city dock is located along the northern shores of Pantego Creek, just west of SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, Belhaven Waterway Marina! Follow the “Chart View” link below to see the exact location!
Hi Claiborne, As the summer draws to a close and folks saddle up to begin the migration south, we just wanted to remind everyone that Belhaven, NC now has another option for visiting boaters’”and it’s free! For now at least’¦ The town completed a guest dock on “Wynn’s Gut,” a small cut right along the town’s waterfront. The dock is located on the side of a small channel, alongside a sidewalk with benches and picnic tables. The town promotes the tie-up as “room for nine 30-foot boats.” There currently are no utilities, but pump-out is planned and will be less than $5, thanks to funds from the Clean Vessel Act. The town also hopes to add electricity and water in the future. We visited the dock a couple of months ago, and surveyed depths of 4.5 to 7 feet alongside. There is room for several boats, but the “cut” is narrow and shallows quickly along the opposite (western) side. In other words, it may be easy to pull in, but larger vessels might have trouble turning around to exit. Dredging is planned but currently this convenient and affordable option in Belhaven is probably best for somewhat smaller vessels with moderate draft. Larger trawlers, cats, or boats with limited maneuverability, are better served by the anchorages and Belhaven Waterway Marina or Dowry Creek Marina. Here is a picture abeam the guest dock, looking southwest back out to Pantego Creek. Belhaven has always been a popular cruiser’s stop. The village has a handful of fun little restaurants. It’s also one of the few places along the ICW where you can access a hospital by boat. The supermarket (and fast food and discount store) is along State Highway 99, best accessed from the dinghy landing at the fixed bridge upriver. I’ve included a sample page from our new ICW AnchorGuides showing the two Belhaven anchorages and the new town guest dock. Best and see you On the Water, Captains Mark & Diana Doyle www.OnTheWaterChartGuides.com
Cruisers who are willing to take a 6.4 nautical mile sojourn off the AICW, west on Pamlico River, can center broad South Creek, off the (what else) southern shores of Pamlico River. The marked entry channel lies east of Indian Island. Shortly after entering South Creek, Bond Creek will come abeam along the southern banks. Like Captains Phil and Aven (see below), for many years we have found a very secure place to drop the hook on these waters. However, even though you will spot a few private homes from these waters, there is not really a place to go ashore, and certainly no provisioning nearby!
If you don’t mind being on your own ground tackle, we are in Bond Creek, just up the Pamlico River on the port side. It is a great hurricane hole with lots of room protected from all sides. Regards, Phil “TrawlerPhil” & Aven Rosch
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