The route outlined below by Captains Chris & Alyse Caldwell is certainly do-able, and an interesting alternative to the AICW. The advantages are you can depart from a straight track and visit, Ocracoke, Hatteras village, Engelhard, and, particularly, Manteo, a wonderful port of call on Roanoke Island. The down side is that for much of this cruise you will be traversing wide and relatively shallow Pamlico Sound. When the wind gets its dander up, the sound’s long fetch, coupled with depths of only 8 to 15 feet, can produce a chop that can jar the fillings out of your teeth. Choose times of fair weather and winds under 12 knots when cruising Pamlico Sound!

The ICW is a wonderful journey, north and south BUT if you’re tired of the slow zones, bridges (Alligator River bridge closure?) and constant overtaking of slower boats consider this shortcut around the entire Alligator – Pungo Canal in NC. This is an open water passage from the Neuse River mouth to Croatan Sound up to Coinjock, NC. You only save 18 miles BUT the time savings is incredible in a 7knot boat. You can run on autopilot in open water instead of traversing narrow cuts and canals. Unfortunately the fixed bridge crossing to Roanoke Island is only 45 feet air draft preventing most sailboats from using this route. Still want to try this in a sailboat? Run east of Roanoke Island in Roanoke Sound Channel where there is a 65 foot bridge. Marshes Light is a new marina that looks interesting. Tell ’em Captain Chris sent you.

Northbound.
After departing Adams Creek or Oriental, NC follow the ICW northward in the Neuse River to the opening into the bay. The ICW veers west at marker NR into the Bay River.
Use these landmarks as references to open water towards Coinjock, NC. These are not guaranteed waypoints for navigation. I used MapTech Chartkit Region 6 Seventh Edition for reference. and created initials NC 1 thru NC 8 to enter in my GPS. North Carolina 1-8. Remember to check my coordinates against the newest charts for accuracy.

1. Marker, 24 ft, NR (Neuse River), intersection of Neuse River and Bay River (ICW veers west).
NC1 N35.06.6 W76.28.5

2. Brant I Shoal, Marker 40 ft. BI
NC2 N35.07.8 W76.17.4

3. Bluff Shoal, marker 41 ft. BL Caution, chart shows 10 ft water here.
NC3 N35.12.9 W76.04.4

4. Long Shoal, Marker 15 ft. LS2
NC4 N35.33.8 W75.43.7

5. Stumpy Point, Marker 35 ft. N
NC5 N35.42.9 W75.37.7

6. Roanoke Marshes, Marker 42 ft. RM
NC6 N35.48.6 W75.42.0

Go through Croatan Sound and under two fixed bridges. The older bridge is only 45 ft air draft preventing most sailboats from passing underneath. Some older charts (year 2000?) may not show the newer 65 ft bridge so be aware you will see two bridges on the horizon as you near them. Yes, you are in the correct location.

7. Reeds Point, Marker 42 ft. Red #3
NC7 N35.56.7 W75.46.6

Cross Albermarle Sound to entrance of North River at Camden Point. Coinjock is north up the river.

8. Camden Point, Marker 16 ft. Green #173
NC8 N36.08.5 W75.53.6

Depending on your speed, weather and available daylight we have used a few anchorages along this route.
– Adams Creek at the 90 degree turn just before entering the Neuse River.
– Oriental, NC. We go under the bridge and anchor to the left. This is a more open area and no sailboats can pass beneath the low fixed bridge.
– Bay River just after turning west from the Neuse River ICW at marker NR.
– Anywhere along the lee side of Croatan Sound near either bridge.
– Just above Camden Point in the lee.

Great Prime Rib Diner for two at Coinjock Marina. We recommend you stop here and enjoy this huge delicious dinner. Leftovers for days afterward.
Sincerely,
Chris & Alyse Caldwell
Captain Chris Yacht Services

Just completed that transit today 10/26 in a power boat with 39’³ draft. Passed several sail boats. no problem with depths. Bridge clearance board read 65′
Dead head at entrance outside the channel southbound. Favor the green
Roy Adler

Like Captain, we adore Manteo, and when we are docked at Manteo Waterfront Marina, it’s even better. There’s generous shopping and great dining with an easy stop of the docks, and dockmaster Carl is simply one of the very best. And, let’s not forget, this facility and the city of Manteo is supporting the cruising community by being a SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR!

We really love this little town! It’s only a short jog off the ICW and a great stop. We have brought our 44 ft boat here from Baltimore for the winter months for the last few years. As noted by others, the turn into Shallowbag Bay can be a little confusing, but take it slow and you should find plenty of water in the channel. There are lots of big boats that make it in without problems. There was a 100 footer here at the town marina last week.
Jim Milner

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s North Carolina Marina Directory Listing For Manteo Waterfront Marina

Big Trout Marina is the only cruising craft friendly marina on the mainland shores of mid-Pamlico Sound. It is located in the tiny but friendly and commercial fishing craft rich village of Engelhard, NC. There is a little cafe at Big Trout, open for breakfast and lunch only, and a small grocery store is within walking distance of the docks. Glad to hear (below) that the Far Creek entrance channel, which serves Big Trout Marina and Engelhard, is in good shape!

Hi Claiborne
We just arrived at Big Trout after calling Edna and Frank at home (they did not answer the Marina number, but it is very early in the season ‘“ March 14). Frank met us at the dock when we arrived at 6:30 PM and was very accommodating.
The Channel in was never less than 10 feet ‘“ we stayed about 30 feet off the green markers as one of the posters suggested.
Thanks for the recommendation ‘“ we found it in your book and then went to the website. We had planned to go to Manteo, but a 5 hour bridge closure yesterday at the Onslow bridge kept that from happening.
Fair Sailing
Glenn
PS: Verizon service is fine, ATT is non-existent.

Click Here To View the North Carolina Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Big Trout Marina