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This anchorage lies on the waters of upper Gale Creek, north of the Waterway’s entrance into Bay River and southwest of flashing daybeacon #22 and .
We anchored in Upper Gale Creek April 19, 2012. Very pleasant night, well protected. We found a spot with 6 1/2 feet of water between a few crab pots.
Tom Potter
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Gale Creek
Dowry Creek Marina is a fine family owned and family run marina. Off the AICW/Pungo River, north of Belhaven, NC, Dowry Creek Marina has long been a favorite among cruisers.
Dowry Creek Marina always has been a good stop. Mary and her crew are the best and the accommodations are fabulous!
Marshall
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While there is SUPERB detail provided by Jim and Peg’s account below, DO NOTE THAT THIS LOG IS THE RESULT OF A 2010 VOYAGE, as our two intrepid cruisers note in their introductory remarks. Some things have certainly changed since then, particularly the noted markers on the Old House Channel, where aids to navigation for moved, deleted and added to with dizzying speed.
Still, there is MUCH here to interest year round NC cruisers, and/or Snow Birds who wisely decide to take some extra time to explore the Tar Heel coastline.
Finally, note Peg and Jim’s good words concerning Manteo Waterfront Marina, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR!!!
Here’s a report I posted on our trip to Manteo and Ocracoke in 2010. Definitely, worthwhile. My report is based on travel North-to-South, so you’ll have to read backwards if you’re traveling South-to-North. Manteo in particular is a neat stop. Great historical museum (plantation) there, and the Homeport of Elizabeth II. If she’s in port, she’ll be open for tours. If not, you may see her two masts on Albemarle Sound. There will be tall ships on the Chesapeake in June this year.
Sanctuary and crew made our first transit between Manteo and Ocracoke across Pamlico Sound yesterday, Monday, 10/25/2010. This route is 20 miles shorter than the ICW route from Coinjock to Oriental, but it is more exposed to open water. The portion of the Pamlico Sound crossing that is in truly “open water” is about 35 StM, so pay particular attention to the marine forecast when you do go. That said, Manteo and Ocracoke are neat little towns, and we learned things here that we never knew. This is a really excellent “side-trip,” and also a refreshing alternative to the same-o Alligator River, Alligator River Swing Bridge, and Alligator-Pungo Canal!!!!!!!
We got to Manteo by crossing the Albemarle Sound from Elizabeth City to Croatan Sound. No problems; unremarkable navigation except for the trillions of crab pots in the Albemarle. From the Albemarle, we took the Croatan Sound Channel to the north end of Roanoke Island, and then the marked traverse across the north of Roanoke Island through Roanoke Sound to the Roanoke Channel. We stayed at Manteo at the Waterfront Marina, an excellent facility and staff.
We departed from Waterfront Marina in Manteo, turned south into the Roanoke Channel through Roanoke Sound, joined the Old House Channel into Pamlico Sound, southwest across the sound to the Big Foot Slough Channel into Ocracoke Island’s Silver Lake, and to the National Park Service docks. This is a transit of 67.1 StM which we did in 8.26 hours (so an average speed of 8.12 Stm/hr).
Here’s a synopsis of the navigation between Manteo and Ocracoke. The Roanoke Channel, from it’s beginnings north of Manteo, carries as little as 7ft to it’s intersection with the Manteo Village entrance channel. South of the Manteo entrance channel, the Roanoke Channel carries ***at least*** 9 ft for it’s entire length; in most areas, 11ft to 14ft. There are no draft-related problem areas (at this time). In fact, the Elizabeth II, which draws 8 ft, regularly uses this channel. So, no draft problems, but the channel is quite narrow, probably 100 ft. And, it is not a “No Wake” area. Thus, our plan was to “take our half out of the middle,” which was OK at 07h00 on a Monday morning.
There were, however, two areas that caused some confusion for me. A couple of miles south of Manteo is the US64/US264, 65 ft fixed bridge. Southbound, as you emerge from under that bridge, there is a square “No Wake” sign on a post just on the east side of the channel. With the sun low on the morning horizon, I nearly mistook that sign, by shape, for a green marker. It’s not.
The second area of confusion was another 2 – 3 miles south of the bridge, where there is a side-channel that runs off to the west, into the village of Wanchese (pronounced: WAN-cheese). In that area, the Roanoke Channel takes a small dog-leg left, and then another, back to the right. It took me a minute looking through the binoculars to actually realize there was a side-channel intersection there, and it was confusing; and narrow. Carefully pick out the markers for the Roanoke Channel.
At it’s south end, the Roanoke Channel turns sharply west. In another mile, it intersects with the Old House Channel where the Oregon Inlet Channel comes in from the ocean. There are several new markers there that are not mentioned in the cruising guides and are only reflected on electronic charts that have recent LNMs incorporated. On the Roanoke channel, the new markers include 37A, 37, 36A, 36, 34A and 34. At the entrance of the Old House Channel (which is just a continuation of the route from the Roanoke Channel into Pamlico Sound) there is a new green-over-red marker, “OH.” The rest of the Old House route into Pamlico Sound is well marked and unremarkable.
The route across Pamlico Sound is, likewise, unremarkable. Follow it to the Big Foot Slough Channel from the sound into Ocracoke. Note here that the North Carolina State Ferry System uses this channel. Draft for pleasure craft is not a problem, but if you encounter a ferry in that channel, watch the prop wash! The prop wash is very, very strong, and definitely enough to set you out of the channel. There is a red-over-green junction marker just beyond R3 and G4. Watch for the correctly charted shoal there, and turn 120 degrees or so to port, into the entrance channel into Ocracoke harbor, called “Sliver Lake” on the charts. In the harbor, inexpensive dockage with water and electric is available at the National Park Service docks adjacent to the ferry docks. In this harbor, there is also plenty of room to anchor; 20 boats or more. The harbor is very well protected from the strong periodic winds that frequent this island 20 miles into the Atlantic.
Jim
Peg and Jim Healy aboard Sanctuary
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Manteo Waterfront Marina
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Ocracoke and Silver Lake Harbor
It’s not surprising that Captain Rice’s evening anchored in Mile Hammock Bay was a bit disturbed by nearby military activity. This body of water is within the bounds of huge Camp Lejeune Marine Base, and artillery fire and aircraft activity are SOP!
We began our Loop in Florida a month ago and are anchored out tonight at Mile Hammock in the midst of Camp LeJeune, NC. Interesting noises outside (artillery and helicopters and Osprey).
Cathryn Rice
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Mile Hammock Bay Anchorage
Manteo has a lot going for it and you will enjoy the history that abounds there. We went to Manteo last year. To read our story, go to http://www.betsyrick.com and click on the link to our blog. Then just scroll back a bit to last year or use the archive.
Rick Johnson
Harbor Host for Sneads Ferry, NC
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After catching site of the short posting below which originally appeared in the AGLCA Forum, we check our own listing for Carolina Beach State Park Marina in the Net’s North Carolina Marina Directory, and discovered that we have had a note all along that “45” feet with the maximum size vessel that could be berthed here. A telephone call on 4/19/12 verified the accuracy of this info!
We were told vessel length was limited to forty[-five] feet.
Jim & Pam
We stayed there earlier this week. We are 42ft and had no problem getting in or docking.
Great Value
John Sagel
“Seas 2 Day”
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Wilmington Marine Center is a combination marina and extensive repair yard facility which sits in a sheltered harbor along the eastern banks of the Cape Fear River. This facility’s entrance channel cuts east abeam of marker #59.
Visitors should be prepared to find that Wilmington Marine Center is located in an industrial district. No shopping or dining is to be found within walking or even bike riding distance of the dockage basin. You will need a taxi to visit Wilmington’s many find restaurants and historic attractions.
We kept our boat at the Wilmington Marine Center for the 8 months in 2010/2011 while we were back in Florida for the fall & winter. Skip and his staff were wonderful. I cannot say too much about the level of service we received while there. When we were looking for a place to leave our boat for this layup period that we felt was protected against storms and was convenient to a boat yard, and WMC fit for us.
Gregory Poole Marine repairs is located at the marina and DeMann Diesels, Tom DeMann and company, is located across the street. We had repairs done by both companies (bottom painting and misc other work at Poole and Cummins diesel maintenance at DeMann) and McConville Marine (Thrusters & HVAC).
John Weber
M/V Bombay Lady III
2005 Meridian 411 Sedan Bridge
Gregory Poole is no longer located here. They moved out in December, 2011.
G. L. Buzzell
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The Ocracoke National Park Service Docks are on the northern shores of Silver Lake Harbor, just east of its entrance.
We spent 3 nights at Ocracoke Island a couple of years ago. It is a lovely spot with lots to do. The US Park Service docks are not fancy, but are more than adequate. Several good restaurants are within walking distance and the beach is within biking range. Be sure to check out the picturesque lighthouse.
Mark and Bev MacMahon
M/V Calypso – AT34
currently motoring to Charleston, SC
M/V Oasis traveled to Okracoke from Oriental, NC last spring. Check out our Journal tab at http://www.oasiscrew.shutterfly.com. Scroll to North Carolina and Virginia entry dated May 23rd.
Pasted below is a brief part of that entry.
On May 10th we departed the ICW to take a side trip across Pamlico Sound to the Outter Banks of North Carolina and visit the island of Ocracoke, say that 10 times as fast as you can. The harbor here is called Silver Lake where the ferrys bring all the tourist and provisions for the island. They also have a small airport. Ocrackoe is where the infamous pirate Blackbeard was captured and taken to sea to be hanged at the direction of the then Governor of Virginia around 1774. We were here for three days and enjoyed bicycling around the island and enjoying the nice weather and the harbor waterfront at sunset.
Chuck and Frances
M/V Oasis
The long awaited remodeling and reopening of this fine facility has happened! The State Park entrance channel cuts off from the AICW, at the western end of Snows Cut, between markers #163 and #165.
Carolina Beach State Park (MM 297.1) at the west end of Snow Cut on the Cape Fear River, NC – the marina at this state park completed a $4 million renovation in 2011 with all new floating docks, dredged channel and basin, 30 amp power, water, and bath house. Cost was $30 per night including electric for our 41 foot trawler. Our 5 foot draft was no problem at low tide on 16 Apr 2012. There are walking trails and trash containers. Friendly staff. Marina phone – 910-458-7770.
Captain Dick M/V Emerald Lady
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This is not the first unhappiness with prices at the Municipals Docks we have had expressed here. Price can easily be blamed on the economy, but attitude and service should never be compromised. Despite such dockage problems, the town of Beaufort, NC is still known as a real success story along the Waterway and this wonderful port of call remains one of our favorites, anytime, anywhere!
Dockage on the facedocks is now $2.75/ft. This marina used to be such a good place to go to because of the restaurants and quaint local businesses. But, staff is unfriendly and prices exorbitant. Would think Beaufort docks could help the local economy a lot by lowering their slips rate to encourage boaters from SE NC to come visit for the weekend and spend money in town. Boats must be bypassing Beaufort and going over to Morehead City or anchoring out’¦’¦cause there certainly weren’t many boats in marina. On a positive note, we ate dinner at Front Street Grill at Stillwater and food was wonderful!!!! Highly recommend.
Debbie Wicker
We were `burnt’ our first trip south when we had to stay three days due to weather Nov. 2010. Blew one month’s budget. Staff then was friendly, but will not visit unless absolutely necessary for fuel, and then will definitely anchor.
The Leafs
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Alligator River Marina lies on the western shore of the mouth of the Alligator River/AICW, just north of the swing bridge and southwest of flashing daybeacon #12.
On a recent ICW trip we were unsure about stopping at Alligator River Marina after reading some reviews. On March 22,2012 we stopped and were met at the gas pumps. We ate in the grill and found all of the staff very friendly and helpful. Wanda went out of her way to help our overnight stay comfortable. We were in a small ( 19′ ) boat so our spending was limited to 20 gal. gas, slip fee, two meals in the grill. Very pleased, they had only been open one week after being closed for Winter.
James Truckner
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This is not the first unhappiness with prices at the Municipals Docks we have had expressed here – see first link below for some price comparisons. Price can easily be blamed on the economy, but attitude and service should never be compromised. Despite such dockage problems, the town of Beaufort, NC is still known as a real success story along the Waterway and this wonderful port of call remains one of our favorites, anytime, anywhere! And, as Capt. Winter points out, a “must see”!
The town marina [Municipal Docks] was always a must stop for us as we go north/south (note we live in NC). Their reputation is now better than actual, as we have watched this place go up in cost while not maintaining facilities, but more importantly, bad attitudes from the staff. Staff especially are getting bad reputation up/down the ICW. We now go to Morehead City where all the marinas/restaurants are working hard for business. Beaufort is a must see town, but there are other places to dock in order to see the town. The savings on dockage will more than pay for a cab.
John Winter
Click Here To View An Earlier Article on Price Angst in Beaufort
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Beaufort Municipal Docks
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