Moore Bay/Bay River Anchorage
Lat/Lon: 35 08.968 North/076 40.471 West
Location: lies southeast of Bay River’s marker #6
Minimum Depth: 8 feet
Swing Room: sufficient room for almost any size vessel
Foul Weather Shelter: Fair to poor, wide open to northern, northeastern and northwestern winds
Rating: 
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Mason Bay/Bay River Anchorage
Lat/Lon: 35 08.302 North/076 41.724 West
Location: well south of Bay River’s marker #8
Minimum Depth: 6 feet
Swing Room: sufficient room for almost any size vessel
Foul Weather Shelter: Fair to poor, open to northern and northwesterly winds
Rating:
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Chapel Creek/Bay River Anchorage
Lat/Lon: 35 08.713 North/076 42.651 West
Location: found north, northwest of Bay River’s marker #9
Minimum Depth: 5 to 6 feet
Special Note: do not attempt to cruise into the southern mouth of Chapel Creek; depths are much shallower than in times past
Swing Room: sufficient room for vessels as large as 38 feet
Foul Weather Shelter: Fair, open to southern, southwestern and southeastern winds
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Trent Creek/Bay River Anchorage
Lat/Lon: 35 08.413 North/076 43.445 West
Location: lies southwest of Bay River’s marker #11
Minimum Depth: 6 feet
Swing Room: sufficient room for vessels as large as 42 feet
Foul Weather Shelter: Fair to good, but somewhat open to fresh southwestern and northeastern winds
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Please note that anchorages below are arranged in a rough geographic order moving east to west, between Bay River and Adams Creek
Broad Creek/Pittman Creek Anchorage
Statute Mile: 173.5
Lat/Lon: 35 05.929 North/076 36.125 West
Location: Pittman Creek breaks off from the northern shores of Broad Creek, which itself lies along the Neuse River’s northwesterly banks between AICW markers #4 and #6
Minimum Depth: 5-feet
Swing Room: sufficient room for vessels as large as 42 feet
Foul Weather Shelter: Excellent
Rating:
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Broad Creek/Burton Creek Anchorage
Statute Mile: 173.5
Lat/Lon: 35 05.717 North/076 36.542 West
Location: Burton Creek breaks off from the northern shores of Broad Creek, white itself lies along the Neuse River’s northwesterly banks between flashing daybeacons #3 and #4
Minimum Depth: 5-feet
Swing Room: sufficient room for vessels as large as 50 feet
Foul Weather Shelter: Excellent
Rating:
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We stopped here both south (11/16/09) and north (5/7/10) bound. On both occasions, depths seemed to be less than what we experienced in 2007/2008 and we were not able to anchor in as close to shore.
In Nov we used a trip/marker on a danforth and found good holding. The breeze disappeared during the night and in the morning I found the boat wasn’t lying to the wind, in-fact we were 180° out from the 4 other boats in the creek. With further investigation I found the buoy was under the boat and hung between the prop an the rudder. It was a job to clear, but the anchor and marker were both retrieved.
When we stopped in May 2010 the water levels in the anchorage again seemed more shallow than in our previous visit. We were somewhat exposed to the NE wind, but conditions were tolerable. There were two shallow draft powerboats anchored further in and later, another sailboat anchored near us.
At dusk the wind switched directions and moved to the SW. This was not good as it moves water out of the creek and the water levels dropped even more. We had anchored in 6.5’ of water which slowly became 5’ as the evening progressed. Holding was again very good.
Lots of crab pots and local watermen traffic early mornings and evenings. Some bugs in light air and warmer temperatures.
South River/Hardy Creek Anchorage
Statute Mile: 178.5
Lat/Lon: 34 57.955 North/076 35.270 West
Location: anchorage is found on the outer section of Hardy Creek, which indents the western shores of South River, between markers #5 and #6; South River indents the southern banks of the Neuse River, 4.5 nautical miles south of the ICW’s marker #6
Depth: 7 feet
Navigation Detail: Click Here For Navigational Detail of this Anchorage
Swing Room: sufficient room for vessels as large as 50 feet
Foul Weather Shelter: fair, open to northern and northeastern winds
Dinghy Dock Access: dinghies can be landed on a small, sandy but rocky strip, abutting the northwestern entrance point of charted Hardy Creek. You will see a paved street, bounded by three reverse-side traffic signs
Pet Friendly: pets can be taken ashore at dinghy access specified above
Rating:
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South River/Lukens Anchorage
Statute Mile: 178.5
Lat/Lon: 34 57.700 North/076 34.321 West
Location: on the waters along South River’s northeastern banks, southeast of Hardy Creek, near charted position of “Lukens”; South River indents the southern banks of the Neuse River, 4.5 nautical miles south of the ICW’s marker #6
Depth: 9-feet
Navigation Detail: Click Here For Navigational Detail of this Anchorage
Swing Room: sufficient room for vessels as large as 48 feet
Foul Weather Shelter: Excellent
Dinghy Dock Access: dinghies can be landed on a small, sandy but rocky strip, abutting the northwestern entrance point of charted Hardy Creek. You will see a paved street, bounded by three reverse-side traffic signs
Pet Friendly: pets can be taken ashore at dinghy access specified above
Rating:
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M/V Ruby Slipper anchored on South West Creek (maybe 6 miles up the South River. We had a BIG blow 25-30 k constant, gusts to 40 all from the SE & S. Had 150′ of chain on our 44 lb Delta out in 8′ & rode very well! Very buggy (April ) when the wind wasn’t blowing. Landed the dogs on the north shore of the creek. It had a sign that said, No Trespassing. A derelict dock & abandoned structure were there. Tied dink to “dock.” Boards missing. Be careful. Dirt roads appeared used & grass mowed nearby. We walked briefly on the roads. Saw no one, but wild turkeys. Cleaned up any dog waste & moved on. Felt bad about trespassing. But ZERO options. Brushed dogs for ticks! Check yourselves too.
For those of us who sail out of Oriental, South River is by far the most favorite anchorage. Once you get inside the mouth, the depth is good pretty much from shore to shore and you can pick either side depending on whether or not you want bugs and no waves or no bugs and a little chop! My favorite spot is Southwest Creek which further up stream or you can just keep going up the main channel and anchor in the middle where it gets narrow.
Capt. Sykes DeHart
Anchored just North of the Lukens Cemetary in about 5ft. The other writer is correct about the sticky, dense mud. I was bringing about 5 ft of chain at a time and wiping and washing it. Blech! I wish I could bring a bunch home and use for topsoil in my garden. It’s pretty rich stuff.
Keep your deck hose handy, you’ll need it!
I have anchored a bit too far to the south of Eastman Creek, in 6 feet of water, when the wind changed and blew hard out of the southwest. The depth of the water here is determined by the wind direction and strength, not by tides. When the wind blows hard from the south, the water level drops in the Neuse and I found myself bumping the bottom trying to find/create a channel out the next day. Once I was back in the middle of the river I had plenty of water.
This is a beautiful cruising ground with many choices, including some more secluded spots further up stream from those shown. We anchored off the entrance to Eastman Creek; holding was excellent in sticky dense mud. Further up, the entrance to Southwest Creek is another good option. As the Guide says, you can pretty much pick anywhere that looks good. This has become one of our favorite places just to hang out and get away from it all.
George and Ann
“Incentive” Hatteras 56MY
South River – Eastman Creek Anchorage
Statute Mile: 178.5
Lat/Lon: 34 56.054 North/076 32.056 West
Location: anchorage lies along the eastern shores of South River, between Big Crek and Eastman Creek; South River indents the southern banks of the Neuse River, 4.5 nautical miles south of the ICW’s marker #6
Depth: 6 feet
Navigation Detail: Click Here For Navigational Detail of this Anchorage
Swing Room: sufficient room for vessels as large as 40 feet
Foul Weather Shelter: excellent – a GREAT foul weather hidey hole
Rating:
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Statute Mile: 181
Lat/Lon: near 35 01.393 North/076 41.873 West
Location: just off the slips associated with Oriental Yacht Club which is hard by the northwesterly banks of the primary Oriental town harbor, northeast of flashing daybeacon #8
Minimum Depth: 6-feet
Special Note: Oriental town dinghy dock lies just to the north of this anchorage, and is easily accessible
Swing Room: sufficient room for vessels as large as 34 feet; this anchorage is often crowded
Foul Weather Shelter: Good, except wide open to strong southern and southwestern winds
Rating:
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Oriental has a free town dock that holds 2-3 boats. 48 hr limit per month. While visiting this town don’t forget to drop in the marine consignment store within walking distance from all anchorages and marinas here. Purchase just about anything you need for your sailing journey at a huge discount. They stock new and used items! They will also sell your unwanted nautical/marine items. So drop them off here and receive a check by mail or hold it on your account until you return next season. If you are in town and prefer a ride, call 252-249-3222; they will pick you up! Not stopping in town? Call or email them marineconsignment@embarqmail.com to see if they have what you need. This store ships too!
Green Creek Anchorage
Statute Mile: 181
Lat/Lon: near 35 01.560 North/076 42.934 West
Location: on the waters of Greens Creek, west of Oriental harbor, 150 yards east-southeast of the point of land where Kershaw Creek splits off from Greens Creek
Minimum Depth: 5-feet
Special Comment: your vessel must be able to clear the Oriental 45-foot fixed bridge to reach this anchorage
Swing Room: sufficient room for vessels as large as 45 feet
Foul Weather Shelter: Excellent
Rating:
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Statute Mile: 181
Lat/Lon: near 35 01.697 North/076 42.153 West
Location: on the waters of Smith Creek, west of Oriental harbor, just north of unlighted daybeacon #10
Minimum Depth: 4 ½ feet
Special Comment: your vessel must be able to clear the Oriental 45-foot fixed bridge to reach this anchorage
Swing Room: sufficient room for vessels as large as 36 feet
Foul Weather Shelter: Excellent
Rating:
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Please note that anchorages below are listed in a rough geographic order, moving east to west
Lower Clubfoot Creek Anchorage
Lat/Lon: 34 54.313 North/076 45.620 West
Location: anchorage is located well south of Clubfoot Creek’s marker #8
Minimum Depth: 6 1/2 feet
Swing Room: sufficient room for vessels as large as 50 feet
Foul Weather Shelter: Fair, open to northern and southern winds
Rating:
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Gulden Creek/Clubfoot Creek Anchorage
Lat/Lon: 34 54.137 North/076 45.481 West
Location: Gulden Creek cuts the eastern banks of Clubfoot Creek, south of the charted location of “Bachelor;” Clubfoot Creek lies along the southern banks of Neuse River, west of the AICW/Adams Creek
Minimum Depth: 4 1/2 feet
Special Note: This anchorage is specifically not recommended for vessels drawing more than 3 1/2 feet
Swing Room: sufficient room for vessels as large as 45 feet
Foul Weather Shelter: Good, but somewhat open to northwesterly winds
Rating:
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Upper Clubfoot Creek Anchorage
Lat/Lon: 34 53.675 North/076 45.832 West
Location: anchorage lies on the centerline of Clubfoot Creek, south of Mitchell and Gulden Creeks; Clubfoot Creek lies along the southern banks of Neuse River, west of the AICW/Adams Creek
Minimum Depth: 5 to 6 1/2 feet
Swing Room: sufficient room for vessels as large as 55 feet
Foul Weather Shelter: Fair, open to northern and southern winds
Rating:
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Lower Goose Creek Anchorage
Lat/Lon: 35 02.676 North/076 56.003 West
Location: Goose Creek, one of several bodies on water bearing this moniker on the NC coast, cuts the northeastern banks of the Neuse River, northeast of Neuse River marker #17
Minimum Depth: 8 feet
Special Note: Use of a GPS Chartplotter is highly recommended when entering and exiting this anchorage, to help keep to the unmarked channel
Swing Room: sufficient room for vessels as large as 50 feet
Foul Weather Shelter: Fair, open to southwestern and northeastern winds
Rating:
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Upper Goose Creek Anchorage
Lat/Lon: 35 03.114 North/076 55.249 West
Location: anchorage lies in the centerline of Goose Creek’s gentle turn to the northeast; Goose Creek cuts the northeastern banks of the Neuse River, northeast of Neuse River marker #17
Minimum Depth: 6 feet
Special Note: Use of a GPS Chartplotter is highly recommended when entering and exiting this anchorage, to help keep to the unmarked channel
Swing Room: sufficient room for vessels as large as 40 feet
Foul Weather Shelter: Fair to good, but open to southwesterly winds
Rating:
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Additional comments. Water depth at the time was 9.2 feet. Winds were NNE.
Anchored near the tip of the 7 foot contour line. Wind and current made anchoring difficult for this beginner salor. Muddy bottom. Anchor held good. Winds are out of the North at 11 kts gusting to 20 kts. The next morning the winds were steady at 15 kts.
Only thing protecting us from the wind was the dodger. Temp was about 55 during the day. 40 or so at night.
Beautiful view of the sunset followed shortly thereafter by a sliver of a moon.
Upper Broad Creek Southern Anchorage
Lat/Lon: 35 04.090 North/076 56.314 West
Location: on the centerline of Upper Broad Creek, upstream of Blackbeard Sailing Club; Upper Broad Creek indents the northeastern shores of Neuse River, well northeast of Neuse River marker #19
Minimum Depth: 8 feet
Swing Room: sufficient room for vessels as large as 55 feet
Foul Weather Shelter: Fair, but open to southern, southwestern and northern winds
Rating:
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We hung out and anchored overnight here on Memorial Day. There were a few other boats rafting together. A few families towing tubes and having fun creating wake but didn't bother us at all. Exposed to the south/southwest which is not great if you are SUP boarding but great for a cooling breeze. Great holding here with a delta. Soft mud. Completely glassy in the morning! Saw about 10 dolphins having fun in the late evening!
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