Excellent Oriental Cruising Recommendtions (Statute Mile 181)
Below, you will find a superb discussion of Oriental, NC’s marinas and anchorages, courtesy of MTOA North Carolina Port Captain, Frank Erwin.
Oriental is often considered the sailing capital of the North Carolina coastline. When you see the forest of masts as you enter the harbor, and/or nearby Whittaker Creek, you will not disagree with this assessment.
Notice Capatin Frank’s ringing endorsement of Oriental Marina. These good folks are also SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSORS!
Below/south of Belhaven is Oriental…you need to stop in Oriental, NC on the way down the ditch… Very Very Very cruiser friendly, low key and down to earth!!! First choice for dockage is the Oriental Marina…this is the original, small marina (maybe 12 slips) in the old part of town – it has a pool and restaurant immediately there, and you can walk everywhere (actually, you can walk everywhere in Oriental no matter where you are) –http://www.orientalmarina.com/
2nd choice marina (and again, just 300 yards away and w/in walking distance of everything) is the Oriental Harbour Marina –http://www.orientalharbor.com/ (some may like this better, a bit more
upscale but no swimming pool and less Jimmy Buffet)….
http://www.towndock.net/harborcam/ – this shows a webcam of the dozen slips at Oriental Marina.
http://www.visitoriental.com/
Make sure you you stop – you can anchor out just above the bridges – bear to port at the fork and anchor… dinghy dock at the east end of the docks of the Oriental Marina.
Frank & Chris Erwin
Click Here For More Information On Oriental Marina and Toucan’s Restaurant
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