The wife and I are getting ready to set sail the second week of July for our 2 week vacation. Our destination will be several places; 1 all the lighthouses of North Carolina, 2 Ocracoke for a day, 3 Roanoak to see the play about the lost colony, 4 Elisabeth town and then the Great Dismal Swamp up to Norfolk VA. I am guessing its about 700nm round trip. I will try and do as good a job as sumner and report back here with pictures however if someone can clue me in on how to resize them or how to post would be very much appreciated. Also if anyone has any information especially about inlets and approaches to the lighthouses or places to stay would be very helpful.
Thanks all and happy sails
Ron and Cindy
The Lighthouses of NC
Re: The Lighthouses of NC
I cant say much for the sailing side of the OBX but I spend a lot of time around Morehead city and Beaufort NC. There are a few good places to visit. One is the PineKnoll Shores Aquarium and Ft Macon. Great things to see there and trails to walk. At Ft Macon you can walk out on the jetty and do some decent fishing there do mind the warning signs posted they have some bad rip currents so don't try to swim that inlet.
Beaufort is a great place also, its in eyesight of Morehead city and Atlantic Beach. Plenty of places to anchor up or dock for a fee. There are 3 great restaurants there on the boardwalk. Fins, Periweinkels, and Ribeye's. I cant remember when they run the special but you can get a good steak dinner there. The Morehead city waterfront has a dam good restaurant when you want seafood, its called the sanitary, some of the best seafood you can eat in the area.
Back to Beaufort. Also on the waterfront is the maritime museum, I highly suggest going there and across the street from that is their boat building facility. There are endless shops there you can visit and a few bed and breakfasts. One we tried was the Pecan Tree Inn. We loved it, it was a historic house, very quiet and romantic.
The boardwalk has a great view if carrot island, you can find some good shells there, and walk right up to the banker ponies that run wild there. They are also on Shackelford banks close by. There are also a couple sight seeing tours there from tour boats, a English double decker bus, walking tours too. On the weekends there will be a lot happening in that area, with other tour activities and reenactments in Beaufort and at Ft Macon.
It has been many years since I went out to Cape Lookout but I think there is a public access at the light house, with bathhouses too. Don't quote me on it though. Not matter what the OBX is a great place to go. You'll have a great time, makes sure you take bug repellent and a camera.
Beaufort is a great place also, its in eyesight of Morehead city and Atlantic Beach. Plenty of places to anchor up or dock for a fee. There are 3 great restaurants there on the boardwalk. Fins, Periweinkels, and Ribeye's. I cant remember when they run the special but you can get a good steak dinner there. The Morehead city waterfront has a dam good restaurant when you want seafood, its called the sanitary, some of the best seafood you can eat in the area.
Back to Beaufort. Also on the waterfront is the maritime museum, I highly suggest going there and across the street from that is their boat building facility. There are endless shops there you can visit and a few bed and breakfasts. One we tried was the Pecan Tree Inn. We loved it, it was a historic house, very quiet and romantic.
The boardwalk has a great view if carrot island, you can find some good shells there, and walk right up to the banker ponies that run wild there. They are also on Shackelford banks close by. There are also a couple sight seeing tours there from tour boats, a English double decker bus, walking tours too. On the weekends there will be a lot happening in that area, with other tour activities and reenactments in Beaufort and at Ft Macon.
It has been many years since I went out to Cape Lookout but I think there is a public access at the light house, with bathhouses too. Don't quote me on it though. Not matter what the OBX is a great place to go. You'll have a great time, makes sure you take bug repellent and a camera.
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cptron
- Captain
- Posts: 515
- Joined: Wed Mar 28, 2012 11:08 pm
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
- Location: Hattiesburg MS. "Storm Walker" 2011 26m with ETech 60
Re: The Lighthouses of NC
Thanks for the input propnut. The wife and I have spent a few weekends at the Moorehead city docks and was even there for the 1st annual crab pot drop on new years and watched the fireworks with a glass of wine from the cockpit of the boat while tied at the dock. You are right, there is alot to do and see in that area and we plan on doing more in that area on weekends in the future. Right now we have only 2 weeks and out goal is to make it to at least elisabethtown under sail and then on up the dismal swamp to Norfolk, then back. I estimate approx. 700 nm. We generally always forget the bug repellant but the camera never fails to make it with us, however making sure the camera has juice is another story. 
Anyone else on hear that can give me some local knowledge about approaches the the Light houses north of ocracoke?
Anyone else on hear that can give me some local knowledge about approaches the the Light houses north of ocracoke?