Boating, Fishing & Marinas

Opportunities on the Water

With some 88,000 acres of water covering the 828 square miles of Beaufort County, it is understandable when people refer to this region as the "Heart of the Inner Banks". Nautical enthusiasts of all shapes and sizes know that the Inner Banks has a lot to offer on the water.

  • The Pamlico River stretches 30 nautical miles from U.S. Highway 17 Business in Washington to the Pamlico Sound in the East. From Aurora to Washington,sailors have plenty of ports to choose from along the Pamlico and its tributaries, including the Pungo River, Bath Creek, Blounts Creek, Broad Creek, and Chocowinity Bay.
  • The city docks along the Washington waterfront are open year-round for both long-term and transient boaters. Boaters can choose to anchor in the harbor or pull up along the docks.
  • The Carolina Wind Yachting Center is a one- stop shop for boating-related services, including new and used boat sales, boat slips and a mooring field, marina services, showers and laundry facilities.
  • Some of the other marinas worth checking out include Bath Harbor Marina, Broad Creek Marina, McCotter's Marina, the Washington Yacht and Country Club and Cypress Landing Marina. Looking for paddle power? Inner Banks Outfitters at the Haven's Gardens boat ramp on Runyon Creek has developed a following for kayakers wanting to explore the waters of Beaufort County. Open year-round, visitors and residents can find kayaks to rent or purchase at IBX Outfitters They can also join one of the organized group events known as "paddles."
  • For the bait-and-tackle set, the waters of Beaufort County are stocked with a wide variety of game and non-game fish, including catfish, large-mouth bass, red drum, Southern flounder, spotted sea-trout, sunfish and white perch.

Boating Access

Boaters can access the water through numerous boat ramps scattered throughout the County, including:

  • Havens Gardens along Runyon Creek, Washington
  • Duck Creek off Hawkins Beach Road
  • Dinah's Landing at the end of Dinah's Landing Road
  • Crisp Landing on Blount's Creek at end of Crisp Landing Road
  • Belhaven ramp off Water Street on Pantego Creek
  • Mason's Landing off Clark's Neck Road at Tranter's Creek
  • Smith's Creek ramp, 10 miles east of Aurora off NC Highway 33

Hunting & Fishing

When it comes to recreation, Beaufort County and eastern North Carolina have a lot to offer outdoor sportsmen. Big game hunters can go for bear, deer and wild turkey. Fishing is plentiful on the Pamlico River and the Pamlico Sound. There truly is something for everyone.