Lighthouses of the Outer Banks

The Outer Banks of North Carolina are a string of barrier islands jutting out into the Atlantic Ocean. Beyond them are the treacherous waters of “The Graveyard of the Atlantic,” where many a ship has floundered. Numerous lighthouses were built to help mariners navigate the dangerous passages, but through time and the use of modern navigation technology, many lighthouses no longer serve as the primary navigational aid. Yet, they still stand as a reference to warn boats of dangerous area. Every lighthouse is unique and painted differently so boaters can identify each one and know their location to use as a daymark. At night, each working lighthouse has a distinctive light sequence as its identity.

Many lighthouses have been restored and are open to visitors who can climb to the top and get a bird’s eye view of the surrounding area. Typically, there is a fee for this which is used for preservation and upkeep. Keep in mind that the lighthouses are often closed in the winter, so check ahead to see if and when you can visit.

Currituck Beach Lighthouse

The farthest north of the lights is the Currituck Beach Lighthouse in Corolla. An impressive red brick tower rises 162 feet above the ground. The 220 steps are considered a relatively easy climb with numerous landings to stop and rest. Along the way, you’ll see exhibits that tell the lighthouse’s history. From the top, you’ll have great views of Currituck Sound, the Atlantic Ocean, and the northern Outer Banks.

Completed in 1875, Currituck was the last major brick lighthouse built on the Outer Banks. It was left unpainted to make it different from the other lighthouses. The lighthouse is situated among many restored buildings, one of which has been converted into a gift shop. The surrounding grounds are known for their scenic beauty.

Bodie Island Lighthouse

The Bodie (pronounced “body”) Island Lighthouse is just south of Nags Head. At 156 feet high and with prominent black and white horizontal stripes, the Bodie Light is a striking feature. After earlier versions failed, this structure was finished in 1872. The lighthouse was open to the public in 2013 after an extensive renovation. Climb the 214 steps to the top and you’ll be rewarded with glorious views of Pamlico Sound and the Oregon Inlet. The keeper’s duplex is also restored and houses a gift shop, ranger office, and visitors center.

One of the unique features of the Bodie Island Light station is that it is surrounded by ponds and wetlands. Boardwalks lead visitors to observation stations to catch a glimpse of birds and other wildlife.

Cape Hatteras Lighthouse

The most famous of the Outer Banks lights is the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse located in Buxton on Hatteras Island. After earlier lights were deemed too short and not effective, a new structure was completed in 1870. At 208 feet tall, the Hatteras Light is the tallest lighthouse in the United States. The great height and visibility were deemed necessary because sea conditions just offshore make this area one of the most notorious for shipwrecks. The distinctive black and white diagonal stripes were added in 1873.

The lighthouse is open to the public, and the 269 steps traversing the 200 feet of elevation make this a challenging climb, especially in the heat of summer. As a reward, you’ll get great views of Hatteras Island, Pamlico Sound, and the Atlantic Ocean. Nearby, there is a visitor’s center and museum.

In the 1900s, beach erosion continually threatened the structure. When all efforts to stop the encroaching ocean failed, the entire lighthouse was moved 2,900 feet over 23 days in a monumental engineering feat in 1999, and is now well back from the water.

Ocracoke Lighthouse

The Ocracoke Lighthouse is located on Ocracoke Island and is the southernmost of the Outer Banks lights. There are no bridges to the island. Ferry service is available from Hatteras Island to the north and from mainland North Carolina to the south.

The Ocracoke Lighthouse opened in 1823 and is now the oldest operational lighthouse in North Carolina and the second oldest in the nation. The lighthouse is in a unique setting—a residential area on only two acres of land. It is within easy walking or biking distance from many locations on the south end of the island.

Unfortunately, the lighthouse is not open for climbing and there are no visitor facilities on site. Parking is extremely limited. You are, however, welcome to visit and take pictures. At only 75 feet tall, this is the shortest of the Outer Banks lights, but its pure-white exterior makes it a striking landmark. The short stature was all that was necessary to safely guide mariners through Ocracoke Inlet and into Pamlico Sound.

Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse

In the small town of Manteo on Roanoke Island, you will find the most unusual of the Outer Banks lights, the Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse. The original lighthouse was established in 1831 and was used to guide nearby ships into Croatan Sound; therefore, great height wasn’t necessary for visibility. Destroyed and rebuilt several times, the last working light was opened in 1877. Decommissioned in 1955, the structure was lost in an ill-fated move. The current light is a replica of the 1877 lighthouse. Finished in 2004, it’s only 37 feet tall and can be found at the end of a short pier jutting out into Roanoke Sound. outerbankslighthousesociety.org

By Ed Brotak, Southern Boating July 2020

Outer Banks Wooden Boat Show

The 6th Annual Roanoke Island Maritime Museum Outer Banks Wooden Boat Show in Manteo on North Carolina’s Outer Banks is scheduled for October 27-28 and open to all wooden boats: power, sail, row, paddle, new construction or restored. Registration is $30 for exhibitors, which includes a pass for a Friday night exhibitors’ welcome reception and a museum T-shirt.

Registration forms are available online, at the museum or by calling the museum at (252) 475-1750. The boats are displayed in the Creef Boathouse and Park and in the water at the Roanoke Marshes lighthouse docks. Show-goers will judge the best owner-built/restored or professional-built/restored boat. Awards presented at a dinner Saturday evening include the People’s Choice Award and the H.A. Creef Award, given to the best overall boat. All proceeds benefit a local youth sailing program.
townofmanteo.com

by Chris Knauss Southern Boating October 2017

Additional Chesapeake and Mid-Atlantic Updates:

Virginia Vineyards
Downrigging Weekend

Chesapeake Changes Gas for the Better

Maryland gas changes for the better

Mariners will soon find a new fuel at Maryland marinas that’s better for their boat and for the environment. Largely due to the work of the nonprofit Marine Trades Association of Maryland, Delegate Herb McMillan and the Gevo fuel company, isobutanol-blended gasoline is now legally available for marinas to dispense. The fuel solves the problems associated with the use of ethanol.

According to testing completed on isobutanol, it offers a 30 percent higher energy content than ethanol, elimination of phase separation issues, reduced emissions, increased octane, and no water solubility glitches.

The EPA-approved fuel is made from renewable resources such as cereal crops, sugarcane, sugar beets, and other cellulosic raw materials. Tested by the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) in collaboration with the Department of Energy’s Argonne National Laboratory, isobutanol is fully compatible with marine engines. Its performance — validated by Mercury, Evinrude, Johnson, Volvo Penta, Honda, Yamaha, and others — demonstrated that internal combustion engines have no problems running with mixtures of isobutanol and regular ethanol gasoline.

In Maryland, isobutanol is currently available only to on-water fuel facilities. Greg Roda, of Gevo, said he’s been “working like a dog” to make it accessible since it was legalized. “I believe there’s a big market there, and I believe everybody wants it. As you would guess, the supply chain is the hard part.” gevo.com

Non-ethanol fuel on the OBX

Speaking of gas, while Maryland changes gas for the better, you can find non-ethanol fuel this summer at Dock of the Bay Marina, the only marina on North Carolina’s northern Outer Banks with gas, diesel, deepwater access, and just about everything else you need for an adventure on the water.

The convenience store at this Kitty Hawk marina has ice, sandwiches, sodas, chips, and plenty of snacks to load up on. For adults, it also offers wine and beer. The marina also has crabbing supplies and fishing bait and tackle. The friendly and helpful staff can update you on the weather, provide directions and answer any other questions you may have. outerbanks.com/dock-of-the-bay-marina

Tournament time

Summer is fishing tournament time in the Mid-Atlantic with competitions throughout the region for charities and cash prizes ranging from $50 to more than $1 million. Charter boat operators and professional guides will be on-site to provide the know-how and stress-free entertainment. Daily tournament parties are also a big part of the fun.

For example, the 13^th Annual Virginia Beach Tuna Tournament is June 21-24 with weigh-ins at Marina Shores marina in Lynnhaven Inlet and the Virginia Beach Fishing Center in Rudee Inlet. In 2016, anglers aboard Skiligal reeled in a 216-pound bigeye tuna for first place and nearly $65,000. Sixty-eight boats participated in the tournament with a total payout of $122,850.

The big daddy of tournaments is the White Marlin Open in Ocean City, Maryland, in August. The 2016 purse was $4,450,000 with 1,412 fish caught. The money is so good, if you win, you’ll need to pass a lie detector test. Last year’s “winner” didn’t pass.

By Chris Knauss Southern Boating Magazine June 2017

Patriotic festivities at the beach

This year’s Virginia Beach Patriotic Festival is June 3-5 and will feature Chris Young with special guest Bobby Bones & Raging Idiots on Friday, Sam Hunt with guest Canaan Smith on Saturday, and Big & Rich with an appearance by Cowboy Troy on Sunday. The oceanfront concert site is at the foot of 5th Street. Tickets are available online at patrioticfestival.com.

The festival’s Military Expo Village showcases our national defense mission, equipment and personnel through exhibits, demonstrations and displays on Friday through Sunday from 15th Street to 20th Street. The Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard branches of the military are all participating. Transient slips are available at marinas throughout Lynhaven and Rudee inlets.

Boardwalk docking

Chrismar Marina has opened at the head of Middle River, a tributary of the Chesapeake near Essex, Maryland. The 38-slip docking facility is located on the site of the previous Buedel’s marina and prop shop. Charlie and Mary Frances Gast have completely transformed the property to include a 735-foot boardwalk with docking that can accommodate yachts up to 50 feet. The mean low tide is 5 feet, 5 inches. Minor repairs and washing and cleaning are available. Winter storage will be on the water with all slips bubbled. chrismar-marina.com

Leukemia Cup events

The 2016 Leukemia Cup Regatta hosted by Eastport Yacht Club is scheduled for Saturday, June 4th. Last year’s regatta was a record-breaking fundraising year with 103 boats in the regatta and $247,000 raised for the mission of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. An “Off the Water Fundraising Race” that encouraged fleets, clubs and individual teams to join in the fight against blood cancer raised $120,000. The event weekend kicks off with live entertainment and auctions the night before and concludes with an awards dock party after the races.

The Southern Chesapeake Leukemia Cup Regatta is July 8-10, hosted by the Fishing Bay Yacht Club in Deltaville, Virginia. The regatta offers three courses including one for Typhoons and other one-design monohulls less than 20 feet that run inside Fishing Bay. National Capital Area events include a junior regatta on August 20th, a poker run on August 27th, and a sailing regatta on September 9-20. Advanced registration for all the events is required. leukemiacup.org

Nurse a beer or three

Cruisers to the Northern Outer Banks can find plenty of action underway this month without the summertime rush. If you like beer and art, May 30-June 5 is the week for you. It’s Outer Banks Craft Beer Week, which was “created to showcase the marriage between the craft beer industry and the arts.” It’s an adult event and no kids are allowed. One option is three days of craft beer education at a one-of-a-kind brewing retreat at North Carolina’s oldest microbrewery, the Weeping Radish Farm Brewery.

For the kids (and adults), Tuesdays, starting May 31, is Kitty Hawk Kites Kids Days. Activities include games, kite making, toy and yo-yo demonstrations, rock wall climbing (Nags Head and Waves Village only), and more. kittyhawk.com/events/outer-banks-kids-day/

— By Christopher Knauss, Southern Boating Magazine May 2016

Fishing Tournament Raises Money For Cancer Research

Women looking to get in on the fishing opportunities in the Virginia Beach area can join the fun at this year’s Wine, Women and Fishing tournament August 15-16 at Southside Marina. Hosted by the Chesapeake Bay Wine Classic Foundation, the fundraiser has raised more than $300,000 for breast cancer research at the Eastern Virginia Medical School. Women of all levels of fishing expertise are welcome.

Registration and a captain’s meeting will be held from 5:30PM to 7:30PM Saturday with the fishing on Sunday beginning at 8:30AM. Scales open at 5PM, while the dock bash begins with an awards ceremony, music and dinner from 7PM to 10PM.

The event includes a variety of wine seminars and bourbon tastings. You can also shop for artwork, jewelry and accessories from the Bling Lady. cbwc.org

Art on the waterfront
The 34th New World Festival of the Arts is set for August 12-13 on the waterfront in downtown Manteo on North Carolina’s Outer Banks. The show will exhibit original works from 75 East Coast artists including more than a dozen new artists who will present watercolors, oil and acrylic, graphics, drawings, photography, jewelry, sculpture, and pottery. The show runs from 10AM to 5PM Wednesday, and 10AM to 4:30PM Thursday. darearts.org

Manteo offers plenty of transient dockage at its waterfront marina, and the walkable historic town flaunts restaurants, museum, historical attractions, and shops with nautical flair. Shallowbag Bay Marina provides a modern full-service marina with transient dockage for boats up to 65 feet.

CBPBA cruise
The Chesapeake Bay Power Boat Association’s destination cruise to Lowe’s Wharf on the Eastern Shore of Maryland’s Bay Hundred peninsula is August 22-23.Lowe’s Wharf is located between St. Michaels and Tilghman Island and offers waterfront guest rooms, a restaurant, patio bar, ship’s store, marina, and activities such as charter fishing, sunset cruises, crabbing, kayaking, bicycling, bonfires, volleyball, cornhole toss, and billiards. Alternately, just relax on the private beach and watch the sunset.

Mooring balls and transient slips (4′ 5″ depth) are available. The marina offers gas and diesel, Wi-Fi, showers, and a pump-out station. cbpba.com

Music all week long
Chesapeake Beach Resort & Spa on the western shore of the mid-Chesapeake offers live music daily this summer through September 24th—cover charge is from $5 to $59 depending on the band. Scheduled groups in August include Roger McDuffy, Memories of the King (an Elvis tribute), Great Train Robbery, and Sons of Pirates (a Jimmy Buffet tribute). Marina guests enjoy full privileges at the resort, which include showers and laundry facilities, use of the fitness center and sauna, a business center, spa, and a heated indoor pool. chesapeakebeachresortspa.com

By Christophy Knauss, Southern Boating, August 2015

“All Aboard Florida” Potentially Threatens the Marine Industry

Increased future rail traffic is certain to impact Fort Lauderdale’s marine industry. A high-speed passenger train between Miami and Orlando under the project name “All Aboard Florida,” and projects in Port Everglades and the Port of Miami require building several new bridges over 30 or more waterways. The New River railroad bridge in central downtown Fort Lauderdale is a main concern and when closed offers a slim four-foot clearance. Since many of the area’s refit and repair yards are up the New River, the slow-paced bridge would be closed more often. A 2009 study showed the bridge closing for 20 minutes, 11 times a day. Fear is that with added hindrance to marine traffic, repairs and jobs in the area’s marine industry will go elsewhere. Concerned citizens and boat owners are encouraged to contact Governor Rick Scott, state legislators, and Florida congressional delegation. allaboardflorida.com

Shipwrecks rich with history
A mysterious shipwreck near St. Augustine, Florida, was identified as the Bermuda schooner The Deliverance, wrecked in a brutal 1947 storm. The vessel was named after the original Bermudian Deliverance that helped settlers in Jamestown in 1608. The shipwreck of the SS Central America in 1857 led to the first worldwide financial crisis and is now being raised off the coast of North Carolina. Within its hold is 21 tons of gold worth $100 million. Its recovery by Tommy Thompson in 1988 led to litigation against him and his eventual fugitive status in 2012. And finally, budding maritime archaeologists are measuring and mapping century-old Carolina duck hunting skiffs to create models using 3-D printers at East Carolina University’s Maritime Studies Program. By doing so, students learn how a boat is put together—a prerequisite to examining shipwrecks.ecu.edu/cs-cas/maritime

Free dockage in North Carolina
Mariners Wharf’s free docks in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, are even more inviting to visiting cruisers this season with new restrooms and showers. Elizabeth City is on the ICW halfway between Virginia Beach and the Outer Banks. Restrooms are free and showers are $5, payable at Elizabeth City Area Convention and Visitors Bureau or the Elizabeth City Downtown, Inc. offices. Both offices are closed on weekends. discoverelizabethcity.com

Another friend to ICW transients is the North Carolina Museum in Beaufort, North Carolina, known for its artifacts from Blackbeard’s Queen Anne’s Revenge. The expansion on Gallants Channel just north of downtown brings deep-water fixed 1,500-foot wharfs, 10-slip floating docks, and a 110-foot face dock. Short-term dockage is just $1 per-foot per-night or $10 per foot per month. Water and power are available, but there are no shore-side facilities as of yet.

Biscayne Bay navigation notes
Severe shoaling continues to be a problem along the ICW near Bakers Haulover Inlet near Biscayne Bay Buoy 7B south to DBN 11 and from Biscayne Bay 6A to Biscayne Bay DBN8. Channel depth and width vary, and at any tide boats may be pushed east or west out of the channel. Cruisers should contact dredge Jenni Lea II on VHF channel 13, 16 or 78, or local tow boat operators for information on a good deep water passage around the shoal.

By Nancy E. Spraker, Southern Boating July 2014

Crystal Coast, North Carolina

North Carolina’s Southern Outer Banks (SOBX) represents one of the few remaining natural barrier island systems in the world. Strung together with 85 miles of silken coastline—56 being the protected Cape Lookout National Seashore—the Crystal Coast is both a place and a state of mind set apart from the ordinary.

This chain of islands is a culinary lover’s dream-come-true with a mixture of eateries tailored to suit any palate on any budget, from tasty seafood shacks to waterfront pubs to fine dining bistros. Thanks to the Carteret Catch program—a joint venture between local restaurants, retailers and fishermen—the Crystal Coast features a “fish to fork” initiative, serving only seafood caught that day by local fishermen. Boasting no chain restaurants, the program supports the 85 privately owned restaurants that change their menus daily depending on the fresh catch of the day.

But even if you’re not a foodie, tales of swashbuckling pirates, Civil War triumphs and tragedies, and deep-rooted maritime heritage are sure to entice history buffs. Glimmering waterways welcome eco-adventurers with stand-up paddle boarding, kayaking and world-class fishing. And for the shopping enthusiasts in your crew, unique treasures await in every charming town that dots the Crystal Coast.

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Atlantic Beach

Part of the Bogue Banks, Atlantic Beach is the oldest of the five resort towns on the Crystal Coast. Home to Fort Macon National Park, this town is directly linked to skirmishes in the Civil War. Fort Macon—built from 1826-1834—is impeccably preserved to educate and entertain visitors. Once a month on Canon Day, volunteers in traditional dress fire a canon over the wall to exemplify how the Confederates defended the fort over one hundred years ago. Twice a year, Fort Macon commemorates the Civil War with a battle reenactment that requires over 40 volunteers who sleep in the fort for an entire weekend. fort.macon@ncparks.gov.

Fort Macon State Park also offers unspoiled fishing, hiking, swimming, and picnicking amidst serene coastal settings. Take a break from an enriched day of history to enjoy a fresh spin on traditional seafood dishes at the waterfront Channel Marker Restaurant. The she-crab soup and ahi tuna are staples on their menu, with delectable daily specials you won’t want to miss. Watch the sunset and sip a cocktail on their boardwalk as your plan your next day’s adventures.

Beaufort

Cruise down Taylor’s Creek to look for wild Shackleford horses on Carrot Island across from charming Beaufort, dubbed “America’s Coolest Small Town.” This gem is the third-oldest city in North Carolina bustling with fresh, tasty restaurants and coffee shops that neighbor the perfectly manicured gardens inside the white picket fences of each picturesque coastal cottage. Dive into the history, ghost stories and folklore at the world-class ship diving spot where the legendary pirate Blackbeard’s infamous ship Queen Anne’s Revenge lies in a watery grave just three miles off of the sandy shore.

Enjoy a double-decker bus tour around the town to learn which historic character lived in each house dating back from the 1700s. beauforthistoricsite.org Share in the rich maritime history rooted in Beaufort at the North Carolina’s Maritime Museum with official artifacts from Blackbeard’s ship, which illuminates the life of early 18^th-century pirates. The museum also offers on-the-water sailing and boating courses, paddle boarding along the historic shore, and boat-building for all skill levels. ncmaritimemuseums.com

Morehead City

Known for some of the most diverse fishing, the Crystal Coast also has one of the longest fishing seasons on the entire Atlantic Coast. If you aren’t an experienced angler or simply prefer to take advantage of local knowledge, rows of charter fishing boats bob along the docks for a day of action and offer private charters, or choose a more affordable family-friendly fishing trip for up to 100 people. If you’re looking for more booty than just a fresh fish dinner, several fishing tournaments on the Crystal Coast offer big cash prizes. For folks not keen on a salty day reeling in the sun, the quaint shopping district has lovely art galleries intermixed with antique stores, as well as the Morehead Center for the Performing Arts.

Pine Knoll Shores

Teddy Roosevelt’s family previously owned this peaceful, eco-friendly, residential community. The Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores is the second largest aquarium in the state and features animal feedings, live animal programs, dive presentations, and touch tanks with some of the most unique fresh and salt-water creatures. Expand your visit with a behind-the-scenes tour, kayak tour or fishing lessons for children. An attached ice cream shop and nearby beaches will delight everyone at this fun, interactive stop. ncaquariums.com

Emerald Isle

The most prominent of Crystal Coast’s banks, Emerald Isle is located at the western end of the Bogue Banks and named for its flourishing lush greenery. The town is also noted for its massive beachfront mansions known locally as “sand castles.” Its prime location sets it apart for watching the sunrise over the Bay side and the sunset over the Atlantic Ocean.

Stop by Hot Wax Surf Shop for exercise combined with sightseeing as you glide along the water on a stand-up paddleboard or kayak. Guided flat-water eco-tours wind amidst the grassy outer banks to look for river dolphins and coastal birds—you might even spot a bald eagle. Rent a surfboard or take a lesson if you want to catch one of the Atlantic coast’s premier waves. hotwaxsurf.com Fill up hungry stomachs with lunch at The Village Market— sandwiches, salads and award-winning key lime pie won’t disappoint. The neighboring bait shop can help prepare you for some fishing action in the afternoon and evening.

After the sunset, stop by Amos Mosquito’s Swampside Café for some unique specialties in a down-home atmosphere. Don’t let the name fool you—there are no pesky mosquitos, except for the funky décor—and the seafood favorites will satisfy with their gourmet preparation and hearty flavor. Named after an old family joke, the restaurant’s husband and wife manager and chef stay busy with upscale family favorites popular with the locals. I can confidently recommend everything—and double-recommend the oysters and mojitos—which you might need after 9PM once karaoke starts. Be sure to pack a light jacket to sustain the coastal breezes as you stargaze along the shore—the Milky Way is in full view on a clear night.

Cape Lookout

Cape Lookout National Seashore offers a 56-mile stretch of unspoiled, undeveloped beaches accessible by boat—as always, ensure you have current navigational charts. Visit the historic black-and-white checkered lighthouse, watch for herds of wild Shackleford horses that roam freely, and fish or camp on the beach of this national seashore. Be sure to bring everything you might need, as there are no stores or restaurants—although they do have clean bathroom facilities and a covered pavilion. If you prefer to leave your boat in a safe marina, the Island Express Ferry Service departs from the town of Beaufort Gateway and Harkers Island Visitor Center with guided routes to Cape Lookout Lighthouse and Shackleford Banks. islandexpressferryservices.com

With an endless list of activities, sightseeing, eating, drinking, and discovering to be had at North Carolina’s Southern Outer Banks, set your course for these barrier islands this summer. Visit crystalcoastnc.com to plan your trip around one of the festivals, tours, and food and wine events held in these charming towns. I guarantee you’ll be planning your return trip before you even leave.

By Christine Carpenter, Southern Boating June 2014