Thanks for the info! We anchored in Taylor’s Creek and are enjoying our time in Beaufort. Cape Lookout and/or Shackleford were on our list to check out before we continue north, but it was rainy today, so we will probably end up saving it for next time.

Lara

The best/standard anchorage to access the town of Beaufort, NC is Taylor’s Creek. This often a busy anchorage that has some mooring balls for rent and is adjacent to the Beaufort City Docks. When looking for a spot be sure that you are completely outside the channel that runs parallel to the city docks. That said, I’ve always been able to find some room to put the hook down near the public dinghy dock (34 42.882N 76.39.762W) that way I can row rather than motor ashore. In normal conditions the tidal range is around one meter.

The best anchorage for access Shackleford Banks, Cape Lookout, lighthouse, surfing, etc. in the area is Lookout Bight (34 36.946N 76 32.940W position approximate). This spot places you just offshore of a trail that leads across the dunes to the Atlantic Ocean/beach. It is also a short dinghy ride to Shackleford Banks & the Cape Lookout lighthouse/visitor’s center. During the week this anchorage is mellow with perhaps a couple of other boats around. On the weekends the anchorage is busy and the area around the lighthouse is a mad house. It is possible to reach this anchorage via an inside route, but my recommendation is to access this area by passing out Beaufort Inlet and running southeast along Shackleford Banks to the entrance to Lookout Bight.

If the weather will not allow an outside approach to Lookout Bight, then another option is anchoring along the north western shore of Shackleford Banks (34 41.233N 76 38.203W position approximate. The approach to this anchorage is to exit Beaufort Channel to the east as you approach Shackleford Banks. It is possible to continue further east along the inside to a more secluded/sheltered anchorage, but be mindful of shoaling in the area. This anchorage will provide easy access to exploring Shacklford banks and to surfing along the outside.

enjoy,

I checked out your blog and some of those pictures look all too familiar! Good luck with your projects. We still have many things on our to-do list for the boat, but need to make some money first and enjoy the boat for a while. If you know of a great anchorage in Beaufort, please let us know. We have read that there are several in that area.

Part II will go up tomorrow. Happy reading!
Lara

I found your site recently via a link on SV Estrellita 5.10b’s website. My partner, Anne, and I own a 34′ 1966 Morgan to which we have completed many restoration projects over the past 5 years. Much like Illusion, we had plans to make it south for the hurricane season, but as we remain at our home port in Everglades City, FL working towards the completion of a gallows & dodger our plans for the summer grow less certain.

We have spent multiple summers in the Beaufort, NC area. If you need any local knowledge on the area as you head north let me know.

And, please… don’t leave us hanging… we want to read part II.