THE HURRICANE

Exploring the Pamlico Region, Outer Banks and Emerald Isle - Do you have a few months to spare?

The River Neuse is part of the Intra coastal Waterway (ICW) and harbors "The Sailing Capital of North Carolina", the title granted to Oriental, NC, due its ideal sailing conditions: great weather, predictable winds and relatively calm water. We are about 6 miles by water to Historic New Bern, offering all of the charm of one the oldest Cities in North Carolina.

Oriental is about 20 miles down the River from The Hurricane, and is a popular destination or stop-over point for sailors and boaters navigating the ICW. Across the River from Oriental is Adams Creek the ICW passage to the Atlantic Ocean at Historic Beaufort, NC.

OK, you say, there is water all over the East Coast- Why Boat here?

Great weather, water temp in the 80's, predicable winds, Great weather, access to the Atlantic(about 37 Miles), plenty of lodging at reasonable prices, Great Food, Light Boat traffic, Great Weather,"safe Harbors" everywhere and miles and miles of creeks, rivers and estuaries to explore.
Bell haven, "little" Washington. the Emerald Isle, Beaufort, the Bay River, Trent River, Cape Hattaras National Seashore, Harkers Island, Okracoke Island.....all within a maximum 6 hour drive or from a few hours to days depending on the speed of your craft. Drive times may include Ferrys -some free; some at nominal costs. For example: Historic Beaufort is about 1 hour drive by car out 70 East, about 1.5 hours by Cherry Point Ferry. Okracoke Island is a 1 hour car drive and a 2.25 hour Ferry from Cedar Island. Did I mention Great Weather?

Depending on the season, pods of Dolphin feed in the River and many of the creeks. Also Skates, even an occasional shark and alligator we're told, though we have never seen either. 

Which brings us to one of our favorite activities!
If you are an experienced PWC enthusiast, than you already know all the advantages of these enviornmentally friendly, fuel efficient, free spirited modes of water travel. Well, if you haven't experienced boating in this area, than you will be in for the PWC experience of a lifetime. 

Consider this: even the creeks are sometimes over a mile wide and the Neuse exceeds 3 miles in some sections.
Lunch in Beaufort-Dinner and Drinks at the Hurricane.
We leave the Hurricane at about 9:00 AM. Lounge in the sand at Minnesott Beach( that's right - plenty of sandy beaches on the Neuse) chase the Minnesott Ferry for a while and watch the Kids race Sailboats(Camp Seagull) and visit Mom in Oriental. Than its up Adams Creek(ICW) to Beaufort for Lunch. More often than not, we take in the F-18's and other aircraft practicing out of MCAS Cherry Point. Sit on the Beach at Harker's Island after running Emerald Isles' protected waters and Back down Adams Creek or Clubfoot Creek to the Hurricane by 5:00 PM.