For Carolina Beach departures
(Island and Sound Exploration, Cape Fear Atlantic Voyage, Gulf Stream Nature Excursion)
The marina is located in Carolina Beach, which is 15 miles south of Wilmington NC. (Take Hwy. 421 S. out of Wilmington, cross the high-rise bridge, go to 4th light and take a left onto Carl Winner Drive. The marina is immediately on your left. Parking lots are located next to the marina; BUS PARKING IS FREE IN DESIGNATED BUS PARKING SPACES. Bus parking is located in the gravel lot on the west side of the marina; the entrance to this lot is immediately before the marina (take a left) on Carl Winner Drive. Our staff will meet you to assist in bus parking. Cars are $8 all day or $1.50 per hour in the neighboring lots.
For Kure Beach departures
(Pier into the Ocean)
From Wilmington, take Hwy. 421 South to Carolina Beach. Cross the high-rise bridge onto Carolina Beach. At the second light veer right (not a hard right) onto Dow Road. Take Dow Road to Kure Beach. As you approach the only stoplight in Kure Beach you will see the pier just past the light. Cars can pull up and park near the pier. BUSES SHOULD NOT PULL UP TO THE PIER UNLESS DIRECTED TO. Buses should take a left at this light onto Fort Fisher Blvd (also known as Hwy 421 S), then the next left onto L Avenue, then the next left onto N 3rd Ave. Pull over to the left side of the road and unload just past the Kure Beach Community Center. This is located just behind Big Daddy’s Restaurant. Buses will then move to the parking lot located at Joe Eakes Park which can be found at the intersection of K and 7th Streets. Car parking is located in front of the pier and along the waterfront to the left (north) of the pier. Additional car parking is located in lots on 3rd Avenue on each side of K Street.
For Beaufort departures
(Inner Sea Expedition, Dolphin and Dune Adventure)
Directions for cars: Take Hwy 70 to Beaufort, N.C. Once you cross the bridge to Beaufort go through the first stop light and take a RIGHT onto Turner Street. Take Turner Street until it ends in a T intersection with Front Street. Take a LEFT onto Front Street. Either park and walk or continue driving 2 ½. Our boats are located at 701 Front Street, which is between Queen and Pollock Streets. Car parking is located in lots or street-side off of Front Street (free except from Memorial Day Weekend to Labor Day Weekend when there is a $1.00 per hour charge from 9AM until 5PM). Additional car parking is located behind businesses on Front Street as well on side streets as you leave the waterfront (free year-round).
For proper bus unloading position please use the following Bus Directions. Take Hwy 70 to Beaufort, N.C. Once you cross the bridge to Beaufort go 0.7 miles to the second stop light (located at 816 Cedar Street) and take a RIGHT onto Live Oak Street. Take Live Oak Street down to where it ends at the water. Take a RIGHT onto Front Street and go two blocks. Just past Marsh St pull into the unloading zone in front of Beaufort Town Hall – it is a red brick building with a flagpole in front of it. Bus unloading zone is directly in front of Town Hall (same side of street as Town Hall) located at 701 Front Street. This is just across the street from our boat. Anyone arriving in private cars may park along any of the streets as space permits. Our staff will direct bus drivers where to move to after unloading since buses are not allowed to park in the downtown area.
For Harkers Island departures
(Outer Banks Discovery, Cape Lookout Discovery)
The Cape Lookout National Seashore Visitors Center and the ferry to Cape Lookout are located on Harkers Island (near Morehead City and Beaufort). To get to the ferry take Hwy. 70 to Beaufort. After entering Beaufort, stay straight for approximately 1 mile. Take a LEFT onto Hwy 70 / Live Oak Street and continue for about 5 miles. Hwy. 70 turns RIGHT at a stoplight at about 5 miles. Go about 2 ½ miles and take a RIGHT (leaving Hwy. 70) onto Harkers Island Road. You will see a Yellow BP station at this turn. There will also be a sign at this turn that says “Cape Lookout National Seashore”. Go straight for 5 miles on Harkers Island Road (which will become Straits Road) and cross bridge onto Harkers Island. After crossing bridge, continue all the way to where Island Road dead-ends at the edge of Core Sound. Cape Lookout Visitor’s Center and your ferry are located here. Parking will be in the large lot on your left as you approach the Seashore offices. Our instructors will greet you there! Located at the Visitors Center are restrooms, exhibits, a bookstore, a picnic area and National Park Service staff to answer any of your questions.
