With the sound serving as Roanoke Island’s backyard, so who can resist the temptation to head out and play on the water? Set sail or start your engines and venture out to explore the island’s soundside. Several marinas offer docking locations and boat services island-wide to enjoy nautical things to do in Manteo, NC. You can dock your boat there, or if you don’t have your own, meet head boat services and charter boat captains here who will get you on the water. Watersports companies also offer avenues for getting your maritime adventures underway with rentals and tours on sailboats, skiffs, motorboats and other Roanoke Island things to do.
Featured for Your Visit
Boating & Sailing in Wanchese, NC
708 Harbor Road, Safe Harbor Marina, Wanchese
Paradise Dolphin Cruises operates the Kokomo, a 40-foot catamaran that carries 40 passengers and offers a comfortable ride with a canopied top, cushioned seats and a restroom. The boat's location at Safe Harbor Marina offers the closest access to the waters where these amazing creatures are most often found. Paradise offers four two-hour dolphin trips daily plus sunset cruises. As you search for dolphins, you'll also enjoy the local scenery and learn about the other wildlife you will encounter. The boat is handicapped accessible and is available for private parties and catering. Reservations are required for dolphin tours and sunset cruises so call ahead.
Paradise Dolphin Cruises operates the Kokomo, a 40-foot catamaran that carries 40 passengers and offers a comfortable ride with a canopied top, cushioned seats and a restroom. The boat's location at Safe Harbor Marina offers the closest access to the waters where these amazing creatures are most often found. Paradise offers four two-hour dolphin trips daily plus sunset cruises. As you search for dolphins, you'll also...read more
Paradise Dolphin Cruises operates the Kokomo, a 40-foot catamaran that carries 40 passengers and offers a...read more
Boating & Sailing in Manteo, NC
A great place to stroll and pass some time is the boardwalk that winds along most of the Manteo waterfront. One end is quiet, with benches that look out over the sound and marsh grasses tickling the edges of the walk. The boardwalk stretches from Marshes Light development marina to downtown Manteo, past Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse and a children’s playground with swings and a pirate...read more
Boating & Sailing in Manteo, NC
To access Shallowbag Bay and Roanoke Sound, a free public boat launch is located at the waterfront, right beside the bridge that leads to Roanoke Island Festival Park. Parking is located here, too, for easy access, but note that the parking lot is often full and there isn't much room for trailers.read more
Boating & Sailing in Manteo, NC
Enhance your vacation with a dolphin or sunset cruise adventure brought to you by the Nags Head Dolphin Watch. These folks promote Atlantic bottlenose dolphin research through their commercial operation and offer two-hour dolphin trips. Naturalists explain coastal ecology and area history during sound excursions aboard either the Phoenix (Nags Head) or Miss Bodie Island (Manteo), both pontoon boats with shade. Drinks are sold, or...read more
Boating & Sailing in Wanchese, NC
Located in the fishing village of Wanchese, OBX Marina is at the heart of Outer Banks fishing. The ship’s store at OBX Marina offers everything you need for a day of fishing. Pick up your snacks, beverages and ice here before heading out. They also stock boating accessories and maintenance supplies. OBX Marina offers a large selection of seasonal tackle and frozen bait. Don’t forget to...read more
Boating & Sailing in Manteo, NC
OBX Tiki Time is a one-of-a-kind floating tiki boat experience on a custom-built pontoon boat with a thatch-roof shaded deck, comfortable cushioned seating, a festive tiki bar, an onboard head (bathroom), fun custom LED lighting for evening cruises, a bluetooth sound system and island-style ambiance. Run by locals, the captains are U.S. Coast Guard-certified, safety-trained and incredibly knowledgeable about the area’s waters, wildlife and history. They offer public tours for dolphin watching,...read more
Outer Banks Adventures offers a variety of guided outdoor adventures on the Outer Banks, including airboat rides, SUP tours and wildlife and bear tours in Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge. The only airboat adventure tour on the islands, their one-hour airboat eco-tours cover 27 miles of the sound near Nags Head and Roanoke Island in their high-speed, open-air boat. Tours leave from Nags Head/Manteo Causeway...read more
Boating & Sailing in Manteo, NC
Originally a boathouse used to build world-record–holding speedboats, this building has seen a variety of boat-building uses in its day. The building’s double-wide doors and barn-like roominess create the perfect setting for this working boathouse museum. The Roanoke Island Maritime Museum is a treasure-trove of local seafaring history. Come inside for a look at some locally built boats and possibly to see boat building in...read more
Boating & Sailing in Wanchese, NC
Located in the fishing village of Wanchese, Safe Harbor Outer Banks is at the heart of Outer Banks fishing and boating. Home of the famous National Geographic show Wicked Tuna North vs. South, this state-of-the-art marina and service facility has a ship's store, drystack storage, floating docks, inshore and offshore charter fishing boats, a dolphin tour boat, a fuel dock, in-slip fueling and a tiki bar with weekly...read more
Boating & Sailing in Manteo, NC
Shallowbag Bay Marina is a full-service 72-slip marina located just off the inter-coastal waterway on Roanoke Island in the town of Manteo. Boats up to 65’ can be accommodated, and the marina offers diesel and ethanol-free gas, 30/50 amp shore power, water and pump-out station. Slips are available for short- and long-term rentals and overnight transients. Shallowbag Bay Marina provides first-class facilities including a well-stocked...read more
Spend a day with family and friends on the beautiful Croatan Sound as Captain John Silver takes you to his backyard fishing grounds. You'll catch shrimp and crabs and create memories that will last a lifetime. Plus, you get to keep what you catch! Somerset Charters offers specialized private two-, three- or four-hour inshore crabbing and shrimping charters on the Miss Somerset II, a 36-foot...read more
Boating & Sailing in Manteo, NC
For youth who want to learn to sail, Roanoke Island Maritime Museum offers its Youth Sailing Programs from the second week in June through the first week in August. Youth ages 8 to 16 can learn to sail with certified instructors in week-long (Monday to Friday) sailing programs. Depending on their age and skill level, kids are taught on Optimist, Sunfish or Club 420 sailboats....read more
