If you are planning to take a boating vacation nothing can be more enjoyable then visiting North Carolina along the East Coast of the United States. North Carolina offers a vast variety of places to visit both along the shoreline and along the Intracoastal Waterway or ICW. You can safely plan a number of ocean passages due to the man well marked inlets. Along the coastal area there are many towns to visit that feature rich historical backgrounds. Each town is not short on nightlife, fine dining and local flavor. No matter what you want to do on your boating vacation you can do it in North Carolina. If you are coming from the south the best way to get into North Carolina by boat is through the Dismal Swamp Canal. When you arrive you will be greeted by the Lock Master who will typically invite you into the original lock keeper's house for a discussion of the canal's history over coffee and doughnuts. This canal takes you on a twenty-three miles scenic passage from Virginia into North Carolina. Once you enter North Carolina you will find a visitor center which has four hundred feet of dockage for those who need to stop overnight. At the south end of the canal you can enter the Pasquotank River. This winding river has breathtaking views and leads to Elizabeth City, North Carolina. Here you will find Mariners Warf which has free dockage for a period of up to forty-eight hours. All visitor are welcomed with a wine and cheese party. This is a great place to meet other boaters and share stories. As you continue down the Pasquotank River you will see a large dome-like structure. This is an old blimp building facility from the days of World War II. This factory is still in business today building blimps. After this the river enters the Albemarle Sound and then joins back up with the main ICW. Here you will find the Alligator River Marina. This is the only marine between Elizabeth City and Belhaven, fifty miles away. The Alligator River Bridge typically opens when you need it, but it can remained closed during high winds so be prepared to change plans if the weather deteriorates. The ICW continues south with the Pungo River. This leads to Goose Creek and then passes through the Neuse River. Off of Goose Greek you will find several branches with excellent anchorage selections each with their own wind conditions. If you need a spot to stop for the night these are some excellent choices, just be careful of the many crab traps in the water. The Neuse River gives you a chance to speed a bit or to enjoy some good sailing due to the width of the river. The Neuse River takes you to the town of Oriental. This small town has a variety of marinas and boatyards with a wide array of services. There are several restaurants and cafes offering local cuisine. There are several marine hardware stores and grocery stores if you need to stock up on any supplies. This town caters to the needs to boaters and can give you any service or supply you may need.
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