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With
New Bern's location at the confluence of the Neuse and Trent rivers,
it's not surprising that its citizens take to the water like, well,
ducks. The weather is mild enough year round to entice the locals into
kayaking, sailing, skiing, fishing or relaxing on or around the rivers.
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WaterwaysBoaters, fishing enthusiasts and outdoorsy types in the New Bern area have two waterways to explore: the expansive Neuse River that flows into Pamlico Sound or the slow, meandering Trent River that flows into the Neuse. The Neuse River is ideal for cruising by sail or power, with miles of sandy beaches, clearly marked channels, easy access via the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) and Pamlico Sound and many marinas and protected anchorages. The Trent River is deep, has a marked channel and is navigable by small boat. Its lower reaches are fine for uncrowded water-skiing. Brices Creek, a tributary of the Trent, winds far into the Croatan National Forest and offers excellent fishing and wildlife observation. The bridge over the Trent River leading into downtown New Bern is now closed, undergoing a two-year project by the North Carolina Department of Transportation to replace the Alfred Cunningham Bridge, which once spanned the Trent River and connects downtown New Bern to U.S. Highway 70. While the project is underway, traffic is being diverted to the Trent Woods/Pembroke exit, located just minutes from downtown. The bridge is scheduled to be replaced by 2010 in time for New Bern's 300th anniversary. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) stations in the area are New Bern and Beaufort, WX-2 (162.475 MHz) and Hatteras, WX-3 (162.40 MHZ). A clearly marked channel up the Neuse from the Intracoastal Waterway will bring you into historic New Bern. The natural channel depths generally run between 8 and 12 feet, with little noticeable tidal effect. A strong easterly or northerly wind will raise the level, while a sustained westerly breeze, say 25 knots, can lower this level by as much as 2 feet. Also noteworthy to boaters are the sapling stakes dotting the river. The stakes are strung with nets in the early spring and late fall. The nets are usually buoyed by corks or plastic bottles or marked by white flags. The Neuse is a wide river, which
invites sailing in addition to motor-cruising and water-skiing. The
many wandering tributaries promise scenic canoeing and exciting
fishing. Much of the Neuse River's shoreline south of New Bern forms
one of the boundaries of the vast 157,000-acre Croatan National
Forest. Here, locals and visitors enjoy public recreation areas,
with swimming and picnic facilities near the Minnesott ferry
terminal and at Flanner's Beach south of New Bern. |
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FishingExpect to hook bass, bream, flounder and many more fish in local waters. The Neuse River is also home to many crabs, and catching them provides tasty and profitable rewards. Nearby Croatan National Forest permits fresh- and saltwater fishing; however, fishing in the forest's freshwater lakes is poor because of the acidity of the water. But along its river shoreline, oystering, crabbing and flounder-gigging can be worthwhile efforts. To find out about the best fishing spots, talk to a ranger at the ranger office at 141 Fisher Avenue, 9 miles south of New Bern just off U.S. Highway 70 E. The office is open weekdays from 8 AM to 4:30 PM. If you just like to cruise backwoods waters, several
forest locations have fishing piers and boat ramps, including Brices
Creek, Cahooque Creek, Catfish Lake, Great Lake and Haywood Landing.
Some of these sites are deep in the Croatan National Forest, so it's
best to check with a ranger for specific directions. Better yet,
stop by the ranger office and pick up a forest map. (For more
information on places to fish in the park, see our
New Bern Parks and Recreation chapter.) |
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Boating
Marinas Boats of all sizes can
find berthing space in downtown New Bern and nearby marinas. Whether
you're just cruising around or wish to launch your boat at one of
the many local ramps, most locations have similar facilities. In the
downtown area especially, it is not unusual for leisure yachters or
sailors to arrive for what they thought would be a short visit only
to find themselves living aboard their vessels, staying weeks,
sometimes months, even years. If you're traveling to New Bern from
some distance, it is wise to call ahead to ensure docking space
availability, especially during the warmer months. Here, we list the
local marinas in alphabetical order.
BridgePointe
Marina BridgePointe Marina is
located within walking distance of downtown New Bern's attractions,
shopping and dining. BridgePointe is across the Trent River from the
New Bern Riverfront Convention Center. Open year round, BridgePointe
serves sail and power vessels up to 150 feet. It has 125 floating
laminated cedar slips, a marked entry channel with 12-foot approach
depth, and a dockside depth of 8 to 16 feet. Amenities include a
pump-out station, ice, electricity, showers, laundry facilities, a
patio, grills and Wi-Fi. Marina guests also are allowed full use of
the hotel pool. Outback Steakhouse is located next door. Duck Creek Marina At the head of Duck
Creek on the north side of the Neuse, this marina is open year round
and serves sail and power vessels up to 46 feet. It has 55 slips, a
marked entry channel with an approach depth of 6 feet, a dockside
depth of 6 feet, a 35-ton lift, a storage yard for do-it-yourself
repair work, marine supplies, electricity and showers. There are no
transient slips. Because the marina is across the river from New
Bern, you will need transportation for shopping or visiting the
city's attractions. Northwest Creek Marina Northwest Creek Marina
is on the north side of the Neuse River, near the Fairfield Harbour
resort development. Open year round, the marina serves sail and
power vessels up to 75 feet. It has 272 slips, a marked entry
channel with 8 feet of water depth and dockside depth of 12 feet.
Amenities include gas and diesel fuel, a pump-out station, a
launching ramp, electricity, showers and laundry facilities. Marina
patrons can pay special rates to use the resort's amenities,
including the indoor and outdoor pools and lighted tennis courts.
Transportation will be needed to visit New Bern's attractions.
Sky Sail Yacht Club at the Sheraton Located at the Sheraton Grand hotel complex, the Sky
Sail Yacht Club is on the Trent River and has a floating breakwater/dock that can serve larger yachts. The marina is open year round, and it docks sail and power vessels up to
200 feet in its 250 slips, 35 of which are transient berths. The marina also has a marked entry channel and approach, a dockside depth of 12 feet, gas,
diesel fuel (distributed through brand-new high-speed diesel pumps), a pump-out station, ice, electricity, showers and a restaurant. Telephone service
and wifi Internet access are available, and cable TV is free. Tidewater Marine Co. On the Trent River,
Tidewater Marine Co. is open year round and serves sail and power
vessels up to 40 feet. It has 30 slips, three transient slips, a
marked entry channel with controlling depth of 21 feet, 15 feet at
dockside, a railway and lift, a launching ramp, some supplies and
electricity. It also offers repairs on propellers and hulls. Because
it is away from New Bern's hub, you will need transportation to see
the sights. Union Point Park Union Point Park and
Lawson Creek Park serve as city parks and public docks. Boaters can
anchor at either park to orient themselves to the area and locate
more permanent moorings. The parks feature boat ramps and public
facilities; however, a city ordinance prohibits overnight dockage. Matthews Point Marina Matthews Point Marina is
off the beaten track on Clubfoot Creek on the south side of the
Neuse River, 10 miles east of Cherry Point. Nestled comfortably in a
safe harbor, the year-round marina serves sail and power vessels up
to 45 feet. It has 106 slips, six of which are transient berths. It
has a marked entry channel, approach depth of 7 feet and dockside
depth of 6.5 feet, gas and diesel fuel, electricity, a pump-out
station, laundry facilities, showers and ice. A clubhouse, cook-out
area and upper-deck lounge are available to boaters. A yacht sales
brokerage also is located on-site. Nearby Marinas Nearby marinas at
Clubfoot Creek and Minnesott Beach, on the Neuse River, are
destinations for enjoyable day sails or cruising trips from New
Bern. (See our separate chapter on
Oriental for details about the marinas there.) In addition, many
marinas along the Crystal Coast are easily accessible from New Bern
via the Neuse River and the ICW. (See our Crystal Coast
Marinas chapter for listings.) For the convenience of boaters,
we provide information on marinas near New Bern that you can visit
as you make your way up and down the Neuse River or toward Pamlico
Sound. New Bern Grand Marina The New Bern Grand Marina, located on
the Trent River, offers the ultimate in dockage on North Carolina’s
Inner Banks. The marina is located in historic downtown New Bern
with its quaint shops and local restaurants — all within easy
walking distance — and adjacent to the Hilton New Bern with full
hotel amenities, including a state-of-the-art fitness center. The
fully renovated floating dock system can easily accommodate yachts
up to 200 feet and offers a pump-out station, Wi-Fi, water, cable,
phone hookups, showers and a laundry facility.
Wayfarers Cove Marina This waterfront community in
Minnesott Beach, on the north side of the Neuse River between New
Bern and Oriental, offers a true hurricane hole in Wayfarers Cove
Marina, formerly known as the Minnesott Beach Yacht Basin. The
year-round marina is scheduled for a state-of-the-art Sound Marine
floating dock and slip system, serving sail and power vessels up to
60 feet. It has 150 slips, with transient berths available, and a
marked entry channel, approach and dockside with depths of 8 feet.
Amenities include a 60-ton lift, dockside utilities, a pump-out
station, ice, showers, laundry facilities and wireless Internet.
Full-service marine repairs are available. The marina is also
contiguous to a championship golf course.
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SailingVarious sailing competitions take
place throughout the year in the waters around New Bern. For more
information, check the annual events calendar maintained by the
Visitors Center, (252) 637-9400 or (800) 437-5767. Or call
Blackbeard's Sailing Club, (252) 633-3990, or On The Wind Sailing
Cruises at Northwest Creek Marina, (252) 322-5804. On The Wind Sailing Cruises On the Wind offers a variety of
charters, including day, evening, sunset and live-abroad cruises to
the Outer Banks. All cruises depart from Northwest Creek Marina at
Fairfield Harbour, and complimentary soft drinks are served. Call
for prices. Sailing instruction also is available.
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PaddlingIf you want to explore some
interesting places by canoe, try the two open-water lakes in the
Croatan National Forest. Both Great Lake, 2,809 acres, and Catfish
Lake, 962 acres, are home to osprey and alligators, and black bears
might be within sight. They are unusual bodies of water because they
are surrounded by pocosin, the Indian name for "swamp on a hill."
Pocosin is an impenetrable jungle of pond pine, titi, zenobia and
greenbriers, but it supports fragile ecosystems that add to the
beauty and wildness of the Croatan National Forest. If you prefer to
canoe in enclosed waters, take your canoe to the smaller creeks:
Brices, Hadnot, Hancock, Cahooque, Hunters and Holston. In these
waters, you can observe a rich variety of plants and wildlife. If
you want to canoe in moving waters, paddle in the White Oak, Neuse
and Newport rivers. Many varieties of birds show themselves in these
waters, and watching them in their natural habitat is a fascinating
experience. Brices Creek Canoe
Trail For a map of this
canoeing adventure, call the Craven County Parks and Recreation
Department at the number above, or pick up a map at the park office,
406 Craven Street in New Bern. The trail is about 12 miles long,
beginning at the bridge on State Route 1111 and ending at Lawson
Creek Park on the Trent River. There are five access points, and the
trail is clearly marked by directional signs. Hours of operation are
dawn to dusk. |
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