WHAT I KNOW NOW & PLANNING AHEAD: Beaufort NC -Oriental - Albemarle Sound NC - Norfolk -

I am pretty good at planning but maybe I missed the information between Beaufort NC and Norfolk VA. So you don't trip your own panic button, I have added this blog about what I wish someone would have told me. Everything should be prepped in Beaufort NC.

PUMP-OUT INFORMATION 

• Use ncdenr.maps.arcgis.com to find pump-outs in NC they're scarce after Oriental NC. 
• Use vdc.virginia.gov for the Marinas with public pump-outs in Virginia.

ROUTE: Oriental/Ocracoke/Manteo to Elizabeth City/Dismal Swamp Route 

There are pump-out stations at Oriental, Ocracoke/Anchor Inn, Hatteras/Hatteras Landing, Wanchese/Bayliss Boatworks, *Manteo/Shallowbag Bay Marina and Marshes Light Marina. After Manteo, the next pump-out station is in Virginia @ MM 8.3 Chesapeake Yachts.

    *Don’t count on the Manteo Waterfront Marina/Free Dock because the dock master is absent.

ROUTE: Oriental/Belhaven/Alligator River to the Primary Intracoastal/Virginia Cut Route

There are pump-out stations at Oriental, *Manteo/Shallowbag Bay Marina, and Coinjock/Coinjock Marina and Restaurant. The next pump-out station is in Virginia @ MM 12.2 Atlantic Yacht Basin.

    *Don’t count on the Manteo Waterfront Marina/Free Dock because the dock master is absent.

    * Stopping in Manteo would be a special stop along this route.

ROUTES FROM ORIENTAL NC MEET IN THE ALBEMARLE SOUND

Once in the Sound, you will choose between two routes to MM 0 Norfolk: the Elizabeth City/Dismal Swamp Route or the Intracoastal/Virginia Cut Route Coinjock.

Elizabeth City has some provisions; Coinjock does not.

Elizabeth City/Dismal Swamp Route - Slow Boat Ride

The Pelican Marina, in Elizabeth City, is no longer operational.

MM 47.2 Lamb’s Marina is the only fuel stop between Elizabeth City and MM 8.3 Chesapeake Yachts.

Elizabeth City has two FREE Docks On Both Sides of The US 158 Bridge

FREE Choice One/South of the 158 Bridge: 

MM 50.9 The Mariner’s Wharf Docks are old unmanaged and FREE for 72 hours: first come/first serve. The docks are older, weathered, more open to the public, security lighting isn't great, it's further from town, and questionable public shower/bathroom behind the green door with the awning - trust me, look right and you’ll see it. The slips are better than the bulkhead but not by much. 

Watch for jetting nails and bolts. Elizabeth City was once a hopping town and seems to be in a state of urban renewal with breweries, hip restaurants, and a few shops. I wish them well; they could attract so much business with a hip downtown and better docks (even if they are free). 

Schedule your morning departure to pass through the US 158 Highway Bridge in order to make the South Mills Lock opening at 8:30 or 11:30 for a one day passage through the swamp. 

The US 158 Highway Bridge opens on 24-hour demand except Monday through Friday between 7 AM and 9 AM (when the bridge will open at the scheduled times 7:30 AM and 8:30 AM) and 

4 PM and 6 PM (when the bridge opens at the scheduled times 4:30 PM and 5:30 PM). 

You will need to request passage even for the scheduled times.

FREE Choice Two/North of the 158 Bridge: 

*MM 50.6 Mid-Atlantic Christian University are new and FREE for 48 hours: first come/first serve. This docking area is a little smaller, more private and tucked away from the public, great security lighting, and closer to "town", with water, showers/bathroom, wifi, plus additional amenities (see activecaptain or waterwayguide) with excellent reviews. Call and let them know you’re on the way:

252-334-2000; 336-681-0575; after hours 336-681-0575.

$ Choice North of the 158 Bridge:

MM 49 DB Marina TOO MUCH OF A RISK FOR LEGASEA: They may or may not accept transient slips - cost unavailable - no one answers - all I saw were the Mississippi stump mines.

*MM 47.2 Lamb’s Marina (Camden NC) located after the US 158 Highway Bridge and the MM 47.7 Norfolk Southern Railroad Bridge (usually open except for train activity). 

$35/flat rate for over night docking marina: fuel, electric/water, shower/restroom, laundry, wifi, courtesy car, and stop-go grocery. The Dollar General and two off-site restaurants are a quick walk from the slips. Lovely people own this marina and we really enjoyed talking with them. Their son is in the process of moving back to NC to open the on-site restaurant - I bet it'll be great.

Dismal Swamp Canal to Norfolk Information

There are two locks along the canal and the speed limit is 6 mph. Each Lock and bridge has one lock master commanding both - he drives between them to help you out.

OPENINGS & DISTANCE: 

MM 32.7 South Mills Lock and MM 10.5 Deep Creek Lock: 8:30, 11:00, 1:30 and 3:30. 

Elizabeth City to the South Mills Lock is 18 miles 

South Mills Lock to the Deep Creek Lock is 22 miles

4 hours to motor through at 6 mph (remember lock masters talk to one another)

ONE DAY TRAVEL:

Make the MM 32.7 South Mills Lock opening at 8:30 or 11:00. This will allow you the time necessary to make the MM 10.5 Deep Creek Lock, for the 1:00 or 3:30 opening and get you into Norfolk.

* If you make the 11:00 South Mille opening, ask the lock master to alert the Deep Creek Lock to request a one-day passage - then he'll be looking for you.

TWO DAY TRAVEL:

Best to make the 8:30 or 11:00 opening to secure your place on the Welcome Center's dock.

MM 28 FREE Dock at Dismal Swamp Canal Welcome Center: fixed dock, Bulkhead Length 150 ft, 6 ft depth with water connection located under the north end of the dock, wifi, bathrooms, snack machines, open grills. 

UPDATE: April 2022: The park is working on a walking swing bridge to the NEW Visitor Center on the west bank south of the dock - don't know if it will have a schedule; it looks really nice from this side of the swamp. I am not certain if this dock will remain FREE because of the park construction.

Additional FREE Docks between the locks: I would NOT recommend

• MM 21.5 Lake Drummond Feeder Ditch Army Corps of Engineers: Fixed Dock, Bulkhead Length is 16 ft, 9 ft depth (nothing else). Possibly raft to another vessel - be cool about it. UPDATE: SKETCHY

• MM 18.5 Douglas Landing: Fixed Dock, Bulkhead Length is 100 ft, no mention of depth, possible restrooms. UPDATE: LOOKS VERY COMFORTABLE

• MM 11.2 Deep Creek Bulkhead: Fixed Dock, Bulkhead Length is 75 ft, 9 ft depth. Reviews mention a Food Lion and boat traffic. UPDATE: LOOKS OK

• MM 10.7 Elizabeth’s Dock: Fixed Dock, Bulkhead Length is 16 ft, 10 ft depth. No reviews. UPDATE: ASK THE DEEP CREEK LOCK MASTER FOR UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION because I think I saw a Mississippi stump mine.

Intracoastal/Virginia Cut Route/Coinjock - Faster Boat Ride

MM 50 Coinjock/Coinjock Marina and MM 49 Midway Marina & Motel: Coinjock, the place of the blueberry swamp and Banker ponies; either marina is said to be a great place to stop after crossing the Albemarle Sound. You will need advance reservations. This is the last stop for fuel until MM 12.2 Atlantic Yacht Basin. 

Plan out your travel day(s) for scheduled bridge openings, the Great Bridge Lock, and available anchorages/marinas.

Some OPINIONATED Information for this Route:

• MM 12.2 Atlantic Yacht Basin BEST MARINA EVER! Fuel, pump-out, ask for Spencer Hall and tell him Paige sent you! They have it all!
• MM 12 Great Bridge FREE Dock #2: Fixed Dock, Bulkhead Length 200 ft, 8 ft depth/1 ft tide range (poor reviews - nothing else)
• MM 11.9 Great Bridge FREE Dock #1: Fixed Dock; Bulkhead Length 200 ft; depth not mentioned/1 ft tide range (poor reviews - nothing else). Grocery, off-site restaurant, pharmacy within walking distance.

ROUTES MEETING POINT

MM 7.1 I-64 Bridge: OPEN 64 ft clearance

MM 5.8 Norfolk Southern Railroad Bridge: OPEN 125 ft clearance

MM 3.6 Norfolk Southern #V6.8 (Norfolk & Western) Railroad Lift Bridge: CLOSED 9-10 ft Clearance. Use Channel 13; If the bridge doesn’t respond, then 'the old timer’ might be on duty and he'll only respond to “Old Virginia Railroad Bridge” (this struggle is real - and they really call him 'the old timer').

Just call the Bridge if no one answers the radio: 757-446-5320 or 757-494-7371. 

AFTER THE BRIDGE

I was born and raised in Norfolk and absolutely love this area. Portsmouth? Norfolk? Why pick one when you can pick them both! There are a ton of festivals in the area beginning in the spring and June brings Harborfest (insane boating). Whatever you do, have fun.

Don’t forget the Willoughby Spit Marinas and anchorage located just before the Chesapeake Bay. Great place to stop before you begin the Bay portion of the Loop - you are in for a treat!