Boat Tours Near Cape Carteret, NC

Staying in Cape Carteret? You're about 10 minutes from your own private boat on Bogue Sound. Soundside Tours runs private trips for 2 to 6 guests from the Emerald Isle Boat Ramp, just over the Emerald Isle bridge: shelling on remote islands, fossil shark teeth, sunsets over the water, an Eco Tour of the ICW salt marshes, and holiday lights in season.

Leaves from: Emerald Isle Boat Ramp, 6800 Emerald Dr, Emerald Isle, NC 28594
From Cape Carteret: about 5 miles, 10 minutes
From $150 for your private boat

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Directions from Cape Carteret to the Boat

From NC 24 in Cape Carteret, turn south onto NC 58 toward Emerald Isle.
Cross the Emerald Isle bridge over Bogue Sound and the ICW.
At the roundabout at the foot of the bridge, go straight onto Emerald Drive (NC 58) and drive about 2.4 miles.
The Emerald Isle Boat Ramp, 6800 Emerald Dr, is on the left.
To park, keep right all the way down the hill and continue straight back to the single-car lot in front of the boat ramps. Please avoid the long truck-and-trailer spaces.

Please arrive 20 minutes early and use the restroom at the docks; there's no restroom on the boat.

Drive times to the ramp (approximate, without summer traffic)

Cape Carteret (Town Hall area): 10 minutes (5 mi)
Cedar Point: 10 minutes (5 mi)
Bogue: 12 minutes (7 mi)
Peletier: 14 minutes (8 mi)
Downtown Swansboro: 16 minutes (8 mi)
Stella: 24 minutes (15 mi)

Camping on Bear Island? Those trips leave from the Hammocks Beach State Park Maintenance Docks, 1572 Hammocks Beach Rd, Swansboro, about 15 minutes west of Cape Carteret on NC 24.

Trips Cape Carteret Guests Love

Shelling Adventure (3 hours): island hopping on Bogue Sound with stops at our favorite shelling and shark tooth spots. $200 for 2 guests, + $50 per extra guest. Add "Need Help Shelling?" for $100 when you book.
Shark Tooth Adventure (2 hours): hunt the sandbars and island beaches for fossil shark teeth, and keep every tooth you find. $185 for 2 guests, + $50 per extra guest.
Serious Shellers Cruise (5 hours): more time on remote islands for dedicated shell hunters. $350 for 2 guests, + $50 per extra guest. Add "Need Help Shelling?" for $100 when you book.
Sunset Cruise (2 hours): golden hour on Bogue Sound, toward Swansboro and Bogue Inlet. $150 for 2 guests, + $50 per extra guest.
ICW Scenic Cruise (2 hours, our Eco Tour): past Cedar Point, remote islands, Downtown Swansboro, Hubert and the salt marshes. $150 for 2 guests, + $40 per extra guest. Dolphins are often seen on most of our tours.
Christmas Light Cruise (1.5 hours, November 15 to December 24, Monday through Saturday): waterfront homes, docks and boats lit for the holidays, with hot chocolate and cookies on us. $250 for up to 4 guests, + $25 per extra guest.
Bear Island Camping Drop-Off & Pick-Up: $100 total for up to 4 campers and all your gear.
Custom Private Charters: your own length and route. Call 910-448-4218 for a quote.

All trips are private: one party, 2 to 6 guests, on a 24 ft Carolina Yachts boat custom-made for touring.

Make a Day of It in Cape Carteret

Cape Carteret is a small, soundside town on the mainland side of Bogue Sound, with the Emerald Isle bridge right in town. Pair your trip with:

The Cape Carteret Trail: a 3.4-mile path for walkers, runners and bikes that links the shops, the Western Carteret Library and the schools.
Community Park behind Town Hall (Dolphin St): a big lawn, gazebo and concert stage used for town festivals and concerts.
Pettiford Creek kayak launch: the town's public launch off NC 58, open to everyone.
Family fun in town: mini golf, go-karts and arcades for a rainy afternoon.
Cedar Point Tideland Trail: a boardwalk trail through the marsh in neighboring Cedar Point, in the Croatan National Forest. See boat tours near Cedar Point.
Emerald Isle beaches: just over the bridge, 10 minutes from town. See Emerald Isle boat tours.
Hammocks Beach State Park and Bear Island: a short drive west in Swansboro. See Bear Island camping drop-off or boat tours near Swansboro.

Soundside Tours boat beached at a shelling spot on Bogue Sound near Cape Carteret, NC

Soundside Tours boat beached at a quiet shelling spot on Bogue Sound

Good to Know Before You Book

Days and hours: tours run Monday–Saturday, 5:30 AM–9:30 PM. Sundays (6 AM–8 PM) are for Bear Island camping drop-offs and pick-ups only.
Kids and pets: ages 1 and up are welcome, and pets are welcome on all cruises. Tell us about your pet when you book.
Snacks and drinks: bring your own in a cooler, and tell us the cooler size when you book. No open containers on the boat.
Safety: Type I US Coast Guard approved life jackets are on board; children under 13 must wear one. Your captain is US Coast Guard certified.
What to bring: sun hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, non-marking waterproof shoes, clothes that can get wet.
Tips: never required, always appreciated (cash or Venmo @CaptainEdward).

We are a small business with more than 10 years on the waters of the Crystal Coast, and Cape Carteret folks are our neighbors. Questions? Call 910-448-4218 or email info@soundsidetours.com.

FAQ

Do your tours leave from Cape Carteret?
No. Tours leave from the Emerald Isle Boat Ramp, 6800 Emerald Dr, about 10 minutes from Cape Carteret over the Emerald Isle bridge. Bear Island camping trips leave from Hammocks Beach State Park in Swansboro.

How do I get to the boat from Cape Carteret?
Take NC 58 south over the Emerald Isle bridge, go straight through the roundabout onto Emerald Drive, and the ramp at 6800 Emerald Dr is about 2.4 miles on the left.

Which trip is best for a first visit?
The 3-hour Shelling Adventure mixes island hopping, shelling and shark tooth hunting. For a relaxed sightseeing trip, try the 2-hour ICW Scenic Cruise or the Sunset Cruise.

Will we see dolphins?
Dolphins are often seen on most of our tours. They're wild, so no sighting is guaranteed.

Are the trips private?
Yes. Every trip is one party of 2 to 6 guests.

Do you run tours on Sundays?
Sundays are for Bear Island camping drop-offs and pick-ups only.

Shells found on a Shelling Adventure

Boat Tours Near Cape Carteret, NC

Directions from Cape Carteret to the Boat

Trips Cape Carteret Guests Love

Make a Day of It in Cape Carteret

Good to Know Before You Book

FAQ

Come Join The Hunt!

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