Boat Tours and Eco Tours Near Cedar Point, NC

Staying in Cedar Point or nearby Cape Carteret? Cedar Point is a quiet coastal town in Carteret County where the White Oak River meets Bogue Sound, surrounded by salt marsh, maritime forest and open water. It's one of the best places on the Crystal Coast to slow down and enjoy nature, and the best way to see it is from the water.

Soundside Tours runs private boat tours on Bogue Sound and the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW), and our ICW Scenic Cruise passes right by Cedar Point on its way toward Downtown Swansboro. Trips leave from the Emerald Isle Boat Ramp, 6800 Emerald Drive, Emerald Isle, NC 28594, a short drive across the Emerald Isle bridge from Cedar Point.

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Private Trips for Your Group Only

Every Soundside trip is a private charter: one boat, one party, 2 to 6 guests. You won't share the boat with strangers, and your captain sets the pace around your group. We cruise on a 24 ft Carolina Yachts boat, custom-made for touring and easy to clean and sanitize. Your captain is US Coast Guard certified and knows these waters well. Soundside Tours has been running private trips on the Crystal Coast since 2016.

Kids ages 1 and up are welcome, and pets are welcome on all cruises. Please call or email us about your pet when you book.

An Eco Tour Past Cedar Point and the Salt Marshes

Cedar Point is known for its salt marshes, and our ICW Scenic Cruise is the easiest way to see them up close. This relaxed 2-hour Eco Tour heads up the ICW from Emerald Isle, passing Cedar Point, beautiful remote islands, Downtown Swansboro, Hubert and miles of salt marsh. Along the way, your captain points out how this stretch of coast works: marsh grasses that shelter young shrimp, crabs and fish, oyster beds that filter the water, and the barrier islands that protect the sound.

Dolphins are often seen on most of our tours. Watch for ospreys and eagles, pelicans, egrets and great blue herons, rays, and deer along the shoreline. Dolphins are wild, so we can't promise a sighting on any one trip, but your captain keeps an eye out the whole way.

ICW Scenic Cruise: 2 hours. $150 for your private boat with 2 guests, plus $40 for each extra guest (up to 6).

More Ways to Explore the Water Near Cedar Point

Shelling Adventure (3 hours): island hopping on Bogue Sound with stops at our favorite shelling and shark tooth spots. $200 for 2 guests, plus $50 for each extra guest (up to 6).

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, plus $50 for each extra guest (up to 6).

Serious Shellers Cruise (5 hours): remote islands and quiet shorelines for dedicated shell hunters looking for sand dollars, Scotch bonnets and whelks. $350 for 2 guests, plus $50 for each extra guest (up to 6).

Sunset Cruise (2 hours): golden hour on Bogue Sound, cruising from Emerald Isle toward Swansboro and Bogue Inlet as the sky turns color over the marsh. $150 for 2 guests, plus $50 for each extra guest (up to 6).

Christmas Light Cruise (1.5 hours, November 15 to December 24, Monday through Saturday): waterfront homes, docks and boats glowing for the holidays, with hot chocolate and cookies on us. $250 for up to 4 guests, plus $25 for each extra guest (up to 6).

Bear Island Camping drop-off and pick-up: skip the ferry. We carry you and your gear to Bear Island at Hammocks Beach State Park and pick you up when you're ready. $100 total for up to 4 campers and all your gear. Leaves from the Maintenance Docks at Hammocks Beach State Park, 1572 Hammocks Beach Rd, Swansboro, NC 28584, just across the White Oak River from Cedar Point.

Custom Private Charters: your own length and route, planned around your group. Call 910-448-4218 for a quote.

Soundside Tours boat beached on Bear Island, Hammocks Beach State Park, near Swansboro, 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 through Saturday, 5:30 AM to 9:30 PM. Sundays (6 AM to 8 PM) are for Bear Island camping drop-offs and pick-ups only.

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, and children under 13 are required to wear an approved life jacket.

What to bring: sun hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, non-marking shoes, and binoculars or a camera if you have them.

Tips: never required and always appreciated (cash or Venmo @CaptainEdward).

We are a small business, and we love sharing the waters around Cedar Point, Swansboro and Emerald Isle with families and visitors. Questions? Call 910-448-4218 or email info@soundsidetours.com.

FAQ

Do your tours leave from Cedar Point?
No. Our tours leave from the Emerald Isle Boat Ramp, 6800 Emerald Drive, a short drive across the Emerald Isle bridge. The ICW Scenic Cruise passes Cedar Point on the water. Bear Island camping trips leave from Hammocks Beach State Park in Swansboro.

What's the best eco tour near Cedar Point?
The 2-hour ICW Scenic Cruise is our Eco Tour. It passes Cedar Point, the salt marshes, remote islands and Downtown Swansboro, with plenty of time to watch for birds and dolphins.

Will we see dolphins?
Dolphins are often seen on most of our tours. They're wild animals, so sightings can't be guaranteed.

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

Can we bring our dog?
Yes. Pets are welcome on all cruises. Please let us know about your pet when you book.

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 and Eco Tours Near Cedar Point, NC

Private Trips for Your Group Only

An Eco Tour Past Cedar Point and the Salt Marshes

More Ways to Explore the Water Near Cedar Point

Where We Depart

Good to Know Before You Book

FAQ

Come Cruise the Sound!

Boat Tours and Eco Tours Near Cedar Point, NC

Private Trips for Your Group Only

An Eco Tour Past Cedar Point and the Salt Marshes

More Ways to Explore the Water Near Cedar Point

Where We Depart

Good to Know Before You Book

FAQ

Come Cruise the Sound!

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