Blackbeard’s Backyard: Beaufort NC Done Right

Quick Facts: Port of Beaufort | USA, North Carolina | Town Creek Marina / Beaufort Town Docks | Dock (small ships) or tender | ~0.5 miles to downtown | Eastern Time (UTC−5 / UTC−4 DST)

Beaufort (pronounced “BOH-fort” — locals will correct you cheerfully) is one of the oldest towns in North Carolina, sitting on a quiet harbor across from the Rachel Carson Reserve and wild horses of Shackleford Banks. It’s compact, walkable, and genuinely charming — your single most important planning tip is to arrive early, because the waterfront boardwalk fills fast on sunny days and ferry slots to the wild horses sell out by mid-morning.

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Port & Terminal Information

Beaufort doesn’t have a dedicated mega-ship cruise terminal — vessels dock at the Town Creek Marina or along the Beaufort Town Docks on the waterfront. Larger ships may tender passengers ashore to a floating dock near the marina; smaller vessels tie up directly. Confirm your ship’s docking method in the daily newsletter the evening before.

Terminal facilities are minimal: no luggage storage, no ATMs dockside (use the ones on Front Street, 3 blocks away), no official shuttle. A small visitor kiosk near the waterfront sometimes has maps and staff, but it’s not guaranteed. Locate your landing point on Google Maps before you go ashore.

Downtown Beaufort is roughly 0.3–0.5 miles from the dock — an easy 8–10 minute flat walk along the waterfront.

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Getting to the City

• On Foot — The best option, full stop. The dock drops you almost directly onto Front Street. Walk north along the waterfront boardwalk and you’re in the heart of town in under 10 minutes. Flat, shaded in parts, and free.
• Taxi/Rideshare — Taxis are scarce; Uber and Lyft operate here but wait times can be 15–20 minutes. Fare port → downtown is roughly $8–12. Pre-arrange a driver if you’re heading further afield.
• Bus/Metro — No practical local transit for visitors. Carteret County does have limited Coastal Connect bus service, but it doesn’t serve the waterfront on a tourist-useful schedule.
• Rental Car — Enterprise and Budget have locations in nearby Morehead City (~3 miles). Worth it only if you’re doing a full-day Cape Lookout or Atlantic Beach run. Book in advance — inventory is thin in summer.
• Hop-On Hop-Off — No HOHO service in Beaufort. Instead, a golf cart tour covers similar ground in 1–1.5 hours for $38–48.
• Ship Shore Excursion — Worth booking through your ship only for Cape Lookout lighthouse trips, where logistics genuinely matter. Everything in town is easy to do independently and cheaper.

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Top Things to Do in Beaufort NC, North Carolina

Beaufort packs serious history, wild nature, and coastal charm into a very small footprint — here’s where to spend your hours.

Must-See

1. North Carolina Maritime Museum (free) — One of the best free maritime museums on the East Coast, housing artifacts from Blackbeard’s Queen Anne’s Revenge, recovered from the seafloor just offshore. Allow 1–1.5 hours; it’s directly on Front Street. Browse guided tours on Viator.

1. Beaufort Historic Site (~$10/person) — A cluster of 9 restored 18th- and 19th-century buildings including an 1829 jail, an apothecary, and the Old Burying Ground. The guided walking tour is excellent. Allow 1–2 hours. Book a walking tour on GetYourGuide.

1. Beaufort Waterfront Boardwalk (free) — The living room of the town. Watch pelicans dive, dolphins cruise the channel, and charter boats come and go. Best in the morning before it crowds.

1. Beaufort City Minibus Tour (from $37.45, 1h 15m) — A great first-stop orientation that hits key sites efficiently, especially useful if you have only 4 hours. Book on Viator. 🎟 Book: Beaufort City Minibus Tour

1. History and Movie Tour by Golf Cart (from $38, 1 hour) — Beaufort has been used in dozens of film productions; this tour covers the historic district and filming locations in an open golf cart. Fun, breezy, and genuinely informative. Book on Viator. 🎟 Book: History and Movie Tour of Beaufort by Golf Cart

Beaches & Nature

1. Shackleford Banks Wild Horses (ferry ~$15–20 round trip) — Free-roaming, genuinely wild horses on a barrier island accessible only by boat. The 30-minute ferry from the waterfront is one of the most memorable excursions on the entire East Coast. Book your ferry slot as soon as you step ashore — they sell out. Allow 2–3 hours total.

1. Rachel Carson Reserve (free, kayak or walk) — A stunning undeveloped estuarine reserve directly across Taylor’s Creek from the boardwalk. Kayak rentals available from Crystal Coast Kayaks near the waterfront; $20–30/hour. Allow 2+ hours.

1. Cape Lookout National Seashore (ferry ~$25–30 round trip) — 56 miles of pristine, car-free barrier island beach with a candy-striped lighthouse. Wilder and quieter than any resort beach nearby. Allow a full half-day minimum.

Day Trips

1. Atlantic Beach (~10 miles, ~20 min by car) — The closest developed beach to Beaufort, across the bridge. Fine white sand, solid seafood shacks, and easy parking. Best if you have 6+ hours ashore and a rental car or rideshare.

1. Morehead City (~3 miles west) — The commercial port town next door has excellent waterfront dining and a handful of dive shops. Worth a quick detour if you want to escape the Beaufort crowds.

Family Picks

1. Beaufort Ghost Walking Tour (from $22) — Evening-focused but sometimes runs as afternoon tours. Blackbeard, pirates, and colonial-era ghost stories make it genuinely fun for kids 10+. Book on Viator. 🎟 Book: Beaufort Ghost Walking Tours

1. Old Burying Ground (free) — Sounds grim; it’s fascinating. Dating to 1709, with a grave of a girl buried in a rum barrel and headstones with pirate connections. Kids love it. 15–20 minutes.

Off the Beaten Track

1. Beaufort Gullah Heritage Tour (from $52.43, 3 hours) — A deeply moving, rarely-told story of the Gullah Geechee people who shaped this entire coastal region. One of the most culturally significant experiences available in any Carolina port. Book on Viator.

1. Ann Street Methodist Church (free, exterior) — Built in 1854 and little-visited, tucked two blocks from the waterfront. Part of the historic district but often overlooked by tour groups.

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What to Eat & Drink

Beaufort’s food scene is defined by the water — fresh shrimp, oysters, clams, and blue crab come straight off local boats. Expect casual waterfront spots rather than white-tablecloth dining; the best meals here cost $15–30 per person and come with serious harbor views.

• She-crab soup — A Southern coastal classic, rich and creamy with blue crab roe. Find it at virtually every seafood spot; $8–12 a bowl.
• Clawson’s 1905 Restaurant — Longtime local institution, converted from an old general store. Great burgers and seafood; Front Street; $14–22 entrées.
• Beaufort Grocery Company — The most refined dining in town; housemade pastas, fresh fish, good wine list; $20–32 entrées. Book ahead.
• Net House Steam Bar — Old-school steamed seafood shack by the water; buckets of shrimp and crab; $18–30. Expect a wait.
• Turner Street Market — Grab sandwiches, local cheese, and craft beer for a waterfront picnic. $10–15.
• Cru Wine Bar — Small but well-curated; local oysters and charcuterie; $12–18 plates. Great for a mid-afternoon break.
• Cold Yogurt / Local Ice Cream — Multiple boardwalk vendors; $4–6. Essential on a hot Carolina afternoon.

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Shopping

Front Street and the side streets just off the boardwalk hold a concentrated stretch of independent shops. Look for locally made maritime art, pottery from regional studios, and hand-poured candles with coastal scents — genuinely made nearby, not imported. The Beaufort Trading Company and several gallery spaces carry work by local artists worth buying.

Skip the generic seashell-and-magnet souvenir shops unless you’re hunting for gifts for people back home who won’t know the difference. The better buy here is a piece of art, a bottle of local hot sauce, or a book on Blackbeard or the Outer Banks — Beaufort’s independent bookshop is worth browsing.

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How to Plan Your Day

• 4 hours ashore: Walk the boardwalk → NC Maritime Museum (1.5 hrs) → Old Burying Ground (20 min) → lunch at Clawson’s → quick browse of Front Street shops. All on foot, no transport needed.

• 6–7 hours ashore: Above, plus a ferry to Shackleford Banks to see the wild horses (book the first morning ferry, ~10am). Return in time for a late lunch and

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🎟️ Things to Book in Advance

These highly-rated experiences fill up fast — book before you arrive to avoid missing out.

This page contains affiliate links. If you book through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

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📍 Getting to Beaufort NC, North Carolina

Use the interactive map below to explore the port area and plan your route from the terminal.