If you are cruising south from points north, the long slog down the Intracoastal Waterway often ends at Beaufort, North Carolina, on the Crystal Coast, at the southern end of the Outer Banks. For some weary sailors, this backwater (in the best sense of the word) provides a chance to recuperate, repair, regroup, refuel and re-provision before firing up the diesel once more and heading down toward Florida. For others it’s a springboard to the Caribbean.

Once you’ve negotiated an exit through the narrow channel at Beaufort Inlet, overlooked by Fort Macon on one side and the Cape Lookout lighthouse on the other, there’s nothing between you and the Bahamas but a few hundred miles of open ocean. On the way out you’ll pass a buoy marking the place where the pirate Blackbeard’s ship, the Queen Anne’s Revenge, rests in 30 feet of water. (he really existed?)

Tour the town’s center with its buildings beautifully restored to their colonial perfection. At the North Carolina Maritime Museum take a look at the area’s fascinating seafaring history, including an exhibit about Blackbeard. Take an after dark stroll through a Historic Town full of Haunted Tales.  Chilling stories of murderous pirates, unexplained happenings, ghost ships and haunted houses will have you looking over your shoulder on the way home.   As enjoyable as it is entertaining, the Beaufort Ghost Walk is one of the area's most popular attractions and one that shouldn’t be missed.  Families and Groups have a blast on this tour.

Take a cruise to the Outer Banks past stretches of scenic waterway.  If you'd like, you can arrange a stay at one of the Beaufort Cruise Port hotels in the area. Let me tell you, Beaufort is a beautiful, beautiful port and the people of North Carolina are so lovely and welcoming (sir and maam all the way) this is a personal favorite of mine for the fresh seafaring experience. Instead of Beaufort Cruise Port Parking, I recommend a park and sail package deal, so you can enjoy the hotel and then have your parking for free.

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