Learn to handle your own boat with hands-on coaching from Captain Mark
2 hours or 4 hours
Up to 6 people
Vessel safety check, Coaching
Build confidence on “skinny” water with a personal training session on your own outboard boat, with you as the skipper. Start with a Vessel Safety Check, then practice key boating skills based on your goals.
If you want Captain Mark to operate your boat, add him (Mark Sonder) as an additional insured on your boat insurance. Bring required safety items and boat registration for the safety check.
No refunds if canceled within 8 days. If canceled more than 8 days in advance: 75% refund. No-shows are not refunded. Operator may cancel due to weather, safety, mechanical, or behavioral issues; for weather, may refund if unable to reschedule.
Bring your boat registration and required safety equipment, including visual distress signal devices, fire extinguisher(s), a sound-producing device, and navigation lights.
Yes. Have your boat in the water and ready to go.
Yes. Plan to speak briefly with Captain Mark about your goals before your departure date so the coaching can focus on what you want to work on.
Captain Mark will meet you at your marina at 11am.
Captain Mark has built an exceptionally loyal following with his private boat excursions around the Beaufort area. Guests consistently praise his extensive knowledge of local history, wildlife, and the coastal ecosystem, along with his genuine warmth and accommodating nature. He's described as safety-conscious, punctual, and excellent at customizing trips to match what families want to experience. The typical excursion includes visits to Shackleford Banks and Sand Dollar Island, where you'll likely spot wild horses roaming freely, collect beautiful shells, and possibly encounter dolphins along the way. Several reviewers mention returning multiple times, which speaks volumes. His boat comfortably fits groups of 2-6 people, and he's particularly attentive to guests with special needs or mobility concerns. The tours work well for diverse groups, from young children to seniors, and he even handles more sensitive occasions like memorial services with compassion and professionalism.
When I heard we had booked this tour, I honestly thought it was probably going to be a boring 3 hours…I couldn’t have been and more WRONG..! We hit the SUPERFECTA as the tour goes. We saw dolphins, horses, an INCREDIBLE Osprey showing itself off— capped off with an incredible sunset…! Captain Mark was an EXCEPTIONAL host and an incredible wealth of knowledge of the areas we went through. He made us feel comfortable the entire trip. He is not just a great host, but an incredible human being as well… thank you Captain Mark for a great and so memorable of an evening!
Michael Gorman
July 2, 2026
When I heard we had booked this tour, I honestly thought it was probably going to be a boring 3 hours…I couldn’t have been and more WRONG..! We hit the SUPERFECTA as the tour goes. We saw dolphins, horses, an INCREDIBLE Osprey showing itself off— capped off with an incredible sunset…! Captain Mark was an EXCEPTIONAL host and an incredible wealth of knowledge of the areas we went through. He made us feel comfortable the entire trip. He is not just a great host, but an incredible human being as well… thank you Captain Mark for a great and so memorable of an evening!
Michael Gorman
July 2, 2026
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