
Cruise the Intracoastal Waterway to Swansboro with stops at Spooners Creek and Gull Harbor
up to 5 Hours
Up to 6 people
Captain, Cooler and ice, Water
Depart Coral Bay Marina in Morehead City and cruise south on the Intracoastal Waterway with Captain Mark. Dock in Swansboro for lunch on your own and time to explore on foot.
Lunch is not included in the cost of your private excursion. Start time is generally 10:30am.
No refunds if canceled within 8 days. If canceled more than 8 days in advance: 75% refund. No-shows are not refunded. If the operator cancels due to weather, safety, mechanical, or behavioral issues, you will be given a gift voucher to re-book (behavioral issues excluded).
If Small Craft Advisories are in effect, Captain Mark will advise whether the trip will go on time, change destination, delay, be rescheduled, or be canceled.
Lunch is not included. You can tell Captain Mark your restaurant preference, or he can handle reservations for you. You may dock in downtown Swansboro or at a private dock of a fine dining restaurant.
H2O Captain provides a cooler with ice and cold bottled water. Bring your own beverages and lunch if you want to store them in the cooler.
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.
We had an amazing experience out of Morehead City with H2O Captain Eco Tour for my husband’s 50th birthday! Captain Mark was fantastic and went out of his way to accommodate the two of us for the celebration. Our guide, Captain Carol, gave a wonderful tour and shared great stories about the history of the area. We loved walking Shackleford Banks to look for the wild horses, and we even left with a great collection of shells! Even though we didn't spot any horses during our walk, we were thrilled to see a few from a distance on our boat ride back. It was a bit chilly and the water was a little choppy and we still thoroughly enjoyed every minute. Thank you to Captain Mark and Captain Carol for making this milestone birthday so memorable—we definitely will be coming back for another adventure!
Stephanie Emery
May 25, 2026
We had an amazing experience out of Morehead City with H2O Captain Eco Tour for my husband’s 50th birthday! Captain Mark was fantastic and went out of his way to accommodate the two of us for the celebration. Our guide, Captain Carol, gave a wonderful tour and shared great stories about the history of the area. We loved walking Shackleford Banks to look for the wild horses, and we even left with a great collection of shells! Even though we didn't spot any horses during our walk, we were thrilled to see a few from a distance on our boat ride back. It was a bit chilly and the water was a little choppy and we still thoroughly enjoyed every minute. Thank you to Captain Mark and Captain Carol for making this milestone birthday so memorable—we definitely will be coming back for another adventure!
Stephanie Emery
May 25, 2026