Things to do nearIntracoastal Waterway

The Intracoastal Waterway in North Carolina is part of a federally maintained inland passage that runs along the Atlantic seaboard, originally developed to allow safe coastal navigation away from the open ocean. Along the North Carolina stretch, the waterway passes through a mosaic of salt marsh, tidal flat, and pine-fringed shoreline that has changed little in character over the past century.

On the water, you can join boat tours that wind through the estuaries, or opt for kayaking to get close to the egrets and blue herons that stalk the shallows. Anglers find productive fishing grounds where tidal channels meet open water, and dolphins are a regular sight year-round.

The surrounding reserves and islands add depth to any visit. Nearby, Zeke's Island Reserve protects a fragile barrier island ecosystem accessible only by boat, offering shelling and birding in near-total solitude.

The Intracoastal Waterway in North Carolina earns its reputation as one of the East Coast's most rewarding slow-travel routes, where the journey itself is the destination.