Water Tours & Scenic Cruises

Cape Fear River Cruises

Board a vessel at the foot of Water Street in downtown Wilmington and see our award-winning Riverwalk from a unique vantage point. Cape Fear River Boats offers several sightseeing and sunset cruises along the downtown Wilmington riverfront and also nature tours that travel up the cypress-lined Northeast Cape Fear River.

In addition to private charters, Wilmington Water Tours offers historic eco-tours, sunset adventures and narrated treks along the Cape Fear River.  Bizzy Bee Water Taxi offers sightseeing trips and boat transportation between Chandler's Wharf, the foot of Market Street and Hotel Ballast, Tapestry Collection by Hilton.

Be eco-friendly and paddle along the Cape Fear River in an environmentally friendly paddleboat with BrewBoat Wilmington. The 15-passenger vessel invites visitors to embark on a 90-minute BYOB (Bring Your Own Beverage) excursion. Reserve your spot today on a seasonal group cruise or a private charter.

Island Cruises

Cruise into the sunset with harbor cruises from Soundside Adventures at Wrightsville Beach, offering island hopping cruises, eco-adventures and charters to all visitors. La Dee Dah Sunset Cruises offers a special sunset cruise experience—a perfect choice for date night or an unforgettable vacation excursion with friends. If you're looking for a themed cruise or narrated adventure, join one of Wrightsville Beach Scenic Tours' many expeditions—eco-tours, birding adventures, sunset cruises and more.

Set sail with Shamrock Sailing Adventures with Captain Jim and experience two-and-a-half hours of breathtaking scenery, bird watching and maybe a dolphin or two. Hop aboard with Wrightsville Performance Sailing and take the helm aboard a beautiful J/80 or simply sit back and let their experienced captain sail you around the island. Gain confidence with an instructor through a one-hour class and three-hour sailing session that counts towards ASA 101 Certification with Blockade Runner Sailing School, or sit back and relax on a one-hour fun sail.

Grab your crew, pack your own beverages to sip, pedal and cruise around Carolina Beach on Sea Legs Pedal Pub.

Discover historic treasures, explore coastal sights and hear stories about our island beaches with tours offered at Carolina Beach, Kure Beach, and Wrightsville Beach.

Fishing Charters

Book an area fishing charter and enjoy time spent angling on the water. If you're looking for a family adventure in Carolina Beach, board a half-day charter at the Carolina Beach Fishing Center and Marina in the morning, and you'll still have time to spend the afternoon on the beach. A number of fishing charter companies are available to take you where you want to go.

There are also several fishing charters that operate out of Wrightsville Beach. Most boats dock and unload at Bridge Tender Marina, Dockside Marina and Seapath Marina.