Wrightsville Beach Scenic Boat Tours
Located:
Wrightsville Beach Boating Access
109 Causeway Dr,
Wrightsville Beach, NC 28480
Call (910) 200-4002 for more information
Tours are available by reservation. Please call ahead to inquire about seat availability.
Captain Joe was o-so-amazing. I had an absolute blast on the Masonboro birding tour. His knowledge is impeccable and that makes a whole lot of difference in terms of experience. He was very accommodating and kept me informed of weather updates in the lead up to the tour, offering complete flexibility to reschedule if weather is bad etc. He’s just amazing guy and this was the highlight of my trip to NC.
After purchase all tours should be confirmed via phone call or text to (910) 200-4002 to ensure availability. IF RESERVATION IS SAMEDAY, PLEASE TEXT.
Highlighted Boat Tours
Masonboro Birding Tours
$65.00
Join a guided birding cruise of Masonboro Island and Bradley Creek! Learn about shorebirds, wetlands, and local wildlife. Best at low tide. Spot pelicans, herons, skimmers, and more aboard the M/V Shamrock.
Description
Every Day
by request
$65.00 / per person
- Field Glasses
- Guide Book
- Birding Life List
- Sunscreen
- Water shoes
- Beach Clothes
Come join the staff at Wrightsville Beach Scenic Tours, on a discovery birding boat cruise of Masonboro Island and Bradley Creek. Guided eco-cruises are educational boat tours designed to increase conservation awareness about local wildlife and sensitive coastline habitats in New Hanover County. Topics explained during the boat ride will include: salt marsh function, wetland plants, and strong emphasis on shorebird/water bird ecology and identification. Birding tours are best when scheduled at low tide – See our favorite tide chart for Wrightsville Beach.
Common Species are: Brown Pelican, Terns, Gulls, Willets, American Oystercatcher, Herons, and Black skimmers.
Guided Birding Tours aboard the M/V Shamrock can get you up-close to the Ballerina of the salt-marsh, the Black Skimmer.
Charcuterie Cruise on Masonboro Island
Price range: $450.00 through $575.00
Arrive at a private dock, hop on a cozy pontoon, and enjoy a 2-hr escape to Masonboro Island. Includes captain service, charcuterie, soft drinks, ice, and island solitude. BYOB. Call/text for food needs.
Description
Every Day
by request
Reservations are required
$450 to $575
- BYOB
- Sunscreen
- Water shoes
- Beach Clothes
Imagine arriving at a private dock, entering a comfortable boat , and a picnic basket of goodies greets you.
Than you and yours cruises are shuttled to a secluded island where nature, and ocean solitude welcomes you.
Trip includes :
2 Hr Excursion to Masonboro Island
Private Pontoon Covered Boat
Round trip captain service to island
Assorted Charcuterie Packaged ( please text or call for food allergies or dietary restrictions )
Assorted Soft Drinks ( alcohol BYOB) and Utensils
Ice
Daily Masonboro Island Ferry Shuttle
$45.00
Escape the crowds with daily summer ferry trips to Masonboro Island—8.5 miles of unspoiled beach, only accessible by boat. Depart Mon–Sat at 9 AM, return by sunset. Reservations recommended
Description
Monday-Saturday
Leaving WB: 9am, 10:30am, 12:30pm, 2pm
Leaving Masonboro: 11am, 1pm, 2:30pm, 4:30pm
$45.00 / per person
- Lunch and snacks
- Water
- Beach gear (Shade umbrella, chair, etc)
- Sunscreen
- Water shoes
- Beach Clothes
Masonboro Island Ferry Boat
During the summer season, the Shamrock makes daily Masonboro Island Ferry trips for those who wish to spend a beach day far from the maddening crowd. Masonboro Island is a pristine, undeveloped 8 ½ mile long barrier island located just south of Wrightsville Beach. This ecological jewel and its miles of unspoiled beaches is accessible only by boat. Let Wrightsville Water Taxi and the Cape Fear Naturalist not only take you there, but help you truly explore it. Shamrock leaves the dock Monday – Saturday starting at 9:00 am. Returning from Masonboro by no later than sunset. Reservations strongly recommended.
Masonboro Island Shuttle Gift Certificate
Experience a secluded beach getaway on Masonboro Island with the Shamrock Ferry! This pristine 8.5-mile island is accessible only by boat. Join us for an unforgettable adventure.
$45.00 / per person
Dolphin Sunset Cruise Certificate
Bid farewell to the setting sun with a 1 ½ hour Sunset Cruise. Wrightsville Beach Scenic Tours offers several versions of its famed Sunset Cruise to celebrate the sunset.
$45.00 / per person
Clover Cruising Tour Certificate
Private cruise for 6 on the Clover pontoon! Navigate shallow waters to the untouched Masonboro Island, NC. An unmatched beach adventure awaits.
$200-$700
Masonboro Birding Tours Certificate
Discover Masonboro Island & Bradley Creek with Wrightsville Beach Scenic Tours. Dive into eco-cruises highlighting local wildlife, wetland plants, & bird ecology.
$65.00 / per person
Masonboro Island Shuttle
Experience a secluded beach getaway on Masonboro Island with the Shamrock Ferry! This pristine 8.5-mile island is accessible only by boat. Join us for an unforgettable adventure.
$45.00 / per person
Daily Monday thru Saturday
Departs Wrightsville Beach Boating Access at 10:00am, 11:00am, 12:30pm and 2:00pm.
Departs Masonboro Island at 11:30am, 1:00pm, and 2:30pm.
Dolphin Sunset Cruise
Bid farewell to the setting sun with a 1 ½ hour Sunset Cruise. Wrightsville Beach Scenic Tours offers several versions of its famed Sunset Cruise to celebrate the sunset.
$45.00 / per person
Every Night
Arrival Time: 3:15pm
Departure Time: 3:30pm
Return Time: 5pm
Clover Cruising Tour
Private cruise for 6 on the Clover pontoon! Navigate shallow waters to the untouched Masonboro Island, NC. An unmatched beach adventure awaits.
$200-$700
By Request Only
Masonboro Birding Tours
Discover Masonboro Island & Bradley Creek with Wrightsville Beach Scenic Tours. Dive into eco-cruises highlighting local wildlife, wetland plants, & bird ecology.
$65.00 / per person
By Request Only
Boat Tour Schedule
Boat Tour Schedule
No events for this date.
Masonboro Island Ferry
Eco-Scavenger Hunt
Shelling – Eco Tour
Island / Fish Hybrid Tour
Masonboro Island Ferry
Eco-Scavenger Hunt
Shelling – Eco Tour
Birding Tour
Masonboro Island 1 Hour Cruise
Charcuterie Cruise on Masonboro Island
Birding Tour
Masonboro Island Ferry
Charcuterie Cruise on Masonboro Island
Eco-Scavenger Hunt
Shelling – Eco Tour
Masonboro Island Ferry
Island / Fish Hybrid Tour
Eco-Scavenger Hunt
Shelling – Eco Tour
Birding Tour
Masonboro Island 1 Hour Cruise
Masonboro Island Ferry
Charcuterie Cruise on Masonboro Island
Masonboro Island Ferry
Birding Tour
Masonboro Island Ferry
Eco-Scavenger Hunt
Shelling – Eco Tour
Island / Fish Hybrid Tour
Masonboro Island Ferry
Eco-Scavenger Hunt
Shelling – Eco Tour
Birding Tour
Masonboro Island 1 Hour Cruise
Charcuterie Cruise on Masonboro Island
Birding Tour
Masonboro Island Ferry
Charcuterie Cruise on Masonboro Island
Charcuterie Cruise on Masonboro Island
Masonboro Island Ferry
Eco-Scavenger Hunt
Shelling – Eco Tour
Island / Fish Hybrid Tour
Masonboro Island Ferry
Eco-Scavenger Hunt
Shelling – Eco Tour
Birding Tour
Masonboro Island 1 Hour Cruise
Charcuterie Cruise on Masonboro Island
Birding Tour
Masonboro Island Ferry
Charcuterie Cruise on Masonboro Island
Charcuterie Cruise on Masonboro Island
Masonboro Island Ferry
Eco-Scavenger Hunt
Shelling – Eco Tour
Island / Fish Hybrid Tour
Masonboro Island Ferry
Eco-Scavenger Hunt
Shelling – Eco Tour
Birding Tour
Masonboro Island 1 Hour Cruise
Charcuterie Cruise on Masonboro Island
Birding Tour
Masonboro Island Ferry
Charcuterie Cruise on Masonboro Island
Charcuterie Cruise on Masonboro Island
Masonboro Island Ferry
Eco-Scavenger Hunt
Shelling – Eco Tour
Island / Fish Hybrid Tour
Masonboro Island Ferry
Eco-Scavenger Hunt
Shelling – Eco Tour
Birding Tour
Masonboro Island 1 Hour Cruise
Charcuterie Cruise on Masonboro Island
Birding Tour
Masonboro Island Ferry
Charcuterie Cruise on Masonboro Island
Charcuterie Cruise on Masonboro Island
About Our Tour Boats
The Shamrock- custom-built 27 ft. motorized catamaran
The Shamrock is a custom-built 27 ft. motorized catamaran. US Coast Guard inspected and rated to carry up to 20 passengers. Stable and level in the chop of the Intracoastal Waterway, the Shamrock’s shallow draft allows it to work it’s way up the twisty shallow water creeks that characterize the area and then land her passengers right on the shore of the area’s islands – no dock required.
The Clover- 6 passenger pontoon boat
The Clover -built for shallow draft and pleasure Cruising, the clover is designed by Bennington the leader in pontoon boat manufacturing. This boat design allows for ultimate comfort while exploring the NC back water and local hotspots on the waterway. Clover Cruising Tour
- Up to 6 passengers
- 1 to 4 hours
- $200/hour rate for the first two hours, reduced $150/hour rate starting on hour three.
- Can be booked on the hour 9am-7pm
Discover your Inner Beach Adventure Imagine walking out the dock to your own boat cruiser. The Clover is a luxury pontoon boat equipped for island hopping. Canopy raised, ice cold cooler, music, and the Island is calling. Masonboro Island to be exact, the largest marine sanctuary in the cape fear region. Unspoiled beaches, seashore treasures, and relaxing vibe only NC beaches can give you. This trip can also include water restaurant service as well as Intracoastal Cruising. Clover comes with Captain, First Mate, Ice Cooler, iPod Tour Boat Rental (with Captain) Requires Reservation
Boat Location:
Due to construction all tours will be leaving from:
Wrightsville Beach Boating Access
109 Causeway Dr,
Wrightsville Beach, NC 28480
Please call us at (910) 200-4002 if you have any questions.
Hear from Captain Joe:
Blue Water Grill Parking
Guests are encouraged to eat at the Blue Water Grill located at 4 Marina St, Wrightsville Beach, NC 28480, either directly before or after their boat tour. By dining at Blue Water you are free to park in their parking lot and walk to our boats.
Here are some of the questions we get about Wrightsville Beach and our scenic boat tours.
Are alcoholic beverages permited on the boat?
Yes! You can BYOB or sample from the boats supplies.
What is required to make a reservation?
Review the site and get an idea of what and when you would like to come on a trip. Then use the contact page to get in touch! You can reserve with a credit card and pay on the day of the trip.
Will you be offering any birding tours during my stay?
Birding Tours run at special times, so check the daily schedule.
Can I get off the boat?
Harbor, Sunset and fishing tours, no. The masonboro shuttle, of course, you get off the boat. Advanced birding and shelling tours allow you to leave the boat.
The answer is – it depends.
Can I bring my own cooler?
Yes! We love coolers. You may bring whatever you like inside the cooler. Water, soft drinks, wine and beer are stocked in limited supply on the Shamrock.
What should I bring on my tour?
The Shamrock is shady for your ride or tour. But, if you are getting off on Masonboro Island, be sure to bring everything you need. There are no facilities on the island. Food, drinks, towels, sunscreen, shade – everything you need for a day at the beach. Shoes – not flipFlops -are recommended for Masonboro Island.
Coolers, mellow dogs, surf boards, beach chairs and umbrellas – You can bring it all (within reason) on the Shamrock. There is plenty of room all but the most busy of days. If you need to bring a very large amount of stuff, just call ahead to make sure there’s room.
Where can I shop for supplies?
There are a couple of places to pick up supplies for you trip on the island. Roberts Grocery is a long time favorite. Lighthouse Beer and Wine has a wide selection of beverages. And, there is a Harris Teeter .5 mile past the draw bridge on 74.
When is the next low tide?
Birding is best at low tide. That’s when all the birds are on the exposed sandbars.
Tides courtesy of SwellInfo.com, who offer a rich information source for beach going on Wrightsville Beach. Full Site and Just the tide chart for the next week.
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