About

M/V Shamrock

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.

Landing on the beach is one way the Shamrock stands out from the rest!

Family-beach-tour

The Clover

We also operate our 6 passenger vessel available for waterway shuttles and fishing charters.

Wrightsville Beach Scenic Tours Owner

Captain Joseph Abbate

the Cape Fear Naturalist

“I’m interested in fostering local environmental stewardship through outdoor educational adventures. My hope is to increase environmental awareness and understanding for everyone enjoying the Cape Fear region.” – Joe

USCG Charter Boat Captain’s Credential
50 Ton Masters License

Joe holds a Bachelors and Masters Certificate in Environmental Science from the University of North Carolina Wilmington. His tours have been written and developed from over 14 years of guiding people through nature. Throughout his career, he has held many environmental research and administrative positions around the country…

Cape Fear River Watch, Wilmington, NC
Environmental Education Coordinator

Nature Conservancy, Boiling Springs Lakes Project, NC
Biologist

Warnell School of Forest Resources, Athens, GA
Avian Biologist

Carolina Ocean Studies, Carolina Beach, NC
Marine Education Instructor

Department of Environmental Protection, Valhalla, NY
Research Biologist

North Carolina Forestry Service, Wilmington, NC
Environmental Coordinator, Airlie Gardens, NC

National Audubon Society, Wilmington, NC
Wildlife Refuge Manager

Point Reyes Bird Observatory, Point Reyes National Seashore, CA
Shorebird Biologist, Snowy Plover Recovery Project

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Waterbird Surveys, Mason Inlet, Figure Eight Island, NC
Shorebird Biologist

Marbled Murrelet Conservation Project , Olympic Peninsula, WA
Endangered Species Biologist

Forest Health Monitoring Project, Rocky Mountains, CO
Forest Technician-GS5

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Our Pirate, Don Juan Cortez

Ben Cortez, AKA Don Juan Cortez, Captain Kidd, and Blackbeard, is a historical re-enactor from Santa Clara, CA. He spent 20 years in the Seattle area where he was an active member of The Seattle Seafair Pirates and served as Captain Kidd in 1999-2000, the year of their 50th Golden Anniversary. During his 14 years with the Seafair Pirates, he sailed the western waters of Seattle and Oregon to Mazatlan Mexico, British Columbia Canada, Taiwan, and The Cayman Islands. In 2006 Ben relocated to the waters of the Atlantic making Virginia Beach his new port of call. He was pressed into service with Blackbeard’s Crew of Hampton, VA and became a member of the Colonial Seaport Foundation. Teaching living history, during the Golden Age of Piracy 1680 – 1730, he has been ship’s carpenter, taught seamanship, and navigation, conducted Scallywag School and portrayed many characters, even BlackBeard himself

Ben has also served as a gunner aboard The Meka II, under the sail of Captain Sinbad, of Beaufort, NC. In 2011 Ben and his wife Susan, aka Hatchetmeg, sailed on to Carolina Beach, NC, where he is currently the tour guide for Pirates on the Cape Fear. He is also teaching Pirate School for Kids. From Philadelphia to Charleston and all ports in between and even in New Orleans, It’s a pirate’s life for him!