Oriental Sports & Outdoors Tips by grandmaR

MM 181 Oriental Marina inside the harbor

In 2003, Oriental Marina was $1.25/ft, with no extra charge for cable or electricity. (There used to be phone lines at the pier in the fall of 2000, but they apparently no longer work.) I finally figured out how to make the data port on the phone work because there were directions on the phone at Dowry Creek (no directions on the Oriental Marina phone).

When we first came in the spring 2001, they assured us they had plenty of water, but we are more or less aground in soft mud. Depth gauge says less than 5 feet in the slip. Fortunately it was a long slip so we could be in the end of it and still afloat. There are number of fishing boats which unload at the dock behind us.

In 2003, the area was redredged and new docks were built, which withstood the 10' tidal surge of Isabel, but the water was over top of the electrical stanchions at the dock.

Equipment: From their website: "If you arrive by boat, you’ll find fuel, laundry facilities, hot showers, and very friendly faces. A well stocked marine store is just down the street. Within easy walking distance are two sailmakers and two canvas shops."

Address: Hodges Street

Directions: From MM 181 WNW 1.5 mi. to G! - follow channel to inner harbor

Other Contact: marina@pamlico-nc.com

Phone: 252-249-1818

Theme: Boating/Sailing

MM 181 - Free City Docks

Oriental has an anchorage outside the breakwater and also a free dock right in town. You have to have a reasonable size boat (I think 35 feet is about the limit so it is too small for us) and I don't think there is but about 6 feet of water there. You are also limited to a stay of one or two days.

The dock was damaged by Hurricane Isabel, but has been rebuilt.

Equipment: The sign next to the dock says "No Mooring on Sea Wall". The town is helpful to boaters.

At one time when we were there, there were 3 sailboats - one on each side of the dock and one crossways at the end.

The main picture was taken about 1700 (5 pm). There were 3 boats on the free city docks

Address: Water Street

Directions: At the head of the bight in town. Turn to starboard at R8 after passing the breakwater.

Theme: Boating/Sailing

MM 181 Oriental Harbor Marina

There is a new marina in Oriental. The Oriental Harbor Marina is on Port just as you enter the inner harbor at Oriental. It is a brand new marina with many new buildings around it.

I was never quite sure where it was as we've always stayed at the Oriental Marina, and I thought the outer docks in the harbor were a yacht club. But the last time we came to Oriental, they were having a boat show at the Oriental Harbor Marina, so it was much more obvious where it was, and I took a film picture as we came in to the harbor. You can also see the bridge across the river.

Equipment: From their website: "Transient boaters are welcomed at our Marina. All amenities and services, including new bath, shower and laundry facilities, Harbor Club, bikes and concierge services, are offered to our transient guests.

"Our overnight rate is $1.25 per boat foot per night. A "Dock & Dine" rate is also available to boaters wishing to tie up for a few hours to take advantage of all that our Village Center and the town of Oriental offer

Address: 518 Water St., PO Box 217, Oriental, NC 28571

Directions: Take US 70 from Raleigh through Kinston to New Bern. At New Bern take Highway 55 East to Bayboro and on to Oriental. You'll see signs for Oriental Harbor at the foot of the bridge.

Phone: 252-249-3783

Theme: Boating/Sailing

Website: http://www.orientalharbor.com/marina.htm

MM 181 - Pecan Grove marina

I always look with longing at this marina when we come by, but apparently they rarely take transients, and have no dockmaster or anyone to monitor the radio.

Equipment: There are 4 pairs of unlighted daybeacons marking the intrance cut, but reportedly there is an unexpected S turn on the innermost part of the channel marked only by pieces of PVC pipes.

Directions: southwest of daybeacon #8.

Phone: 252-249-2532

Theme: Boating/Sailing

MM 181 Anchorage by bridge

There is a small anchorage in a the basin between the fixed bridge and the breakwater

Equipment: There is also an anchorage area in Greens Creek past G3 in 5.5 to 6 feet if you can get under the 43' fixed bridge.

Theme: Boating/Sailing

MM 181 Whitaker Creek Yacht Harbor n. of Oriental

We stopped at Whitaker Creek Yacht Harbor on the way down in 2000 and they have slips big enough for some of the smaller catamarans. We went there because it was closer to the ICW. They have a lounge with washers and a phone that you can use free for the computer and a courtesy car. They put us on the first slip beside the fuel dock. We were tied up by 3:15 p.m. after 48 miles at 6.3 mph.

I finished up a roll of film and mailed it there. I also found the Southern Cruising Guide and bought it. The marina people tell us that several of the restaurants in town (2 miles)will come and pick us up, so I call the M&M cafe, and he says he'll be there in 5 minutes and he was. We had a very nice meal. After I got back I finished up the previous day's journals and took the computer in and hooked up to the phone and downloaded all the e-mail. One of the local cats came to visit and we watched TV together until we fell asleep.

The next morning, Bob decided to get a shower because he had been too tired last night, so he went down and did that. It was very foggy - none of the daymarks were visible from the dock less than 100 feet away. Very still and calm, but also sunny. Bob said that we wouldn't be leaving anytime soon, so I took some photos, and redid the route to account for leaving later. Then of course the fog lifted quickly, so I didn't get a chance to take a shower like I had wanted to do. I did got down to the bathroom and to do one last pocketmail download at the phone.

Equipment: At that time it was $1.15/ft. Now from their website it is $1.20/ft/day for 1-7 days for BoatUS members.

Bob likes going to Oriental better because it is closer to town and he can walk to the marine stores.

CNG Cylinder Exchange-30" $38.00 + TAX Add $4.25 if no cap

Pumpout $8.00

FuelDiesel $1.38 per gallon Gas $1.78 per gallon for 89 octane (Quantity discounts available)

Ice Crushed $1.18 +tax Block $2.32 + tax

Additional Discounts For Boat US Transients only
10% off list price/selected Merchandise
15% off Pump Out

Services Courtesy car available to Transients for Local use only. Swimming Pool on Premises.

Mechanical, Varnishing, Rigging, Refrigeration A/C Repair & Installation, Sail Repair & More. See our service Manager for more details. Pump Out Facility on Premises.

Marine Supplies
Quarterdeck Marine Store open at 8:00 AM, 7 days a week.

Directions: Head NW from 181 to R2 at Whitacker Creek

Phone: 252-249-0666

Theme: Boating/Sailing

Website: http://www.whittakercreek.com/dockage.html