The Village at Lucas Cove is a subdivision of 14 lots on a small spit of land on the north side of Oak Island. The lots are small, and all the houses sit on piles. The marina has 16 slips. A couple of slips are owned but the builder’s clients from elsewhere on Oak Island. Being a relatively new facility, the docks are in good physical condition. It’s a bit of a hike out to the docks, a little shy of 800 feet. But it’s nicely landscaped with gravel walkways and an elevated pier over wetland areas. The last section of the pier ends at a covered pavilion with an aluminum gangway connecting to the docks. Every slip has a power lift.
This expansive subdivision in Brunswick County has 730 properties, about a 20-minute drive west of Wilmington, NC. Home sizes range from 1,782 to over 3,500 square feet; lots average 0.4 acres. The Bluffs on the Cape Fear boasts an impressive array of amenities, short of a golf course, of which there is no shortage in the area. The amenities are listed below, which include private beach access on Oak Island near Southport. The boating facilities are top-notch. The docks are floating on metal piles. The decks are comfortably wide. Slips are double, with full finger angles into the river current to aid docking. Utility pedestals serve every two slips. Two sets of docks include a ramp and a covered pavilion at the easternmost dock.
River Bluffs is a large new urbanist-style neighborhood on the Northeast Cape Fear River north of Wilmington's Historic District. It boasts a very nice marina facility which currently has 36 slips but can be expanded to 188 as needed. Anyone purchasing property within the neighborhood may purchase a slip. They are deeded separately and do not automatically come with a purchase. They can be sold separately but only to others within the subdivision. And they can only be rented to those within the subdivision. Residents can also lease a slip from the developer. The deck surface is unusually wide at 10 feet, with fingers on each side of the slips. Corner gussets where the fingers meet the docks provide added access and safety. A small boat launch and storage area are included. The marina has utility pedestals and a large pavilion.
Sturgeon Creek off the Brunswick River, leading to the Cape Fear River
Maximum Boat Length:
30
Brookhaven is in an area of Leland known as Navassa. It is about a mile from the first exit off HWY 17/74 as you head west out of Wilmington, and about 2.5 miles from the Cape Fear River. So it's a very close suburb to Wilmington in a county with lower taxes. The neighborhood has a common dock on the Sturgeon River, a tributary to the Brunswick River, which meets the Cape Fear about 4.6 miles south. The dock runs along the Sturgeon bank, and boats are tied off parallel to it. The docks have clearly been lengthened in recent years. MLS comments suggest the docks are day slips, unassigned, or may be purchased or rented if available. I know that is as clear as mud. If you're interested in the neighborhood, please make sure you can access a slip. Slips are marketed at 30 feet.
Highland Shores is the closest suburban neighborhood to historic downtown Wilmington, NC. Its 52 parcels are across the Cape Fear River, tucked behind Eagle Island. Lots range from 0.32 to 1.7 acres, with most just over half an acre. Houses typically range from about 2,500 to 4,500 square feet. They are about a 5-mile drive from downtown Wilmington. The boating distance is a little longer, at 5.5 miles around the southern tip of Eagle Island. They have a very nice common marina with 28 slips. The docks are floating, as that part of the Cape Fear River is still tidal. Utility pedestals are available, and every slip has a dock box. A covered pavilion on the pier lets you enjoy the sunset.
Bridgewater is a great setup for anyone who wants a power runabout in the backyard. Half the slips have power lifts, which helps because they're right on the ICW and exposed to wakes. So there's less chance of damage and reduced cleaning and painting in the future. The complex has a nice little pool, and it's conveniently located for getting on and off the island. These docks are aging and will need maintenance, including replacing planks, so you'll want to make sure the HOA has the money to do that.
South Harbor Village has separate sections for the resident owners and for the private marina operated as Safe Harbour. On the mainland side of the intracoastal waterway across from Oak Island.
SeaScape at Holden Plantation is a large mainland community adjacent to Holden Beach with an excellent marina. To purchase a slip, you must own property, and you must sell the slip when you sell your real estate. The community has a clubhouse with indoor and outdoor pools, hot tubs, a sauna, men’s and women’s retreat rooms, a fitness center, a full-service kitchen, a library, and a game room. In addition, the community owns oceanfront beaches for residents' use, with kitchen and dining facilities, a fireplace, and restrooms with showers and changing rooms.
St James Plantation is a very large mixed-use development of single-family homes and condominiums. It features a large, well-protected, state-of-the-art marina with 155 wet slips and a 320-boat capacity, plus an enclosed dry stack that can accommodate boats up to 31 feet long. They offer fueling, haul-out, and repair services for the hull, engine, and prop. They have a forklift for boats up to 31 feet, limited to 12,000 lbs. They do not have a sling lift. Slips are sold on a first-come, first-served basis for both wet and dry slips. All slips are sold, and as of 6/7/2021, there is a one-year waiting list. Storm damage to the Southport Marina has increased demand for slips in the area while it is rebuilt. To be clear, purchasing property in St James Plantation does not entitle the buyer to ownership in the marina or any preferential treatment in buying or renting a slip.
Intracoastal and Jinks Creek at Tubbs Inlet to the Atlantic
Maximum Boat Length:
20
Palm Cove is a gated community on the northeastern end of Sunset Beach. The lots are about one acre, running from the Atlantic on one side to Jinks Creek on the other. This gives access to the Intracoastal Waterway to the north and Tubbs Inlet, which leads to the open waters of the Atlantic. The slips are on Jinks Creek near the entrance near the western edge of the development. Several of the individual properties have pools. This is a perfectly good facility for smaller boats, but a strong current runs through the area and is causing erosion on the peninsula's western side, cutting toward the east.
Harborside Club at 70w is an 8 story condominium complex on Peletier Creek which feeds into Bogue Sound. Amenities include a pool, a sauna, a fitness center, a conference room, an owner's lounge with a wet bar and a full kitchen overlooking the pool. There is also a grill and picnic area under a canopy by the pool. There are changing rooms, showers and baths on the ground floor. Each owner has a storage unit on the ground floor for gear. Two high speed elevators service the building. The entire complex is gated and secured.
There are 3 basic floor plans designated "A", "B" & "C", all are 3 bedroom & 3 bath. All units have terraces overlooking the pool, marina and Peletier Creek. There 2 floor plan “B”s at 1925 sq ft, one on each end with corner wrap around terraces. There is one “C” plan in the middle of each floor which features a deeper terrace that runs the full width of the unit. There are 6 “A” plans on each floor. Four of the “A” plans on each floor have balconies half the width of the unit.
Cabin Creek off Bay River leading to the Neuse River and Pamlico Sound
Maximum Boat Length:
35
Cabin Creek is a 14-parcel subdivision on Cabin Creek off the Bay River, which leads to the point where the Neuse River and the Pamlico Sound converge. Lots in Cabin Creek range from 1.2 to 5 acres, all of which are waterfront. Nonetheless, they have a well-protected common dock with 11 slips on the Bay River. Slips are 35 feet in length; the docks are a fixed height with a wooden frame and a concrete-based 'hog slat' decking. The slips are doubles with piles, and several have power lifts.
This area will require more research on my part. There are three neighborhoods, each with its own docks. I'll try to clarify the situation soon and make another visit.
Lord Carteret Condos shares a common dock with 1013 Front Street, a 5-unit complex just behind it. Lord Carteret Condos has 4 units each at approximately 1170 square feet, 3 bedrooms 2 baths. These condos were built in 1975, so it is reasonable to expect modifications. Each unit is one level, with two units on the ground floor and 2 on the second. There is no elevator. Beaufort's downtown waterfront is less than a half mile away.
The common docks are right across the street on Taylor Creek. Slips are assigned. They are marketed at 25 feet, but the back piles are 30 feet from the dock. The docks are basic but well maintained and would be fine for craft under 25 feet for cruising downtown Beaufort, Morehead City, and beyond.
A small subdivision with 12 very substantial homes and 8 slips. All of the houses in 1612 Front Street subdivision (yep, that's the name) are on the western side of Carrot Island Lane which runs perpendicular to Front Street, which is running parallel to Taylor's Creek. The docks are well maintained and equipped for a community facility. Most of the slips are equipped with power lifts. Slips may be rented to residents but can not be sold to anyone outside of the subdivision.
This is a great location for dinner cruises to Beaufort and Morehead City or exploring the undeveloped islands of the area.
Beaufort Landing is one of three neighborhoods in a row along Taylor Creek that share the name Beaufort Landing. This Beaufort Landing consists of 15 parcels beginning on the east side of Tidal Pond. The second, or Beaufort Landing Townhomes, is made up of 40 units in clusters of 4 and 5, which are legally condominiums, not townhomes. The third is Beaufort Landing Village comprised of 28 condominiums. Each neighborhood has it's own association with different association fees and it's own docks.
So this Beaufort Landing, the farthest to the West, boarding on the east by a small pond called Tidal Pond, consists single family homes on 15 parcels. Across Front Street to the south they have a well maintained marina of 27 slips. Most of the slips have power lifts. There's a pavilion and sitting area.
Masons Bluff is a 10-parcel subdivision around a single street and cul-de-sac running from Middle Sound Loop Road to the intracoastal waterway in northeastern New Hanover County. Three of the 10 parcels are waterfront, with the remaining 7 landlocked. None of the three waterfront properties have private docks, so the common dock has 10 slips. It's a bit of a hike to the slips, which are 200 yards from the shore. There is a pavilion at the docks. The slips are 30 feet long, with double slips, full fingers, and piles in between. All slips accept one boat; one appeared to have a power lift. The docks are right off the intracoastal waterway, with no breakwater, and are subject to wake buffeting.
All of the slips, except one, are equipped with power lifts. The docks are floating with wood framing and wood decking. They have utility pedestals.
