Carolina Beach Harbor off the Intracoastal Waterway at Snow's Cut
Maximum Boat Length:
25
Bayview Manor is an older complex, built in 1987. It is, however, elevator-equipped. Slips are assigned and can only be used by guests "for up to three weeks, twice a year". Unit sizes vary considerably from 500 to 1500 sq ft. See the attached Condo Plat 2 for layouts. The dock has short fingers, and users tend to dock stern-to. The docks were being renovated when I took these photos. This is a nice, well-maintained facility for small boats. It's a great location for running around the harbor or out to the river through Snow's Cut. Close to fuel.
Anchor Bay Condominiums is a 10-unit complex built in 1986 on the eastern side of the Carolina Beach harbor. Eight of the units are roughly 1200 square feet, with 3 bedrooms and 2 full baths. Two of the condos are comprised of 2 units each and are roughly 2400 square feet. Floor plans of those two units were not available, but they are all on one level. The building is 4 stories, with 3 stories over ground-floor parking. The dock is T-shaped, more or less, with four spaces on the land side, 8 on the harbor side, and one at the end of the platform. The bottom-floor units have all four slips on the land side, which will limit size. The limiting factor is the channel width and whether you can get in and out.
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.
Intracoastal adjacent Oak Island at the mouth of the Cape Fear River
Maximum Boat Length:
80
Indigo Plantation & Indigo Village Townhomes has a very nice marina. Still, like many other marinas that sprang up as part of a residential development, it has been severed from its association with Indigo Plantation. A new buyer in Indigo Plantation cannot expect any preferential treatment when renting or purchasing a slip in the marina. And there is currently a waiting list of folks wishing to rent slips there. That's largely because one of the area's major marinas, Southport Marina, was damaged by a hurricane, displacing numerous boats and creating unusual demand. That said, this marina is well built, with concrete surfaces and added corner pieces on the slips for improved access.
Caison’s Creek is a 48-lot development. All are individually owned. Eight of those lots have a right to a boat slip; I don't know whether the slips are specifically assigned. The other 2 slips are for the neighborhood's common use. A storm largely destroyed the docks two years ago. Plans are in place, and the neighborhood is looking for a marine construction company to rebuild the docks. As I measure the length of the pier on Google Maps, it is about 900 feet long, the length of 3 football fields. Don't forget your keys. Don't forget anything, or do without.
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.
