From here, paddlers can easily shoot across the Harbor Channel to reach Sugarloaf Island.ġ1th Street Water Access – South 11th & Shepard Street This site which is just on the western outskirts of the busiest section of the downtown area is a great launching site for kayakers, thanks to ample parking, a pier, and a boat launch that’s designed for vessels that are 16’ feet long or less. Downtown Launching sitesġ0th Street Water Access & Boat Ramp – 1001 Shepard Street Once a paddler is ready to start exploring Morehead City, they’ll find a number of launching points that are ideal for a kayaking exploration. Best of all, the easiest way to reach this isolated region is by a kayak, so paddlers have a leg-up on enjoying this isolated destination. This small island that’s just 43 acres in size and is roughly 1/10 th of a mile away from the downtown docks features a floating dock and soundside beaches for paddlers, an on-site nature trail, and a boardwalk, which makes it one of the prettiest and naturally enticing destinations in the Morehead City area. Sugarloaf Island is one of the most popular destinations for Morehead City kayakers. Paddlers can easily follow the borders of the downtown region for great views of the region, or can also easily cut across the Harbor Channel from the heart of the downtown area to pay a visit to Sugarloaf Island. The Bogue Sound to the south may be a busy route, thanks to its waters that coincide with the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW), but it’s also one of the most scenic and most heavily explored regions by visiting kayakers. As a result of this geography – as well as a network of almost secretive islands and marshes found throughout the miles-wide terrain – the region is a prime destination for exploring a wide array of different routes and local ecosystems. The Newport River to the north is a somewhat inland yet salty river that connects with a wide number of creeks, bays, and channels, such as Calico Bay, Willis Creek, Crab Point Bay, and Harlowe Bay. There are essentially two major bodies of water that a paddler can reach when they start an expedition from the confines of Morehead City. With lots of makeshift routes to explore, and conditions that can be conducive to newcomers and advanced paddlers alike, a Morehead City kayaking expedition can serve as a fine way to enjoy the local landscape from an entirely new perspective. While the Morehead City kayaking scene may be overshadowed by neighboring communities like Beaufort or Atlantic Beach, the town is nevertheless a great place to get out and explore, thanks to miles of water in every direction, and “hidden gem” destinations like Harlowe Creek or Sugarloaf Island.

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