8hr – Portsmouth Island Ghost Town Tour
Duration: up to 8 hrs
Caution: Bugs are an issue on Portsmouth. You need to protect yourself from Mosquitoes even in the fall and winter seasons. Book this trip during summer with an abundance of caution!! Please prepare for and understand the amazing level of bugs that are there in summer. We take phone reservations for Portsmouth tours in summer months. Call 855-410-7245 to book a Portsmouth trip during summer.
Activities: Welcome aboard your private charter to Portsmouth Island from Buxton Harbor on Hatteras. The whole day is yours to explore the waters between, the beaches of Portsmouth, and the abandoned settlement that was once the busiest working port of the Outer Banks – Portsmouth Island. (best in the fall or early spring)
Sunset Tour: This trip includes daytime boating to and from Portsmouth Island with stops along the way and a stop on the island to explore the historic fishing and port village. We will boat through the sunset and no other tours will be booked on the boat for that day.
Deposit: $360
Charter Fee: due 3 days prior
*gratuity not included; must leave Ocracoke prior to 10pm.
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Description
Short History of Portsmouth Island, North Carolina
Portsmouth Island was the major port for the Outer Banks and Inner Banks regions of North Carolina in the 1800’s. A life saving station was established in 1753 by the North Carolina Assembly which sparked the growth of Portsmouth Island’s settlement which grew steadily through the next century. The Port was frequented by large heavy cargo ships which would transfer cargo onto smaller bay boats with shallower drafts to take the freight through the inlet to its final destination Ports.
During the Civil War, the Union Army marched down the Outer Banks and many of the Island residents fled to the mainland. Many never returned after the war, and Portsmouth Island’s population never fully recovered. After the war, shifting inlets and the railroad combined to put a permanent halt to the bustling port economy on Portsmouth Island. Fishing replaced shipping for the Islanders as the primary occupation. Ultimately, the struggling economy, isolation, and harsh stormy weather lead to the entire abandonment of the Island. When Henry Pigott died in 1971, the last two living residents moved to the mainland.
Portsmouth Island continues to be a popular tourist destination. Tourists can visit the ghost town village. What remains of Portsmouth Village includes a church, some residences, and a couple cemeteries.
Frequently Asked Questions
IS GRATUITY INCLUDED IN MY CHARTER FEE?
Gratuity is not included in your charter fee. Customary gratuity is 15%.
CAN I BRING MORE THAN 6 TOTAL GUESTS?
The coast guard limits all trips to 6 guests.
WHEN SHOULD I ARRIVE AT THE DOCK?
Please arrive just a few minutes before your charter begins. You will find the start time of your charter on your receipt. Often, particularly in the heat of the summer season, our skippers are often taking a water break and will arrive just a few minutes before your charter. It only takes a couple minutes to board and shove off.
WHERE DO WE MEET THE BOAT AND CAPTAIN?
All charters leave from the Buxton Harbor Hatteras Sailing Center at 48962 NC-12, Hatteras, NC 27953. However, sometimes due to the weather we may depart from other locations. Your skipper will be in touch with you before your charter if there is any weather related start location change. Note: Our boat shop and sail repair are in a different location, but we are usually around 😉
CAN CHILDREN COME ON THE BOAT?
Of course. We love kids, and have 3 of our own. Please bring your own lifejackets for children. Safety is so important to little ones, and according to the US Coast Guard regulations they are required to wear a life jacket at all times on the boat. The life vest should be comfortable enough that they will wear it and fit them appropriately.
CAN I BRING A COOLER AND DRINKS?
Please bring water and drinks. Alcoholic beverages are allowed, but your captain reserves the right to stop serving if a guest becomes a danger or annoyance to the other guests.
Please do not bring a cooler. We have a cooler and ice is provided. Whether you are an adult or a child, it is a good idea to bring along a lidded cup to prevent messy spills.
If you are on a private charter, you may bring food of whatever sort you like. If you are on a shared charter feel free to bring “neat” snacks.
WHAT DO I NEED TO BRING WITH ME ON MY CHARTER?
- Hats, sunglasses, drinks, water shoes or boat safe shoes
- Dress in layers for morning and evening charters. Early mornings and evenings can be chilly with the breeze particularly if you are wet from swimming.
- Sunblock and a hat are essential even on cloudy days
- Camera, phone, waterproof protection for your devices
- Please wear boat safe shoes or plan to stay barefoot. You may not wear street shoes on the boat.
- If you are susceptible to seasickness, plan to take motion sickness medication before your trip.
Hatteras Deadrise Charter Terms & Conditions
Fuel Cost
All trips are private and include up to 6 guests, captain, and fuel. Trip cost does not include gratuity. Customary gratuity is 20%.
ADVANCE RESERVATIONS
You may book a charter up to 12 weeks in advance.
If you reserve your charter more than 3 days in advance, our system prompts you to pay a set reservation fee which reserves the charter for your party. Three days prior to our sail, the final balance becomes due. You will receive an invoice with a link which you can click to pay the final charter fee.
If you book within 3 days of your charter, a full charter fee is required upon reservation.
WEATHER POLICY
We sail in 0-20 knots, and light, spotted showers. We do not sail over 25knots or when it is lightening. While this is our general guideline, all charters are held at the captain’s discretion and he considers all factors.
If the charter you have reserved is cancelled due to inclement weather, we will do our best to reschedule your sail during your stay here on the Outer Banks. If for some reason, we cannot agree a time to make up the charter, we will refund your charter fee.
BEVERAGE POLICY
We provide a cooler with ice. You may bring alcoholic beverages on board. We reserve the right to terminate your charter with no refund if members of your party become unsafe due to excessive alcohol consumption. Underage members of your party may not drink while on board the sailboat.
PRIVATE BOOKINGS ONLY
Due to current Covid-19, we do not offer per person charters at this time.
LIFEJACKETS
Children are very welcome aboard, but per the coast guard children under 12 must be in a life jacket while on board the sailboat. You must bring an appropriately sized life jacket for each child. We do not have the boat equipped with child sized life jackets.
The boat is stocked with coast guard required adult lifejackets. The adult life jackets we supply are not particularly comfortable to wear. If you feel you need to wear a lifejacket while on board, please bring one that is comfortable for wearing.
