• Home
  • Blog
  • About
  • PNW
    • Kayak/Travel Blog
    • Maps
  • Reviews
EVERYONE'S TRAVEL CLUB
  • Home
  • Blog
  • About
  • PNW
    • Kayak/Travel Blog
    • Maps
  • Reviews

Cedar Point WRC Access to a shhhh...Secret Beach

6/21/2017

0 Comments

 
Paddling to secret beaches from the Cedar Point WRC access in North Carolina
   The idea of a secret beach always creates a little buzz. Weekend warriors like myself are always looking for a little undiscovered piece of sand to escape the masses. When I lived in Seattle, I discovered a tide-specific beach accessible only by boat. At high tide the beach vanished below the waterline but if you timed it just right... I eventually wrote an article about the beach and the piece even got picked up by the Seattle PI. Fast forward to my current life in Eastern North Carolina. I've got my favorite spots but they too get a little crowded in the summer. Luckily I shifted into explorer mode and found a few secret spots.
A look at the sandy kayak launch adjacent to the Cedar Point boat ramp.
   Now, although I blew my cover by sharing the exact location of the Seattle secret beach, I'll not make that mistake again here. However, I will tell you a great place to launch so that you may discover your own secret beach on one of the Intracoastal Waterway's many barrier islands. The little sandy launch site pictured above is adjacent to the Cedar Point Intracoastal Waterway Access, located in Carteret County, just past Swansboro on highway 24 (called NC WRC Boating Access on Google Maps).
The Cedar Point Access Area sign at 144 Cedar Point Boulevard.
   Here, there's instant boat ramp access to the ICW and plenty of parking for trucks & trailers, and about 6 single parking spots (no trailers). On busy weekends the single spots fill up pretty fast. When full, I have parked in the 'boat slip owners only' parking spots (didn't get a ticket...maybe I got lucky?). This boat ramp is close to kayak rentals, restaurants, and plenty of little shops. It's close to both Swansboro and Emerald Isle. 
Paddling across the Intracoastal Waterway near Cedar Point NC.
Paddling across the ICW, just after leaving the launch.
   Although I'm sworn to secrecy, I can say that it's a quick paddle and a few turns to arrive at several uninhabited barrier islands with beaches to explore (no camping though). Many of these islands and beaches are no doubt private property, however, the frequency of 'no camping' signs and lack of 'no trespassing' signs is, I'm pretty sure, North Carolinian for "go for it".
Our dog enjoying an off leash secret beach - #OutwardHound!
Paddling our Innova Kayak to a shipwreck!
One of many derelict boats along the IWC in North Carolina.
Our Innova Sunny inflatable kayak chillin' on a newly discovered secret beach!
   So, we hope we've given you a few leads on how to discover your very own secret beach via the boating access at Cedar Point, NC. It's a great launch if you're looking for a quick, scenic paddle around barrier islands (and if you need a beach to let your dog off-leash!). As always, paddle safe, watch the weather, and check the tides - a return paddle against the wind and current is no fun. 

   ~Paul, Amber, Eleanor    ETC

P.S. Link to all of the NC WRC Boating Access Sites

Plan B: Is the lot full? Too busy? Try plan B close by: Hammocks Beach State Park
​
Exploring one of North Carolina's many barrier islands along the ICW.
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Picture
    Picture
    The Smell Butler Book logo, from the upcoming children's young adult novel

    Categories

    All
    Aboard Series
    Boating
    Hiking
    Kayaking
    Museums
    North Carolina
    Press
    Road Trip
    Safari

    RSS Feed

    We hope you've enjoyed the time you've spent on our site. All images, text and designs are copyright Everyone's Travel Club and may not be used without written permission from us. Email us!
    Picture

    Archives

    August 2022
    April 2022
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    December 2016
    October 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    September 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    January 2014
    November 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011

Picture

Connect:

Contact:

[email protected]

  • Home
  • Blog
  • About
  • PNW
    • Kayak/Travel Blog
    • Maps
  • Reviews