Best Places to Kayak Near Beaufort, NC

30 public launch points within 50 miles of Beaufort, ranked by water conditions, access, and amenities.

30 nearby12 Creeks7 Rivers6 Bays
← All paddling in North Carolina

Top Picks Near Beaufort

a small boat sitting on top of a body of water1

Morehead City

Standout kayak fishing on Bogue Sound (Intracoastal Waterway)

BayBeginner8 mi away
white canoe on river surrounded by trees2

McNeil Park

Calm, sheltered water that's ideal for beginners and paddle boarding

BayBeginner11 mi away
Kayakers paddling through a wide open marsh waterway3

Emerald Isle

Open-water sea kayaking access on Bogue Sound (Intracoastal Waterway)

BayBeginner23 mi away
man riding on kayak

West Beaufort

North Carolina · 3.2 mi

CreekKayakingCanoeingBeginner
Kayakers paddling through a cypress-lined Southern waterway with Spanish moss

Beaufort

North Carolina · 3.4 mi

CreekKayakingCanoeingBeginner
Kayakers on a calm Southern lake lined with pine trees at dusk

Straits Landing

North Carolina · 3.7 mi

LakeKayakingCanoeingBeginner
a small boat sitting on top of a body of water

Morehead City

North Carolina · 7.7 mi

BayKayakingSUPBeginner
Kayakers paddling through a wide open marsh waterway

Oyster Creek

North Carolina · 10.6 mi

BayKayakingSUPBeginner
white canoe on river surrounded by trees

McNeil Park

North Carolina · 10.9 mi

BayKayakingSUPBeginner
a body of water surrounded by lots of trees

Newport

North Carolina · 13.5 mi

CanalKayakingCanoeingBeginner
Kayakers paddling through a cypress-lined Southern waterway with Spanish moss

Salters Creek

North Carolina · 15.7 mi

CreekKayakingCanoeingBeginner
A river running through a lush green forest

Hancock Creek

North Carolina · 17.1 mi

CreekKayakingCanoeingBeginner
a body of water with trees around it

Dawson Creek

North Carolina · 18.0 mi

CreekKayakingCanoeingBeginner
man riding on kayak

Oriental

North Carolina · 19.0 mi

CreekKayakingCanoeingBeginner
green trees beside river during daytime

Slocum Creek

North Carolina · 19.4 mi

CreekKayakingCanoeingBeginner
Kayakers paddling through a wide open marsh waterway

Emerald Isle

North Carolina · 22.6 mi

BayKayakingSUPBeginner
white canoe on river surrounded by trees

Cedar Island National Refuge Boat Ramp

North Carolina · 23.5 mi

BayKayakingSUPBeginner
A person standing on a paddle board in the water

Cedar Island

North Carolina · 25.1 mi

BayKayakingSUPBeginner
A large body of water surrounded by trees

Great Lake

North Carolina · 25.4 mi

LakeKayakingCanoeingBeginner
man riding on kayak

Cedar Point

North Carolina · 28.2 mi

RiverKayakingCanoeingBeginner
green and brown trees beside lake under blue sky during daytime

Vandemere

North Carolina · 29.7 mi

LakeKayakingCanoeingBeginner
a river running through a lush green forest

Lees Landing

North Carolina · 29.8 mi

CreekKayakingCanoeingBeginner
a body of water with trees around it

Brices Creek

North Carolina · 31.4 mi

CreekKayakingCanoeingBeginner
person riding blue kayak on lake during daytime

Shell Rock Landing

North Carolina · 31.7 mi

CanalKayakingCanoeingBeginner
person riding blue kayak on lake during daytime

Haywood Landing

North Carolina · 32.2 mi

RiverKayakingCanoeingBeginner
a small boat sitting on top of a body of water

Union Point Boat ramp

North Carolina · 33.5 mi

RiverKayakingCanoeingBeginner
a small boat sitting on top of a body of water

Jack's Island @ Lawson Creek Park

North Carolina · 33.7 mi

RiverKayakingCanoeingBeginner
brown boat on water

Lawson Creek Park

North Carolina · 34.0 mi

RiverKayakingCanoeingBeginner
a river running through a lush green forest

Willis Landing

North Carolina · 34.3 mi

CreekKayakingCanoeingBeginner
A river running through a lush green forest

Smiths Creek

North Carolina · 35.3 mi

CreekKayakingCanoeingBeginner
a river running through a lush green forest

Bridgeton

North Carolina · 36.0 mi

RiverKayakingCanoeingBeginner
a river running through a lush green forest

Freeman Creek Boat Launch

North Carolina · 37.2 mi

CreekKayakingCanoeingBeginner
person riding blue kayak on lake during daytime

Pollocksville

North Carolina · 38.0 mi

RiverKayakingCanoeingBeginner

Paddling Near Other Cities

Widen your search to towns within an hour of Beaufort.

Harkers Island, NC6 miSmyrna, NC6 miMarshallberg, NC6 miWilliston, NC7 miGloucester, NC7 miMorehead City, NC8 miDavis, NC10 miAtlantic Beach, NC12 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best places to kayak near Beaufort, NC?

Top picks near Beaufort include Morehead City, McNeil Park, Emerald Isle. In total there are 30 public launch points within 50 miles, with paddling on creeks, rivers, bays.

What types of paddling can I do near Beaufort?

Near Beaufort you'll find opportunities for kayaking, canoeing, and stand-up paddle boarding. Most locations offer beginner-friendly conditions with public boat ramp access.

Are there free kayak launches near Beaufort?

Yes! Most public boat ramps near Beaufort are free to use. Some state parks and recreation areas may charge a small parking or entrance fee.