Best Places to Kayak Near Morehead City, NC

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

30 nearby12 Creeks7 Rivers6 Bays
← All paddling in North Carolina

Top Picks Near Morehead City

a small boat sitting on top of a body of water1

Morehead City

Standout kayak fishing on Bogue Sound (Intracoastal Waterway)

BayBeginner1 mi away
white canoe on river surrounded by trees2

McNeil Park

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

BayBeginner3 mi away
Kayakers paddling through a wide open marsh waterway3

Emerald Isle

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

BayBeginner15 mi away
a small boat sitting on top of a body of water

Morehead City

North Carolina · 0.2 mi

BayKayakingSUPBeginner
white canoe on river surrounded by trees

McNeil Park

North Carolina · 3.2 mi

BayKayakingSUPBeginner
man riding on kayak

West Beaufort

North Carolina · 5.1 mi

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

Beaufort

North Carolina · 7.0 mi

CreekKayakingCanoeingBeginner
a body of water surrounded by lots of trees

Newport

North Carolina · 7.1 mi

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

Straits Landing

North Carolina · 10.1 mi

LakeKayakingCanoeingBeginner
A river running through a lush green forest

Hancock Creek

North Carolina · 14.4 mi

CreekKayakingCanoeingBeginner
Kayakers paddling through a wide open marsh waterway

Emerald Isle

North Carolina · 14.8 mi

BayKayakingSUPBeginner
green trees beside river during daytime

Slocum Creek

North Carolina · 15.0 mi

CreekKayakingCanoeingBeginner
Kayakers paddling through a wide open marsh waterway

Oyster Creek

North Carolina · 18.3 mi

BayKayakingSUPBeginner
a body of water with trees around it

Dawson Creek

North Carolina · 18.8 mi

CreekKayakingCanoeingBeginner
A large body of water surrounded by trees

Great Lake

North Carolina · 19.4 mi

LakeKayakingCanoeingBeginner
man riding on kayak

Cedar Point

North Carolina · 20.5 mi

RiverKayakingCanoeingBeginner
man riding on kayak

Oriental

North Carolina · 21.0 mi

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

Salters Creek

North Carolina · 23.1 mi

CreekKayakingCanoeingBeginner
person riding blue kayak on lake during daytime

Shell Rock Landing

North Carolina · 24.0 mi

CanalKayakingCanoeingBeginner
person riding blue kayak on lake during daytime

Haywood Landing

North Carolina · 25.4 mi

RiverKayakingCanoeingBeginner
a river running through a lush green forest

Willis Landing

North Carolina · 26.6 mi

CreekKayakingCanoeingBeginner
a body of water with trees around it

Brices Creek

North Carolina · 28.0 mi

CreekKayakingCanoeingBeginner
a river running through a lush green forest

Lees Landing

North Carolina · 28.3 mi

CreekKayakingCanoeingBeginner
a river running through a lush green forest

Freeman Creek Boat Launch

North Carolina · 29.5 mi

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

Union Point Boat ramp

North Carolina · 30.7 mi

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

Jack's Island @ Lawson Creek Park

North Carolina · 30.8 mi

RiverKayakingCanoeingBeginner
white canoe on river surrounded by trees

Cedar Island National Refuge Boat Ramp

North Carolina · 31.0 mi

BayKayakingSUPBeginner
brown boat on water

Lawson Creek Park

North Carolina · 31.0 mi

RiverKayakingCanoeingBeginner
man riding on kayak

Onslow Beach Boat Ramp

North Carolina · 31.3 mi

CreekKayakingCanoeingBeginner
A person standing on a paddle board in the water

Cedar Island

North Carolina · 32.1 mi

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

Vandemere

North Carolina · 32.2 mi

LakeKayakingCanoeingBeginner
person riding blue kayak on lake during daytime

Pollocksville

North Carolina · 32.9 mi

RiverKayakingCanoeingBeginner
a river running through a lush green forest

Bridgeton

North Carolina · 33.4 mi

RiverKayakingCanoeingBeginner

Paddling Near Other Cities

Widen your search to towns within an hour of Morehead City.

Atlantic Beach, NC4 miBeaufort, NC8 miSalter Path, NC8 miNewport, NC9 miHarkers Island, NC11 miGloucester, NC13 miMarshallberg, NC13 miSmyrna, NC14 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best places to kayak near Morehead City, NC?

Top picks near Morehead City 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 Morehead City?

Near Morehead City 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 Morehead City?

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