Boating with Sunset Delight: Sunset at Belhaven, NC

Monday, November 6, 2017

Sunset at Belhaven, NC

Monday 11/6/2017
Depart: Coinjock Marina 7:30 a.m.
Arrive: Pungo Creek Anchorage #1 4:30 p.m.
Distance: 78 NM

Unlike the busy naval and industrial sites near Norfolk, today we traveled canals and waterways displaying only trees and brush for mile after mile (other than crossing Albemarle Sound where we saw only water).

Although we had heard that we may encounter delays at the under-construction Alligator River bridge, we decided due to oncoming inclement weather to travel this more protected route. Fortunately, we had virtually no wait at the bridge when we arrived. In fact two trawlers that had sped ahead had to wait for us to arrive before the bridge tender would open for them.

Swing Bridge on Alligator River
(Under construction but opened on demand)

You know its boring / tedious on the waterway when the captain says, "We have some excitement up ahead. There's a bridge." When I asked if we would have to have it open for us, he said, "No, it's a fixed height bridge!" We had two such exciting events today!

Today's typical view
(Alligator River - Pungo River Canal)

After over 8 hours of watching trees go by, I found myself more than ready to find our anchorage spot. We had multiple choices for the night. We could either stay at Dowry Creek Marina where we have stayed in the past of pick one of multiple anchorage options near Belhaven, NC. We chose an anchorage with good reviews on Active Captain in Pungo Creek.