Boats tied up at waterfront restaurants on the Southport Yacht Basin under a blue summer sky
About 15 minutes from Oak Island

Southport: the waterfront, sunset cruises & ferries.

A riverfront town just over the bridge. Walk the riverfront, catch a sunset cruise, browse the downtown shops and eat by the water, or take the ferry to Bald Head Island or Fort Fisher.

Sunset cruises & boats ↓FerriesSightsDowntown food & map
On the river

Sunset cruises, boat tours & charters

Most of the area's boat rides and fishing charters leave from Southport's marinas and the Yacht Basin. Sunset cruises on the Cape Fear River are a favorite; book ahead in summer.

Boat rides, tours & sunset cruises 8

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Angry Pelican ChartersNearshore (2-5 hr) and offshore (6-9 hr) fishing charters targeting Spanish/king mackerel, red drum, shark, cobia, mahi, tuna, amberjack, snapper, and grouper; dedicated shark charters. Also runs fishing charters.
WebsiteCall 910-742-0296
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BS ChartersInshore/nearshore fishing charters on a 2018 Carolina Skiff Ultra Elite 23 targeting flounder, red drum, sea trout, bluefish, Spanish mackerel, and croaker. Also runs fishing charters.
WebsiteCall 919-492-3251
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Cape Fearless ChartersPrivate boat charters for celebrations, events, and custom day trips out of Southport (birthdays, engagements, memorials), up to 6 passengers.
WebsiteCall 910-363-6045
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Catherine Anne Sportfishing and ExcursionsOffshore, nearshore, and backwater fishing charters. Also runs fishing charters. Leaves from Morningstar Marina, 606 W. West Street, Southport, NC.
WebsiteCall 910-620-9919
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Impulsive ChartersHalf-day nearshore, 3/4-day and full-day offshore, Gulf Stream, and overnight deep-drop fishing charters targeting mackerel, mahi, wahoo, tuna, marlin, swordfish, and grouper. Also runs fishing charters. Leaves from 2571 St. James Drive, Southport, NC.
WebsiteCall 910-457-5331
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Southport by SeasideCape Fear River/ICW sightseeing tour and sunset cruise (up to 6 passengers); also runs boat-owner training courses. Leaves from Morningstar Marina, 606 W West St, Dock B Slip 2, Southport, NC.
WebsiteCall 910-269-8674
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Southport Water Tours50-minute sightseeing cruise, 1-hour sunset cruise, and private Tiki-boat cruises on the Cape Fear River and ICW. Leaves from 110 Yacht Basin Dr, Southport, NC.
WebsiteCall 910-523-6021
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Sunset Boat Cruises2-hour sunset cruises, 3-4 hour cruises, half/full-day charters (incl. steam-pot seafood boil option), custom private charters, and jet ski tours. Leaves from Morningstar Marina, 606 W. West St, Southport, NC.
WebsiteCall 910-931-1611

Fishing charters 3

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Fugitive Fishing ChartersHalf, 3/4, and full-day trolling, bottom fishing, and near/offshore charters aboard the 33-foot Sport Fisher 'The Fugitive', up to 6 passengers; rods, bait, license, and ice included. Leaves from South Harbour Marina, Oak Island side, 5078 Ballast Rd, Southport, NC.
WebsiteCall 910-933-4242
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Hound Dog Fishing ChartersHalf-day (4hr) and 3/4-day (6hr) inshore charters targeting flounder, red and black drum, sheepshead, and speckled trout, on a 21' Nauticstar, up to 4 anglers.
WebsiteCall 704-756-4992
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Southport Fishing ChartersFishing charters serving Southport, Oak Island, and Bald Head Island area waters (inshore/nearshore, family trips).
WebsiteCall 910-264-7722

From each business's own website, checked Sept 28, 2026. Listed A to Z; not a review or endorsement. More charters that leave from Oak Island are on Things to Do.

Two ferries, both leave from Southport

Ferries & schedules

Both terminals are at the end of Ferry Road (NC 211), east of downtown. Tap one for its full schedule, fares, a Street View of the terminal and GPS directions.

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Southport–Fort Fisher ferry (NC state ferry)Ferry Rd SE (NC 211), beside Deep Point Marina. Car ferry across the Cape Fear River to Fort Fisher and Kure Beach. 35 minutes, $7 a car, $1 on foot.
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Bald Head Island ferry (Deep Point Marina)1301 Ferry Rd SE, Southport. Passenger ferry to car-free Bald Head Island. $23 round trip for adults, parking $13 a day.
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Fort Fisher ferry landing (Kure Beach side)2422 Fort Fisher Blvd S, Kure Beach. Where the state ferry lands on the far side of the river.
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Schedules and fares read from NCDOT Ferry Division and Bald Head Island Transportation on September 27, 2026. Times change with the season and weather, so check before you go.

Downtown & nearby

Things to see

Downtown Southport is small enough to walk: the river, the Yacht Basin, Fort Johnston and the museums are a few blocks apart.

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Waterfront Park & RiverwalkBay St between Howe & Davis Streets. The riverfront: fishing pier, picnic shelters and views to Bald Head Island.
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Southport Yacht BasinYacht Basin Dr. Small-boat harbor lined with seafood restaurants and charter boats.
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Fort Johnston–Southport Museum & Visitors' Center203 E Bay St. Museum and visitors' center overlooking the mouth of the river. Mon–Sat 10–4.
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NC Maritime Museum at Southport204 E Moore St. Shipwrecks, ship models and Cape Fear history. Tue–Sat 10–5.
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Old Smithville Burying GroundE Moore St & N Rhett St. Historic cemetery set aside in 1792. Revolutionary and Civil War soldiers rest here.
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Franklin Square Park130 E West St (N Howe St & E West St). Downtown green with live oaks and a gazebo used for summer concerts.
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Keziah ParkW Moore St & Lord St. Small park with the 'Indian Trail Tree', a live oak said to be over 800 years old.
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Brunswick Town / Fort Anderson State Historic Site8884 St. Philips Rd SE, Winnabow. Colonial town ruins and a Civil War earthwork fort on the river. Free, Tue–Sat 9–5.
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Walking tours: the Southport Historical Society has a free self-guided tour, and private companies run tram and ghost-walk tours. Every summer, Southport hosts the NC Fourth of July Festival.

Downtown Southport

Where to eat & everything on the map

Downtown restaurants, cafés and treats, plus the sights and ferries. Tap 👁 Look around for Street View of each one. This is a listing, not a recommendation, and hours change, so call ahead.

Parking: downtown Southport has street parking on city streets. Check posted signs, and ask Southport City Hall (910-457-7900) if you're unsure. Places from OpenStreetMap contributors.