Wrightsville Beach Scenic Tours is celebrating 20 years as Wrightsville’s original boat tour company, offering a genuinely extensive lineup of daily tours, kids’ tours, guided expeditions, and private charters. Led by Captain Joe and crew, guests are consistently praised for the captain’s local knowledge and genuine hospitality, from birding trips to family adventures.
Trips run aboard two distinct boats: the Shamrock, a custom-built 27-foot motorized catamaran (USCG inspected for up to 20 passengers), with a shallow draft that lets her navigate twisty backwater creeks and land right on the beach at Masonboro Island with no dock required; and the Clover, a 6-passenger Bennington pontoon designed for shallow-draft, comfortable island-hopping cruising.
The Sunset Boat Cruise (1.5 hours, nightly, $45/person) explores Masonboro Island, Figure Eight Island, Bradley Creek, or Money Island depending on season and weather. The Daily Masonboro Island Ferry Shuttle ($50/person) runs Monday-Saturday, giving beachgoers access to the pristine, undeveloped 8.5-mile barrier island accessible only by boat. Masonboro Birding Tours ($65/person, by request) explore local wildlife, wetland plants, and bird ecology. The Charcuterie Cruise on Masonboro Island ($450-575) delivers a private 2-hour pontoon escape with captain service and packaged charcuterie, BYOB. The Clover Cruising Tour ($200/hour for the first 2 hours, $150/hour after) offers a fully private, up-to-6-passenger island-hopping charter. Kids’ Tours include a Pirate Island Treasure Hunt, Eco-Scavenger Hunt, and Guided Beach Eco Tour, while Private Charters cover bachelor/bachelorette parties, corporate team building, wedding receptions, island luaus, and family beach days.
The business was featured on UNC-TV, and guests are encouraged to dine before or after at nearby Blue Water Grill, which offers convenient parking for tour guests.
For anyone visiting Wrightsville Beach looking for a sunset cruise, island shuttle, birding tour, or private island charter, Wrightsville Beach Scenic Tours offers a highly reviewed, 20-year-established operation with Captain Joe and the Shamrock/Clover fleet.
