Hi Rich,
Let me help you out here. If you want to go down around Manteo on the
eastern side of Roanoke, you'll need to pay very close attention.
There are fish obstructions on the N end of the island near the
outdoor theater. There are a couple of temporary markers near the
entrance to SHallowbag Bay (at least there were before the hurricanse
came thru). As you approach Pirate's Cove and the bridge, the channel
narrows up significantly. You can quite literally wade over to
jockey's ridge near this part of the sound. It's best if you follow
someone down from the bridge to Oregon Inlet as getting out of the
channel can put you into 6 inches of water and it dog legs a couple of
times. Once you get past marker 55, you can turn out into Old House
channel and head to Okok.

BTW - The entrance to Pirate's Cove is usually shoal up. I wouldn't
attempt to go in there in a sailing vessel. Likewise, it can be a bit
of a chore getting around in Shallowbag bay near the Manteo waterfront
but it might be worth a shot if you want to stop off somewhere. Stay
away from the shore on the right side going in. The middle of
Shallowbag bay has the deep water and then it dog legs to the right up
to the waterfront. At the top of my web page is a picture of the
sailboat they run in and out of there. Picture was taken at the
entrance to Shallowbag bay. There's another picture of shallowbag bay
farther down.

(http://http://home.bellsouth.net/p/s...&groupid=45696)

Alternatively, you can go down the middle of the western side of
Roanoke Island with plenty of room to spare on either side and 8-10 ft
mean depths all the way. You will have to go under two bridges, but
there's plenty of places to pass thru. There are stumps near the
entrance to Mann's Harbor marina and it's not all that deep either.
I'd stay away from there.

Pea, Hatteras and Okok Islands are very shallow for several hundred
yards out on the north-western side. Stay well off - a mile or more to
be certain.

You can likely motor in to Hatteras harbor without too much trouble,
but the hurricane may have knocked down some markers so be careful.
Following someone in is best. The charter boats come back in around
3-5 pm.

When you get near Okok harbor, you'll see a big sand bluff out near
the channel junction. I suggest you hold outside (west of the bluff)
and wait until you see a ferry and follow it in if you can arrange to
arrive in time for the Swan Quarter or Sea Level ferries. They draw
around 4 ft. for the Hatteras class ferries. Alternatively, follow
another vessel of your class in. Do not follow any small workboats as
they are all shallow draft and have purposefully cut their skegs
short. (I'm serious - all the locals saw off their skegs).

Be sure to make reservations before going. The park service dock is
first come first served and is usually full. Ocracoke Harbor Inn has
docks with deep water alongside for guests. Or you can anchor out in
the middle of the creek (Silver Lake) and dinghy in.

The Pelican restaurant sells spicy boiled shrimp in the courtyard (to
your right thru the "spanish" arch) in the afternoons for cheap.

Have fun,
John...


On Mon, 16 Aug 2004 17:22:44 GMT, Rich Hampel
wrote:

Anyone with local knowledge know the depths into Ocracoke Island from
the Pamlico Sound / River?

Thanks