Thanks for the advice. I don't have my charts here at home but am
aware of Diamond Shoals. I will be sure to look to see just how far
out I'll need to go to pass them. I was in the harbor one year when a
boat came in that had sailed up from Cape Lookout that same day, and I
didn't get a chance to ask them about the trip. I've also come through
that sandy channel a few times in charter boats, and it looks pretty
challenging, but doable with a slow, cautious approach and a reliable
engine.

I like Ocracoke in summer--the tourists are much fewer in number than
most other places on the banks, and I just like the town. The beaches
can't be beat for the East Coast.

DSK wrote:
Capt. Mike wrote:
I'm considering sailing outside, around Cape Lookout, North Carolina
and offshore to Ocracoke Island, North Carolina, this summer. I am
aware that the channel at Ocracoke Inlet is subject to constant
shoaling and pretty strong tidal currents, though, and wondered if
anyone who has made this passage might have some thoughts on the
advisability of going this way rather than back up through the ICW and
across the sound into Big Slough channel. Thanks.


Going outside you have less worries about running aground
but far more worries about weather, and you have to go
pretty far out to get around Diamond Shoals.

If you arrive off Ocracoke Inlet and are unsure of the
channel, you can always call Sea Tow and ask for their
advice on piloting it. They usually have the latest info and
are very helpful. At one inlet (not Ocracoke) they have even
offered to come out and let boats follow them in.

Another option is to take the ferry boat out there & vist
the USCG station and ask them directly; maybe take a charter
boat out the channel & back. Then drive back to your boat &
get underway. That's kind of like cheating though

BTW why do you want to go to Ocracoke in summer? It's all
packed with tourists.

Fresh Breezes- Doug King