Portsmouth Island Boat Tours
Give us a call! 252-928-4361 or 252-928-5431
Featured on Atlas Obscura and Our State Magazine!
Portsmouth Island Boat Tours
Capt. Rudy Austin Capt. Donald Austin
252-928-4361 252-928-5431
Cape Lookout National Seashore
About Portsmouth
Once a major trade route, and one of the largest ports in the state, Portsmouth Island has a rich maritime history.
In the mid-1800's, Portsmouth saw more than 1,400 vessels each year. By 1850, the village had more than 500 permanent residents. The hurricane of 1846 opened Oregon and Hatteras inlets creating more efficient and desirable shipping routes. By 1955 there were only 12 people left on the island. By 1971, there were only 3. That year, the last male resident passed away which prompted the two elderly women to move away. The island homes, post office, life saving station, school, and church are now maintained by the national park service. Come see for yourself what life was like on Portsmouth Island.
What to expect
The Trip
We offer many different kinds of trips from Portsmouth village to sunset cruises to the best secret shelling beaches North Carolina has to offer.
You will meet us at the community square docks. If you choose to go to the village, the trip over will take about 20 minutes. The captain will drop you off for a few hours for a self guided tour of Portsmouth. There are posted signs with information on what life was like in each time period throughout the village.
You may also opt for a dolphin or sunset cruise. The captains will share local history along the way about pirates, The Civil War, and WWII.
What to Bring
Bug spray! The mosquitos can be pretty bad at certain times of the year.
Sunscreen
Snacks
Water
Cost
Please call for current rates.
On the way back to Ocracoke, you may be lucky enough to see...
Pelicans nesting with their babies
A pod of Ocracoke Dolphins
A famous island sunset
Or a stingray!
Portsmouth Island Boat Tours
Community Square Docks
294 Irvin Garrish Hwy, Ocracoke, NC 27960
Please call us directly! We don't keep up with social media!