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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...

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Pelicans nesting with their babies

A pod of Ocracoke Dolphins

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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! 

Please call us directly! We don't keep up with social media! 

Capt. Rudy Austin

252-928-4361

Capt. Donald Austin

252-928-5431

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