Wilmington-NC.com

Cape Fear Riverboats

 

Join Us on The Henrietta & The Osprey!

• An exceptional cruise experience
• AIR-CONDITIONED lower deck
• Fascinating narration by the captain
• Snack Bar | ABC permits | Restrooms

The Henrietta & The Osprey are available for private charters year round!  

Sunset Cruises – Corporate Outings – Sight Seeing Tours.

Cape Fear Riverboats is downtown Wilmington’s longest continuously running boat tour. We’ve been offering a wide range of scenic Cape Fear River cruises since 1987. Our offers include narrated history and sightseeing tours, private charters, and exclusive nature tours with local ecologist Andy Wood. Our tours and charters offer downtown Wilmington visitors and locals an exciting yet relaxing option for holiday parties, anniversaries, birthdays, cocktail parties, romantic dates, and family reunions.

Welcome Aboard!

Upon leaving our dock we will cruise upriver to the forks of two major rivers then head south past Historic Wilmington on your left, the Battleship North Carolina and Eagles Island to your right .Our captains will give you a snapshot of Wilmington’s history from the early explorers to Modern day ships from all over the world.
 
You will enjoy a beautiful sun set on every cruise, and on occasion we have a spectacular moon rise to go along, a double treat for you. Bring your special someone and enjoy our open air vessel, while sipping your favorite beverage from our full bar. On your cruise we will visit the port where ships from around the world will be moored. The SUN Setting over Eagles Island, a MOON RISE over the city or Wilmington’s lights reflecting on the river are memories you will want to preserve so bring your camera.
 
Our boat becomes yours and with 33 years of experience we will make you make your event a memorial experience. We can host a private event or whatever occasion you may wish to celebrate. We can accommodate about 100 passengers on private charters. There are two decks for your pleasure so space is plentiful. Our dinning deck is climate controlled for year round comfort and our upper level is canopy covered for your guest enjoyment. You can enjoy a full bar on board and beverages must be purchased on board the Henrietta however food service has many options from which you may choose. Birthdays, family reunions, weddings or cooperate functions are all well suited for this unique setting that will make your event an experience all guest will remember fondly.
 
This tour showcases parts of North Carolina nature that are practically impossible to explore any other way! Experience the beauty and natural history of the Cape Fear region during a narrated nature cruise along these scenic and historic coastal rivers. Cruises are scheduled twice a month from May-October on a Wednesday morning. Since it’s a 4-hour trip, feel free to bring your own food however drinks must be purchased on board from our fully equipped bar.
 
 

Our Story

Cape Fear Riverboats, Inc. began in 1987 through the passion of Captain Carl Marshburn, boat captain, businessman, and strong advocate for tourism and history. Long before Wilmington was named one of TripAdvisor’s ‘Top Destinations on the Rise,’ Capt. Carl envisioned the downtown Wilmington historic district as a major tourist attraction. He knew people would enjoy water views of Wilmington coupled with rich narration highlighting the area’s history, legends, and charm.

“I love to entertain people, and this seemed like something good for Wilmington,” he said. “I saw the need for family-friendly, fun riverboat cruises departing from downtown on our popular river that would not only be a great adventure for people of all ages, but also to accurately interpret the region’s nautical history, natural beauty and the unique river ecology.”

Since 2023, Cape Fear Riverboats, is a family owned and operated business tracing their roots back to 1987 and carrying on the vision of Capt. Carl Marshburn. They specialize in providing unique and engaging travel experiences in Wilmington, NC. Offering a range of tours from historical explorations to scenic cruises, the company is dedicated to showcasing the best of Wilmington.

Cape Fear Riverboats, owns and operates 2 vessels in Wilmington, the Henrietta and the Osprey. They own and operate Sails and Harbor Tours as Charleston Harbor Tours on the Carolina Belle, the Charleston Princess, and the Schooner Pride. They also operate city bus and plantation tours in Charleston, SC through Adventure Sightseeing. They also own and operate Day Trips to Charleston in Myrtle Beach, Hampton Roads Harbor Tours in Hampton, VA and Hudson River Cruises in Kingston, NY.

We offer daily sightseeing river cruises, sunset cruises, black river nature cruises and Private Charters

Wilmington
Hours
Monday
08:00AM-06:30PM
Tuesday
08:00AM-06:30PM
Wednesday
08:00AM-06:30PM
Thursday
08:00AM-06:30PM
Friday
08:00AM-06:30PM
Saturday
08:00AM-06:30PM
Sunday
08:00AM-06:30PM
Cape Fear Map
Wilmington Sunset Beach Ocean Isle Beach Holden Beach Oak Island Bald Head Island Southport Kure Beach Carolina Beach WrightsvilleBeach
Cape Fear & Brunswick Islands Fishing Guide

Whether a visitor lands in the inland regions of Wilmington and mainland New Hanover County, or the coastal vacation hotspots of Carolina Beach and Wrightsville Beach, fishing is always readily available – and celebrated – in the Cape Fear area. A favorite activity for locals and visitors alike, the sheer variety of waters and terrain ensures that anglers of all tastes will never be too far away from a local fishing hole or a full-fledged fishing adventure.

Wilmington Riverwalk

The Riverwalk in Downtown Wilmington is a showstopper of a stroll that is a distinctive attraction all its own. Originally conceived in the 1980s as a way to generate more interest and tourism to the Cape Fear River waterfront regions of Wilmington's historic Downtown, today the Riverwalk encompasses a full mile of scenic boardwalk, hugging the borders of the riverfront, and providing visitors with endless views and easy access to some of the Downtown's most beloved attractions.

Down Time - Beautiful Dog-Friendly 3-Bed...
5.0
(42)

Unwind with your whole family (6 guest max./5 adults max.)– dogs supplied – at this comfortable bungalow located on the “peaceful side” of Oak Island, NC! Down Time has new appliances, a completely outfitted kitchen, washer/dryer, and Intelligent TVs in the living room and bedrooms include Netflix, Hulu, Prime and HBO Max. The bedrooms are newly furnished, and our cavernous sunroom is ideal for reading or appreciating the view. A fenced backyard includes an outdoor shower (shut down December through February), patio, outdoor dining, and fire pit. Only a few steps to enter the home - no elevators! DOWN TIME was made to be cozy for both you and dogs! Every bedroom and the living room include Intelligent TVs with blazing fast fiber optic internet and include Netflix, Amazon Prime, HBO Max, and Hulu (including live programing for news and sports). All of the furnishings in the home is new and ready for you and your dogs to appreciate. The kitchen is entirely supplied with dishes, cooking silverware, gas range, microwave, pots, pans, coffee pot, crockpots, toaster, air-fryer, and much more. Your family and friends can savor meals at the kitchen island, the dining room table or even on the six-seat table in the backyard.Our backyard is fenced and private and includes an enclosed private outdoor shower with hot water, which is great for when you return from a trip to the beach. Your dogs will enjoy a mostly grassy area and the seating on the patio includes Adirondack chairs, dining table for 6, and a lounger to enjoy around the firepit or while cooking on the park-style charcoal grille. Additional ‘paw wash’ stations (water hoses) are also available to wash off before entering the home from the beach. We try to keep a variety of beach items (chairs, toys, etc.) in our storage bin in the backyard for your use but we do not guarantee these items will be available during your visit.Linens are supplied for your visit. We include two Queen sheet sets, one Full set, one Twin set, six towel sets and a dish towel set. Our laundry area features full-size washer and dryers so that you can keep things fresh during your stay and leave with clean laundry! As an additional convenience, we have installed an Electric Car (220 Amp 50 volt) and golf cart charging station at the main entrance.You’ll find tons of games, puzzles, books, cornhole and Bocce ball set to keep you and your family entertained.The entire home is floored with luxury vinyl plank to help prevent difficult mess clean-ups, and pet amenities like dog beds for inside and outside are available. Dog crates (one enormous, two modest) are in the home for your use if you wish and located under the second guest room bed. We welcome two dogs without weight or breed restrictions without charge and additional dogs may only be added for a fee and host approval.DOWN TIME regularly welcomes dogs. If you or another guest is allergic to dogs, you may wish to find another vacation option. We only accept two dogs without charge. If you need to bring additional dogs, please contact us for information about additional costs/approval. Bringing more than two dogs without owner acknowledgement can lead to immediate eviction, or an additional fee of $300 per dog charged to reservation payment method. Cats are explicitly not allowed under any circumstance due to owner allergies.PLEASE NOTE: Although many online vacation rental companies (Vacation Rental By Owner) permit a limit on adults, many listings DO NOT state that limit. Down Time has a limit of 5 adults, but a total of six guests.Please Read All House Rules - Violation of home rules will result in immediate eviction.Security Cameras are located on the exterior of the home at all entrances. Tampering with the security cameras will result immediate eviction. The cameras are for your protection and ours.Please note: Lawn maintenance is scheduled for near or around the 1st and 15th of every month but may be before or after those dates depending on the weather. Our lawn service will not be at Down Time before 10 am, and should only be at the property for roughly one hour.Six guests max.. 5 Adults max..Travel Coverage and Vacation Protection is highly recommended. We do not provide any refund for unforeseen or unfortunate events or any cancellations within 7 days under any circumstance, including but not limited to storms, hurricanes, evacuations, epidemics, or hospitalizations. Some credit card companies provide travel protection as a benefit. Check your benefits. Consider purchasing additional, appropriate coverage. Please read your selected policy carefully to ensure it meets your personal needs and requirements.

  • Oak Island
  • 3 Bedrooms
  • 2 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 6
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