New Bern Area Waterways
All waterways have unique characteristics, geological features and ecosystems, differing saline properties, challenges to navigation and discrepancies. Before you boat, learn about the local area and waters you will traverse.
Discover what makes the Trent and Neuse Rivers unique in and around New Bern:
Sign Up to take our Local Waters Class! You will gain valuable knowledge from our experienced and trained US Coast Guard Auxiliary instructors. They will inform you about many important topics regarding our local waters and beyond. The topics will include: local hazards to navigation, local conditions, where to get fuel, locations of marinas, and much more.
To learn more and to Sign Up for the class click on Boating Courses, located in the menu on the left side of this page to find class times and locations near you.
Always check the local weather forecast before you get underway! Check the local charts for important information you will need to know along your route. Know and follow the navigation rules.
There are a few different types of bridges over the Neuse and Trent
Rivers in and around New Bern, NC. The bridges have various heights and
widths. They may be fixed, may swing open, or may be a draw bridge. Be prepared, in case you may need to wait a while, as there is no set schedule for openings and closings for either of the two Norfolk
Southern Railroad bridges in New Bern.
There will be obstacles such as trees, crab pots, obstructed markers, submerged pilings and other hazards to navigation to watch for, along the Neuse and Trent Rivers. Your Situational Awareness Is Important. So Is Wearing Your Life Jacket. Learn what things you may encounter in, on and around our rivers and find out where they're located in our Local Waters Class.
Find out what events may be occurring along your route, before you get underway. In New Bern, you may encounter Seaplanes flying low in the sky above you, as well as navigating on the water with you.
Know where you may find safe harbor along your route. Be especially cautious on the water after a recent storm. There can be debris in the water, damaged or missing markers, erosion, shoaling among other things which will require your situational awareness. Be sure that you have enough fuel. Hurricane Florence hit New Bern, NC on September 14, 2018. The fuel dock at Northwest Creek Marina remained closed for repair of the damage sustained during the hurricane until May 13, 2019.
HERE ARE SOME LINKS TO MORE INFORMATION REGARDING OUR RIVERS:
NC Wildlife Resources Commission Boating In North Carolina - North Carolina marine information and boating resources.
North Carolina Sea Grant - Coastal research and information resources for a healthier coast.
The North Carolina Marine Patrol - The mission of the Marine Patrol is to ensure sustainable marine and estuarine fisheries, for the benefit of the people of North Carolina.
NOAA National Weather Service Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service Interactive Area Map - Click on this link for water level gauges, observations, resources, forecasts, flood risks and warnings from Weather Forecast Office Newport/Morehead City, NC. View statements and warnings and choose a specific point or river on the map for details at that location. Note: Some gauges are currently out of service. Click on each of the links below to view updated water level gauge details near New Bern and Oriental, NC:
- NOAA Hydrologic Prediction Neuse River Below Vanceboro
- NOAA Hydrologic Prediction Neuse River at Oriental