Wright Creek in North Carolina

Trip Overview

We enjoyed a nice cold, crisp, and sunny mid-week paddle on Wright Creek and a bit of Satterthwaite Creek, near the mouth of the Pungo River in eastern NC. Access is available for $3/boat at Wright Creek Restaurant and Marina (formerly Buddy's Seafood) at the mouth of Wright Creek at the end of Wilkins Road (SR 1726), left off Pamlico Beach Road.

Typical coastal marsh scenery. About a 5 mile round trip. Some interesting old (and not so old) abandoned shrimpers and other commercial boats in the creeks that could make interesting photo ops. Fortunately, no obvious pollution coming from any of them.

Could be windy around the access point as its near the open river. Cold water gear & life jackets should be worn in winter.

Other paddle trails on Satterwaithe Creek and the Pungo River are available from this launch site.

Accommodations:

Motels available in nicely reviving Washington, NC about 30 miles east of Wright Creek. Bed & Breakfasts available nearby in Bellhaven, NC. Motels and B&Bs also available in Swan Quarter (about 15 miles east of Bellhaven), the local ferry gateway to Okracoke Island, NC and the Atlantic Ocean.

Fees:

Three dollar fee to launch at Wright Creek Restaurant and Marina.

Directions:

NC 264 east from Washington, NC, bearing right on NC 92 east toward Bath. NC 92 becomes NC 99 after the Bayview Ferry road. NC 99 east to Ransomeville bearing right onto NC 1722 (S. Savannah Rd) toward Winsteadville. Right onto Pamlico Beach Road (NC 1725) to left onto Wilkins Road (NC 1726) to Wright Creek Restaurant & Marina Access.

Resources:

Beaufort County (NC) Canoe/Kayak Paddle Trails guide and atlas. This very comprehensive and attractive, water-resistant guide is available from Innerbanks Outfitters, and the Pamlico Tar River Foundation in Washington, NC.