Lots of good choices... The Albermarle is closed to shell fishing... one reason it was off our list. We like to dig clams from the dinghy. There is also a rather large prohibited area in the Albermarle, Harvey Point. Military testing / bombing range out there. But the "Albermarle Loop" is interesting. A collection of marinas that offer free amenities to people making the loop. Worth checking out.
The Pamlico river has some good sailing too. McCotters in Washington is a full service Marina. There is also a place called "Potters" in bath that has nice slips and restrooms / showers. There is also a public dock in Bath Harbor owned by the NC State Cultural Resources folks. You can stay there for a couple nights and walk the town of Bath. Cool museum, historic houses and lots of Black Beard history. Washington, NC has outstanding public docks and waterfront with showers and restrooms as well. They are a bit far up the river though.
Oriental is nice. You can't get under the bridge if you are over 43' so that can limit access to some of the more protected dockage. The Oriental Yacht Club is currently offering slips though, in the main harbor. Very, very cool place with large covered dock / pier area over the harbor with pic nic tables and rocking chairs. Nice work space for small repairs and storage of sails / dinghies, etc. and a nice kitchen / bath / lounge, all set up in a facility that just oozes Oriental history. And quite affordable. Beaufort access is pretty easy for a week end trip. And the Piggly Wiggly will deliver your groceries to your dock.
I will post up a video in this forum shortly of a trip from Washington to Morehead City. If you browse the youtube channel from there you can find some other videos from sailing the Carolina Coast this spring.
