Alligator-Pungo River Canal

[rgranger]

Looking for some first hand stories/exploits/knowledge on traversing this canal. I have sailed these waters from the sound side but I have never traveled the canal. I am making summer plans and might consider this for part of my trip.

From satellite images, it looks like a long, quite, narrow, boring canal with no places to stop over or explore.

Is that right or is it a well kept ghunkholler's secret?

On specifics.... I see two bridges with clearances of 64 and 65 feet. Those will be no problem.. and a third at 14' right next to Alligator River Marina but it says it swings open on request. Is that right?

Are there any gas stops along the canal? It looks very rural from the satellite images.

 

[uncledom]

Alligator river marina is a gas stop. I had thought the bridge taller than 14' but checked and you are right. It opens 24 hours a day unless winds are over 35k. You can also get some fried chicken at the gas/market/marina/bbq store. It's unique to say the least.

 

[rgranger]

Alligator river marina is a gas stop. I had thought the bridge taller than 14' but checked and you are right. It opens 24 hours a day unless winds are over 35k. You can also get some fried chicken at the gas/market/marina/bbq store. It's unique to say the least.

Great thanks.... Can you tell me more about the canal? I only have 10 gallons of gas on my boat and the canal looks to be about 35 miles long. I should be able to make that leg but I'd feel better knowing there was a place to stop along the way. I have stayed the night at Alligator River Marina once before and got a fantastic burger at that bbq store you mentioned. On that trip, I had started at Elizabeth City, then to Edington, then Columbia and finally Alligator River before heading back to to Elizabeth City. I did not go south on the canal. I have also sailed a lot in the Neuse and have also sailed to Swan Quarter and Ocracoke but I have not yet sailed to Manteo (on my list for this summer). I have been to Manteo by car and loved it so I'm very excited about sailing there this summer. I want to start in Edington and work my way south. Taking my time and stopping at all of the quaint towns along the way. Not sure if I want to make a big circle using the canal to get back north... or if it would be better to just sail back to Edington in the sound... or maybe put a second car someplace south and drive north for my trailer and just pull the boat out once I'm down in the sound someplace. Any insights would be helpful.

Thnx
r

 

[Ed Caldwell]

Transited through there on a Catalina 350 about 1 1/2 yrs ago southbound, spent the night a few hundred yards off the ICW at the south end of the canal up the Pungo River (about SM 126). Nice overnight stop, but the canal was unremarkable.

 

[rgranger]

Transited through there on a Catalina 350 about 1 1/2 yrs ago southbound, spent the night a few hundred yards off the ICW at the south end of the canal up the Pungo River (about SM 126). Nice overnight stop, but the canal was unremarkable.

Thanks Ed

 

[Charlie Jones s/v Tehani]

Been through there 4 times twice in the 80's and twice lately- basically it's a canal- nothing out of the way, nothing remarkable- take some extra fuel along

 

[rgranger]

Thanks guys... sounds like it might be worth skipping if the weather is nice.

 

[SFS]

The Alligator River Marina may have changed hands yesterday.
https://outerbanksvoice.com/2017/03/26/auction-under-way-for-store-marina-at-alligator-river-bridge/

Owner is retiring.
http://cruisersnet.net/?s=alligator+river+marina&submit=submit

 

[rgranger]

Interesting... thanks for sharing.

 

[Gunni]

Sound if the weather is good, the ditch if it isn't. There is one really interesting circular lagoon on the lower end of the Alligator that looks like a asteroid crater filled with black tannic water. Spooky, captivating at night and full of hootin' tootin' critters.

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

Rob;
Knowing the local area is good. Never transit the canal on the Alligator River at night. carry extra fuel maybe several gallons only is needed for your boat.
The marina at the swing bridge is on the north side with entrance on the north side of US 64. Make sure the swing bridge is working before going that way as sometimes closed for maintenance or repairs. Hope this helps you.

 

[jibes138]

The canal itself runs right through a wildlife sanctuary so it is complete wilderness. I think it is a beautiful area to transit. There is an anchorage right at the start of the canal going south (north end of the canal) at the end of the alligator river. You can drop a hook just before entering the actual canal portion. There is also an anchorage at the southern end of the canal as you enter the Pungo River. You can get fuel at River Forrest Marina in Belhaven, and there is dockage if available. A fun trip might be to circumnavigate this area returning back through the sound via Manteo.

 

[Whatfiero1]

Do it early; in summer the biting flys ,mosquito's and knats will eat you alive