North Carolina Maritime Museum

The North Carolina Maritime Museum documents shipbuilding, fishing, and coastal traditions through multiple exhibition levels. The collections show the craftsmanship and resources needed for people to live and work by the sea.

The museum grew from a natural history collection at the U.S. Fisheries Laboratories on a nearby island. The institution relocated to its present location in 1984 and has systematically displayed the area's maritime history since then.

The museum displays how people along North Carolina's coast earned their living from the sea and its resources. Visitors encounter traditional fishing practices and learn about the craftspeople who built and maintained vessels.

Visitors should check opening days before visiting, as schedules may change with the season. It is wise to allow time for all exhibition levels, especially if you also want to explore the boat-building workshop attached to the museum.

A special feature is the Harvey W. Smith Watercraft Center, where traditional wooden boats are built and craftspeople demonstrate their construction techniques. Visitors can watch this handmaking process in action and see the skill passed down through generations.

Location: Beaufort

Opening Hours: Monday-Saturday 10:00-17:00; Sunday 12:00-17:00

Phone: +12525047740

Website: https://ncmaritimemuseumbeaufort.com

GPS coordinates: 34.71781,-76.66627

Latest update: December 10, 2025 16:29