Boating Around Wrightsville Beach, NC: Palm Tree, Masonboro & Figure Eight

Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina, is one of the East Coast’s top boating destinations. With easy access to the Intracoastal Waterway, barrier islands, and hidden sandbars, it’s no wonder locals and visitors alike spend their weekends on the water. Whether you’re dropping anchor at Palm Tree Island, cruising to Masonboro Island, or taking in the exclusive views near Figure Eight, boating here offers something for everyone.

In this guide, we’ll cover the best boating spots, plus how to get on the water — from boat clubs and rentals to owning your own boat and securing a slip.

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Top Boating Destinations Around Wrightsville Beach

🌴 Palm Tree Island

Just north of the Wrightsville Beach boat ramp sits Palm Tree Island, a small sandbar famous for its quirky fake palm tree and parking meter. It’s located in a no-wake zone, which makes it a popular hangout spot at low tide. Families, paddleboarders, and boaters anchor here to enjoy shallow water fun in the heart of the Intracoastal Waterway.

🏝 Masonboro Island

If you’re craving untouched beaches, head south to Masonboro Island, an 8-mile long barrier island that’s only accessible by boat. The sound side is calm and perfect for anchoring, while the oceanfront offers wide, undeveloped beaches ideal for fishing, swimming, and exploring the dunes. It’s one of the last unspoiled barrier islands in North Carolina, making it a must-visit boating destination.

🌊 Figure Eight Island & Mason’s Inlet

To the north, Mason’s Inlet is known for its clear blue water and sandbars where boaters love to drop anchor. Beyond that lies Figure Eight Island, a private, gated island community that can only be accessed by residents or by boat. Cruising past Figure Eight offers scenic views of luxury homes and quiet stretches of beach, adding a touch of exclusivity to your boating adventure.

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Boating Options in Wrightsville Beach

Not sure how you want to get on the water? You’ve got options.

⚓ Boat Clubs

Boat clubs are a great way to enjoy boating without the hassle of ownership. Members pay a monthly fee and get access to a fleet of boats — from center consoles to bowriders. Clubs like Sea Gate Boat Club and Destination Boat Clubs handle the maintenance, storage, and cleaning, so you can just show up and go.

🚤 Renting a Boat

If you want more flexibility, you can rent a boat for a half-day, full-day, or even by the hour. Services like Boatsetter and local marinas offer rentals ranging from small skiffs to larger fishing boats. Rentals typically start around $40–$75 per hour depending on size and season.

🛥 Buying a Boat

For those ready to fully embrace the coastal lifestyle, buying your own boat is the ultimate option. Ownership gives you freedom and flexibility — but also comes with maintenance, storage, and slip costs to consider.

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Wet Slips vs. Dry Slips

Once you own a boat, you’ll need a place to keep it. Wrightsville Beach offers both wet slips and dry slips, each with its own pros and cons.

• Wet Slips – Your boat stays in the water, docked at a marina, often with access to power, water, and Wi-Fi. Wet slips are available for daily, monthly, or annual leases, depending on the marina.
• Dry Slips (Dry Stack Storage) – Facilities like Bridge Tender Marina, MarineMax, and Atlantic Marine offer dry stack storage, where your boat is stored out of the water in a rack system. Staff will launch your boat for you on request, saving wear and tear while keeping it protected from the elements.

Dry storage is a convenient option for boaters who don’t live on the water but want easy, low-maintenance access to their vessel.

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Costs to Expect

Boating around Wrightsville Beach comes with a range of cost options depending on how you get on the water:

• Boat Club Memberships – Monthly fee + hourly usage (roughly $35–$45/hour)
• Rentals – $40–$75/hour or daily/half-day packages
• Private Charters – $45–$65/person or hourly rates with a captain
• Wet Slips – Priced by boat size and lease term (contact marinas for availability)
• Dry Slips – Monthly or annual fees, often lower maintenance costs than wet slips

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Final Thoughts

From sandbar parties at Palm Tree Island to the peaceful seclusion of Masonboro, Wrightsville Beach is a boater’s dream. Whether you’re renting for the weekend, joining a boat club, or docking your own boat at a wet or dry slip, there’s an option to match your lifestyle and budget.

No matter how you get there, one thing is certain — exploring Wrightsville Beach by water is the best way to experience coastal North Carolina. 🌅