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Cape Fear Riverboats

 

Join Us on The Henrietta & The Osprey!

• An exceptional cruise experience
• AIR-CONDITIONED lower deck
• Fascinating narration by the captain
• Snack Bar | ABC permits | Restrooms

The Henrietta & The Osprey are available for private charters year round!  

Sunset Cruises – Corporate Outings – Sight Seeing Tours.

Cape Fear Riverboats is downtown Wilmington’s longest continuously running boat tour. We’ve been offering a wide range of scenic Cape Fear River cruises since 1987. Our offers include narrated history and sightseeing tours, private charters, and exclusive nature tours with local ecologist Andy Wood. Our tours and charters offer downtown Wilmington visitors and locals an exciting yet relaxing option for holiday parties, anniversaries, birthdays, cocktail parties, romantic dates, and family reunions.

Welcome Aboard!

Upon leaving our dock we will cruise upriver to the forks of two major rivers then head south past Historic Wilmington on your left, the Battleship North Carolina and Eagles Island to your right .Our captains will give you a snapshot of Wilmington’s history from the early explorers to Modern day ships from all over the world.
 
You will enjoy a beautiful sun set on every cruise, and on occasion we have a spectacular moon rise to go along, a double treat for you. Bring your special someone and enjoy our open air vessel, while sipping your favorite beverage from our full bar. On your cruise we will visit the port where ships from around the world will be moored. The SUN Setting over Eagles Island, a MOON RISE over the city or Wilmington’s lights reflecting on the river are memories you will want to preserve so bring your camera.
 
Our boat becomes yours and with 33 years of experience we will make you make your event a memorial experience. We can host a private event or whatever occasion you may wish to celebrate. We can accommodate about 100 passengers on private charters. There are two decks for your pleasure so space is plentiful. Our dinning deck is climate controlled for year round comfort and our upper level is canopy covered for your guest enjoyment. You can enjoy a full bar on board and beverages must be purchased on board the Henrietta however food service has many options from which you may choose. Birthdays, family reunions, weddings or cooperate functions are all well suited for this unique setting that will make your event an experience all guest will remember fondly.
 
This tour showcases parts of North Carolina nature that are practically impossible to explore any other way! Experience the beauty and natural history of the Cape Fear region during a narrated nature cruise along these scenic and historic coastal rivers. Cruises are scheduled twice a month from May-October on a Wednesday morning. Since it’s a 4-hour trip, feel free to bring your own food however drinks must be purchased on board from our fully equipped bar.
 
 

Our Story

Cape Fear Riverboats, Inc. began in 1987 through the passion of Captain Carl Marshburn, boat captain, businessman, and strong advocate for tourism and history. Long before Wilmington was named one of TripAdvisor’s ‘Top Destinations on the Rise,’ Capt. Carl envisioned the downtown Wilmington historic district as a major tourist attraction. He knew people would enjoy water views of Wilmington coupled with rich narration highlighting the area’s history, legends, and charm.

“I love to entertain people, and this seemed like something good for Wilmington,” he said. “I saw the need for family-friendly, fun riverboat cruises departing from downtown on our popular river that would not only be a great adventure for people of all ages, but also to accurately interpret the region’s nautical history, natural beauty and the unique river ecology.”

Since 2023, Cape Fear Riverboats, is a family owned and operated business tracing their roots back to 1987 and carrying on the vision of Capt. Carl Marshburn. They specialize in providing unique and engaging travel experiences in Wilmington, NC. Offering a range of tours from historical explorations to scenic cruises, the company is dedicated to showcasing the best of Wilmington.

Cape Fear Riverboats, owns and operates 2 vessels in Wilmington, the Henrietta and the Osprey. They own and operate Sails and Harbor Tours as Charleston Harbor Tours on the Carolina Belle, the Charleston Princess, and the Schooner Pride. They also operate city bus and plantation tours in Charleston, SC through Adventure Sightseeing. They also own and operate Day Trips to Charleston in Myrtle Beach, Hampton Roads Harbor Tours in Hampton, VA and Hudson River Cruises in Kingston, NY.

We offer daily sightseeing river cruises, sunset cruises, black river nature cruises and Private Charters

Wilmington
Hours
Monday
08:00AM-06:30PM
Tuesday
08:00AM-06:30PM
Wednesday
08:00AM-06:30PM
Thursday
08:00AM-06:30PM
Friday
08:00AM-06:30PM
Saturday
08:00AM-06:30PM
Sunday
08:00AM-06:30PM
Cape Fear Map
Wilmington Sunset Beach Ocean Isle Beach Holden Beach Oak Island Bald Head Island Southport Kure Beach Carolina Beach WrightsvilleBeach
Wilmington Riverwalk

The Riverwalk in Downtown Wilmington is a showstopper of a stroll that is a distinctive attraction all its own. Originally conceived in the 1980s as a way to generate more interest and tourism to the Cape Fear River waterfront regions of Wilmington's historic Downtown, today the Riverwalk encompasses a full mile of scenic boardwalk, hugging the borders of the riverfront, and providing visitors with endless views and easy access to some of the Downtown's most beloved attractions.

The 7 Best Beach & Fishing Coolers 2025

Nothing beats an ice-cold beverage while relaxing on the beach. Nothing is worse than reaching for an icy drink and finding your cans swimming. Coolers are essential for family days on the sand. A good modern cooler will keep food and drinks fresh for days. In addition to beverages, fishermen rely coolers to keep bait fresh, and hopefully the catch of the day. Walk onto any beach or pier in North or South Carolina and you’ll see a plethora of cooler models and sizes. Cooler technology has advanced rapidly in modern years. Top-end hard-sided coolers can keep ice frozen for a week. Soft coolers are easier for one person to carry onto a beach, but can still keep food cool for days. Cooler materials and price points vary wildly, so we put together this guide with our recommendations for your coastal vacation.

Oak Island Beachfront Condo w/ Community...
4.9
(9)

Feel the best of Oak Island from this beachy vacation rental! Boasting ocean vistas from the balcony, this 3-bedroom, 2-bath condo is the ideal abode for a fast trip to the east coast, regardless of if you're traveling for business or enjoyment. Located near numerous public beaches and with access to the community pool, this condo has ample entertainment opportunities for the entire group. Grab some seafood from a local eatery or appreciate a home-cooked meal from this comfortable home!-- THE PROPERTY --Free WiFi | Beach Access | Central A/C | Beach Gear IncludedThis beachfront condo is the ideal hideaway for families or modest groups in Oak Island to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life.Bedroom 1: King Bed | Bedroom 2: Queen Bed | Bedroom 3: 2 Twin BedsKITCHEN: Entirely equipped, drip coffee maker, dishware & flatware, spices, slow cookerCONDO LIVING: Flat-screen TV, dining table, ceiling fans, private balcony, dining setGENERAL: Towels, linens, central air conditioning/heat, keyless entry, beach gear (cooler, body boards, sand toys & smokey joe grille), washer & dryerFAQ: Access only by stairs, seasonal community pool (open May 15th to September 30th), no golf cart chargingPARKING: Parking lot (2 cars)-- THE LOCATION --BEACH ATTRACTIONS: Oak Island Beach (on-site), Oak Island Pier (2.0 miles), Ocean Crest Fishing Pier (2.4 miles), Caswell Beach (3.4 miles)DINING: Tranquil Harbour Restaurant & Bar (0.3 miles), Pizza Shack (0.5 miles), Pepperoni Grille at the Beach (0.7 miles), Shagger Jacks (1.5 miles)BOATING: Intracoastal Waterway (0.9 miles), Safe Harbor South Harbor Village (4.5 miles), St. James Marina (6.8 miles), Southport Marina (9.1 miles)GOLF: Oak Island Golf Club (2.7 miles), Founder Club (9.6 miles)AREA ATTRACTIONS: Oak Island Nature Center (1.0 miles), Oak Island Lighthouse (4.8 miles), Fort Fisher State Historic Site (50.7 miles), North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher (51.6 miles)AIRPORT: Wilmington International Airport (36.0 miles)-- REST EASY WITH US --Evolve makes it painless to find and book properties you'll never want to leave. You can relax knowing that our properties will always be ready for you and that we'll answer the phone 24/7. Even better, if anything is off about your stay, we'll make it right. You can count on our homes and our people to make you feel welcome — because we know what vacation means to you.-- POLICIES --- No smoking- No family pets allowed- No events, events, or huge gatherings- Must be at least 25 years old to book- Additional costs and taxes may apply- Photo ID may be required upon check-in- NOTE: The property requires stairs and may be difficult for guests with limited mobility- NOTE: The community pool is open May 15th to September 30th- NOTE: Golf cart charging is not allowed at this condo

  • Oak Island
  • 3 Bedrooms
  • 2 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 6
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