Paid programs are sponsored by the Friends of the Maritime Museum in Beaufort.

Registration and Refund Policy:

Registration costs, less a 10% fee, are refunded when the museum receives cancellation notice at least 48 hours before the start of a program. There is no refund within 48 hours of the start of a program, and tickets cannot be transferred to a later program date within that 48 hour timeframe. Due to material costs and supply, Harvey W. Smith Watercraft Center Courses require a 2-week notification for cancellations; only the course fee is refunded if cancellation occurs prior to 2 weeks. The Museum reserves the right to cancel any program that does not meet the minimum participant requirement up to one week before the program is scheduled. In the event of cancellation due to low enrollment, participants who have submitted a fee will receive a full refund. If a program is canceled due to inclement weather and unable to be rescheduled for another date, the participants will receive a full refund.

The Maritime Dimensions of Coastal Plantations

Fort Macon State Park 2303 E. Fort Macon Road, Atlantic Beach, United States

Join David Bennett, curator of maritime history, to learn about the maritime activities of coastal plantations in antebellum North Carolina, including shipping, shipbuilding, ferries, landings, commercial fishing, and more. He will also discuss the lives of free and enslaved watermen associated with coastal plantations.  This program...

From Lightships to Light Towers: Illuminating the Capes of North Carolina

Fort Macon State Park 2303 E. Fort Macon Road, Atlantic Beach, United States

Shortly after the construction of several coastal lighthouses in North Carolina, it was apparent that some locations would require additional warning lights. The dangerous shoals of Diamond, Lookout and Frying Pan proved difficult to pilot around for many seafaring captains. Join Education Curator Benjamin Wunderly...

Free

Exploring Coastal Habitats on the Rachel Carson Reserve

Join a member of our education team to discover the various plants and animals of the salt marsh and tidal flats at the Rachel Carson Reserve. The guided hike will take you through the different habitats and the sandy, muddy, and wet terrain found on...

Get Tickets $22.50 – $25.00
Recurring

The Vice-Admiralty Courts of Colonial North Carolina 

Fort Macon State Park 2303 E. Fort Macon Road, Atlantic Beach, United States

In colonial North Carolina, maritime law was enforced by the Vice-Admiralty Courts. Join Maritime History Curator David Bennett to learn about how the Vice-Admiralty Courts functioned, as well as their involvement in cases regarding smuggling, shipwrecks, prizes, and more.  This program is part of the...

Hiking and History on Shackleford Banks

Experience Outer Banks history and wildlife with a guided hike on Shackleford Banks, part of the Cape Lookout National Seashore. Participants will take a ferry to an undeveloped barrier island. This field trip requires hiking through sandy terrain for about 1.5 miles. The program is...

Get Tickets $31.50 – $35.00

Beaufort’s Dolphins: Getting to Know Them

Fort Macon State Park 2303 E. Fort Macon Road, Atlantic Beach, United States

Bottlenose dolphins occur in Beaufort year-round but they’re not the same individuals and we’re learning a lot from photo-ID and stranding response. Join Museum Natural Science Curator Keith Rittmaster for an informal discussion about the biology, behavior, and conservation issues affecting "Beaufort’s Dolphins."   This...

Free

Exploring Coastal Habitats on the Rachel Carson Reserve

Join a member of our education team to discover the various plants and animals of the salt marsh and tidal flats at the Rachel Carson Reserve. The guided hike will take you through the different habitats and the sandy, muddy, and wet terrain found on...

Get Tickets $22.50 – $25.00

A General History of Mermaids

Fort Macon State Park 2303 E. Fort Macon Road, Atlantic Beach, United States

The oceans truly connect us all, from pole to pole and around the equator. The legend of the mermaid is a great representation of that connection, one that binds seafarers the world over. A half-human, half-fish creature has appeared in many cultures throughout time and...

Free

Bonehenge Public Tours

Bonehenge Whale Center 275 W Beaufort Rd Ext, Beaufort

Join us for a 40 to 60-minute walking tour of Bonehenge Whale Center, led by Natural Science Curator Keith Rittmaster and Associate Museum Curator Christine Brin. Keith has spent over 35 years studying marine mammals off the coast of North Carolina, focusing on bottlenose dolphins....

Kayak the Salt Marsh

Gallants Channel 293 West Beaufort Road, Beaufort, NC, United States

Learn about salt marshes and wildlife while on the water. Basic kayak instruction and safety lessons on shore are followed by a 1.5-mile paddle through the salt marsh in our sit-in cockpit touring kayaks; or bring your own kayak and join us at a discount....

Get Tickets $27.00 – $35.00

The Stamp Act Crisis in North Carolina

Fort Macon State Park 2303 E. Fort Macon Road, Atlantic Beach, United States

Join Maritime History Curator David Bennett to learn about the protests of North Carolinians in 1765 and 1766 against a tax levied by Parliament on public papers (legal and commercial documents, newspapers, licenses, etc.). The political crisis resulted in the temporary closure of North Carolina’s ports,...

49th Annual Wooden Boat Show

Harvey W. Smith Watercraft Center 322 Front Street, Beaufort, NC, United States

Join us for the 49th Annual Wooden Boat Show, the longest running boat show in the southeast! Whether you’re a boating enthusiast or prefer to keep your feet on dry land, the Annual Wooden Boat Show has activities for all ages. This free event, held...

Free

Registration and Refund Policy:

Registration costs, less a 10% fee, are refunded when the museum receives cancellation notice at least 48 hours before the start of a program. There is no refund within 48 hours of the start of a program, and tickets cannot be transferred to a later program date within that 48 hour timeframe. Due to material costs and supply, Harvey W. Smith Watercraft Center Courses require a 2-week notification for cancellations; only the course fee is refunded if cancellation occurs prior to 2 weeks. The Museum reserves the right to cancel any program that does not meet the minimum participant requirement up to one week before the program is scheduled. In the event of cancellation due to low enrollment, participants who have submitted a fee will receive a full refund. If a program is canceled due to inclement weather and unable to be rescheduled for another date, the participants will receive a full refund.