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.

Kayak the Salt Marsh

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

Join a member of our education team for basic kayak instruction and safety lessons on shore followed by a 1.5-mile paddle through the salt marsh in our sit-in cockpit touring kayaks. The program is recommended for ages 12 and up. All participants under 18 must...

Get Tickets $27.00 – $35.00

Exploring Coastal Habitats on the Rachel Carson Reserve

North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort 315 Front St., Beaufort, NC, United States

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...

Maritime Heritage Series: The Story Behind Echo the Whale

North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort 315 Front St., Beaufort, NC, United States

Join Museum Natural Science Curator Keith Rittmaster for an informal discussion about “Echo” (the museum’s 33.5-foot sperm whale skeleton) and his heart. When the adolescent male whale came ashore at Cape Lookout in 2004, his bones and heart were preserved for study and display. Keith...

Free

Behind the Scenes at Bonehenge Whale Center

Bonehenge Whale Center 275 W Beaufort Rd Ext, Beaufort

Join us for a free 40-minute behind-the-scenes look at Bonehenge Whale Center. Learn about the marine mammals, including bottlenose dolphins, that live off the coast of North Carolina. The preparation of marine mammal skeletons for educational display will also be covered. Not recommended for children under...

Currently full Free

MARITIME HERITAGE SERIES: The Price of Victory: Federal Confiscation of Watercraft in Civil War North Carolina

North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort 315 Front St., Beaufort, NC, United States

During the Civil War, federal soldiers in coastal North Carolina confiscated civilian watercraft on behalf of the war effort. After the war, affected civilians could file for compensation through the Southern Claims Commission. The applications for compensation provide insights into the maritime lives of ordinary...

Free

Boo-fort Trunk or Treat

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

Join the Friends of the Maritime Museum for their annual Boo-fort Trunk or Treat! Wear your favorite costume and cruise between different ports (trunks) to gather treats or play tricks on those who are unprepared. This event will be held at the museum's Gallants Channel...

Free

Maritime Heritage Series: Sea Monsters

North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort 315 Front St., Beaufort, NC, United States

Legends and stories of sea monsters are almost culturally universal, with even landlocked groups of people telling tales of fantastic sea or water creatures. During this presentation museum Associate Education Curator Christine Brin will look at some of the most popular sea monsters and some...

Free

MARITIME HERITAGE SERIES: Lake Phelps Canoes: Their History and Preservation

North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort 315 Front St., Beaufort, NC, United States

Lake Phelps was an important maritime resource for Native Americans for thousands of years. In the 1980s, 23 dugout canoes were discovered in and around the lake; and four were recovered for further study. Elise Carroll, conservator for the North Carolina Office of State Conservation...

Free

History of Santa Claus, Patron Saint of Sailors

North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort 315 Front St., Beaufort, NC, United States

Did Santa prefer a green suit before he started wearing his now iconic red? What is Mrs. Claus’s first name? We may not have all the answers regarding the mysterious and jolly figure; but during this family-friendly presentation, we will try to answer some questions...

Free

U.S. Life-Saving Service Stations in Carteret County

North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort 315 Front St., Beaufort, NC, United States

Education Curator Benjamin Wunderly will give an overview of the history of the United States Life-Saving Service stations that existed in Carteret County, North Carolina. The Life-Saving Service had been operating in North Carolina for 14 years and already had 23 other stations along the...

Free
Recurring

30th Annual John Costlow Christmas Train Show

North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort 315 Front St., Beaufort, NC, United States

The museum is excited to welcome the return of the John Costlow Christmas Train Show this year! The annual show, which will be held in the museum auditorium, offers a glimpse into the past with antique working model trains and model trains of all sizes....

Free
Recurring

30th Annual John Costlow Christmas Train Show

North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort 315 Front St., Beaufort, NC, United States

The museum is excited to welcome the return of the John Costlow Christmas Train Show this year! The annual show, which will be held in the museum auditorium, offers a glimpse into the past with antique working model trains and model trains of all sizes....

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.