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.

Coastal Culture and Waterfowl Watching Excursion

Although this program has sold out, there is a second tour scheduled in December. You can also call 252-504-7758 to be added to the waitlist. Observe wintering waterfowl at wildlife refuges and seashores in Eastern North Carolina and experience some of our unique coastal communities....

Sold Out $85.50 – $95.00
Recurring

Whales off North Carolina

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

North Carolina has many species of whales that travel near our shores and sometimes strand on our beaches.  This makes it ideal for scientists to study and promote the conservation and understanding of these endangered marine mammals.  Join Natural Science Curator Keith Rittmaster to learn...

Free

Ports, Pilotage, and Shipping in Colonial 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 economic role of shipping in colonial North Carolina. In addition, the lecture will discuss the rise of ports and pilotage and how they facilitated economic development.  This program is part of the museum’s Maritime Heritage...

U.S. Life-Saving Service Operations on the North Carolina Coast

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

Join Education Curator Benjamin Wunderly in the museum auditorium as he covers the history of the United States Life-Saving Service in North Carolina. The small crews of this service, the predecessor to the United States Coast Guard, rescued hundreds of shipwrecked sailors during a time...

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....

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
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

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

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,...

Civil Air Patrol during World War II 

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

Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, America’s military was stretched thin, depending on the service of civilian men and women to defend America’s East coast at the beginning of World War II. Join Associate Education Curator Christine Brin for a look at the history of...

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.