Public Launching Ramps

North Topsail Beach:
From N.C. 210 eastbound, turn left immediately after crossing Intracoastal Waterway bridge to ramp.

Wrightsville Beach:
From U.S. 74-76 eastbound, turn right immediately after crossing drawbridge. Follow roadway under bridge to ramp. Provides access to ocean through Masonboro Inlet: south on waterway to marker 129, then left; or through Banks Channel.

Carolina Beach/Snows Cut:
From U.S. 421 southbound, turn left immediately after crossing Snows Cut bridge; follow roadway under bridge to ramp at east end of Snows Cut. Provides access to ocean through Carolina Beach Inlet: north on waterway to marker 155A; and to Cape Fear River, west through Snows Cut.

Oak Island:
From N.C. 133 southbound, turn left just before Oak Island bridge on Fish Factory Road. Follow road one-half mile to ramp.

Sunset Harbor:
From Southport or Oak Island, follow N.C. 211 westbound. Turn left (south) on Sunset Harbor Road. Follow road six miles to ramp.

Holden Beach:
From N.C. 130 southbound, cross Holden Beach bridge, turn left on Ocean Boulevard. Turn left again on Jordan Street to ramp under bridge.

Cape Fear River - Fort Fisher:
From Kure Beach, follow U.S. 421 to end near ferry landing. Provides access to "The Basin" and The Rocks-Zeke Island area for shallow-draft boats. No direct access to the river.

Carolina Beach State Park:
From N.C. 421 southbound, turn right on Dow Road immediately after crossing Snows Cut Bridge. From Dow Road, turn right on State Park Road into park. Follow signs to marina. Access to Snows Cut, which connects to river and Intracoastal Waterway.

Wilmington - Dram Tree Park:
From South Front Street, turn west on Castle Street. Ramp is at end of street.

Kings Bluff (Lock & Dam #1):
Off N.C. 87 west of Riegelwood. North on Kings Bluff Road to river. Ramp is below dam.

Elwell Ferry:
Off N.C. 87 east of Elizabethtown. North on Elwell Ferry Road to river.

Brown's Landing (Lock & Dam #2):
From N.C. 87 east of Elizabethtown, turn right on N.C 87 business. Turn right at bottom of hill, follow road ½ mile north to ramp. Ramp is below dam.

Tory Hole:
U.S. 701 north of N.C. 87 business in Elizabethtown. Turn left just before bridge; ramp is under bridge.

Belville:
From U.S. 17-74-76, take N.C. 133 southbound. Ramp is on Belville Town Park, on left (east) side of highway.   (Personal note: Ramp is not maintained and has large holes in the concrete below the waterline.   Very shallow water, esp. at low tide.

Hunts Bluff:
West of Currie and Moore's Creek battlefield. Follow N.C. 210 west, turn right on Morgan Road, right on Hunt's Bluff Road (gravel) to river.

Castle Hayne:
From U.S. 117 northbound, turn right on Orange Street just past Castle Hayne business district, just before bridge.

Holly Shelter:
From I-40, follow N.C. 210 eastbound, cross Northeast Cape Fear River Bridge; immediately after bridge, turn left (north) on Shaw Highway. Follow Shaw Highway about six miles to ramp.

Pireway:
From Sunset Beach, follow N.C. 904 northbound 10 miles. Ramp is on right at bridge.

Soundside Park

From Highway 210/50, turn right immediately after the Surf City swing bridge and look for the Wildlife ramp in Surf City.