Only In Onslow

Get Hooked on Onslow’s Great Outdoors

Spring is an ideal time of year to enjoy  Onslow Great Outdoors at the southern coast of North Carolina for a last-minute getaway as well as a family vacation!

Families get hooked easily on our beautiful waterways and beaches, ripe with a host of all kinds of water recreation.  Combine a day of fun while taking in natural scenery and wildlife aboard a chartered boat, Pogie’s Charters, along the White Oak River and Intracoastal Waterway.  Packages are priced at reasonable rates and range from sunset cruise to longer cruises that are perfect for family outings up the White Oak River.

Onslow County is also an angler’s paradise with numerous places to bait a hook!

Pier fishing is a common sight in Swansboro at Bicentennial Park or at the SeaviewFishing Pier in North Topsail Beach.  If you are looking for some inshore fishing, there are some friendly local experts in Jacksonville that can help make your fishing trip a memorable one.

Captain Marc, of Bad Habit Sport Fishing, in Sneads Ferry, has twenty years of experience chartering offshore excursions that produce some great catches of Spanish mackerel, Atlantic bonito, trout, cobia, king mackerel, grouper, snapper, Mahi, tuna, wahoo, sailfish, and blue marlin.  Reel Livin’ Fishing Charters has several options for excursions out on the water including an interactive shrimp trawling voyage.  Passengers can participate as much or as little as they like and have an opportunity to take home a portion of the catch!

For something different, consider a private excursion to Hammocks Beach and the islands around Swansboro with Marsh Cruises! Explore our area’s coastline, as well as our maritime forest ecosystems and salt marshes.  Do some dolphin watching & more!  Captain Darryl is a Swansboro local and his  23 ft. BayRider Skiff can take you comfortably through the beautiful winding backwaters of Swansboro and Emerald Isle.  If you’d like to do some shelling, he knows all of the sweet spots!

Outdoor adventurers enjoy seeing the natural wonder and beauty along the intercoastal waterways in Swansboro.  Paddle NC offers kayak tours and rentals and has several locations throughout Onslow County.

Jetski, pontoon boats, and paddleboard rentals are available along with guided and unguided tours by Swansboro Paddle Boarding.

Pogie’s in Swansboro is a great outfitter for kayak fishing excursions, fishing charters, and rentals. They know where all of the honey holes are along Swansboro coastal waters.

Where to Eat

Onslow County has some amazing dining options.  Enjoy a wide variety of cuisines from the country to the coast.  Try some  North Carolina barbecue at Thig’s, or a southern home-cooked style dinner at local favorite Mike’s Farm in Richlands.

If you’re at the coast and want the full experience, Sneads Ferry is known as the Shrimp Capital of the East Coast.  At the top of the list would be Riverview Cafe or Rick’s Restaurant & Sports Bar.  Without a doubt, Swansboro and its historic downtown district have some world-class waterfront restaurants that will enchant you.  See our online  Visitors Guide, or request a copy in the mail for a complete list.

Where to Stay

Onslow County offers a great value for families looking to explore the coastal region of North Carolina.  Staying in Jacksonville is the perfect location for day trips and excursions with easy access to many local and regional attractions.

If you’d like to stay at the beach, check out the Quality Inn – Sneads Ferry/North Topsail Beach, or The Topsail Shores Inn, as well as the Hampton Inn – Sneads Ferry/North Topsail Beach.

If you’re looking for a Trip Advisor top-rated hotel in Swansboro – we recommend the Hampton Inn & Suites Swansboro / near Camp Lejeune.

For more information about our area, check out our social media pages on Facebook and Instagram!  We look forward to seeing you in Onslow County!