Climb aboard the 65-foot Crystal Dawn for half-day fishing trips, sunset cruises, private trips and more.
Every trip is a wildlife-watching and sightseeing adventure! From the upper or lower deck you’ll enjoy breathtaking views of the sound, inlet, marsh, islands, sandbars and unique Outer Banks landmarks. You’ll see a variety of local watercraft as well as shorebirds, osprey, pelicans and everybody’s favorite – bottlenose dolphins! Have your camera ready!
Whale Watching & Gulf Stream Adventure Tours
Country Girl offers this sightseeing tour for those who want to experience the beauty of the Gulf Stream without the fishing. A warm, strikingly blue current about 35 miles offshore, the Gulf Stream is home to abundant sea life. Wildlife you might see includes fish of all sorts, sea turtles, dolphins, whales, rays, sharks, flying fish and a variety of pelagic birds. Along the way you’ll see Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, Diamond Shoals Light Station and more. Full-day trip. Call (252) 473-5881 for rates and schedule.
Roanoke Island Sunset Cruises
Kick back and enjoy the view! Crystal Dawn’s Roanoke Island Sunset Cruise provides a relaxed setting for sightseeing in Roanoke Sound. Bring your cooler and kick back on the upper or lower deck. In addition to wildlife, passengers enjoy views of the Roanoke Island shoreline, including Andy Griffith’s home and The Lost Colony’s Waterside Theatre, and of the Nags Head shoreline, including Jockey’s Ridge State Park. Small coolers are welcome!
$25 adults, $20 children (ages 4 to 10; 3 and younger free)
June, July & August
6:30 to 8 p.m.
April, May & October
6 to 7:30 p.m.
Purple Martin Excursions
A close-up view of a rare natural phenomenon! Crystal Dawn heads to the William B. Umstead Bridge in Croatan Sound where tens of thousands of purple martins roost in late July and early August. Watch these vibrant (and talkative!) birds as they fly in to roost for the night. It’s a show of a lifetime! Small coolers are welcome!
$30 per person
Evenings of July 25 & 30, August 1 & 6
7 to 9:30 p.m.
Half-Day Sound and Inlet Fishing
Everyone loves this trip! Half-day sound and inlet fishing trips on Crystal Dawn are perfect for all ages, so bring the kids. Fish the calm sound and inlet waters for spot, croaker, flounder, grey trout, speckled trout, puppy drum, sea mullet, bluefish, sea bass and more. Everything you need is provided – bait, tackle, rod, reel, fishing license, fish-finding machines, a highly experienced captain and all the help you need from a fishing mate. They make fishing easy, so all you have to do is show up and start having fun. Small coolers are welcome!
$48 adults, $38 children (ages 4 to 10; 3 and younger free)
Tickets Sold in Advance
In-Season: June, July & August
7 a.m. to 12 p.m.; 12:30 to 5 p.m.
Off-Season: April, May, September, October
8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Private Fishing Excursions
Popular with large families and groups! For your own custom soundside experiences, Crystal Dawn can be booked for private cruises for up to 97 people and private sound and inlet fishing trips for up to 50 anglers. The boat offers lots of room for passengers to spread out, making it perfect for celebrations of all sorts, with plenty of personal space for everyone.
Private Inlet & Sound Fishing Up to 50 anglers $1,500 (5 hours)
Private Cruises Up to 97 guests $500 per hour (minimum 2 hours)
Gulf Stream and Bottom Fishing Charters on the Country Girl
Call for Rates & Schedule
Licensed to carry your party of 6 or more!
(252) 473-5577
crystaldawnheadboat.com
2000 Sailfish Drive
Manteo, NC 27954
About the Author Molly Harrison
Molly Harrison is managing editor at OneBoat, publisher of OuterBanksThisWeek.com. She moved to Nags Head in 1994 and since then has made her living writing articles and creating publications about the people, places and culture of the Outer Banks.
