The Washington Waterfront Docks

301 Stewart Parkway, Washington, NC 27889
Dockmaster’s Office: (252) 940-1231

Dock Attendant Cell Phone: (252) 944-6661
Fax: (252) 946-1965 

Call 252-944-6661 when in the vicinity of the Coastal Railway Swing Bridge for docking assistance.

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Dockage along the Washington Waterfront

Transient slips with electricity and water are available for a charge of $1.25 per day per foot of vessel (first 7 nights). Short-term docking also is available for $10.00 for up to six hours. Transient slips have a dual 30 amp power connection, and a 50 amp connection is available on each dock. There is a $5 daily charge for 30amp power or $7 for 50 amp. Wi-Fi is available at the docks.

Free dockage is available at no charge for up to 48 hours along four 80-foot bulkhead docks on the east end of the waterfront. Water and electricity are not available. Stays longer than 48 hours on Free Docks, $.75 per foot per day.

A floating dinghy dock is located at the west end of the waterfront, near the Lighthouse. Boats anchored in the harbor may use the dinghy dock and boaters’ heads and showers once registered with the Dock Attendant. Kayak and canoe launch is available from the dinghy dock.

Reservations are accepted for transient slips by calling either the Dockmaster’s Office, the Dock Attendant cell phone number shown above, or online through DOCKWA. Call early for popular weekends, special events, and holiday periods. Reservations are not required for tie-ups at the Free Docks, which are on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Long Term slips are available at a cost of $7.50 per foot of boat length per month, with discounts available for semiannual or annual payment. Contact the Dockmaster to discuss long-term dockage

Dock Attendant is on duty daily to provide docking assistance and register boats, and to provide local information, pump-outs, ice, and assistance to visitors. Contact the Dock Attendant on his cell phone, or VHF 16, or stop by the office in the Lighthouse at the west end of the waterfront.

Private and secure heads and showers are available 24 hours a day, in the Lighthouse, for registered boaters.

Laundry facilities are available for registered boaters when the Dock Attendant is on duty. Use of the laundry facility is $5.

Pump-out station available for $5 at “A” dock, and ice is available for purchase. Contact the Dock Attendant for assistance.

Navigation Information

The Washington Waterfront is along the north shore of the Pamlico River, approximately 25 nautical miles westerly from the Intracoastal Waterway, and 55 nautical miles from Ocracoke Island.

The channel from Red marker 16 in the Pamlico River has a normal depth of 9 to 11 feet to the Coastal Railway swing bridge. Inside the trestle, water depths run from 14 to 24 feet.

The Coastal Railway Swing Bridge is typically closed from about 8:30 am to 10:30 am during weekdays, but will open on demand. Contact the bridge attendant on VHF channel 16.

A no-wake zone is in effect on the Pamlico River between the Coastal Railway swing bridge and the U.S. Highway 17 Bridge. Please reduce your speed to the minimum needed to maintain safe steerage.

Transient boat slips on the Washington Waterfront are nominally 35′ long and 16′ wide, with water depths from 12 to 24 feet. Longer vessels can be accommodated along the outside of the T-docks.

The Washington Waterfront has negligible lunar tide and little current, but water depths and currents can change due to wind. Contact the Dock Attendant on VHF 16 to get local conditions and assistance in docking.


Rules and Regulations for Boaters on the Washington Waterfront

NO swimming or diving from the bulkhead.

LEASHED pets are allowed in the Stewart Parkway area. Owners must clean up after pets. Scoopers are provided. Pets are banned from the waterfront during special events such as Summer Festival (first full weekend in June) and Fourth of July activities.

No open flames on the docks or adjacent promenade and green space. Grilling on your boat is OK.

Fishing is permitted along the promenade, but please do not fish from docks where boats are berthed.

Both fishing and dogs are prohibited from the wooden boardwalk, which is a wildlife refuge area.

Free Boat Launch Areas

Havens Gardens Boat Launch
Park Drive at Runyon Creek

A boat launch ramp is available on Runyon Creek, on the east side of Washington on Park Drive near the north end of the Coastal Railway trestle. Two NC Wildlife boat ramps, docks, parking for cars and trailers. Restrooms are located across Park Drive in the Havens Gardens Park. Fuel, restaurants, and rental of kayaks, paddleboards, and bicycles are close by. Access to the Pamlico River is under a bridge with 14 feet of vertical clearance.

Mason’s Landing
Clark’s Neck Road at Tranter’s Creek

There is a state launch ramp at Mason’s Landing on Tranters Creek, on Clark’s Neck Road west of Washington. Handicapped accessible facility with two ramps, docks, and parking for cars and trailers. Access to the Pamlico River is under the Highway 17 Bridge with 18 feet of vertical clearance.