• Saturday, May 6th 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Come and marvel as a fleet of wooden boats are constructed from start to finish before your eyes at this competition that pits boat-builders against each other in one of the most anticipated events of the Annual Wooden Boat Show. The BoatBuilding Challenge is an event that's been going strong for 15 years as of 2023, and the competition features 18 teams who will battle it out to craft the best wooden boat in just four hours’ time.

The 18 teams of two will each get a set of boat plans, a stack of wood, and just four hours to create a finished vessel from these raw materials. Sometimes, the plans and building go just as expected, but more often than not, teams will face a number of variables and obstacles along the way, adding extra excitement to the competition. Spectators are welcome to head to the competition area throughout the day to see the progress, and can also swing by at the end of the Saturday afternoon event to hear the final results and inevitable winners. Exciting for everyone involved - from the teams, to the judges, to the folks looking on - the Annual Boatbuilding Challenge is an exciting way to experience the maritime culture of Beaufort.

Island Express Ferry Service

Island Express Ferry Service

Island Express Ferry Service LLC is the only authorized concessionaire to drop off at Cape Lookout Lighthouse and Shackleford Banks! Offering departures from both Beaufort and nearby Harkers Island, Island Express Ferry Service serves as the link between the communities of the Crystal Coast and the spectacularly beautiful and isolated barrier islands of the Cape Lookout National Seashore. Accommodating passengers who want to explore the miles of pristine beaches, exceptional fishing and shelling, wild horses, and the Cape Lookout Lighthouse, Island Express Ferry Service serves as the gateway for one of the most unforgettable adventures along the North Carolina coast.

Lookout Cruises

Lookout Cruises

Visitors can enjoy the Crystal Coast’s most coveted and hard-to-reach shorelines, or just embark on a breezy cruise of the open waters in search of dolphins and sunsets, with a trip that’s guided by Lookout Cruises. This local tour company that calls the central town of Beaufort its home port offers a far-reaching range of adventures that will have coastal fans of all ages soaking up the sun and enjoying the best of the Southern Outer Banks.