The North Carolina Maritime Museum at Beaufort is a free museum at 315 Front Street in Beaufort, North Carolina, with collections and interpretation focused on the coast’s maritime history, culture and environment. Its exhibits include artifacts from Blackbeard’s flagship and displays about lighthouses, seafood, boats and marine life.
- Location: 315 Front Street, Beaufort, NC 28516
- Regular hours: Open Tuesday to Saturday; closed Sunday and Monday
- Admission: Free; donations are appreciated
Where Is the North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort?
The museum is on Front Street in Beaufort, at 315 Front Street, Beaufort, NC 28516. Beaufort was founded in 1709, laid out in 1713 and incorporated in 1723.
The Harvey W. Smith Watercraft Center is across the street from the museum. It teaches boatbuilding for all ages, so you can include it in your visit to this part of Beaufort.
What Can You See at the Museum?
The museum collects, preserves, researches, documents and interprets the maritime history, culture and environment of coastal North Carolina. Its collection includes artifacts recovered from Blackbeard’s flagship, Queen Anne’s Revenge, including cannons, grenades, belt buckles and beads.
Other interpretation covers lighthouses and lifesaving stations, the seafood industry, motorboats, marine life, science and ecology. The museum store, Port of Call, is in the lobby and sells merchandise, including items selected for school-age children.
Admission, Hours and Visitor Access
Admission to the museum is free, and donations are appreciated. It is closed on state holidays. Hours can change, so check the official site before you go.
Opening hours
- Tuesday to Saturday: 10 AM–5 PM
- Monday and Sunday: closed
Last checked November 2026. Hours can change on holidays and for special events.
Food and drinks are not allowed inside. Groups may eat on the museum’s front porch or at the Harborside Park waterfront deck across the street, where seating is limited.
How Do You Get from Atlantic Beach to the Museum?
The North Carolina Maritime Museum is about a 10-minute drive from Bali Hai Resort a Dazzler Select by Wyndham in Atlantic Beach. The resort’s motel rooms are in Atlantic Beach, the starting point for the drive to Beaufort.
Check the museum’s official site for current visitor details before setting out.
For a broader look at the starting point for your trip, the Atlantic Beach visitor guide covers the town.
Pairing the Museum with Beaufort’s Waterfront
The museum and the Harvey W. Smith Watercraft Center sit across Front Street from each other, giving you a straightforward way to combine maritime history with the boatbuilding center. The Harborside Park waterfront deck across the street is another nearby stop, with limited seating and a place groups may eat.
Beaufort’s waterfront and historic district make a natural addition to a museum visit; the Beaufort waterfront and historic district guide covers that day-trip setting.
FAQs
Is admission to the North Carolina Maritime Museum free?
Yes. Admission is free, and donations are appreciated.
What are the museum’s regular hours?
Open Tuesday to Saturday; closed Sunday and Monday. It is closed on state holidays; check the official site before visiting in case hours change.
Where is the North Carolina Maritime Museum?
It is at 315 Front Street in Beaufort, North Carolina. The Harvey W. Smith Watercraft Center is across the street.
What does the museum cover?
Its subject matter includes coastal North Carolina’s maritime history, culture and environment, from Queen Anne’s Revenge artifacts to lighthouses, seafood, boats and marine life.