Yes! Each boat has a shade top that covers about half the seating area.

While we recommend it, North Carolina does not require that you have a boater’s license when renting from a watersports business. We’ll give you a thorough safety orientation and take time to make sure you are comfortable operating the boat. If you would like to get your boater safety certificate, you can take a free online course from BoatUS.org.

We typically recommend that you go to Dew’s Island across the sound from Nor’Banks. Dew’s Island and the opposite shore have a beautiful undeveloped shoreline and this is a great spot to explore or drop anchor to swim and relax. 

We ask that you stay north of the Wright Memorial Bridge which is about 7 miles south of us and that you do not go north of Nor’Banks, where it’s too shallow to operate.

Yes! Nor’Banks provides clean and comfortable life vests for your entire party. We have plenty of children’s life vests in less than 30 lbs., 30-50 lbs. and 50-90 lbs. sizes.  Our vests are cleaned and sanitized between each use!

Yes! You may use your own life vest as long as it is Coast Guard approved. Please see our staff in the office for life vest approval before heading out on the water.

Small dogs are welcome with a few qualifications. We ask that you only bring your pet along if you are 100% certain that he or she is comfortable on boats and will be safe and well-behaved. We do not provide pet life vests and there is no pet boarding ladder on the pontoons.

Dogs can easily damage the vinyl seats with their claws or teeth. The seats are brand new and cannot be repaired, so we’ll take an additional $500 deposit at the time of rental in case we need to replace a cushion.

You are welcome to fish and crab from the pontoon boats. The fishing on the northern sound can be hit or miss, but the crabbing is usually good. We do not rent equipment or sell bait, but you can get gear in town at Bob’s Bait and Tackle.

When fishing we ask that you please be mindful of your mess and careful with your catch, bait and tackle, especially around the vinyl seats which can be easily stained and damaged.

Yes, you will need a fishing license to fish on the sound. You can get a temporary or year-round North Carolina fishing license at www.ncwildlife.org or by calling (888) 248-6834.

Due to Coast Guard regulations, we cannot hire out captains to drive the pontoon boats. We’ll give you a 10 minute orientation and train a few people from your group to operate safely.  If you are specifically looking for a captained cruise, we do have other options. Check out our tubing, wakeboarding and waterskiing trips or our catamaran cruises aboard Surfer Girl, our new luxury Maine Cat 38 sailboat!

All boats were purchased new in 2019 and 2020 and come equipped with bluetooth stereo, GPS, depth finder and swim ladder.

The capacity represents the maximum number of people and weight allowed on each boat. We are strictly limited to these capacities per Coast Guard regulation.  Always size up for your party for a safe and comfortable ride.

We do not allow tubing or other towables to be pulled behind our pontoon boat rentals. If you would like to go tubing, wakeboarding or water skiing you can book a tubing or watersports charter with one of our licensed captains. For large groups you can even book a boat to go alongside your pontoon and swap out riders along the way!

Yes! You are welcome to bring drinks and food. Keep in mind that operators must remain completely alcohol free!

Absolutely, just remember that you will not be able to dock up those boats next to one another and that they will need to remain a safe distance apart.

No, for safety reasons we do not allow any open flames or grills on the boats.

We do not provide any coolers or food storage options so you will need to bring your own. We have coolers available for purchase in our retail store.

The Pontoon boats are safe for all ages, provided your child is large enough to fit in a USCG approved personal floatation device. Children 12 and under will be required to wear a life jacket at all times while onboard. We always encourage you to know your limits and make sure the children stay seated safely while the boat is underway.