How old do kids need to be for a fishing charter?

Most charters welcome kids ages 6 and up. Some captains accommodate younger children on calm days. Half-day shared charters are the best option for families with younger kids — they're shorter and the crew is experienced with beginners.

How much does a fishing charter cost at Oregon Inlet?

Shared half-day charters run about $75-$100 per person. Private half-day charters are $700-$1,200 for the boat. Full-day private offshore charters can run $1,500-$2,500+. Shared boats are the best value for families.

Can we watch boats come in without going fishing?

Yes — watching the charter fleet return to the dock in the afternoon (3-5 PM) is free and open to the public. You can watch fish being cleaned and photographed at the dock stations. It's a great family activity even without booking a charter.

Do we need to bring our own fishing equipment?

No — charter boats provide all rods, reels, tackle, and bait. The crew handles equipment setup and assists with fishing technique. Just bring sunscreen, water, snacks, and a hat.

Oregon Inlet Fishing Center

Name: Oregon Inlet Fishing Center
Address: 8770 NC-12, Outer Banks, NC, 27959, US
Telephone: (252) 441-6301
Rating: 4.5

Rating

4.5(1,800)

Family of 4

$300-$700 for a charter.

Duration

Half day (4 hours) to full day (8 hours) for charters; 30-60 minutes for dock watching

Best Ages

6-16 years for fishing charters; all ages for dock watching

About

Oregon Inlet Fishing Center is the Outer Banks' premier sport-fishing marina, located at the southern tip of Bodie Island where the Pamlico Sound meets the Atlantic Ocean. The fleet of charter boats based here provides access to some of the best offshore and inshore fishing on the East Coast, making it a bucket-list destination for fishing families.

For families who want to try deep-sea fishing, shared (head boat) charters offer the most accessible option. These larger boats carry multiple parties, with crew members providing equipment, bait, instruction, and assistance. Half-day trips (4 hours) are ideal for families with younger children, providing enough time to reach the fishing grounds and experience the thrill of hooking saltwater fish without the exhaustion of a full-day offshore trip.

Private charters offer a more customized experience for families who want dedicated boat time. The captain tailors the trip to the group's experience level and interests — from bottom fishing for flounder and sea bass to offshore trolling for tuna, dolphinfish, and wahoo. Private charters are more expensive but provide an exclusive, guide-led experience.

Even families who don't fish can enjoy Oregon Inlet. Watching the fleet return in the mid-to-late afternoon is a free, memorable experience. Boats pull up to the cleaning stations, and the day's catches are displayed on the dock — massive yellowfin tuna, brilliant mahi-mahi, and occasionally trophy-size billfish.

Kids are captivated by the size and variety of the fish, and the atmosphere is celebratory as crews share their stories.

The marina's location is spectacular. Oregon Inlet is a dynamic, shifting passage between the barrier islands, and the views encompass open ocean, calm sound waters, and the Bodie Island Lighthouse a few minutes to the north. The drive from the northern Outer Banks takes about 20 minutes and follows NC-12 through the Cape Hatteras National Seashore — a scenic route that builds anticipation for the fishing grounds beyond.

Age Suitability

Infants (0-1)Toddlers (1-3)Little Kids (4-6)Big Kids (7-9)Tweens (10-12)Teens (13-17)

Parent Logistics

Stroller-Friendly

Setting

Outdoor

Rainy Day

Not ideal

Plan Your Visit

Best Time to Visit

Afternoon (3-5 PM) to watch charter boats return with their catches; early morning for charter departure

Wait Times

No wait if pre-booked; watching boats return is open access

Nearby Food

No restaurants at the marina. Nearest food is in Nags Head (15-min north): Sam & Omie's, Tortugas' Lie, Owens' Restaurant. Pack a cooler for the boat trip.

Why Kids Love It

Oregon Inlet is the gateway to some of the best fishing on the East Coast, and for kids, the experience of heading out to sea on a charter boat is the ultimate ocean adventure. The fleet of sport-fishing boats departs the marina before dawn, motoring through the dramatic Oregon Inlet passage and into the open Atlantic. The anticipation builds as the shoreline disappears, and the possibility of hooking a tuna, dolphinfish, or wahoo keeps kids on high alert for hours.

Even families who don't book a charter can enjoy the spectacle. Watching the fleet return in the afternoon is a free, thrilling show. Charter boats pull up to the dock, and crews unload the day's catches — massive tuna, brilliant mahi-mahi, and sometimes marlin or sailfish. Kids press against the dock rails, eyes wide, as fish bigger than they are get hoisted onto the cleaning tables.

The marina itself sits at a stunningly beautiful location where the Pamlico Sound meets the Atlantic Ocean through Oregon Inlet. The views of the water, the boats, and the nearby Bodie Island Lighthouse create a scenic setting that's worth the visit even without fishing.

Pro Tips from Parents

Book charters weeks in advance for summer — the most popular captains fill up quickly.
Half-day charters (4 hours) are ideal for kids — full days can be exhausting on the water.
Motion sickness is common — give kids Dramamine 30 minutes before departure.
Come to the dock between 3-5 PM to watch boats return and see the catches — it's free and exciting.
The Bodie Island Lighthouse is 5 minutes north and combines perfectly with an Oregon Inlet visit.

What to Bring

sunscreen
motion sickness medication
snacks and water for the boat
light jacket (cool on the water)
camera
hat

Cost Info

Estimated Cost (Family of 4)

$300-$700 for a charter.

Half-day shared charter: ~$75-$100/person x4 = $300-$400.

Private half-day charter: $700-$1,200.

Watching the fleet return to the dock: free.

Tips to Save

Shared (head boat) charters are far cheaper than private charters and are great for beginners.
Half-day trips are sufficient for first-timers and young kids.
Watching the boats return in the afternoon is free and exciting — kids see the day's catches being cleaned at the dock.
Pack lunch for the boat to avoid buying food on board.