Park Boat Company

North Carolina sets no general minimum age for operating an ordinary motorboat, but personal watercraft operators must be at least 14. Under G.S. 75A-13.3, a 14- or 15-year-old may operate a PWC only with a person at least 18 physically aboard who complies with G.S. 75A-16.2, or while carrying proof of age and approved boating safety certification. For vessels with motors of 10 horsepower or more, operators born on or after January 1, 1988 must meet the boating education requirement. The rental operator sets its own minimum, so confirm it when booking.

Source: North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (ncwildlife.gov)

North Carolina uses a boater education requirement rather than a conventional boating license: operators born on or after January 1, 1988 must have proof of approved education when operating a vessel with a motor of 10 horsepower or greater on public waters. This includes personal watercraft. PWC operators generally must be 16; ages 14 or 15 may operate with a compliant adult aboard or with proof of age and approved education, while children under 14 may not operate.

Exceptions include an authorized operator named on a rental or lease agreement, a 90 day state temporary certificate for a new or transferred boat, onboard direct supervision by a qualified adult at least 18, and qualifying nonresidents. The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission administers the requirement.

Source: North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (ncwildlife.gov)

From Washington, you can follow the Pamlico River and turn into Runyon Creek, Goose Creek, Bath Creek or Broad Creek. The Pamlico is the main route from the city toward Pamlico Sound, with downtown docks and a harbor. Havens Gardens provides a ramp on Runyon Creek, whose low bridges favor smaller, low-profile boats. Goose Creek is a broad, lazy creek with a ramp at Dinah’s Landing and shallow water along the nearby Pamlico beach. Bath Creek has a marked but shoal-edged entrance requiring chart attention. Broad Creek has a marked channel and no-wake markers.

Source: Beaufort County (beaufortcountync.gov)

Boaters leaving Washington make day trips to Bath, Goose Creek State Park, Blounts Bay and Grimesland. Bath is a useful shore stop, with Harding’s Landing state dock on Bath Creek and waterfront picnic tables near the Bonner House. Goose Creek State Park combines Pamlico River beach access with picnicking and trails. Blounts Bay is a local raft-up destination, while Grimesland is used for boating cookouts.

Source: NC Historic Sites (historicsites.nc.gov)