Description

The Friends of the Maritime Museum Holiday Flotilla will take place on Saturday, December 6, 2025 featuring boats, yachts, oars, kayaks and commercial vessels decorated for the season. The decorated boats can be seen starting at 5:30pm on the Morehead City waterfront and starting at 6:15pm on the Beaufort waterfront.

The Friends’ Holiday Flotilla Viewing Party begins at 5:30pm on December 6, 2025 at the Watercraft Center and Harborside Park deck! Enjoy wine, beer, other refreshments, hearty warm soups and stews, and a front row ‘seat’ to the Flotilla! Proceeds are in support of the N.C. Maritime Museum in Beaufort and the Friends. This event is rain or shine. CLICK HERE for more information on becoming a sponsor of the Flotilla Viewing Party.

Flotilla Participants Welcome: Boats may register to participate in the Flotilla at the Museum Store, by phone (252.728.2762) or email ([email protected]) until noon on Saturday, December 6, 2025 For more information, contact the Friends office at 252.728.2762. THERE IS NO ENTRY FEE!

All vessels that proceed down Taylor’s Creek to the new Beaufort Hotel will be eligible for prizes, including weekend stays at the hotel and gift certificates.

Flotilla participants may dock after the Flotilla for free at the Beaufort Town Docks (subject to availability) and enjoy one of Beaufort’s great dining establishments.

TO PROSPECTIVE VESSELS:
Vessels gather at the West end of the Morehead City harbor starting at 5:00ish.

Coast Guard vessel comes in and turns around and stands by. One long horn from the CG vessel at 5:30 starts the slow pass East down the Morehead City waterfront.

Fleet continues over to Beaufort by passing around the South end of Radio Island and into Bulkhead Channel. All vessels should proceed West to the very end of Front Street before heading East for a slow pass down the creek starting at about 6:15.