North Carolina’s
best-kept secret.

Constant breezes, sunny skies, and friendly people. Welcome to Oriental...the home of the Dragon. Where registered boats outnumber residents three to one, and where our days are planned around the wind. Oftentimes referred to as the Sailing Capital of North Carolina, our shores run parallel to the Intracoastal –the interstate 95 of the East Coast waterway. No need to winterize your boat here. Locals and semi-locals enjoy extended sailing conditions with four distinct seasons.

World-class fishing conditions await all who relish the sport. The Neuse River is where fresh waters meet salt waters, creating a variety of estuaries hosting Red Drum, Tarpon, Croaker, Channel Bass, Trout, Spanish Mackerel, and Spot just to name a few species.

Enjoy saltwater fishing?  Twenty-three nautical miles east of Oriental brings you to the boating community of Ocracoke Island, rich in history including the haunts of the legendary pirate, Blackbeard. The Gulf Stream lies 45 miles away where fishing enthusiasts are apt to find Bill Fish, Sail Fish, Grouper, Cobia, and Stripers aplenty.
 
 

Hunting and shooting sports have been a long-standing tradition for Eastern NC. Although there is a huge population of deer and small game, the waterfowl population is what has drawn sportsmen worldwide to the North Carolina Inner Banks and its Pamlico Sound. As early as 1920, wealthy northern businessmen were building luxury Waterfowl Hunting Clubs. The shallow waters of the Albemarle-Pamlico Estuary with many islands and lush vegetation are a popular feeding and resting area for hundreds of thousands of ducks and geese. On any day, it is not unusual to see as many as 27 different types of species including Bluebills, Redheads, Canvasbacks, Widgeon, Teal, Pintail, Gadwal, and Sea Ducks.