Sailing into a Beaufort sunset
Do you need some time to relax with your family?
We’ve got the perfect suggestion:
Create a new family travel tradition.
We think Beaufort, North Carolina is one of the coolest places to relax, anywhere.
It’s impossible to visit Beaufort and not feel drawn to get out on the water – even for non-boaters/sailers like us (ok, that’s something we’d like to change in the near future).
Getting ready to head out on the water
If you’re feeling that draw to get out in the water and you’re looking for ways to relax with the family, we want to tell you all about one of our favorite-family-leisure-de-stress-activities ever: sailing with Beaufort’s own Lookout Cruises.
A trip with Lookout Cruises has become a family tradition for us.
One of our first trips on the Lookout – notice the relaxed daddy
At least once a summer – and in many years, a few more times – we’ll take one of Lookout Cruises‘ owner, Captain Steve Bishop’s cruises. Our favorite has to be the half-day trip to Cape Lookout, but last month we decided to hop on board for the sunset cruise. It was the full moon in early June, and we were able to get both a beautiful sunset and an amazing moonrise for our money.
Some Newsomes helping to raise the sails!
The Lookout is a 45-foot catamaran designed to hold up to 42 passengers – it’s the kind you might see serving resorts in the Caribbean.
Her distinctive yellow, red, and white colors are unique, and her mast is a familiar sight to anyone who has spent anytime in Beaufort.
The Lookout often sails with her mascot, a pocket Pomeranian known as Chloe.
Our daughter, Cecilia, can’t stay away from her!
Holding Chloe, then…
And now!
During Lookout’s nearly every evening sunset cruise, the captain will sail west down Taylor’s Creek and toward Beaufort Inlet.
He’ll make long leisurely circles just inside the inlet and behind Shackleford Banks, in view of Fort Macon, and what is almost always another amazing Beaufort sunset.
Sunset from the Lookout
I find it hard to take many photos on the Lookout, because I’m too busy enjoying the ride.
Catching a glimpse of the wild horses of both the Rachel Carson Reserve and Shackleford Banks is more likely than not, as well as the occasional dolphin. Actually, occasional is probably the wrong word, as we’ve almost always seen dolphins while out on the Lookout.
The question is whether we’ll only see one or two, or a whole pod frolicking around the boat.
Driving the boat with Capt. Steve’s supervision
You can check out Lookout Cruises website, and don’t miss their Facebook page. They’ve just started posting frequently this summer, and they have some great photos.
Forgive the quality of our shots, but there’s nothing quite like a Beaufort sunset, despite the clouds…
Or, a Beaufort moonset…even if the photographer was more concerned with enjoying the cruise.
If you’re interested in getting out on the water in Beaufort, relaxing, and starting a new family travel tradition, don’t miss Lookout Cruises.
It’s become a tradition for us!
If you need some help or advice on choosing a cruise or making that reservation, don’t hesitate to give us a call or drop us an email.
We love helping folks slow down and enjoy Beaufort.
And don’t forget to:
Relax…you CAN get there from here!
Hi! I'm Jennifer Newsome and I own and operate Southern Girl Travel with some help from my husband, Mark, and our three kids. This shot was taken in beautiful 