Boating in North Carolina offers the chance to explore Albermarle Sound and Pamlico Sound as well as a long coastline. There are many marinas in North Carolina along the coastline including popular destinations such as Southport, Wrighstville Beach, and Oriental. Part of the North Carolina coast is protected by the barriers of Cape Hatteras, Cape Lookout and the Outer Banks. There are plenty of rivers in North Carolina that provide the opportunities to explore deeper inland to places like New Bern. Marinas in North Carolina include New Bern Grand Marina, nestled inland of Pamlico Sound off the Neuse River, River Dunes, located in Oriental NC conveniently located right off of the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW), and Southport Marina, located in Southport NC. Topsail and Wilmington beaches accent the coastline as popular vacation destinations and Wrightsville Beach is a popular stop for boaters transiting the ICW or on the Ocean.