
Masonboro Island Cruise
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September 2026
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Who is going?
Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
Select a highlighted day to see live departure times and the exact price for your group.
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
4.4/5
Based on 5 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Masonboro Island Cruise worth booking?
Masonboro Island Cruise is a 1-hour experience in Wilmington, United States, from $45 per person. It scores 53 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 4.4/5 rating across 5 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 53 / 100
- Rating
- 4.4/5 (5)
- Duration
- 1 hours
- From
- $45 per person
This is an open water 1 hr cruise of Masonboro Island. The tour focuses on shorebird biology and natural history . Interested in learning the history of Wrightsville Beach or maybe learning about species of birds in the
What you get
About this experience
This is an open water 1 hr cruise of Masonboro Island. The tour focuses on shorebird biology and natural history . Interested in learning the history of Wrightsville Beach or maybe learning about species of birds in the area, this trip is for you. Guided by trained naturalists this boat cruise is must to be on the open water and maybe sightseeing Bottle Nose Dolphins
What's included
Included
- Bottled water
What you'll see and do
Masonboro Island Reserve
This cruise or ferry ride unlocks your adventurous spirit. Masonboro Island is the largest marine sanctuary in NC. Come hop on the shamrock and explore this island for 1 hour or Multiple
60 minutes here · Admission included
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Wilmington
Boat Location: Wrightsville Beach Boating Access 109 Causeway Dr, Wrightsville Beach, NC 28480 Guests are encouraged to eat at Blue Water Grill before or after their tour. By dining at Blue Water you are free to park in their parking lot.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Boat Location: Wrightsville Beach Boating Access 109 Causeway Dr, Wrightsville Beach, NC 28480 Guests are encouraged to eat at Blue Water Grill before or after their tour. By dining at Blue Water you are free to park in their parking lot.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Wrightsville Beach Scenic Tours
Know before you go
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Photos




What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 4 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
3 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
1 mentionReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Value for money
1 mentionTravelers feel they got more than they paid for.
Traveler reviews
4 verified traveler reviews for Masonboro Island Cruise. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Not worth the money.
Road around the harbor. Guide pointed to three birds and told us about the cost of houses and boats. It wasn't much of an eco tour. Not worth the money.
via Tripadvisor
Enjoyable Tour
Our driver/guide Cam was awesome! Skillfully took us on different water ways. Saw dolphins and otters (chirping at us). Highly recommend this tour.
via Tripadvisor
Informative and relaxing tour
We had a great experience with this tour. The booking process was easy, and Captain Joe was great with communication via text and phone call. We even were able to book a tour on New Year's Day! Captain Cameron was great. He was very knowledgeable about the area waterways and gave us a very nice history of the area, as well as a good explanation of the current workings of the waterway. We saw dolphins up close and a good variety of birds! I would recommend this tour company for sure.
via Tripadvisor
Masonboro Island Cruise
Cam was an excellent tour guide! He gave us a lot of information about the area and supplied us with extra hats to keep us warm. I would like to take this trip again during warmer weather! The sights were great.
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 1 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 2
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Why this scores 53
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Masonboro Island Cruise: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Wilmington.
How much does Masonboro Island Cruise cost?
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Prices start at $45 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Wilmington usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Masonboro Island Cruise take?
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Plan for about 1 hour from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Wilmington is not rushed.
Is Masonboro Island Cruise worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 53 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.4/5 across 5 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Wilmington, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Masonboro Island Cruise?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Masonboro Island Cruise suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 1-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Masonboro Island Cruise?
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Around 2 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Wilmington can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Wilmington and add a light layer if any part of the 1-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Masonboro Island Cruise start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Wilmington within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Wilmington?
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Wilmington runs riverfront history and ghost walks, Battleship North Carolina visits, film-location tours, and boat trips out to Wrightsville Beach and Masonboro Island. On Outty we rank every Wilmington experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include History and Architecture Walking Tour, THE Wilmington History, Haunts & Breweries E-Bike Tour (4 hr), Sailing Charters in Wilmington. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Wilmington?
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April to June and September to October. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Wilmington?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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