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Peace and Quiet while Cruising and Anchoring

Three Sons has crossed the sound twice and our third trip was definitely the worse! The Albemarle Sound is the largest freshwater sound in North America. Originally this water way served as an essential transportation route for the first colonists. The Albemarle Sound is 60 miles long and 15 miles across at its widest point covering an area of 450 square miles.

The Albemarle Sound is of uniform shallow depth and has no tidal action. It is apparently notorious for wind creating high seas whipped up from it’s shallow water. The winds were not unsafe but higher than our comfort level. We were at a bumpy anchor, the next days winds were predicted to be worse and we knew a great anchorage was on the other side of the sound. So, off we went!

At Buck Island Anchorage, we were treated to a stunning sunset and big wakes from passing barges. No mankind around so the night was dark and stars were bright.
Alligator River Swing Bridge connects over to the Outer Banks and spans over the Albemarle Sound leading into the Alligator River. The bridge tender certainly helped Three Sons as we were a little bit behind this boats waiting for an opening. He asked the captains of these boats if they minded waiting for us and the told us to push it hard! A little impossible for our slow boat but in 10 minutes we were in line in passing under the bridge.
Anchorage at Tuckahoe Point, where we were the only boat and it was a beautiful night.
The entrance to the 21 mile long Alligator River Pungo Canal, which runs north to south. The canal was dug in the 50’s to improve drainage to local farmlands which makes it a straight path and an easy cruise. In addition, the heavily wooded area has no houses and tons of wildlife to be on the lookout for.

Segment Stats

  • Chesapeake, VA to Buck Island, NC
    • Saturday, October 7, 2023
    • Route: Continued south on ICW via Albemarle and Chesapeake Canal to North Landing River to North River
    • 40 Nautical Miles
    • Cruising Time: 5 hours 42 minutes
    • Anchored in North River east of ICW and south of Buck Island
  • Buck Island, NC to Tuckahoe Point, NC
    • Sunday, October 8, 2023
    • Route: Crossed Albemarle continued south on Alligator River
    • 40 Nautical Miles
    • Cruising Time: 5 hours 55 minutes
    • Anchored off of Alligator River in Tuckahoe Point
  • Tuckahoe Point, NC to Belhaven, NC
    • Monday, October 9, 2023
    • Route: Alligator River Pungo Canal to Pungo River
    • 29.2 Nautical Miles
    • Cruising Time: 4 hours
    • Three Sons was hauled out and blocked on the hard at TJ’s Marina and Boatyard

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