Canalfront Vs. Soundfront - Outer Banks Canalfront Ownership

There are a number of subdivisions across coastal North Carolina that feature water front living and there are 2 types of waterfront living. What type of waterfront you are looking for will depend on what you want from being on the water. Is it for the water views or for boating? If it is just the views you want then to be on the sound front as it will offer the best views.

Boating enthusiasts have some choices when it comes to water front canals. Shallow water boats like center consoles under 30 feet should have no trouble negotiating most of the canals on the Outer Banks. Most of the canal front subdivisions have to maintain the harbor entrance themselves so they tend to be shallow requiring shallow draft boats.

Larger boats will need turn around areas on the canal system to compensate for the narrow canal so you can get back out of the canal. If you want your big boat tied up behind your house you are kind of limited to Pirates Cove canal front homes or renting a boat slip in one of the many OBX marinas.

If you want to tie up a sailboat in your back yard, the deep draft of the sailboat keel will pretty much limit your search to Colington Harbor. Colington Harbor has some of the widest and deepest canals with plenty of room to manuver a large sail boat. Plus, yhe marina in Colington sells gasoline so the Coast Guard keeps the channel dredged and maintains the groin protecting the inlet from shoaling over.

Plus the size of the boat will restrict your choice. A 40ft boat requires a large turn around area only available in certain areas such as Pirates Cove and Colington where there are areas of canal set up for turning a lager boat around.