The ALBEMARLE LOOP Extended Cruise
When: May 22 – June 6 (dates may vary depending on demand)
Greeting SCOO Members –
The planning is well underway for our first extended cruise for the 2026 cruising season.
Departing from Oriental on (or about) May 22, the cruisers of this trip will travel over 300 nautical miles to include many marinas that have hosted SCOO members in the past as well as several anchorages. The cruising group will be limited in size as many of the municipal marinas have limited numbers of slips that they can set aside for our groups.
If the interest is larger than we can handle we will break up into several “flotillas”, Spanish for “small fleets.”
Background: What is the Albemarle Loop? Based geographically around the Albemarle Sound is a series of both municipal and private marinas that offer cruisers free dockage for up to 48 hours to allow interested cruisers to come explore their towns, communities, and facilities. This cruise will offer opportunities to stroll the local shops, tour museums, explore the local dining, interact with the locals, and learn the history of the Albemarle Sound and its towns.
Summary of the Cruise: This years’ Albemarle Loop will include the towns of Belhaven, Columbia, Edenton, Elizabeth City, Manteo as well as the coastal community of Albemarle Plantation, a favorite location of many past SCOO cruisers. Each location offers interesting experiences whether it’s a miles-long dinghy ride on the Pembroke Creek in Edenton or playing a round of golf at Albemarle Plantation or receiving a rose from the “Rose Buddies” of Elizabeth City. We will indeed find some unique eateries and watering holes along the way.
Cruise Requirements: This cruise requires all cruisers to be prepared to do the appropriate preparations, planning, provisioning, navigational routing to meet the demands of moving multiple days and covering the distances that are beyond many cruisers past experiences. I say this not to intimidate anyone, but to recognize that much of the success falls on the preparedness of each boat and their crew. The good news, many SCOO members have significant experience cruising and can help answer questions and assist with ensuring preparedness of individuals that feel they need some seasoned guidance. We will be required to anchor for some nights as we travel between towns and marinas.
Return Trip: Following our visit to Manteo, the cruiser teams will need to select their return route back to Oriental. There are three options laid out for the teams to choose.
These routes will be greatly influenced by various factors to include the forecasted weather as well as individual teams’ comfort levels in navigating the waters. Manteo is located about 100nm from Oriental. Each team will need to decide the route they feel comfortable traveling.
Planning Presentation: If you are interested in participating, I HIGHLY ENCOURAGE you to plan on attending the Long-Range Cruise Planning Meeting on April 24th at the Oriental Town Hall conference room to highlight the Albemarle Loop and Southport Cruises. At this meeting you will be presented an overview of these cruises from the cruise captains as well has learn from fellow cruisers that have done these cruises in the past. Details of this meeting will be sent out separately.
Requesting Some Patience: While planning this cruise, Carole and I will also be in Texas for our daughter’s wedding. I will attempt to stay on top of the emails and questions, but please be patient if you don’t get a response right away. Thank you!
Additional Information: More information will be coming as we get closer to this cruise. Please feel free to shoot me an email (browntw.79@gmail.com) with any questions you may have, and I will attempt to help answer them.
Website: https://albemarleloop.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AlbemarleLoop
Tom & Carole Brown
Cruise Captains
M/V Key 2 Cay
.png){kind=logo}