Wine Tasting And Boat Ride

Exploring the Outer Banks with a Wine Tasting and Boat Ride Experience

Our review explores a tour that promises a charming blend of scenic boat travel and wine tasting on North Carolina’s Outer Banks. It’s an outing designed for those who want a relaxed day soaking up water views and sampling local wines without breaking the bank. While it’s not an all-day adventure, it offers enough for a memorable experience—especially if you’re a fan of marine scenery and a good glass of wine.

What we love about this tour is the unique combination of a boat ride across Currituck Sound and an in-depth visit to Sanctuary Vineyards, with its behind-the-scenes look at wine production. The guide’s local knowledge and the opportunity to purchase wines directly from the vineyard stand out, giving you a taste of authentic regional craftsmanship. On the flip side, weather plays a significant role, since the boat ride depends on good conditions, and a cancellation can put a damper on your plans. Still, if you’re after a relaxed, intimate experience that offers both scenery and wine, this might just be your cup of (or glass of) choice.

This tour is ideal for travelers who appreciate scenic water views, enjoy wine tasting in a peaceful setting, and prefer a small-group atmosphere. It’s also suitable for those who enjoy discovering local industries and want to do a bit of shopping for wines to take home. If you’re short on time but want a taste of the Outer Banks’ natural beauty and local flavors, this tour could fit nicely into your itinerary.

Key Points

• Unique combination: Boat ride plus wine tasting creates a memorable, multi-sensory experience.
• Authentic insights: Behind-the-scenes vineyard tour offers a deeper appreciation of wine-making.
• Small-group intimacy: Max 14 travelers, making the experience more personal.
• Weather dependent: Cancellations due to wind or poor weather are possible, so flexibility is key.
• Good value: At $109 per person, you get a scenic boat ride, wine tasting, and a guided behind-the-scenes look.
• Limited duration: The 2.5-hour tour is a short but sweet trip, ideal for a quick escape.

The Detailed Breakdown of the Experience

Starting Point and Transport

The tour begins at 1226 Duck Rd, Kitty Hawk, a convenient location for those staying in or around Duck or Kitty Hawk. From there, the adventure starts with a scenic boat ride across Currituck Sound. The boat is described as a small craft, and while the exact vessel isn’t specified, the overall emphasis is on a scenic, peaceful crossing that offers views of waterfowl and marshlands. This part of the trip provides a relaxing vantage point—imagine gentle breezes, waterfowl gliding past, and the vastness of the sound spreading out around you.

The boat ride lasts approximately 30 minutes, setting the tone for a tranquil journey that appeals to nature lovers. The boat docks at a historic hunting lodge boathouse, which adds a touch of local history and charm to the experience.

Transition to Sanctuary Vineyards

Once ashore, travelers are transported in an air-conditioned van through scenic farmland and marshes—an area steeped in waterfowl heritage and farming dating back to the 1800s. This drive offers a glimpse into the rural character of the region, with lush fields and marshes framing the journey to the vineyard.

Reaching Sanctuary Vineyards, which spreads across 33 acres of viniferous grapes, travelers are treated to a behind-the-scenes tour of the winery. Expect to learn about the vine-to-glass process, see French oak barrels up close, and meet the winemakers. This personal touch is often highlighted as a favorite part of the trip, as it elevates the tasting experience beyond merely sipping wine.

The Wine Tasting

The core of the tour is the private wine tasting at Sanctuary Vineyards. While the specific wines aren’t detailed, reviews indicate that many visitors find the selection “pretty fancy,” suggesting a crafted, well-curated lineup. The ability to smell French oak barrels and discuss the process with knowledgeable guides enhances the value for wine enthusiasts.

Post-tasting, there’s time allocated for shopping—an opportunity to purchase bottles to enjoy later. This adds a practical element for those who want to bring a piece of the Outer Banks home.

Returning to Duck

After the tasting and shopping, the group boards the boat for the return journey across Currituck Sound, completing a loop back to the starting point. The entire experience lasts roughly 2.5 hours, making it a manageable outing, especially if you’re looking for a half-day activity.

What Do the Reviews Say?

One reviewer summed up the experience positively: “It was amazing to go to my first wine tasting like that, from what I gathered it was pretty fancy, with the way other people said wine tasting are normally. A very unique situation. Loved it.” This highlights the quality and elegance of the tasting, along with the exclusivity of the behind-the-scenes tour.

On the other hand, a less favorable review pointed out the unpredictability of weather: “Cancelled cause of wind! I understand! But no one informed us! Took several calls (excessive waiting on hold) to discover it was cancelled! More calls to get a refund of which I haven’t received yet!” While weather cancellations are beyond anyone’s control, this underscores the importance of flexible planning and clear communication from the tour provider.

Practical Details and Considerations

Price: At $109 per person, the tour offers a combined experience of boat travel and wine tasting, which many would find to be reasonable, especially given the personalized nature of the tour and the behind-the-scenes access. It includes the boat ride, wine tasting, and transportation.

Duration: The 2.5-hour length is perfect for a quick escape, fitting well into a day of Outer Banks exploration without becoming a full-day commitment.

Group Size: With a maximum of 14 travelers, the experience remains intimate and allows for personalized interaction with guides and winery staff.

Weather Dependency: Cancellations due to wind or bad weather are possible; travelers should keep an eye on weather forecasts and be flexible with dates if possible.

Suitability: This tour appeals to nature lovers, wine enthusiasts, and those seeking a relaxed, small-group experience. It’s best suited for travelers who enjoy scenic views and learning about local wine-making, but who are also comfortable with weather-related uncertainties.

Final Thoughts

This Wine Tasting and Boat Ride tour captures a lovely slice of Outer Banks life—combining tranquil water views, local wine craftsmanship, and a touch of regional history. The opportunity to learn directly from vineyard staff and purchase bottles to take home is a definite plus. The scenic boat ride offers a peaceful break from more crowded attractions, making it an excellent choice for those wanting a more personal and authentic experience.

The main caveat to consider is the weather’s influence on the boat component. If the wind kicks up or conditions aren’t ideal, your plans could be disrupted, and communication from the provider might not be perfect. Still, if you’re flexible and appreciate smaller groups and boutique experiences, this tour offers good value for a memorable Outer Banks outing.

In summary, this experience is best for curious travelers who want a taste of regional wine, scenic water views, and a chance to learn about local traditions in a small-group setting. It’s a relaxing, educational, and uniquely regional outing—worthy of consideration if those elements appeal to you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this tour suitable for all ages?
The tour is primarily targeted at adults, especially since alcoholic beverages are only available to those over 21. The boat ride itself is suitable for most ages, but the tasting component is limited to legal drinkers.

What should I wear?
Casual, comfortable clothing suitable for outdoor and boat conditions works well. Consider bringing layers, as it can get breezy on the water.

How long does the boat ride last?
The boat crossing itself is about 30 minutes each way, making the total time around 2.5 hours including the vineyard visit.

Can I buy wine to take home?
Yes, after the tasting, you’ll have time to shop and purchase wines directly from Sanctuary Vineyards.

What happens if the weather cancels the tour?
If weather conditions like wind prevent operation, the tour provider will offer a different date or a full refund. Communication about cancellations is an area for potential improvement.

Is the tour suitable for non-drinkers?
While the wine tasting is the main focus, non-drinkers can still enjoy the scenic boat ride and the vineyard tour, but they won’t partake in the tasting.

How big are the groups?
The maximum group size is 14 travelers, ensuring a more personalized experience.

What’s included in the price?
The tour price covers the boat ride, the wine tasting at Sanctuary Vineyards, transportation, and a guide.

Are the wines locally made?
Yes, Sanctuary Vineyards produces regional wines, giving visitors a taste of local craftsmanship.

How much time is allocated for shopping?
There’s enough time after tasting to browse and purchase wines, making it convenient to take home a souvenir.

Overall, this Outer Banks wine and boat tour offers a charming way to enjoy the natural beauty, local beverages, and a touch of regional history—all in a relaxed, small-group setting. Be mindful of weather conditions, and you’ll likely find it a worthwhile addition to your trip.