The Carolinas were home, hosted, or hanged some of the most infamous buccaneers in the history of piracy. We’re talking Blackbeard, Captain Kidd, Calico Jack Rackham, Stede Bonnet, and more.They sailed our waters and plundered our ships during the height of piracy, which was the Golden Age of Piracy. Reportedly, some even hid their treasure along our coast.
While I can’t promise pirate treasure, I can help you discover pirate history, folklore, and festivals.
Sharpen your sword for the OUTER BANKS PIRATE FESTIVAL at North Carolina’s Outer Banks. We’re talking two full days of pirate fights, pirate face painting, living history demonstrations, treasure hunts and more! FREE. August 16 & 17.
FYI: Don’t forget the Solar Eclipse is August 21. There will be special events all over the Carolinas and around the world. Jackson County, NC is in the direct path of the Great America Solar Eclipse.
If you’ll be coming ashore in Charleston, be sure to take a pirate walk. You can choose from Pirate & Ghost Tour, Charleston Pirate Walk, and Children’s Treasure Hunt Tour. https://www.charlestonpiratetour.com/. The Charleston sites with the strongest pirate connection are The Old Exchange Building & Provost Dungeon, The Pirate House, and The Powder Magazine.
Another good walking tour is Blackbeard and Pirates of Carolina in Beaufort (75 min). Beaufort also offers a pirate cruise and double decker sightseeing bus highlighting places with pirate connections.
If you love the sea like a pirate and think a walking tour is for landlubbers only, then the Pirate Adventure Cruise is perfect for you. Pirate cruises are also available in Murrells Inlet, Hilton Head Island, and the Outer Banks.
Open year round and well worth the price of admission is the Pirates Voyage Dinner Show in Myrtle Beach. Arrive early for the preshow activities and shopping in their gift store.
For those yearning to learn the real deal on piracy, a visit to the NC Maritime Museum in Beaufort, NC is a must. On display are actual artifacts that have been excavated from Blackbeard’s flagship, Queen Anne’s Revenge, and much more.
If you’re looking to spend some loot, head to Teach’s Hole on Ocracoke Island. The nautical gift shop also has a pirate exhibit in the back of the store.
For more pirate attractions and activities, visit https://www.visitnc.com/story/pirate-tours-and-hideouts or to walk in Blackbeard’s footsteps, https://www.visitnc.com/trip-idea/walk-in-blackbeard-s-footsteps-on-the-coast
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