H2O Captain Eco-Tours An Aquatic Highlight On North Carolina's Crystal Coast

Mark Sonder - The H2O Captain

A private eco-tour is the best way to see the sights of North Carolina's Crystal Coast.

Once, you could hear the tones of  Mark Sonder’s French horn on Broadway or at Radio City Music Hall. A native of New York City known for his symphony work, his job these days has quite a different rhythm.  “I followed my dad’s advice,” he said. “If you do the thing you love, it’s not work.” As a licensed captain, he now rides the waves of North Carolina’s Crystal Coast as the owner of a boutique charter boat company, H20 Captain Eco-Tours.

 When COVID left him out of his corporate job, he and his wife looked south. They visited North Carolina’s Emerald Isle. At first, it was for a week, then it was for a month. Hooked on the beauty of the area and its coastal charm, they then bought a house. He had to figure something out for employment. Since he had a captain’s license, he launched H2O Captain Eco-Tours.

A Unique Experience On The Water

There is no shortage of ferries and sightseeing cruises in the area, but Captain Mark offers something very different. Instead of piling on a ferry with a gaggle of tourists, H2O offers a tailored experience for visitors to the Crystal Coast, Emerald Isle, Atlantic Beach, Swansboro, and Beaufort, NC. The private tours are limited to six passengers. 

The featured boat is a Carolina Skiff Ultra Elite 21, fully cushioned for passenger comfort. A shallow draft on the boat allows it to approach the shoreline so passengers can head ashore to go shelling or enjoy birds and wildlife. The Cape Lookout National Seashore features Shackelford Banks, known for its wild horses and natural beauty. It’s a popular destination for H2O guests. Captain Mark is an authorized tour guide for the National Park Service.  

North Carolina's Wild Horses Roaming Free

A highlight of our recent visit to the Crystal Coast was a private boat excursion with H2O Captain Eco-Tours. For more than two and a half hours, we cruised the waters of the Southern Outer Banks, seeing the waterfront towns of Moorehead City and Beaufort and the wild horses of Shackleford Banks and Rachel Carson Reserve. A popular feature of many excursions is hiking on Shackleford and viewing the horses up close.

The affable Captain Mark delivered entertainment and education as he piloted his Carolina Skiff through the dappled waters. This is a unique experience with your own private captain. Captain Mark is a US Coast Guard Auxiliary member. He took us up close to US Coast Guard Station Fort Macon, which is responsible for maritime safety and rescue operations along the Crystal Coast and surrounding waters.  

Captain Mark serves on the Habitat & Water Quality Advisory Committee to the NC Marine Fisheries Commission. He has a fondness for fish and wildlife. His boat was formerly used for fishing. As a vegan, he doesn’t offer fishing charters. Of course, wildlife, specifically wild horses, is a main attraction for people coming to the region.

The wild horses on Shackleford Banks are descendants of Spanish mustangs brought here by Spanish explorers as early as the 1520s. The horses at the Rachel Carson Reserve were brought to the site by a resident and eventually became wild. They embody the spirit of freedom. Captain Mark knows where to go, and his craft can get closer to Shackleford Banks than larger vessels. H2O Captain is also a popular choice for shelling excursions.

H2O Captain Eco-Tours is based at the Coral Bay Marina in Moorehead City. You can arrange your excursion here. This was convenient for us as we stayed in Beaufort (not to be confused with the Beaufort in South Carolina). Our lodging was the delightful Inlet Inn. Our second-floor king with a balcony was perfect for us. It was just steps from the water and the shops and restaurants that line Front Street.

Beaufort and the Crystal Coast: A Perfect Destination

Inlet Inn is charming and offers a complimentary breakfast delivered to your room. From our balcony, we could watch boats pull in and out of the dock. Bring a pair of binoculars, because we were able to view wild horses on Carrot Island as we sat in our rocking chairs on our balcony. Inlet Inn is an ideal location for a Beaufort getaway.

A two-minute walk from Inlet Inn is Aqua, a restaurant featuring delicious small plates, a wide selection of premium wines, and craft cocktails. It has an artsy yet intimate vibe. Our Certified Angus Beef petite filet small plates were sumptuous. The meat melts in your mouth, and the presentation was delightful. The Aqua wine list is quite extensive.

Head to the Crystal Coast for an afternoon of watery adventure with H2O Captain Eco-Tours. At less than 150 miles from Raleigh, it's perfect for a weekend trip.