Reviews: Bonner Bay - Long Creek

Review for Bonner Bay - Long Creek

Reviewed by: Capt. Mac Rubel, Cruising Editor, Janthina, on May 16, 2025
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 48'
Draft: 5.0'

Turn to the west into Bay River between Green "27" and Green "3" (Note change into the Bay River ATON series) and proceed towards Red "4" in the Bay River. Approximately 1.75 miles in turn south into Bonner Bay and proceed south for 1.5 miles to the junction of Bonner Bay with Long Creek. Turn east into the creek and proceed far enough in to gain protection from winds from the north behind the peninsula on the north side of the creek. Approach depths are no less than 12 feet and depths at the anchorage are about 10 feet in silty mud. There are no ATONs in Bonner Bay but the Aqua Map and Garmin charts both properly reflect the channel and depths and can be used as guides. In season pay attention to the crab pot floats that are present.

As with all anchorages in the Albemarle/Pamlico Sound, there is no lunar tide; water levels vary with wind direction, velocity, and duration. Refer to www.towndock.net to get information on water current water levels. The anchorage is truly at the edge of civilization. Green Head flies are the local residents during warm weather so the use of screens is advised. The anchorage is large enough to handle ten or more boats, with plenty of swing room to move with the winds as there is no current to speak of. Protection from waves is very good and there is no worry about passing wakes as the only boats in the area are the local watermen tending their traps. There is no protection from the winds as there is nothing but scrub vegetation in the area. Holding is good, we did not budge in 25 mph gusts that we experienced at the edge of several passing thunderstorms.

We were not expecting much in the way of cell service but found that we had 2-3 bars of 5G service at the anchorage. Shore access is not one of Long Creek's features. The anchorage is about three miles off the AICW so there is a time cost getting to it in the afternoon and returning in the morning but it offers a more comfortable afternoon than a rough and wet 20 miles to Oriental.

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Review for Bonner Bay - Long Creek

Reviewed by: Lance Williamson on Nov 15, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 3.8'

We anchored to the west of the anchor symbol in the Waterway Guide. There were a few crab pots along the edge of the channel going in but none in the channel. Anchored in 10' of water. Wind was blowing pretty good so we put out lots of scope. The Rocna anchor set and did budge throughout the night. It is November so no mosquitos. The "low land" does not provide much protection from the wind, but it does keep down the wave size. No hunters used the duck blinds -- their boat were the blinds. There were 3 boats outside of the anchorage. First shots were around 8:00 am as we were pulling up the anchor. A good washdown sprayer is needed to get the goopy mud off the anchor rode and anchor.

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Review for Bonner Bay - Long Creek

Reviewed by: Tony Buntyn on Dec 5, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 47'
Draft: 4.0'

Just a beautiful spot. Easy to get into. Great holding and wave protection. Mind the duck blinds around. You might get an early wake up during duck season.

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Review for Bonner Bay - Long Creek

Reviewed by: David H on Apr 27, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 41'
Draft: 5.0'

We had a strong south to southwest wind predicted for the night so gave this a try. Unfortunately, with a 4- or 5-foot draft, I’d say in a blow you really cannot get close enough to the tree line to attain good wind protection. There’s good 8 to 10 ft depth in the center, however, the shallows keep you from tucking in close to the trees and winds were still coming through. It also had a lot of crab pots and when we did try our first anchor drop with 75’ of chain, we had some dragging in the soft mud. We didn’t try again because of the wind issues.

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Review for Bonner Bay - Long Creek

Reviewed by: Bruce Stewart, Escape, on Apr 24, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 42'
Draft: 3.0'

Good hold on the bottom, anchor had to be reset (due to wind shift) and had no trouble.
Crab Pots everywhere. Bugs were not bad.

Charts are accurate for path in.

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Review for Bonner Bay - Long Creek

Reviewed by: Roger S. on Apr 23, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 42'
Draft: 3.6'

We stayed one night on April 16, 2021. The crab pots were very dense across the entire body of water making it difficult to find enough room to swing even with less than 5:1 scope.

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Review for Bonner Bay - Long Creek

Reviewed by: Robert Kovach on Oct 15, 2019
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 50'
Draft: 5.0'

This is our second stop, once in spring 2018 and now fall of 2019. No bugs or mosquitoes. Have it all to ourselves. Sort of open in most directions as shore line is very low lying but with 125 ft of chain out in 8 ft bring it on, we love the swing room. Anchored on 10-15-19 at LAT 35-09.06.5 N LON 076-35.02.03 W ENJOY this anchorage.

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Review for Bonner Bay - Long Creek

Reviewed by: Skipper Bob on Jun 1, 2016
Draft: 0.0'

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