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Reviews: Kiptopeke Beach State Park
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Kiptopeke Beach State Park
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Review for Kiptopeke Beach State Park
Reviewed by: William Mcnutt, Vacatio, on Nov 8, 2025
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 50'
Draft: 8.0'Overall Rating:5Holding:5Wind Protection:4Current Flow:3Wake Protection:5Scenic Beauty:5Ease of Shopping:1Shore Access:5Pet Friendly:5Cell Service:5WiFi:1The Concrete Ships at the Kiptopeke Beach State Park is a wonderful anchorage if you are there at the right time of year.
My wife and I were up there in late October/Early November waiting out the tail end of Hurricane Season before heading back south below Cape Hatteras and needed a place to wait out some breathtakingly soupy weather.
We anchored inside the northern fleet of Concrete Ships with nary a crab pot to be seen. Judging by other reviews of the anchorage, those are a big problem for summer cruisers, but we didn't see any. We also had no problem with piles, pilings, or other debris inside the anchorage.
It took us two tries to set the hook, but once it set, it set like a rock. In fact, it held so well I was slightly concerned about getting it back UP. And, in fact, the windlass did whine a little until I got the boat directly over the hook and pulled straight up. Then it came up with no problems, and by the time I got it out of the water it was clean, so I can't report of what the bottom was made.
The anchorage is very well protected from westerlies by the Concrete Shops and easterlies by the cape. There's also moderate protect at the northern section where we were by the old ferry pier.
So, of course, we got northerlies, sometimes gusting up to 30 knots. We were fairly comfortable the entire time. The worst we saw inside was 2' – 3' rollers with no breaking waves. By the time all of that had blown out, we had been there about five days.
No crowding, either. We had two neighbors, both of whom stopped just overnight.
We never went ashore, but the beach looks quite dingy-friendly. As far as I could tell there are no amenities available within walking distance, but the locals make extensive use of the pier for fishing. We saw a healthy but not crowded amount of traffic over there. I suspect that if you have need to resupply, getting an Uber to town might be possible.
We had good cell signal, but didn't check for wireless.
Two unique things about this anchorage: the sound of the near-gale sustained winds off of the superstructure of those half-sunken concrete ships is eerie, and haunting, especially at night and there is a gigantic colony of pelicans who have decided to make the Concrete Ships their home, and they are not fastidious about where they poop. The Ships have a bit of an air about them, but the wind has to be JUST RIGHT for you to catch a wiff.
All in all, we REALLY liked this anchorage and will probably return here any time we need to overnight in the lower Chesapeake or need to wait for a weather window south.View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer
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Review for Kiptopeke Beach State Park
Reviewed by: Gwen Smith, Gwayne, on Aug 26, 2025
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 45'
Draft: 4.5'Overall Rating:5Holding:5Wind Protection:5Current Flow:4Wake Protection:5Scenic Beauty:5Ease of Shopping:2Shore Access:5Pet Friendly:5Cell Service:2WiFi:1Great little anchorage right off the fishing pier. There is 15 feet of water, good holding and very interesting surroundings with the sunken boats that create the manmade harbor. Others have mentioned many crab pots. We saw a total of maybe five and they were very easy to navigate around and pick a spot.
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Review for Kiptopeke Beach State Park
Reviewed by: Audrey and Chad Flynn, Dog House, on Nov 3, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 28'
Draft: 3.0'Overall Rating:4Holding:4Wind Protection:3Current Flow:3Wake Protection:3Scenic Beauty:5Cell Service:5This was a beautiful anchorage right next to the old ships used as a protection barrier. BUT DO NOT attempt to anchor here at night with out local knowledge!! There are several areas with old wooden pylons, which are not marked on any maps, nor strangely mentioned in any comments, nor marked with any lights or reflectors!! That are extremally hazardous at night!! and our Garmin wanted us to steer right through them. We literally got about 10 to 15 ft away from them before we saw them and realized we were almost surrounded. Eventually we found a good safe spot and the anchor held well, but please proceed with caution at night!!
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Review for Kiptopeke Beach State Park
Reviewed by: jay scharnitzky, Pending, on Sep 6, 2020
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 30'
Draft: 3.1'Overall Rating:3Holding:4Wind Protection:2Current Flow:2Wake Protection:2Scenic Beauty:4Ease of Shopping:1Shore Access:3Pet Friendly:3Cell Service:4WiFi:1I used this anchorage twice in 2020, July and September. In July the crab pots were hard to navigate through and find a spot to anchor. Pots were gone in September. Both times the wind and swell made it a rough anchorage for sleeping. Great views of dolphins and waterfowl. Went ashore once, beautiful beach and there are restroom facilities.
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Review for Kiptopeke Beach State Park
Reviewed by: James Debaun on Jul 23, 2020
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 50'
Draft: 5.5'Overall Rating:2Holding:2Wind Protection:3Current Flow:3Wake Protection:3Scenic Beauty:3Ease of Shopping:1Shore Access:1Pet Friendly:1Cell Service:1WiFi:1Attempted to use this anchorage during one of the summer thunder storms. Couldn't find a place to anchor because of all of the crab pots in the area. The watermen should not be allowed to use this . It's a safety concern for boaters If you need to use it and can't.
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Review for Kiptopeke Beach State Park
Reviewed by: Zach on Apr 22, 2018
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 36'
Draft: 6.0'Overall Rating:2Holding:5Wind Protection:1Current Flow:2Wake Protection:2Scenic Beauty:4Ease of Shopping:1Shore Access:4Pet Friendly:4Cell Service:5WiFi:1Many crab pots in the area, couldn't find space within the breakwater. Anchored near the mouth of the breakwater. Didn't go ashore. Cell service is quite good.
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Review for Kiptopeke Beach State Park
Reviewed by: Bob Menches, Sea Shanty, on Jul 15, 2016
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 35'
Draft: 3.0'Overall Rating:4Holding:5Wind Protection:4Current Flow:2Wake Protection:3Scenic Beauty:4Ease of Shopping:1Shore Access:4Pet Friendly:4Cell Service:4WiFi:1Really nice anchorage between the pier and the breakwater (which is made up from old WWII Libery Ships. Some current but not real strong. Lots of crab traps but you can find room. Did not go ashore. Water very clear, nice for swimming.
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