Since it was too far to make Beaufort in a day, we decided on a shorter trip today, with a stop at Surf City on Topsail Island. Again, there really aren't many reasonable anchorages along this stretch, so we stopped at the Beach House marina.
Surf City is a small community on one of the barrier islands where nearly all facilities are aimed at tourists and seasonal residents. The marina staff was very helpful and friendly, we walked through the small town and over to the Atlantic, but there really isn't much here. Another slice of life in a small North Carolina town.
A front is forecast for tomorrow afternoon with thunderstorms and heavy rain, so we will get under way early to make Beaufort before things get unpleasant.