Crystal Dawn Fishing and Cruises 

4.6/5 (152 reviews)
 2000 Sailfish Drive, Manteo, NC 27954, United States

Crystal Dawn Fishing and Cruises 

Manteo, NC, United States
63 ft
55
4.6/5 (152 reviews)

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Make the most of your time in Manteo and go fishing with Crystal Dawn Fishing and Cruises.

These waters are known for Flounder, Speckled Trout, Black Seabass, Striped Bass, Black Drum, Bluefish, Whiting, Weakfish, Spanish Mackerel, and more – with any luck, you'll hook into a few! You'll target your catch by bottom fishing.

Thinking of bringing the whole family? Kids are absolutely welcome! Be sure to ask if child-sized life vests are available, otherwise, you should bring your own. Also, remember to bring snacks so that nobody gets cranky on an empty stomach!

BEER AND WINE AVAILABLE TO PURCHASE ON BOARD… NO OUTSIDE ALCOHOL PERMITTED.

Capt. Charles operates a 63' Varnum saltwater fishing vessel with space for 55 passengers. It comes with all the essentials no fishing machine can run without. There's a toilet on board for your convenience. Rods, reels, and tackle are provided.

A First Mate will be there to make sure everything is running smoothly. A 10–20% tip is customary to show your appreciation for their hard work. There's no need to buy a fishing license, just show up ready for a good time! Have in mind that you may release some fish due to regulations. Your captain will help you follow regulations while you fish.

It's recommended to bring sunglasses, bottled water, and sunblock (non-spray).

Give yourself something to look forward to and book a trip with Crystal Dawn Fishing and Cruises!

Make the most of your time in Manteo and go fishing with Crystal Dawn Fishing and Cruises.

These waters are known for Flounder, Speckled Trout, Black Seabass, Striped Bass, Black Drum, Bluefish, Whiting, Weakfish, Spanish Mackerel, and more – with any luck, you'll hook into a few! You'll target your catch by bottom fishing.

Thinking of bringing the whole family? Kids are absolutely welcome! Be sure to ask if child-sized life vests are available, otherwise, you should bring your own. Also, remember to bring snacks so that nobody gets cranky on an empty stomach!

BEER AND WINE AVAILABLE TO PURCHASE ON BOARD… NO OUTSIDE ALCOHOL PERMITTED.

Capt. Charles operates a 63' Varnum saltwater fishing vessel with space for 55 passengers. It comes with all the essentials no fishing machine can run without. There's a toilet on board for your convenience. Rods, reels, and tackle are provided.

A First Mate will be there to make sure everything is running smoothly. A 10–20% tip is customary to show your appreciation for their hard work. There's no need to buy a fishing license, just show up ready for a good time! Have in mind that you may release some fish due to regulations. Your captain will help you follow regulations while you fish.

It's recommended to bring sunglasses, bottled water, and sunblock (non-spray).

Give yourself something to look forward to and book a trip with Crystal Dawn Fishing and Cruises!

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Customer reviews

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Rating

4.6
152 reviews
4.7
Boat & equipment
4.8
Captain & crew
4.5
Fishing Experience

Anglers' gallery (134)

What anglers say

80%
Great experience
100%
Family friendly
98%
Friendly captain
98%
Good boat
84%
Recommended
68%
Caught fish

All reviews (152)

Frequently mentioned
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Showing 15 of 152 reviews
Ava Hogue
Ava Hogue
us
Pennsylvania, US
Member since 2026
The captain canceled
June 9, 2026

The charter operator canceled on trip date. This is an automated posting.

Desiree Inman
Desiree Inman
us
Virginia, US
Member since 2026
5.0
Verified
New
Great Trip!
Half Day (7am-12pm) – Mon - Friday on June 25, 20263 adults3 children

We took our 5 year old out to fish for the first time. I don't think the fishing was as good as usual, but we still caught a few fish and got to keep one mullet. The captain was friendly and knowledgeable. There were 2 first mates who were very helpful and even filleted our fish at the end. We also got to see dolphins several times!

Reported catch:
Whiting
Atlantic Croaker
Jonathan Lanning
Jonathan Lanning
us
North Carolina, US
Member since 2026
5.0
Verified
New
Fathers Day Weekend Fishing Trip
Half Day (8am-1pm) – Saturdays on June 20, 20263 adults2 children

Just want to thank the crew on #crystaldawnheadboat for being so patient and kind to my girls, playing the best tunes, finding us a shark, blowing up a puffer fish and letting the girls pet it, and the best hotdogs for a good day of fishing on fathers day weekend for my husband and Brother in law ! 10/10 Recommend! 🦈🐟🎣

Tammy Mikkelson
Tammy Mikkelson
us
Virginia, US
Member since 2026
5.0
Verified
New
Great experience!
Half Day (7am-12pm) – Mon - Friday on June 10, 20265 adults

My husband & I took our 3 teenage boys on the 7am fishing trip, we had a fantastic time! Everyone was super friendly, knowledgeable, the boat ride was great and the views were beautiful. The music was spot on & we caught fish! We'll definitely do it again when we return to the obx.

Matthew Burton
Matthew Burton
us
Kentucky, US
Member since 2026
5.0
Verified
New
ok trip
Half Day (12:30pm-5pm) – Mon - Fri on June 23, 20262 adults

trip was fun didn’t catch very many fish. What fish were caught were little. Wind was high captain really had to work to keep it straight. Probably would have been better if theee wasnt a storm blowing in.

Trip availability and prices

Trip Date:
Group Size:
Select date to see availability
June 2026
SuMoTuWeThFrSa
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Number of days
1
Group Size
2 adults • 0 children
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Almost there...
Half Day (7am-12pm) – Mon - Friday
5 hour trip starts at 7:00 AM
Seasonal trip
Jun 1 - Aug 31 (Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri)
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US $98
Shared tour: 2 people
Half Day (8am-1pm) – Mon - Sat
5 hour trip starts at 8:00 AM
Seasonal trip
Apr 20 - May 31 (Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat)
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US $98
Shared tour: 2 people
Half Day (8am-1pm) – Mon - Sat
5 hour trip starts at 8:00 AM
Seasonal trip
Sep 1 - Oct 30 (Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat)
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US $98
Shared tour: 2 people
Half Day (8am-1pm) – Saturdays
5 hour trip starts at 8:00 AM
Seasonal trip
Jun 1 - Aug 31 (Sat)
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US $98
Shared tour: 2 people
Half Day (12:30pm-5pm) – Mon - Fri
5 hour trip starts at 12:30 PM
Seasonal trip
Jun 1 - Aug 31 (Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri)
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US $98
Shared tour: 2 people
There are 46 people looking at this charter.

Customer reviews

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Rating

4.6
152 reviews
4.7
Boat & equipment
4.8
Captain & crew
4.5
Fishing Experience

Anglers' gallery (134)

What anglers say

80%
Great experience
100%
Family friendly
98%
Friendly captain
98%
Good boat
84%
Recommended
68%
Caught fish

All reviews (152)

Frequently mentioned
Loading...Loading...Loading...Loading...Loading...Loading...Loading...Loading...
Showing 15 of 152 reviews
Ava Hogue
Ava Hogue
us
Pennsylvania, US
Member since 2026
The captain canceled
Trip was supposed to happen on June 9, 2026

The charter operator canceled on trip date. This is an automated posting.

Desiree Inman
Desiree Inman
us
Virginia, US
Member since 2026
5.0
Verified
New
Great Trip!
Half Day (7am-12pm) – Mon - Friday on June 25, 20263 adults3 children

We took our 5 year old out to fish for the first time. I don't think the fishing was as good as usual, but we still caught a few fish and got to keep one mullet. The captain was friendly and knowledgeable. There were 2 first mates who were very helpful and even filleted our fish at the end. We also got to see dolphins several times!

Reported catch:
Whiting
Atlantic Croaker
Jonathan Lanning
Jonathan Lanning
us
North Carolina, US
Member since 2026
5.0
Verified
New
Fathers Day Weekend Fishing Trip
Half Day (8am-1pm) – Saturdays on June 20, 20263 adults2 children

Just want to thank the crew on #crystaldawnheadboat for being so patient and kind to my girls, playing the best tunes, finding us a shark, blowing up a puffer fish and letting the girls pet it, and the best hotdogs for a good day of fishing on fathers day weekend for my husband and Brother in law ! 10/10 Recommend! 🦈🐟🎣

Tammy Mikkelson
Tammy Mikkelson
us
Virginia, US
Member since 2026
5.0
Verified
New
Great experience!
Half Day (7am-12pm) – Mon - Friday on June 10, 20265 adults

My husband & I took our 3 teenage boys on the 7am fishing trip, we had a fantastic time! Everyone was super friendly, knowledgeable, the boat ride was great and the views were beautiful. The music was spot on & we caught fish! We'll definitely do it again when we return to the obx.

Matthew Burton
Matthew Burton
us
Kentucky, US
Member since 2026
5.0
Verified
New
ok trip
Half Day (12:30pm-5pm) – Mon - Fri on June 23, 20262 adults

trip was fun didn’t catch very many fish. What fish were caught were little. Wind was high captain really had to work to keep it straight. Probably would have been better if theee wasnt a storm blowing in.

FAQs about Crystal Dawn Fishing and Cruises

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The fish you can target

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What is the boat like?

Boat image
Boat category
Headboats
Capacity
55 persons
Boat length
63 ft
Year built
1963
Restored in
2022
Boat manufacturer
Varnum
Boat type
Headboat
Engine model
Cummins
Powered by
2 x 450HP
Max cruising speed
12 knots
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