Beaufort Ghost Walk

For one of the most genuinely entertaining and historically rich evening experiences in Beaufort, NC, the Beaufort Ghost Walk is a real treasure. Set in Carteret County’s iconic 300-year-old coastal town, this beloved 90-minute walking tour explores Beaufort’s deepest legends, ghost stories, and pirate history.

Tours are led by pirate-clad storytellers from Port City Tour Company — a beloved local operation that has been running the Ghost Walk since 2002. Stories are sourced from documented local history, well-preserved folklore, and respected NC coastal historians. As a result, the Ghost Walk offers one of the most well-researched evening experiences anywhere on the Crystal Coast. Click on the pictures below to get a feel for the Beaufort Ghost Walk before you go — or to relive the visit after.

Run by Port City Tour Company Since 2002

The Beaufort Ghost Walk is operated by Port City Tour Company, a beloved local business that has been delivering some of the most rewarding entertainment experiences along the Crystal Coast since 2002. The Ghost Walk has earned TripAdvisor’s Certificate of Excellence. Additionally, it has been featured on Disney, American Trails, and Our State magazine, and is regularly ranked among America’s Top 10 Ghost Tours.

Tours begin and end at Port City Tour Company’s shop at 108 Middle Lane in the heart of historic downtown Beaufort. The same building also houses the Beaufort Escape Room, where visitors can explore two immersive escape room games designed for families, friends, or a memorable date night.

Pirate-Clad Storytellers and Historical Roots

What sets the Beaufort Ghost Walk apart from typical ghost tours is the historical authenticity of its storytelling. Rather than relying on jump scares or gimmicks, the tour draws from the works of respected local historians. Names include Judge Charles Whedbee, Grayden Paul, and Nancy Roberts — all key figures in preserving NC’s coastal folklore and ghost lore.

The tour is led by pirate-clad guides who serve as more than just storytellers. One beloved character, “Richard Edwards,” is presented as a member of Blackbeard’s final crew, condemned to walk the streets of Beaufort for eternity. The immersive in-character storytelling turns each tour into a uniquely entertaining and educational evening.

Stories told along the walk cover several layered periods of Beaufort history:

The Golden Age of Piracy — including legends of Blackbeard, his flagship Queen Anne’s Revenge, and his curse
The Colonial era — Beaufort’s role as one of NC’s earliest seaports
The Civil War — stories of lost soldiers and lingering spirits
The early 1900s — Beaufort’s evolution into a working maritime port
Ghost ships and the “Graveyard of the Atlantic” — the treacherous waters along NC’s coast that have claimed thousands of vessels

90 Minutes Through Beaufort’s Haunted District

The walking tour takes approximately 90 minutes and winds through Beaufort’s beautifully preserved historic district. One of the most popular stops is the Old Burial Grounds — established in 1731 and one of Beaufort’s most evocative landmarks.

Visitors are encouraged to snap photos here. The cemetery is famous for capturing what local lore calls “ghostly orbs” in images taken at twilight.

Other stops along the route include haunted historic homes, sites of unexplained encounters, and waterfront locations that connect to the town’s deep pirate legacy. The pace is comfortable and family-friendly. Stops along the way include stories, photo opportunities, and the occasional theatrical surprise.

Good to Know

Operator: Port City Tour Company (running tours since 2002)
Starting location: 108 Middle Lane, Beaufort, NC (also home to the Beaufort Escape Room)
Tour duration: Approximately 90 minutes
Tour times: Tours typically depart in the evening; check the Port City Tour Company website for the current schedule
Guide style: Pirate-clad costumed storytellers in character
Historical sources: Drawn from the works of Judge Charles Whedbee, Grayden Paul, Nancy Roberts, and other respected NC coastal historians
Stories covered: Blackbeard and the Golden Age of Piracy, Colonial era, Civil War spirits, early 1900s legends, ghost ships, and the Graveyard of the Atlantic
Featured tour stop: Old Burial Grounds (established 1731)
Awards and recognition: TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence; featured on Disney, American Trails, and Our State magazine; ranked among America’s Top 10 Ghost Tours
Audience: All ages; family-friendly; couples, families, and groups all enjoy it; pet friendly
Best for: History enthusiasts, ghost tour fans, families with curious children, couples seeking a unique date night, and visitors looking for a genuinely meaningful evening in historic Beaufort
Pair with: A daytime visit to the North Carolina Maritime Museum, a tour of the Beaufort Historic Site, an afternoon at the Rachel Carson Reserve, or a dinner along the Beaufort waterfront
Located at 108 Middle Lane in Beaufort, NC

A Beaufort Highlight

The Beaufort Ghost Walk is the kind of experience that genuinely captures the layered character of one of North Carolina’s oldest coastal towns. The wonderfully immersive pirate-clad storytelling by Richard Edwards and the rest of the Port City Tour Company team is a real highlight.

The well-researched historical sourcing from beloved NC folklorists adds genuine educational depth. The 90-minute walking route winds through one of the most beautifully preserved historic districts in the southeastern United States. Furthermore, the meaningful stop at the Old Burial Grounds with its 18th-century gravestones adds an unforgettable atmospheric note.

Together, these elements add up to one of the most rewarding evenings anywhere along the Crystal Coast. Whether you’re a longtime ghost tour enthusiast, a history buff drawn to Blackbeard’s legend, or just a visitor looking for a memorable evening in Beaufort, this is one of the most rewarding stops you can make in Carteret County.