Boaters in Beaufort County will need to find a new launch point starting next month. Buddy and Zoo Boat Landing, also known as Station Creek, will close for upgrades and improvements from August 3 through October 16, according to an announcement from Beaufort County Government.
Why the Boat Landing Is Closing for Repairs
County officials say barricades will be installed at the landing to keep the area clear while equipment and supplies are brought in for the project.
Once the upgrades are finished, the barricades will come down, and the landing will reopen to the public. The county has not released a detailed breakdown of what the upgrades will include, but the closure spans just over two and a half months.
Where Boaters Can Go Instead During the Closure
Residents are being directed to three alternative landings while the work is underway: Wallace Landing, Russ Point Landing, and Eddings Point Landing.
The county has also pointed people to its public works website, which lists all boat landings, public water access points, bluffs, and piers across the county for anyone looking for other options during the closure.
Anyone with questions about the project can call the Beaufort County Public Works Department at 843 255 2800.
Community Reaction to the Closure Announcement
The announcement drew a mix of questions, complaints, and suggestions in the comments section.
Jennifer Monroe Lazenby asked whether Pigeon Point was also included in the repair plans, noting that a floating dock there is completely missing.
Bill Lindler pushed back on the timing of the project, writing that January and February would have been a better window for construction work than the busier months of August through October.
Shane Hawkins asked if the county could consider adding an L-shaped dock at the landing so boaters could tie up without blocking the ramp for others.
Dean Williams brought up the state’s saltwater fishing license fees, pointing out that a portion of that money was supposed to go toward upgrading facilities like this one, and questioned how those funds have actually been used over the years.
Mike Yoakum said there are other boat ramps in the county in far worse shape than this one, and wondered who is responsible for deciding which projects get funded and prioritized.
Bill Mueller welcomed the news, saying it was overdue, and described watching people slip and fall on the muck that builds up on the ramp at low tide.
The closure comes as the county continues to invest in maintenance across its network of public water access points. For now, residents planning fall boating trips in the Station Creek area are being urged to plan and use one of the three listed alternative landings until Buddy and Zoo reopen in mid-October.
Updates on the project’s progress are expected to be shared through the county’s official channels as work continues.